Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

Andy reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"Had this pottery day for my 60th this year. After being addicted to the great british throw down on the tv, but never having the chance to actually have a go, I was so excited to receive the gift. The actual day surpassed my expectations. Louise was great company and a natural born teacher, very patient and encouraging. I can't wait to see how my creations look after the final touches and to have another go. Thank you Louise. "

Blended Monkey responded:

" It was great having you in the studio Andy, and I hope this was a fitting 60th birthday present :-). You took to all the elements easily and you evidently found throwing on the wheel to be a very natural process. Thanks for the lovely review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed your experience :-)."

Jane reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"Louise was a very encouraging tutor. I really enjoyed a day playing with clay and the one on one help made a huge difference as I tackled the wheel for the first time. What a treat! "

Sharon Brown reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I've always wanted to give pottery a try - especially the wheel - and this day course was perfect. Louise was a great teacher and very good company. The morning was spent trying out different techniques - I made a couple of pinch pots, a coil pot plus a slab work vase and wall hanging. It was great to try out pattern rollers as well as pressing different materials into the clay. After a lovely lunch which we were able to eat outside in the beautiful garden, the afternoon was spent trying out the pottery wheel. Personally I wasn't fussed if I made anything or not, as I was enjoying simply trying to make something and as expected it's a lot harder than it looks! I was pleased with how it went although I kept making the same mistake but was improving each time. I ended up with a couple of things that were half decent for a beginner so that was a bonus. It's hard work using the wheel and the backs of my arms were quite stiff the next day!"

Blended Monkey responded:

" So pleased you enjoyed your creative ceramics day Sharon :-). It was a pleasure to have you in the studio and you grasped all the techniques really well. Your pieces are drying nicely and will be biscuit fired soon. It is quite full on doing an afternoon of throwing as we're not used to putting our hands and wrists in all those weird positions. You did really well and ended up with some lovely creations across all the disciplines of pinching, coiling, slab work and throwing. Well done!"

Lee Davies reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I had a great day. My wife bought me a one day pottery experience with Louise as I've always fancied having a go especially at throwing a pot or two. I'm so glad she did. I learnt so much but had one of the most relaxed days I've had in a long while due to the environment, the hospitality and the training style. Which clearly worked as Louise had me throwing cylinders/pots shortly after lunch! Can't wait to see what comes out of the kiln. If you have an interest and like me, have never used a potters wheel or touched a bit of clay since I was at school ( some 40 years ago ) then you won't go wrong by spending a day in the studio with Louise. Highly recommended !"

Blended Monkey responded:

" Thanks for your lovely review Lee. It was great having you in the studio and I'm glad you felt at ease and came away having learnt a bit more about the various methods of handbuilding and throwing. You made some fab pieces!"

Hannah L reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I had a really enjoyable day learning and making lots of pottery pieces. Louise is a great teacher and a lovely lady. Lunch was so good! :-) All in all a brilliant day had, thank you x"

Blended Monkey responded:

" It was a delight having you in the studio Hannah :-) So pleased you enjoyed your experience. I particularly like your coil pot, and well done with the throwing :-)."

Maureen reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I had a full day Pottery Workshop Experience as a gift from my children. I have had a few goes of some pottery many years ago but had always wanted to have a go on a potter's wheel. Louise introduced a pinch pot, a coil pot and a slab pot in the morning and there were pictures and other people's work to give me ideas. However, Louise encouraged me to be as creative as I wished and really helped me explore my ideas. I made a hanging wall decoration in the afternoon and then made a few pots on the wheel. Louise's instructions were so clear and she gave good advice as I progressed through the stages. The day was brilliant and the time seemed to go so fast. I joined a couple doing the woodturning workshop for lunch which was a lovely spread, and it was a very relaxed atmosphere. The day is very good value. Apart from the six hours of one to one tuition and a lovely lunch, Louise had obviously spent a good deal of time preparing all the clay to be used in advance and once the day was over would be sanding the pieces when dry, then glazing and firing them. I loved it so much that I hope to return and do some more pottery. A really great day."

Blended Monkey responded:

" What a lovely informative review Maureen! Thank you very much :-). Really pleased that you enjoyed your ceramics experience. You really let your creativity flow and made some fabulous pieces. It's also kind of you to acknowledge all the background processes that go on before and after the workshop - it's fairly involved :-). Would be great to have you back in the studio again later in the year!"

Christine reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"This course is so much fun! I loved learning all the different techniques in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Louise is kind, helpful, and fun to chat to. This experience was very relaxing, and I hope to come back again!"

Blended Monkey responded:

" It was great fun having you guys in the studio! Nice to have a good chat while we're creating :-). I'm so glad you enjoyed your ceramics experience. It would be a pleasure to have you back again."

Lynne reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"An excellent introduction to working with clay and the potter's wheel. Louise is relaxing company whilst offering instruction and advice throughout the day. The lunch was tasty and accommodated dietary needs, and tea was plentiful throughout the day ! Thank you Louise."

Blended Monkey responded:

" It was lovely having you in the studio Lynne and I'm so pleased you enjoyed your ceramics experience :-). I'll let you know as soon as your fabulous pieces have been glazed and are ready for collection. Merry Christmas!"

Suzanne Campbell reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I really, really enjoyed all aspects of the beginner's one-day pottery course and would not hesitate in recommending it to others. Louise is an excellent tutor. She was friendly, supportive and encouraging and explained everything very clearly and easily and her enthusiasm was infectious."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Thank you for your lovely review Suzy :-). It was a pleasure to meet you and I'm really pleased you enjoyed the day. You should feel very proud of what you achieved. I particularly like your slab vase! I'll let you know as soon as your pots have been glazed. I'm sure they'll look amazing!"

Helen M reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I was given a voucher for a pottery day from my husband for Christmas. The booking process was easy and Louise checked for any dietary requirements for lunch (I avoid cow’s milk). On the day the travel directions were very straight forward and on arrival Louise put me at ease as she is very friendly and approachable. I was a complete beginner and enjoyed learning pinch pots, coil pots and slab building. After a lovely relaxed lunch I tried throwing on the wheel. By the end of the afternoon I had a good choice of pots to have fired and glazed."

Blended Monkey responded:

" It was lovely to meet you for your 1-day ceramics experience and I'm really pleased you enjoyed your time and felt at ease in the studio. I enjoyed your company and our chat too! You made some great pieces."

Tracey Wallis reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I was lucky enough to have a full day pottery workshop voucher given to me for my birthday and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the day. Louise demonstrated various types of pottery techniques, including wheel throwing, which she made look very easy! It was all very relaxed and Louise made you feel confident enough to be creative with your own designs but guided you when needed. I hope to gain further wheel throwing experience in the future with Louise and would definitely recommend the workshops."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Tracey, it was a pleasure to have you in the studio. You made some really lovely pieces and it was a joy chatting to you while we created with clay! Would be lovely to have you back in the studio some time if you fancy honing those throwing skills :-)."

Joanna Aspinall reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I had the most enjoyable day with Louise at Blended Monkey. I got given a Pottery Throwing voucher for my birthday and having done it before I was slightly nervous. Louise made me feel very comfortable and relaxed and she was great at encouraging me as I designed my pieces. She was a great teacher. I really enjoyed the throwing part of the day and can't wait to have another go one day soon."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Hi Joanna, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the pottery workshop. I know how it can be when you come to a new place to do a new thing, but I'm glad you felt comfortable and at ease during the workshop :-). It was a pleasure to have you in the studio and you've made some really lovely pieces. You'll have to come back for half a day of throwing :-). Your pieces will be ready very soon. Take care."

Sarah reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"What a day!! I loved every second of this course! Started with hand building pinch pots, coil pots and slab, understanding techniques and tools. Went on to throwing on the wheel coning and shaping and came out with three pots. I could of spent all weekend doing this! Information that Louise gives is extremely valuable from such a talented lady. I cannot wait to see the final glazed pieces! Louise and Simon are great hosts and make you feel very welcome - this was my second trip to blended monkey after my partner and I completed a woodturning course, it was lovely to be back doing this pottery course with Louise."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Sarah, it was a delight having you in the studio. Such a creative and talented young lady! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the day and the various aspects of handbuilding and throwing. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need any more help :-)."

Veronica Morley reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"A really good introduction to different methods of making pottery items. It was lovely touch to get a certificate and the next day a whole host of good photographs. This experience was bought by my husband as a Christmas present and I will treasure my items once I get them back after firing and glazing. I would recommend this workshop and I will want to go again for another day to do some coiled items."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Veronica, it was great to meet you & thank you so much for your lovely review :-). We're pleased you enjoyed your day getting to grips with various ways of creating with clay. You made some fab pieces! And I'm sure your lasagne dish will have a variety of uses :-)."

Jenny Neale reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"This was a birthday present for my daughter who absolutely loved every minute of this workshop, she didn't want the day to end. This is way better than going to school! :) The day was full of laughs and we did learn and experiment a lot with various different styles of pottery and ways of imprinting designs on our masterpieces. Louise was very patient and very good at explaining how to do things especially on the wheel which seemed like the trickiest part of the day as first yet the most enjoyable once the technique was mastered my daughter was addicted. Lunch was too very good with more than enough to go round and something for everyone. The atmosphere was great too and both Louise and Simon are very easy to get along with. Thank you both for our wonderful memories :) We hope to visit you again in the new year!"

Blended Monkey responded:

" Jenny, thank you for your lovely review and we're so pleased that Cassy enjoyed the day - and also that she'd like to return again in the future :-). She made some lovely pieces which will be ready for collection very soon. It's always interesting to see how children respond to the various types of clay building. The hand building is a very free form and you can get really creative with it, so although most people consider throwing to be the "thing" you do in pottery, it's always encouraging to see that students are open to the other forms of building too. Thanks again for a lovely review!"

Marianna reviewed: Beginners 1-day one to one pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I cannot recommend this course enough. Even before attending the Pottery full day course , I received informative emails from the course organisers with all the information I needed in preparation for the day. The last time I did any pottery was in school approximately 3 decades ago and even then it was the basics. I loved every minute of my day with Louise - she was very welcoming , supportive and I learned a great deal from her - from making a pinch pot, to coiling and decorating slab work and most fun of all experiencing throwing on the wheel. The studio environment is bright, clean and houses some lovely pieces of completed works. Louise has created a lovely balance between structuring the day and organising the sessions to learn about processes involved in making pieces of pottery, whilst still encouraging creativity and freedom to explore clay . There were refreshments throughout the day and a lovely lunch . Although it can be daunting having a one-to-one session , I felt very relaxed in Louise's company and it was very rewarding having such an opportunity to have a tutor's full attention- it felt very natural and we had plenty to talk about . I look forward to returning again in future and look forward to any other classes that may develop over time. Thank you again for such an unforgettable and exceptional day."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Marianna, thank you so much for the really lovely review! I enjoyed every minute of the workshop too, so that's always a plus from my perspective ;-). I really appreciate hearing students' opinions about their workshop with me. I also totally understand that the thought of a 1-2-1 session with a complete stranger could be a daunting prospect at first, but I'm so pleased that all my students have felt comfortable in my company and in the studio. The aim of the workshop is obviously to impart some pottery info and give students a grounding in the basic methods we can use to make some lovely things out of clay, but also for them to have a creative, fun and relaxed day. You made some really beautiful pieces and I can't wait to see them glazed. Thanks again for the fab review and see you soon!"