Clay & wheel

Clay Craft & Pottery.

Three pathways into clay — a quick air-dry session, the full hand-built ceramic journey, or wheel-thrown for those who have thrown before. Each runs two hours under direct studio guidance, materials included.

A guest shaping a clay figure by hand during a pottery session at the studio

Session: Two hours, guided
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday
Hours: 3 PM to 8 PM
Location: Mbezi Beach, Zena
Level: Hand-building open to all · wheel for experienced
From: TZS 25,000 per person

01Choose your pathway

Each clay pathway runs two hours under studio guidance · booking secured with a 50% deposit. The optional painting visit is arranged separately.

Select a pathway above to continue to dates and details.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between the three pathways?

Air-Dry Hand-Built (TZS 25,000) is a two-hour hand-building session with no firing — you finish drying your piece at home, or add a separately arranged acrylic painting visit (TZS 15,000 per guest) and leave it with us to dry instead. Hand-Built Ceramic (TZS 60,000) adds bisque and glaze firing for a full ceramic finish. Wheel-Thrown (TZS 70,000) is thrown on the pottery wheel with both firings and glaze, limited to two per slot and open to experienced throwers only.

Do I need any experience with clay?

Not for the hand-building pathways — Air-Dry Hand-Built and Hand-Built Ceramic are designed for complete beginners, and you’ll be guided through shaping your piece from start to finish. The Wheel-Thrown pathway is the exception: it’s currently reserved for guests who have thrown on a wheel before.

Why is Wheel-Thrown reserved for experienced throwers?

Throwing is skill-intensive. Centring the clay and pulling an even wall are things the hands learn through repeated practice — not something a single two-hour sitting can teach, and we’d rather you didn’t spend the session fighting the clay. So for now the wheel is held for guests who already have that grounding. If you’re new to clay, start with Option I or II; a proper multi-session wheel course is in the works, and we’ll announce it when dates open.

Do I take my piece home the same day?

Air-Dry sessions complete in one visit — you take your piece home to finish drying. The exception is the optional acrylic painting visit: every guest leaves their piece with us to dry, then returns for a separately arranged painting visit. Acrylics dry in minutes, so everyone takes their finished piece home after painting. Hand-Built Ceramic and Wheel-Thrown pieces are fired and glazed at the studio, ready for pickup in about three weeks.

Can I paint my air-dry piece?

Yes — add the Acrylic Paint Session (TZS 15,000 per guest) when you book Option I. The add-on applies to every guest in the booking and turns Air-Dry into a two-visit experience. Leave the pieces at the studio to dry; we’ll message you when they’re ready, usually within the week, and arrange the guided painting visit. Acrylics dry within minutes, so everyone takes their finished piece home after painting. Paints, brushes and guidance are included. It’s an Air-Dry extra only — Hand-Built Ceramic and Wheel-Thrown pieces are glazed and fired instead.

Why can I only pick certain dates and times?

Sessions run Tuesday to Sunday between 3 and 8 PM, each lasting two hours, with limited spaces so every guest gets proper guidance at the table and the wheel. New dates open regularly.

How is my booking confirmed?

We confirm your spot within 24 hours via email or WhatsApp. Your seat is secured once the 50% deposit is completed — the balance is settled at pickup.

What if my piece cracks in firing?

It happens occasionally with clay. Pieces cracked during firing carry a re-do discount so you can make another.

Can we book a clay session for a private group?

For a private group outside the scheduled dates, message us on WhatsApp — we’ll advise what’s possible.