Sarah Derbyshire has spent the last nine years immersed in wire sculpture, showcasing her exceptional creativity. Four years ago, her curiosity led her to explore another creative discipline: ceramics. She began her journey with a beginner's course at LoveClay, where she discovered a deep love for working with clay. This experience inspired a career change, enabling her to focus on creating her own work.

Now, Sarah is dedicated to sharing her love for ceramics as a teacher at LoveClay, where her personal journey from student to educator informs her patient and understanding approach. She creates a welcoming and supportive environment, making her students feel at ease. Alongside teaching, Sarah runs her own business, Cinnamon Ceramics, crafting and selling unique, animal-inspired pieces through online platforms and local markets. This dual focus on teaching and selling her creations has allowed her to fully embrace a fulfilling career centred around her artistic passions.

Sarah teaches during our Saturday Throw a Pot Sessions, Beginner Ceramic Courses, and our special seasonal events.

Rae graduating from art university in 2020 specialising in sculptures and unique handmade ceramics.

Rae is a new addition to our team, having been a previous LoveClay student and showing exceptional skills in teaching throwing.

Rae has a wholesome teaching manner, is very patient with beginners of all abilities and overall a fantastic addition to our team.

When she isnt teaching, Rae has quite a following locally for her handcrafter ceramics. Selling a Artisan markets and boutiques throughout the Staffordshire area all lovingly made at her studio within Spode, an old historic pottery factory.

Rae teaches during our Saturday Throw a Pot Sessions, Beginner Ceramic Courses, and special seasonal events.

Alex originally studied ceramic design at Staffordshire University, and spent time in Japan studying with Hiroki Numaguchi, a 7th generation Jomo ware potter, learning traditional techniques and researching the aesthetic ideas that informed traditional British studio ceramics.

He is a knowledgable tutor particularly with specialist techniques such as large wheel thrown ceramics, Raku and making your own glazes.

Alex has a patient manner and a very laid back teaching style allowing students to gain the knowledge they need at a pace that indiviually suits.

Alex teaches on Wednesday evenings

Rita Floyd is a master flower maker of nearly 50 years and has been making ceramic flower since the early 1970’s!

Rita is a Flower making demonstrator and workshop leader at Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton Stoke on Trent and also had the honour of being a guest Judge on popular pottery show, The Great Pottery Throwdown

Rita previously worked on exhibitions at Victoria and Albert Museum London (V&A) and appeared at the 2017 Biennial at Icheon Ceramics village in South Korea and Gusthavsberg in Sweden in 2020.

When not teaching, Rita makes and sells unique ceramic flowers from her home studio in Stoke-on-Trent.

At LoveClay, Rita teaches specialist seasonal courses centered around flower making.