Whistle & Page | Pottery Studio, Workshops, Kits & Handmade Ceramics (Murrumbateman, NSW)

Pottery Care, Use & Longevity

How do I clean handmade pottery

Warm, soapy water is usually sufficient. For deeper cleaning, simmer gently in water with vinegar, lemon juice, or bicarbonate of soda for 15–20 minutes. Allow to cool fully before washing and air drying.

Why does handmade pottery stain or change over time?

Clay is naturally porous. Over time, it can absorb oils, tea, coffee, and food pigments. These marks are normal and part of how handmade ceramics develop character through use.

Is your pottery food-safe?

Yes. All Whistle & Page pottery is made with food-safe glazes and fired at high temperatures to vitrify the clay, making it safe for everyday food and drink use.

Can handmade pottery go in the dishwasher or microwave?

Dishwasher use is possible, but handwashing is recommended to extend the life of your piece. Microwave suitability depends on the form and glaze. Avoid sudden temperature changes.

Why are no two pieces identical?

Each piece is made by hand without moulds or mass production. Variations in shape, glaze, and texture are part of the making process and are expected.

What are the small speckles in the glaze or clay?

These are natural mineral reactions from kiln firing. They are safe and part of the character of handmade ceramics.

Workshops, Classes & Wheel Throwing

Do I need experience to join a pottery workshop?

No experience is required. All workshops are designed for beginners and are fully guided step by step.

What is the difference between handbuilding and wheel throwing?

Handbuilding uses techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab construction. Wheel throwing uses a spinning wheel where clay is shaped through movement, pressure, and timing.

Are workshops suitable for date nights?

Yes. Many couples attend wheel throwing and handbuilding workshops as a shared, hands-on experience suitable for date nights near Canberra and Yass.

How long do workshops run?

Most workshops run for 2 to 2.5 hours. Multi-week courses run weekly over a set period.

What happens to my pottery after a workshop?

All work is dried, glazed, and kiln-fired in the studio, then returned within a few weeks for collection or shipping.

Can I keep everything I make?

You will usually choose your favourite pieces. Not all work will survive drying or firing, especially wheel-thrown work, which is part of the learning process.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Clay can stain fabric and is part of the making process.

Where are workshops held?

In Murrumbateman, NSW, between Canberra and Yass.

Do you offer private or group workshops?

Yes. Private workshops are available for corporate events, birthdays, hens groups, and private gatherings. These can be held in-studio or at selected venues.

Do you run workshops for children or schools?

Yes. Clay Together workshops are designed for schools (K–12), children’s parties, and group creative programs.

Wheel-Throwing (Studio Experiences)

What is wheel-throwing like for beginners?

Wheel-throwing is hands-on, fast-moving, and often unpredictable. You are guided through the process of centring, shaping, and forming clay on a spinning wheel.

Can couples do wheel-throwing together?

Yes. Couples commonly book shared wheel-throwing sessions as a date experience. Each participant receives guided time on the wheel.

How is wheel-throwing different from handbuilding?

Wheel throwing is dynamic and rotational, requiring timing and coordination. Handbuilding is slower and more sculptural, using shaping techniques by hand.

The Pocket Potter Kit (At Home Clay Experience)

What is The Pocket Potter Kit?

A home clay kit designed for hands-on making with tools, clay, and instructions. It supports screen-free or guided creative experiences.

Do I need a kiln for the kit?

No. You can choose kiln-fired stoneware clay or Magic Sun-Kissed Clay, which air-dries at home.

Is it suitable for homeschooling?

Yes. It supports tactile learning, creativity, fine motor development, and open-ended exploration for children and families.

Can adults use the kit?

Yes. It is designed for children, adults, couples, and shared creative experiences.

Orders, Shipping & Restocks

How often do you release pottery collections?

Collections are released seasonally in small batches.

Why is the shop sometimes empty?

Work is handmade in small quantities, which creates natural gaps between releases.

Do you ship across Australia?

Yes. Shipping is available Australia-wide. International shipping is not currently offered.

Do you offer local pickup?

Yes. Pickup is available from Murrumbateman, Canberra, and Yass.

Can I add to my order after purchasing?

If your order has not shipped, it may be possible to combine items if contacted quickly.

What happens if my order arrives damaged?

Please lodge a claim with the courier. If there is an issue with the piece itself, contact within 3 days of receiving it.

Do you accept returns?

No returns for change of mind due to the handmade nature of each piece.

Policies, Safety & Studio Guidelines

Do you offer NDIS-supported workshops?

Yes. NDIS participants are welcome where workshops are suitable. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can book directly.

Do you have a Working With Children Check?

Yes. A current ACT Working With Vulnerable People registration is held.

Are workshops alcohol-free?

Yes. Workshops are alcohol-free to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.

Do you accept cash payments?

No. All payments are cashless and processed online.

What is your cancellation policy for workshops?

More than 7 days: refund or transfer available.
Within 7 days: no refund, but rescheduling or transfer may be possible.
If cancelled by Whistle & Page: full refund or rebooking.

Can I opt out of photography?

Yes. You can opt out before or during any workshop.

Will photos be taken during workshops?

Yes, but identifying features are generally avoided. Focus is placed on hands, materials, and process.

Books & Blooming Hearts Series

What is the Blooming Hearts series?

A children’s book series exploring emotional growth, creativity, and everyday life through storytelling.

Are the books Australian?

Yes. They are written with Australian language, context, and experiences in mind.

Do you offer wholesale or school orders?

Yes. Books are available for wholesale, consignment, and educational use.

Wholesale, Collaborations & Commissions

Do you offer wholesale pottery in Australia?

Yes. Small-batch wholesale is available for aligned retail spaces that value handmade ceramics.

Can I stock your children’s books?

Yes. The Blooming Hearts series is available for wholesale and consignment.

Do you take commissions?

Occasionally. Commissions are accepted based on alignment, timing, and capacity.

Do you collaborate with businesses or venues?

Yes. Collaborations include workshops, events, custom work, and creative partnerships.

Can you run workshops at our venue?

Yes. Mobile workshops are available across Canberra, Yass, and surrounding regions.

How do I enquire about wholesale or collaboration?

Email with details about your business, project, and timeline. If aligned, you will receive a response with next steps.

What are you doing to reduce your environmental impact?

Whistle & Page operates as a small-batch pottery studio using solar-powered kiln firing, rainwater collection, and a full clay reclaim system to reduce waste. Packaging is plastic-free where possible, and imperfect pieces are sold as seconds rather than discarded. All processes are continually reviewed to reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality.

Sustainability at Whistle & Page isn’t a single initiative—it’s a series of everyday decisions made in the studio, on the land, and through how each piece is created, fired, and sent out into the world.

This is a working studio in Murrumbateman, NSW, where pottery is made slowly, in small batches, with a focus on reducing waste, reusing materials, and working with what is already available.

Energy & Firing

The studio is powered by solar energy, supported by a high-capacity battery system that stores power for kiln firings. Pottery kilns are energy-intensive by nature, so firing schedules are planned carefully to maximise efficiency and minimise unnecessary use.

Water Use

All water used in the studio is rainwater collected on-site. Water is reused wherever possible during the making process—from cleaning tools to managing clay slip—reducing overall consumption.

Clay Reclamation

No clay is wasted. Offcuts, trimmings, and unused material are collected, rehydrated, and reworked back into usable clay through a simple reclaim system. This keeps materials in circulation and reduces the need for constant new clay.

Glazing Practices

Only food-safe glazes are used. Brush-on application allows for more control and significantly less waste compared to dipping methods. Glaze use is intentional, layered, and measured.

Low-Waste Studio Systems

Traditional plastic-heavy processes have been reduced where possible. Reusable fabrics replace single-use plastic for covering and slowing drying. Studio systems are designed to reuse before replacing.

Packaging & Shipping

Orders are packed using biodegradable packing peanuts, recycled cardboard, and paper-based tape. Any plastic used is repurposed from incoming deliveries rather than newly purchased.

Shipping is kept within Australia to reduce the environmental impact of long-distance freight.

Seconds & Imperfection

Rather than discarding imperfect work, a Seconds collection is released during restocks. These are functional pieces with small cosmetic variations. This reduces waste and honours the material and process.

Small-Batch Making

Everything is made in limited quantities. This avoids overproduction, reduces excess inventory, and ensures each piece is created with intention rather than volume.

Ongoing Practice

Sustainability in ceramics is complex. Materials, firing, and logistics all carry impact. This studio continues to evolve—testing, adjusting, and improving processes over time rather than claiming perfection.