Join our evening ceramic course led by the pottery dream team, Rae Downey and Sarah Derbyshire, and develop your ceramic skills and knowledge. You will have a chance to develop your pottery skills from throwing to hand-building.

Over the 5-week beginners course, Rae & Sarah will show you in detail how to:

• Throw

• Hand-build/ Sculpt

• Turn

• Decorate

• Glaze

There are a maximum of 10 places available per session.

During week 5 you will be able to glaze up to 6 medium-sized pots, please allow for up to 2 weeks for bisque firing. 

Sessions will run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-8pm

You will be allocated your own potters wheel and given one to one assistance from the tutor to help you to develop your ideas.

Basic materials, aprons, clay and tools will be provided.

Clay, storage and firing is restricted.

Please see Terms and Conditions for further information.

Our beginner ceramic courses are led by the pottery dream team, Rae Downey and Sarah Derbyshire. Their patient and friendly approach to teaching allows beginners of all skill levels to not only craft wonderful creations but also to enjoy a fantastic experience.

You can read more about our tutors here

Location:
All of our courses will be held at our studio in Fenton, Stoke on Trent.

Equipment provided:
Disposable aprons and towels will be provided for your course.

Clay provided:
B17C Stoneware will be provided for use in the class. Should students require any other clay, it must be purchased seperately through Valentine Clays website at least 24 hours before required or at the Valentine Clays counter before your session. Please note that ordering before your session may take time to process and supply and neither LoveClay or Valentine Clays are responsible for organising additional clay to reach you in time for your session if not ordered in a timely manner. Please note, we will only fire pieces in our kilns made with clay from Valentine Clays.

Storage
We will only be able to store one bat of work per student throughout the 5 weeks. We will also not be allowing students to take away pieces and bring them back for firing. We will only be firing creations made during the sessions. Going forward, we are considering a monthly firing session for anyone who wishes to continue creating at home. But for now only pieces made in the class will be eligible for firing.

Name Stamps
All creations for firing must be clearly marked with your name. Any unstamped or marked will not be fired.

Sponging and Glazing
All creations must be sponged and bottoms unglazed or will not be fired. Too many of our shelves are being damaged by creations with glazed bottoms.

Ceramic Firings:
Please allow time for your work to be fired. Please also note that with any type of ceramics there is always a risk that your item might not make it through the firing process. Please note, we will only fire pieces in our kilns made with clay from Valentine Clays.
Included in the cost is glazing and firing of one medium or 2 small pots per session. You can purchase additional pot firings during the course. Please note that if you select pots to be fired, they are chargeable regardless of if they make it through the process or if you change your mind once the process has started. Please allow time for your work to be fired. Please also note that with any type of ceramics there is always a risk that your item might not make it through the firing process.

Payment Terms:
Course fees are payable at the time of booking. We reserve the right to refuse attendance on the course if payment is not received prior to the course date.

Name transfer:
You can transfer your place on the course at any time prior to the course start. No charge will be made for this providing there is no change to the course or date.

Cancellations by you:
Should you need to cancel your booking your cancellation must be received in writing at least 14 days prior to start of the course. A refund will be made which will total the full amount paid less 5% to cover our payment merchant fees. We are unable to process a refund for cancellations received less than 14 days prior to the event.

Cancellations by us:
Should it be necessary due to reasons beyond our control to cancel an event then our liability is limited to a full refund of the course fee paid.

Transfering Course Dates:
Should you need to transfer your booking date you will need to contact us in writing at least 14 days prior to the event. Within this period we will be able to rearrange your course date. We are unable to change your date when notice is received less than 14 days prior to the event.

Missed Sessions:
If you have booked on to one of our courses and miss a session then this session can not be refunded or transferred to another course of the same type.

Course Suitability:
Whilst we are happy to offer advice for each course, which is for guidance only, it remains the responsibility of the delegate to decide whether a course is deemed suitable for them. All bookings are taken subject to these conditions.

Photography Disclaimer:
Please note that on occasion photography and/or filming may take place during a course, workshop or event and material from this may be used publicly for marketing or social media purposes. Parents/carers of children are required to complete a photography disclaimer form – please speak to a member of staff regarding this.

Ceramic Firings:
Please allow time for your work to be fired following your course, we will be in touch via email to inform you when the work is ready. Please also note that with any type of ceramics there is always a risk that your item might not make it through the firing process.

Gift Cards:
Our gift cards are valid for 12 months from the date stated on the gift card (after this date the gift card is no longer valid). You can redeem your gift card online with the voucher number against the specified course. Booking the course is subject to availability and we recommend booking your place as soon as possible. Details of the course, age recommendations, and duration are a guide only and are subject to change. Our gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash and are non-refundable.