In this story:
Behind the neon green sign on Bentleigh’s main shopping strip, you’ll find Cones Studio—a ceramics haven and the dream space of founder Charlie Buchner.
Brought to life in 2021, Cones Studio began as a way for Charlie to share his love of making ceramics. While he started out with only two wheels, the studio quickly evolved into a spacious two-storey pottery paradise, offering everything from wheel throwing to hand building to ceramic painting workshops.
Today Cones Studio is more than just a pottery studio; it's a community. You’ll feel it from the moment you step inside—from the cuddly resident dog Billie and the studio turtle to the mirror adorned with hundreds of polaroids capturing messy moments from classes and the smiling faces of past students.
Charlie and his team’s mission is simple—to help people have fun, discover their creative potential and make memories that will last a lifetime. So whether you're a seasoned potter or a total newbie, come on in and enjoy some clay play.
Cones Studio all started…
“When I thought ‘What do I do with a three-year ceramics degree?’ I started out making glazes for other artists but then I thought how funny would it be if I could teach what I know about ceramics to other people?”
You’ll feel welcomed into my pottery studio…
“It’s a space that’s fun and not only about pottery. You can come in here and get away from your work for a few hours or you can come in to relax and chat with me. I wanted to make a really open space that is about pottery and giving you a new experience, but is also so much more than that.”
My top tip for first-timers is…
“Patience. I do get some people coming to classes laughing and saying, ‘I thought this was meant to be relaxing’ but it’s just about getting behind the wheel and trusting the process.”
Hand building or wheel throwing?
“I’m a wheel thrower, for sure, but both offer very different experiences. For the wheel, you need a little bit of gusto in your arms and a lot of patience because things probably won’t work the first time but the results are amazing when they do. Hand building is a little calmer, slower and it’s a bit more creative and sculptural.”
My favourite part of teaching is…
“The pure joy that people get from a class. It’s always the same feeling and I’ve taught hundreds of classes. Seeing the smiles and hearing people say ‘I’ll have this memory forever’, and knowing that I’ve contributed to that is really special.”
Pottery painting is having a moment…
“Because there’s magic in taking pieces out of the kiln and revealing a completely different colour. For me, learning to make glazes and apply them to my pieces is my favourite part of the process.”
The creative community in Bentleigh is…
“So friendly and supportive. It’s nice having fun shops next door, where I can just walk in and they know me as Charlie from Cones Studio, and ask how business is going. I get to feel part of a community and a bigger team. It’s really all I ever dreamed of, having a shop on a busy street, next to bakeries and gyms and other local businesses.”
See their classes
2k followers
Runs regularly
Bentleigh
1 to 10 guests
$95
8 to 16 years
