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Perfect for individuals, couples or family groups (exclusive studio booking).

This is an exclusive studio booking for up to 2 participants.  You can come with a friend or by yourself for a 1:1 experience. Alternativley you can add extra participants to the session if you would like to bring along friends or family members.  See below for details.

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Level:               Beginner 

Duration:         2 hours  

Cost:    £125 for up to 2 people.  Additional participants can be catered for at £50 each up to a maximum of 4 in total. Please message us if you wish to add extras to the session and we will send you an invoice for this.   

Includes:           All materials, glazing and firing costs of one pot per person.

 (2 pots included if only one person attends the session)

Resources:       1 electric pottery wheel per person

Refreshments: Tea, coffee or squash

 

 

 

Children  are very welcome if accompanied by an adult.  I have found that these sessions are most suited to children over the age of around 8/9 years,  however I will happily accommodate younger children in this session if you feel they will cope with the length of the session and I can adapt the session to be more varied and cater for shorter attention spans by adding some simple handbuilding to the session if needed e.g pinch pots / pinch pot animals.

 

Please note the studio is situated in my basement so involves going down some steps.  The height is low in parts so if you are over 5ft 10in you will need to mind your head in some areas.  

There is one toilet available to use, this is in my house.

 

What we’ll do

During  the session you will use off-white stoneware clay to practise throwing  your own small pots on the potter's wheel.  You will see a demonstration  of the Ram's Head kneading method and will then be guided step by step  in how to:

• form the clay into balls ready for throwing

• centre the clay on the wheel

• open out the clay

• pull up the walls

• alter the shape from a cylinder into a vase or a dish

• add a touch of colour using ‘slip’

At the end of the session you can choose your favourite pot for me to glaze and fire.  

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The Drying, Glazing and Firing Process

After  approximately 24 hours, your pot will be carefully removed from the  wooden bat when it is firm enough to lift without distorting the shape.   The bottom of your pot will be tidied up and sponged smooth to remove  any rough edges left from throwing and your name and the date will be  scribed onto the base.

It will then be left for several days to thoroughly dry out.

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When  we have enough pots to fill the kiln, your pot will be loaded carefully  into the bisque kiln for the first firing.  Once cooled, the pot will  be washed to remove dust and salts and will then be left to dry for 24  hours.

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When dry, the base is dipped in hot wax and it is then coated in a clear glossy glaze.  The glaze covered pot is then left again to dry for about 2 days.

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​When  dry, it is checked over and any drips are carefully removed. The base  is wiped to make sure no glaze is present and it is then fired for a  second time.

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Your pot will be in the kiln for about 4 days in total and will be ready to collect around 6 weeks later.

This process can not be rushed.  We will contact you when your pots are ready to collect or post.

 

Firing Disclaimer

Every  care is taken to handle and fire your work well, however sometimes  faults e.g. cracks or blemishes can occur in a piece either in the  drying or firing stage. The very nature of handmade pottery means that  results are not always as expected.

For example, beginner pots, where the walls or base is of uneven thickness are more prone to cracking.

If  we find a glaze issue, sometimes popping it back in the kiln for a  third firing can help to resolve it. This may mean your pots can take  longer than expected. So please be patient :)

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MORE INFO:

What I’ll provide

• An Apron (but please wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty!)

• A drink of tea, coffee or squash

What to bring

• A hair bobble to tie up long hair

• Flat shoes are most comfortable

Useful Info

Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before your session time.

Tip: Short fingernails are much easier to throw with.

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Parking

There is free parking on the street outside the studio for up to 3 hours with a parking disc. I have spare discs if you need one.

 

 

Optional Extras

• Additional  pots:  If you can't bear to part with your other practice pots, I can  fire and glaze additional pots for £5 per pot.

• Postage:    If you are unable to collect your handy work, I can package and post a  single pot for £5 to any mainland UK address. If you have more than one  pot I can post your parcel (up to a weight of 10kg) for £10.  For a  group of up to 4 people's pots packaged in the same box going to the  same delivery address the cost is still £10 if it is within the 10 kg  weight limit e.g. approx 4/5 pots per person for a group of 4) (Overseas postage can be arranged - prices on request)

Any extra costs need to be paid at the end of the session please by cash or card.

 

Postage Disclaimer

I  will wrap pots very carefully and do my best to get them to you in one  piece. Please understand though, that I have no control once they are in  the courier's hands. There is no insurance for posting pottery so the  pots are sent at your risk.  Please understand that I can not be held  responsible for any damages.  Unless arrangements have been made, any  pots not collected within 2 months will sadly have to be disposed of, as  I simply do not have space to store items indefinitely. Thank you for  your understanding.