The Clay Station is a small pottery studio based in Lake Hayes, near Queenstown, run by Debbie. It focuses on hand-building rather than wheel-throwing, offering relaxed, beginner-friendly sessions where participants shape clay using pinching, coiling and slab-building techniques with tools, stamps, lace and cutters, then decorate with underglazes before the piece is bisque- and glaze-fired.
The standard freestyle in-studio session runs up to two hours, uses 500g of clay per person, and costs $40. Finished pieces are bisque-fired at around 1064°C and glaze-fired at around 1220°C, a process that takes roughly 3-4 weeks in total; out-of-town guests can have pieces posted on afterwards for an extra cost.
### Group and mobile events
The Clay Station runs dedicated group pottery experiences for hen's parties, birthdays, family gatherings and corporate/team-building sessions. In-studio group sessions seat up to 8 people, last 2-2.5 hours and cost $40 per person, with guests able to bring their own food and drinks. For larger or off-site groups, Debbie offers a mobile service, bringing clay, tools and instruction to venues such as wineries, restaurants, offices, retreats, holiday homes and event spaces around Queenstown; mobile events are priced from $50 per person. Because hand-building doesn't use water, the studio describes the experience as relatively low-mess compared with wheel-based pottery, with each participant working on an individual pottery board.
### MICE suitability
With hand-building sessions explicitly marketed for corporate and team-building groups, and a mobile option that can bring the activity to a conference venue, hotel or offsite location, The Clay Station suits smaller incentive groups or breakout sessions of up to around eight people in-studio, or larger parties via its mobile format at Queenstown venues. Organisers should contact Debbie directly to confirm pricing and logistics for group size, timing and venue.
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