Mad Hatter's Tea Party: Clay for Kids - Image 2

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: Clay for Kids

$230.00

Step into a wonderfully wacky Mad Hatter’s tea party and create your own whimsical tea set in clay! Across two playful sessions, children aged 6–12 will make three to four pieces, which may include teacups, saucers, a small plate or tray, and a playful pourer.

Expect bubbles, colour, pattern and plenty of imagination as children explore handbuilding and decoration to create a tea set that is uniquely their own. Mismatched, wonky and wonderfully inventive forms are encouraged. No experience needed.

Date:	Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 January 2027
Time:	9:30am to12:30pm
Teacher(s):	Anna O’Neale with Emily Burgess Orton
Location:	Workshop One

11 SPOTS LEFT

Description

Join Anna O’Neale and Emily Burgess Orton for a wonderfully whimsical two-part clay adventure inspired by the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Across two sessions, children will create their own miniature tea set of three to four pieces, with projects including teacups and saucers, a small plate or tray, and a playful pourer. Children will explore simple handbuilding techniques to build their pieces before adding colour, pattern, texture and imaginative details.

This is a course where anything goes. Cups can be wonky, handles can curl, patterns can clash and ordinary tea sets can become wonderfully strange. Expect bright colours, playful decoration and plenty of opportunities to invent something completely your own.

The first session will focus on building the tea set and developing the forms, while the second session will explore decorating and bringing the pieces to life with colour and character.

Designed for children aged 6–12, this is a playful introduction to working with clay that encourages creativity, experimentation and imagination. No previous experience is necessary.

THROUGHOUT THE COURSE, YOU WILL:

Create three to four tea set pieces using simple handbuilding techniques.
Explore pinch and slab construction and learn how to join clay forms.
Experiment with shape, proportion, handles and spouts.
Add texture and imaginative details to your pieces.
Explore colourful surface decoration using underglazes.
Prepare finished pieces for firing.

FACILITATOR BIO

Anna O’Neale
Anna O’Neale is a ceramic sculptor and much-loved teacher at Canberra Potters. Her artistic practice explores playful, character-filled creatures that blur the boundaries between human, animal and machine. Combining humour, imagination and sculptural form, her work brings unexpected personalities to life in clay.

Anna brings this same sense of curiosity and playfulness to her teaching, encouraging young makers to experiment, explore their ideas and create their own imaginative forms. Through handbuilding, sculpting and surface decoration, she helps children discover the possibilities of clay in a welcoming and creative environment.

Anna graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Ceramics in 2015 and was awarded a Canberra Potters residency in 2016. She has since become an established part of Canberra Potters’ teaching team, sharing her skills and enthusiasm for ceramics with children and adults alike.

Emily Burgess Orton
Emily Burgess-Orton is a Canberra-based ceramic artist and children’s pottery class assistant at Canberra Potters, where she has supported young makers for the past two years. Her artistic practice explores storytelling, surreal imagery and the expressive possibilities of clay, combining ceramic forms with other materials to create distinctive, thought-provoking work.

Emily graduated from the Australian National University’s School of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 2024. Her work has since featured in contemporary art exhibitions, including Soft Expose at Australian National Capital Artists in 2026. Her practice reflects an interest in exploring ideas through material, form and imagery.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Session 1: Building the Tea Party

The course begins with ideas and inspiration for creating a playful, Mad Hatter-inspired tea set. Children will explore simple handbuilding techniques, including pinch and slab construction, to create three to four pieces.

The session will focus on building and joining forms, experimenting with shape and proportion, and adding features such as handles, spouts and decorative textures. Children will have the opportunity to develop their own imaginative designs, with wonky shapes and unusual details encouraged.

Session 2: Colour, Decoration & Finishing

Children will refine their pieces and explore colourful ways to decorate their tea sets. Using underglazes, they will experiment with patterns, spots, stripes, textures and whimsical details to give their creations individual character.

The session will finish with preparing completed pieces for firing, ready to become a collection of wonderfully mismatched ceramic treasures.

OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, participants will have:

Created a miniature tea set of three to four ceramic pieces.
Developed basic handbuilding skills using pinch and slab techniques.
Practised joining clay forms and adding features like handles
Experimented with underglaze colour, pattern and surface decoration.
Prepared their work for firing.
Developed their own creative ideas through playful experimentation with clay.

NOTES

Suitable for children aged 6–12.
No previous clay experience is necessary.
Children should bring their own morning tea and a water bottle.
Please bring an old towel and an apron.

Fees: Include tuition, studio access, clay, materials, glazing and firing.

WHAT TO BRING

An old towel and an apron.
Morning tea.
A water bottle.

Wear sturdy, covered shoes. Long hair must be tied back, and please leave precious jewellery at home for safety.

Important Details

Experience: No prior experience is necessary. This class is open to children 6-12 years.
Our staff: All our staff are experienced potters and have current WWVP clearances.
What to Wear: Relaxed clothing and sturdy covered shoes are required. Long hair should be tied back, and precious jewellery should be left at home.
What to Bring: Children should bring a hand towel, apron and a drink for the day.
What do we need to know: Is there anything we need to know to help your child get the most out of the day? These can be discussed in confidence with the Education Program Manager, at education@canberrapotters.com.au or on 02 6241 1670 prior to the class.
Duration: The class runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm
Location: Workshop 1
Fees: Includes tuition, clay, resources, glazing, and firing of up to four pieces.
Studio Clean-Up: To maintain a safe and healthy environment, participants are required to clean their workspaces and assist with the general clean-up of the workshop before the end of the class. We ask parents to discuss this requirement with their children prior to attending.

For Parents and Carers Supporting a Child with Additional Needs:

Please arrange this in advance by contacting us at education@canberrapotters.com.au so we can ensure reasonable adjustments are made.
Attendance is subject to Canberra Potters’ discretion, a current Working with Vulnerable People card, health & safety practices, and availability.
For health & safety reasons, children 5 years and under are not permitted in the workshops.

Terms and Conditions

Refund Policy – Classes & Short Courses:

Class fees will be refunded, less a 10% admin fee, if cancellation is notified more than 10 business days before the first class date.
If less than 10 business days’ notice is given then a refund, less 10%, will only be given if the place can be taken by another student otherwise the full fee is forfeited.
Please view your booking as a commitment to attend.
Classes cannot be transferred from one term to another or one year to another.
If a class is cancelled due to lack of enrolments, 100% of your class fee will be refunded.
All changes to bookings and refunds incur a 10% administration fee.
Canberra Potters will not issue refunds for missed classes or missed emails. Please ensure you have saved the following Canberra Potters emails to your contact list.
Canberra Potters is a teaching facility and students attend our classes to learn about pottery. Imperfect, broken and cracked items are part of the learning process. We do not provide refunds for work that cracks or breaks while drying, during firing or in general class activities.