Learn ceramics
Give this wonderful craft a go. Whatever your level of experience, you are welcome.
I offer a variety of classes from my home studio in Luddendenfoot.
Weekly handbuilding classes
£200/ 8 lessons (daytime) £160/ 8 lessons (evening)
These classes are small groups, maximum 6 people. I will teach the basic hand building techniques of pinching, slab building and coiling if you are a new starter. Following that, because it’s such a small group, I am able to support you in whatever project you’re interested in doing. I also introduce more specialised techniques during the ter.
I’m interested in you being able to express and achieve your ideas, so I’ll never a force a project on you that you’re not interested in. But I will try to (gently) push you to go beyond what you think you’re capable of doing.
We work with a range of clays, surface decoration materials and glazes.
You can book onto a block of lessons and always be guaranteed a place. The terms are usually 10/11 weeks long, so you book for 8 classes which gives you the option of missing 2/3 classes without losing any money. You can top up classes at the same price if you use all your credits.
Sometimes there are “drop-in” spaces available at £30/ class (daytime) or £25 (evening).
Times:
Wednesday afternoon 2-5pm
Thursday morning 10-1pm
Wednesday evening 6.30-9pm
Sunday morning throwing classes
£60/ 1 person, £80/2 people, £110/ 3 people
An intensive throwing class for beginners or improvers. I believe that when you learn to throw, you need more than a demo and a wheel - you need a teacher standing by you, observing what you’re doing and helping you with next steps. It can be hard to get that in large classes. Throwing is not an intuitive skill - at least not to begin with. That’s why I run very small classes, so I am there to observe and help so you don’t get stuck. It’s a mindful and relaxing thing to learn, but it can quickly become frustrating if you don’t get the support you need, and in that state it’s hard to throw well. The vast majority of people are able to throw several pots by the end of a 3 hour session with me.
After learning the basics, I do think it’s about practice, so I will be trialling offering untutored studio access for people who would like to continue with throwing.
I have two Shimpo wheels and a manual kick wheel.
Sessions 10-1 on Sundays (or in the afternoon, by arrangement).
I charge £3 for each item you wish to keep to cover clay, two firings and glaze costs.
Bespoke workshops
£ by arrangement
Do you want to learn a specific skill, make an object, throw a little party?
It could be making a sculptural object (hare making workshops), a family day together to try some throwing and handbuilding, or a small group of friends who want to try something unusual (maybe a technique you see on the Great Pottery Throwdown!)
Maximum 6 people
Prices depend on preparatory time, materials needed, length of workshop etc but I always try to offer value for money so please do send an enquiry.
Gift vouchers
Prices as above
Buy a gift voucher, valid for a year.
Untutored Studio Access
£10/hour for 1 person, £17 for 2, £21 for 3 (minimum 3 hours)
In trial mode: studio access for throwing (aimed at those who have either done throwing before or have done a lesson with me). I currently have a Shimpo whisper, a Shimpo RK-55 and a manual kick wheel.
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays.
Clay + firing to be paid separately (or bring your own clay)
Kiln rental
Do you make things at home or in your own studio but don’t have a kiln?
Fire your work in my studio - by shelf or by the whole kiln. I currently use a Cromartie WH205, which has a large internal capacity (203L). See more specs here.
Prices by arrangement.