Handmade Pottery in Wānaka, New Zealand
Hello, I’m Phoebe, the potter behind Clay & Ball, a handmade ceramics studio based in the stunning Mount Aspiring Valley in Wānaka,
New Zealand. From my small home studio, I create wheel thrown pottery designed for everyday use, pieces that are simple, tactile, and made to last.
Clay & Ball is rooted in slow craft, thoughtful design, and the belief that handmade pottery brings warmth and character into your home.
From Pottery Classes to a Working Ceramics Studio
My journey with clay began in 2022 at weekly pottery classes by Dublin Bay. What started as curiosity quickly became something much deeper. I fell for the rhythm of the wheel, the patience it requires, and the steady learning curve that comes with working by hand.
Within months, I bought my own wheel and transformed part of my garage into a small ceramics studio in Wānaka. I began creating handmade mugs, bowls, and homeware pieces for friends and family, refining my forms and glazes until I felt proud to share them more widely.
In May 2023, I launched my first Clay & Ball collection.
Wānaka Ceramics Inspired by Nature
Living and working near Lake Wānaka shapes everything I make. Most days, when I’m not throwing at the wheel or loading the kiln, I’m by the lake with my partner and our three dogs, Fly, Eggsy and Boogie.
That balance of wild landscape and quiet studio time naturally finds its way into my work.
The forms are simple. The textures are natural.
The colours are grounded and calm.
Each piece is handmade in Wānaka, using traditional wheel throwing techniques and fired in small batches from my home studio
Photo taken by Christina Grant.
Wearing Perriam: The linen -shirt in navy
Thoughtful Craftsmanship and Everyday Function
Alongside running Clay & Ball, I work as a veterinary nurse. Both roles are built on care, patience, and attention to detail.
That same mindset carries into every ceramic piece I create. I design pottery with real homes in mind, pieces that feel good in your hands, that are both functional and beautiful, and that become part of your daily rituals.
I believe your home should feel like a sanctuary. The everyday objects you reach for, your favourite mug, your go to bowl, the plate you serve dinner on, quietly shape the rhythm of your life.
My aim is to create handmade pottery that supports that rhythm.
Small Batch, Handmade Ceramics for Modern Homes
Clay & Ball is a small, evolving ceramics practice based in Wānaka, New Zealand. I continue to expand the collection, collaborate with other small businesses, and connect with customers who value thoughtful, locally made homeware.
Every piece is wheel thrown, glazed, and kiln fired by hand in my studio. No mass production, no shortcuts, just honest craftsmanship and timeless design.
If you’re looking for handmade pottery in New Zealand that feels personal, grounded, and made with intention, you’re in the right place.