When people start my pottery classes, they often begin by saying that they’re not creative and not very good and making things. With my help and support, they soon realise that they are creative and they can make something… their sense of achievement is incredible.
Rachel Fooks ~ Pottery Tutor
Weekly Pottery Classes
Starting anything new can be daunting, especially when you’re joining a group of people that you don’t know, and you don’t know what to expect. Rest assured, the pottery classes are very informal, friendly, full of fun and creativity. There’s absolutely no judgement and like a big family, the old timers are very willing to help the newbies. The people in the classes are a mixture of ages, backgrounds, experience and personalities but it totally works, and you’ll have a great time as well as making some wonderful pottery! You don’t need to bring anything with you apart from perhaps a sketchbook (to take notes and develop ideas) and some people like to wear an apron. Mostly you’ll just need a sense of humour and an open mind!
In the pottery classes, I aim to build confidence, encourage experimentation and create a space that is welcoming and inspiring. Anyone can attend the pottery classes, they really are suitable for all abilities.
Beginners will be taken through the various hand-building and glazing techniques (not throwing on the potters wheel). If you’ve done pottery before, or if you prefer, you’re free to work on your own ideas and develop your skills further. I also run extra workshops in class time that are fun, inspirational and a bit quirky. I also like to find opportunities in the local area for community projects that the pottery class can participate in.
All the materials that you need are provided and are inclusive in the price of the pottery class. You’ll have the opportunity to use different types of clay (including stoneware, raku, craft crank) and there are more than 60 brush on glazes to choose from, over 40 under glazes, oxides and a variety of coloured slips.
Join one of the pottery classes and as well meeting new people whilst getting creative you’ll benefit from…
~ Working in a lovely spacious & light pottery studio
~ A tutor who’s an established ceramicist with over 30 years in the creative industry and 20 years of experience teaching pottery
~ Flexible sessions suitable for total beginners & advanced makers
~ Guidance & space to further your skills
~ Various clay types available, over 60 glazes, loads of underglazes, oxides & coloured slips
~ Additional class workshops to learn a new technique
~ Participation in community projects
~ No extra costs – all materials inclusive of price
And importantly…
a nice cup of tea or coffee and biscuits are provided!
Location: Furzebrook Studios, 52 Furzebrook Road, Wareham BH20 5AX
Weekly Pottery Class Details
Day & Time: Every Monday, Thursday or Friday 10.00am – 1.00pm (term time only)
Start Date: w/c 5th January – 13th February
Duration: 6 Sessions
Pottery Class Fees: £32 per Session for a block booking of 6 Sessions = £192
or £37 per session if you’d like to pay weekly.
Please note that those who pay for a block booking take priority over those who pay per session. As places fill quickly and there’s sometimes a waiting list, to avoid disappointment it’s best to pay for a block booking.
Future Term Dates 2025-2026:
Monday 23rd February – 27th March (5 sessions)
Monday 13th April – 22nd May (6 sessions)
Monday 1st June – 10th July (10 sessions)
Hand Building Experience
Do you fancy a more relaxed pottery hand building session with friends or family… getting creative using textures, stamps, cutters and enough time to make something wonderful for your home, office or garden?
If hand building is more your thing, then have a go at coiling, slab building, pinch pots or sculpting in a fun 2 hour session. I have a folder full of project ideas to inspire you or maybe you already have an idea of what to make.
The price of these sessions can be dependent on the group size, so please get in touch and we’ll get a session costed and booked in. However, as a guide:
The total cost is:
£65 (per person)
Minimum of 3 people & maximum 4 people.
These prices are inclusive of clay, glaze and 2 firings.
Half & Full day Pottery Sessions
These half and full day pottery sessions are ideal for groups. You’ll be using hand building techniques (not the pottery wheel) to get creative and have fun making anything from ceramic bunting to cactus plant pots or maybe a wind chime for the garden, a sculpture or even a model of your pet dog! You’ll be using coiling techniques, slab building, pinch potting or sculpting to make your wonderful pottery. You can experiment with texture, stamps, cutters and even explore the surrounding grounds to find beautiful natural objects to impress into the clay. The sessions are suitable for beginners or those more experienced and is the perfect introduction to pottery or space to take your skills further. They are a really good way to spend the day if you fancy being creative with friends whilst having a lot of fun.
Half Day Pottery Sessions
The half day session is 3 hours long, usually from 10am – 1pm, 2pm – 5pm or 4.30pm – 7.30pm.
The total cost is:
£75 (per person for 3 people+)
Minimum of 3 people & Maximum 12 people.
These prices are inclusive of clay, glaze and 2 firings
(and of course tea or coffee!).
Full Day Pottery Sessions
The half day session is 6 hours long with an hour break for lunch, usually from 10am – 4pm.
The total cost is:
£150 (per person for 3 people+)
Minimum of 3 people & Maximum 12 people.
These prices are inclusive of clay, glaze and 2 firings
(and of course tea or coffee!).
Glazing and Collecting Pottery
If you’re unable to return to glaze your pottery, you can choose glaze colours from the test tiles and I’ll paint them on for you. It can then go in for the final firing where the magic really happens! If you’re unable to collect your finished masterpieces, I can pop them in the post for you recorded delivery at a cost of £10. It can take up to 4 weeks from attending the session to receiving your beautiful pottery pieces, but worth the wait!
Gift Vouchers
Some people like to give Gift Vouchers as a present and so is a service I like to offer. The vouchers are individually tailored to suit your requirements, are professionally designed and emailed to you as a PDF for you to print.
Please note: The vouchers are valid for 6 months from the date of sending and cannot be exchanged for money/refunded.
Booking
If you are interested in any of the above Pottery Classes please contact Rachel Fooks:
Email info@rachelfooksceramics.com
Visit rachelfooksceramics.com
or
Fill in the form below.
Furzebrook Studios 