5 weeks Saturday sessions

*Introduction / Exploration

A flexible short course for anyone who wants to learn a little more about pottery. Please note that this is not a wheel-focused course, and access to the pottery wheel will be limited.

Beginners will start by trying a few varieties of clay to learn their different characteristics. You will learn varied shaping methods each week and a bit about surface decoration using sculpting tools, found objects and decorating slips. Before the last session all the pieces you decide to keep will be bisque fired. In the last session, you will glaze them using our ’safe’ glazes (which are less likely to cause problems in the last firing): transparent, shiny white, matt white, shiny brown, shiny blue, satin green.

If you are more advanced, please talk to the teacher as this course is open and flexible so that we meet the individual’s interest and skills. We can show you how to throw taller, bigger, more precisely or/and in multiples.

The material and firing costs are not included in the course fee. If you would like to keep any of your pieces, the charge for this is calculated on the weight (65p per 100g of soft paste clay) and space that takes up in the kiln.

The course runs for 2.5 hrs between 1030 and 1300 on Saturday, for 5 weeks.

10 weeks throwing course

*Introduction / Exploration / Skill Building

This course mainly focuses on the skills you need to acquire to throw on the potter’s wheel.

You will learn the basic and very important wedging and centring skills, first. You will learn how to throw simple shapes such as cylinders and bowls, and also to make them into mugs and cups, how to pull handles. We will also show how to create textures and apply surface decorations using found objects, sculpting tools and decorating slips etc.

When we feel you’re confident and have good skills to manage clay on the wheel we are happy to teach other shapes such as closed shape, plate and more advanced skills.

On the last day of the course you will be glazing everything you decided to keep. You can use any glazes we have in the studio. The glazed work should be fired within a week or a month depending on our firing schedule.

The material and firing costs are not included in the course fee. If you would like to keep any of your pieces, the charge for this is calculated on the weight (55p per 100g of soft paste clay) and space that takes up in the kiln.

These courses run once a week from 1830 to 2100 and are available on weekday evenings.

Throwing Beyond Basics

Skill Building / Refinement / Advanced Practice

This course is designed for those who already have a foundation in throwing and would like to refine their skills and develop the forms they are interested in making.

Participants should be comfortable with basic wedging and centring in order to get the most from the course.

At the start, we will discuss areas you would like to improve and identify specific skills or forms to focus on. The direction of the course may be shaped both by individual interests and by shared challenges agreed within the group.

This course focuses on making and does not include a glazing session. If you wish to keep your work, you are welcome to join one of our glazing sessions at the studio for an additional fee of £35.

Materials and firing are not included in the course fee. If you choose to keep any pieces, costs are calculated based on the weight of clay used (55p per 100g of soft clay) and the kiln space required.

This course is offered occasionally on weekday evenings from 18:30 to 21:00. If you are interested, please add your name to our mailing list to receive updates.

Nerikomi Workshops

*Introduction / Exploration / Skill Building

Nerikomi, or Neriage is a technique to create interesting pottery surfaces by combining multiple clays/coloured clays. Similar to agateware and marbled ware, the patterns are formed within the clay body itself rather than being applied to the surface. In Japan, this technique has been developed further to produce intricate geometric designs, floral motifs, and cartoon characters etc etc.

We teach this Japanese technique, Nerikomi in two formats.

Introduction is designed for beginners and those new to Nerikomi. You will work with coloured clays prepared by the studio and learn how to create two or three basic pattern types. The focus is on understanding the fundamental principles of Nerikomi and getting a feel for how the clay behaves.

Advanced class is for those who want to take their Nerikomi further. We start by preparing our own coloured clays, then move on to more complex designs that require greater planning and preparation and cannot be completed in a single session.

Throughout the course, you will learn the basic principles, tips and techniques for manipulating the clay, as well as the fundamentals of designing patterns while exploring colour and form. You will then shape your Nerikomi slabs into simple forms such as plates and bowls, and we will take care of the remaining finishing and firing processes.

Your work will be ready for collection in 6–8 weeks. A shipping option can also be arranged for an additional cost.

The course fee includes all materials and firing costs for up to 2/3 kg of clay used in your own work during the course. Any additional clay used in your pieces will be charged at £28 per kilogram. This covers not only the clay itself but also the additional materials and finishing work involved in Nerikomi, including coloured stains and post-bisque sanding.

If no dates are available, sign up to our waiting list to receive news and updates on new classes.

Kintsugi Workshop

*Introduction / Skill Building

Kintsugi, often translated as “golden joinery,” is a traditional Japanese technique for repairing broken pottery. Originating in the 15th century, it is closely connected to the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which values imperfection, time, and the quiet beauty of what has been broken and repaired.

In this course, taught by Mizuyo, you will learn the traditional method of kintsugi using urushi, a natural lacquer. The process uses no synthetic materials such as glue, epoxy, or putty. Over four sessions, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of kintsugi and gain hands-on experience repairing ceramic pieces with urushi.

The beginners’ course focuses on simple repairs, including clean breaks, small chips, and hairline cracks. Through step-by-step guidance, you will learn how to prepare and apply urushi, join broken fragments, and finish the repairs with gold. Alongside the technical process, the course also explores the aesthetic considerations of kintsugi—how to create balanced, considered golden seams that highlight the history and character of each piece.

This workshop takes place in our studio during the summer season only, usually between May and September, depending on the climate. The course is designed to be immersive and interactive, with close guidance and the opportunity to work directly with Mizuyo throughout.

If you are interested, please join our mailing list. We usually announce this course in our monthly newsletter around April or May.

* Please note that the objects will not go in the microwave, dishwasher nor oven after kintsugi repair.