Complete beginner to pottery Entrepreneur

10 Jan

This may seem a pipe dream, but in the 7 years since we established the Love Clay pottery studio, it’s a story we have witnessed many times.

And it’s one, we and our tutors love to see and wholeheartedly support!
It’s a very inspirational one to see blossom. The budding student, booking on (or sometimes being gifted) a 1 hour Throw a Pot experience session and instantly falling in love with pottery. The student then joins a beginner’s pottery course after they have picked up their creations and continue their learning until they decide to sell their creations and turn a hobby they love into a business.

It’s the ultimate dream, isn’t it.

Now without overselling ourselves, it is possible.
We currently have over 30 students weekly who joined a course as a beginner, or with a little experience in ceramics and now sell online, in local artisan stores, and at markets throughout Staffordshire and Cheshire.

We have students who have created their niches within the industry from thrown on the pottery wheel to hand-built, sculptured, and slip-cast pieces.

Of course, their future business successes aren’t down to us but at LoveClay what we do offer is advice, support, and encouragement from our wonderful tutors, Jon French, Alex Shimwell, and Rae Downey along with our atmosphere. Our classes are very inclusive. They bring together all genders, abilities, and ages with one common love. Clay. And from there communities are formed. Supporting, assisting, and championing each other for those 2 hours they meet each week and outside of that time.

The whole scenario gives us a warm fuzzy feeling inside to know that our pottery studio is a place where small seeds are sown and even bigger things are created. It certainly boosts us and the tutors to keep on educating more and more new people on this wonderful earthy substance we have so much fun molding into special (and sometimes functional) objects.

We believe everyone at some stage of their life should have a go at creating with clay.
I mean, if you are from Stoke on Trent, it’s in your heritage! But even if you aren’t, as humans, it was the very start of our evolution tens of thousands of years ago.
This evolution via pottery is a testament to our progress as a species. From clay vessels to intricate pottery, our history is shaped by artistic and functional clay innovations. Pottery symbolises our transition from nomadic to settled societies. Pottery enabled food storage, trade, and cultural expression.
Pottery also reflects our technological advancements, from hand-built coiled pots to wheel-thrown masterpieces.
Through pottery, we can understand ancient civilisations, rituals, and daily life.
We know it to represent our creativity, craftsmanship, and connection to the earth. It is a timeless art form that embodies our past, present, and future evolution as a species.
We are firm believers that embracing is something we should all experience. It runs through all of our DNA.

So if you haven’t got your hands muddy at the potter’s wheel, what are you waiting for?

Here are some examples of successful students…