Name: Love is Handmade - a Valentine's Pottery Workshop
Price: 65 GBP
Availability: InStock

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Stoneware Pottery Workshop in Northumberland
Enhance your time in Northumberland by visiting the beautiful Ford & Etal Estate and taking part in a workshop at Ravn Clay Pottery. 
Pottery is arguably the oldest industrial process that humans practice, and it remains a vibrant cultural and artistic pursuit across the globe. The types of clay, the methods of making, the glazes and firing methods, the uses and purposes of the finished pieces - all serve to make it an absorbing and life-affirming process, and definitely something where there is always more to learn. 
Join us on the three hour workshop, suitable for anyone, where you will work with stoneware clay to create your own pottery masterpieces. Hand building is the overlooked older sibling of the flashier wheel thrown pot, but remains an ideal place to learn for anyone wishing to play with clay. The session will involve a brief introduction to some basic rules for safe working in the Studio, alongside some principles to bear in mind when creating your own work. This will be followed by plenty of time for you to release your inner potter. It could be a vase, a mug, a candle holder, a sculpture ... if you can imagine it, we will do our best (together) to make it happen. 
After the three hours are up, your work will stay at the studio where it will be dried, fired, glazed and re-fired. Then you are welcome to return to the studio to collect it, or have it posted on afterwards. The whole drying-glazing-firing process could take up to a month, so please be patient. That said, what better way is there to build memories, create something for a special someone and be reminded of your time in the studio.
For this workshop there is no set agenda - if you bring the enthusiasm and imagination, I will provide all the materials and tools needed to create something unique, bespoke and wonderful. 
The number of participants for each workshop is limited to six, to allow equal access to support, tools and tuition. 
ALSO - We are now able to offer you the chance to return to the studio to glaze your work! If you are interested in seeing more of the ceramic process, or have created pots that would look even more awesome if they could be other than a single colour, you can now return once your work has been biscuit fired to glaze your pots. This shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, and incurs a small additional charge (£10) which you can either book now, or when you come to the studio on the day of your workshop. We can of course talk through the various options on the day - but the opportunity is there!
A word of warning - the kiln Gods can be fickle, and despite doing everything possible, some pieces will fail, crack or blow up (!) in the kiln. There are no guarantees in pottery, not even for seasoned potters. A second word of warning - working with pottery can be hugely addictive. You have been warned!
My personal journey into pottery was through evening classes in Edinburgh, where I quickly found I was absorbed and addicted by the tactile connection you can make with clay. I also quickly found that it worked wonders improving my mental wellbeing, providing a creative outlet, a process to focus on, and a distraction from the busyness of modern life. I firmly believe that pottery can help anyone find calm and focus in a restless and demanding world.
The new Ford Studio is housed in the old Reading Rooms - you will find it just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Nearby are many attractions and places to walk, shop and eat; how about a near by Narrow-guage Railway (that runs to Etal Castle and back), a working flour mill, a Village Shop & Tearoom, a heavy horse centre, a micro-brewery, or a Riverside cafe? 
https://w3w.co/lobster.rapid.clinking
TD15 2QG
Please note - access to the studio is only via a set of external stone steps, and there is a single toilet available on site.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE - our workshops are competitively priced to be affordable and inclusive, and the fee covers all materials, tuition, glaze and firings. This is based on a fair-useage policy of participants making up to two mug-sized pieces (or equivalent) during a session, alongside their starter thumb pot. 
If you are a prolific producer of pottery, there will be an additional charge that we can negotiate (but will be at least £5 per piece). 
This is because of increased quanitites of materials, glaze, more space needed in the kiln and additional time required to complete the final pieces.
And finally - There is ample free parking in Ford and the studio is just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Ravn Clay sits at the heart of the Estate, which also offers camping, glamping, B&Bs and guests houses. And there’s plenty more to do and see while you are here - 
Ford Tearooms & Post Office
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Etal Castle (English Heritage)
Heatherslaw Mill
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre
Lady Waterford Hall
Flodden Battlefield
Loads of little eateries, pubs and shops etc
Spectacular scenery, walking and countryside
See www.ford-and-etal.co.uk for more details

Ravn Clay

Pottery

Arts & Crafts

Clay Sculpture

A three hour slab-building pottery workshop, using stoneware clays to make mess and memories. And Pots! Come play with Clay!

Hand Building Pottery Workshops - 2025 - Jan, Feb & March

General Admission

Stoneware Pottery Monster Workshop in Northumberland
This monstrous pottery class, now in its fourth year, designed for all ages, will see you create a plant pot using the slab-building technique in just ninety minutes! Although simple in principle, it will involve giving your monster character and personality, so lots of imagination will be needed to create your Frankenstein Pot! The basic method will be demonstrated at the start, and then it's up to you to create your pot! Once finished, your monster will stay at the studio to be fired, glazed and then re-fired. Then it's up to you to plant and nurture your monster pot - and grow something that matches the personality that has emerged - or use it for pens, brushes, whatever...
There are only eight places per session - this allows enough access to support for everyone to be successful! As this is a creative class designed to be accessible to all including younger potters, we must insist that a parent or guardian attends with any participant aged 16 or under. The numbers are limited to avoid over-crowding in the workshop. Each ticket books a maker's-seat at the pottery table. If you are going to have to attend as a (free) specator, please make a note of this at the time of booking. 
If you book a place for a young person and feel they will need help in creating their monster, please come along and help them (as a non-paying spectator). Even with only eight people booked in a session, it can be difficult to support everyone in the way they need. Again, please note this at the time of booking. 
The ticket price covers all tuition, tools, firings and glaze for one monster pot. Please note that these pots will be glazed in just one colour - dip-glazed as you request. 
A word of warning - the kiln Gods can be fickle, and despite doing everything possible, some pieces will fail, crack or blow up (!) in the kiln. There are no guarantees in pottery, not even for seasoned potters. A second word of warning - working with pottery can be hugely addictive. You have been warned!
The New Ford Studio is housed on the ground floor of the old Reading Rooms - you will find it just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Nearby are many attractions and places to walk, shop and eat; how about a near by Narrow-guage Railway (that runs to Etal Castle and back), a working flour mill, a Village Shop & Tearoom, a heavy horse centre, a micro-brewery, or a Riverside cafe? 
Please note - access to the studio is only via a set of external stone steps, and there is a single toilet available on site. The booking cost (£22.50) secures a spot at the maker's table; if you need to stay to support a younger participant, please make sure you have noted this when you book your ticket!
If you need your work posting out to you or someone else, please ensure you book an additional postage and packing ticket!
And finally - There is ample free parking at Ford, at Heatherslaw and at Etal. Ravn Clay sits at the heart of the Estate, which also offers camping, glamping, B&Bs and guests houses. And there’s plenty more to do and see while you are here - 
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Etal Castle (English Heritage)
Heatherslaw Mill
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre
Lady Waterford Hall
Flodden Battlefield
Loads of little eateries, pubs and shops etc
Spectacular scenery, walking and countryside
See www.ford-and-etal.co.uk for more details

A slab-building pottery workshop, using stoneware clay to create your own Frankenstein Monster Pot! Suitable for all ages and ideal for families. 

Monster Pots 2025

General admission

Celebrate love this Valentine's Day with a creative twist! Join us for a special pottery workshop where you and your partner can get your hands dirty while crafting something beautiful that will last forever. Whether you're beginners or seasoned artists, this creative workshop will see you mold, shape, and create unique pottery to remember the day. Share creativity, connection, and clay - a perfect way to make lasting memories with your loved one!
Spend a couple of hours with us in the studio to hand-build mugs which you can decorate and design in a variety of creative and personal ways. Hand-building is often overlooked, but is a reliable and engaging way of making pottery, and you really don't need any prior experience. After a full demonstration we'll provide you with all the materials, tools and support you need to make your own mug. Our stoneware clay makes pottery that is both dishwasher and microwave safe! You'll then choose some glaze colours and we'll do the rest!
After the session your work will stay at the studio where it will be dried, fired, glazed and re-fired. Then you are welcome to return to the studio to collect it, or have it posted on afterwards. The whole drying-glazing-firing process could take up to a month, so please be patient. That said, what better way is there to build memories, create something with that special someone and be reminded of your time in the studio.
Our studio is a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, and we proudly celebrate the queer community. No matter who you are or who you love, we invite you to join us and create something beautiful together!
We will provide refreshments, including Prosecco, No-secco, Tea, Coffee, Nibbles, chocolates and biscuits - nourish the belly and the soul. 
We are now able to offer you the chance to return to the studio to glaze your work! If you are interested in seeing more of the ceramic process, or have created mugs that would look even more awesome if they could be glazed with more than one colour, you can now return once your work has been biscuit fired to glaze your work. This shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, and incurs a small additional charge (£10) which you can  book when you come to the studio on the day of your workshop. We can of course talk through the various options on the day - but the opportunity is there!
A word of warning - the kiln Gods can be fickle, and despite doing everything possible, some pieces will fail, crack or explode in the kiln. There are no guarantees in pottery, not even for seasoned potters. A second word of warning - working with pottery can be hugely addictive. You have been warned!
The new  Studio is housed in the old Reading Rooms - you will find it just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Nearby are many attractions and places to walk, shop and eat; including a Narrow-guage Railway (that runs to Etal Castle and back), a working flour mill, a Village Shop & Tearoom, a heavy horse centre, a micro-brewery, several castles and a Riverside cafe
https://w3w.co/lobster.rapid.clinking
TD15 2QG
Please note - access to the studio is only via a set of external stone steps, and there is a single toilet available on site.
And finally - There is ample free parking in Ford and the studio is just up the road from Lady Waterford Hall. Ravn Clay sits at the heart of the Estate, which also offers camping, glamping, B&Bs and guests houses. And there’s plenty more to do and see while you are here - 
Ford Tearooms & Post Office
Heatherslaw Light Railway
Etal Castle
Heatherslaw Mill
Hay Farm Heavy Horse Centre
Lady Waterford Hall
Flodden Battlefield
Loads of little eateries, pubs and shops etc
Spectacular scenery, walking and countryside
See www.ford-and-etal.co.uk for more details

Valentine's Day pottery workshop for two, making mugs and memories in rural Northumberland. 

1 Educators providing Pottery courses in Berwick-upon-Tweed

ravn clay

Berwick-upon-tweed

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