Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

Mikey Newboult reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I was gifted the one-day 1-2-1 pottery class for Christmas after being glued to watching The Great Pottery Throwdown. My expectations for the day were high, and I'm happy to say they were exceeded! Louise was a lovely, patient, and friendly instructor... and laid on a great lunch too! I got to try slab building and throwing. Louise created with me, demonstrating skills and techniques that were easy to follow. The day flew by and was such fun. I'm very excited to see what my fired creations look like. I would highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to give a pottery a try. You'll be in great hands with Louise."

Blended Monkey responded:

" Thank you for your lovely review Mike! I'm so pleased you enjoyed your ceramics session here at Blended Monkey. It was fab having you in the studio, and nice to see a student get so absorbed with slab building :-). Quite often, the wheel is the star of the show as that's what everyone pictures when they think of pottery, but you soon grasped that you can get very creative with slab building - as you have shown brilliantly with your pieces! See you soon :-). "

Tracey Young reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I spent a day with Louise doing pottery . It was an absolutely fabulous day, so easy to talk to and so informative . It’s really important to feel at ease, and that’s exactly how Louise made me feel, Thank you for a wonderful day . Highly recommend this to beginners like myself. I enjoyed it so much I’m going on the Denny Abbey group pottery day . Tracey Y"

Blended Monkey responded:

" I'm really pleased you enjoyed your ceramics session Tracey. It was lovely to see you again and you should feel very proud of your creations :-). You were great company and we managed to put the world to rights too ;-)."

Sally Tabor reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery/ceramics workshop for 1 person

"Fabulous Louise took on the challenge of a very ambitious project accepting me and my ideas. Being a very long time since I'd touched pottery clay, I was very excited to give it a go. My project brief was to produce a dinner service for 12 including large plates, side plates plus bowls... A 2 day workshop as a Christmas present given to me by my wonderful Darren. Think I might have bitten off more than I can chew and will be a tad longer to complete, whoops!!! However Louise is extremely patient and explained the techniques in a very clear and thorough way. Louise makes you feel at home and encourages you all the way. Just a few more days to go Louise..tee hee!!! "

Blended Monkey responded:

" Thank you for the lovely review Sally! It was a delight having you in the studio and I look forward to part 2 next week where you'll be making the side plates and continuing with your throwing journey :-). "

Andy reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 1-2-1 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 :-)."