Saggar, barrel and raku firing weekend workshops in beautiful Devon

Alison and Abi have extensive knowledge of these types of firings and were happy to share their experience.
There were 8 people on my course which seemed like an ideal number and a nice group. I brought my own pots and probably most people who would want to do this course would have some pottery experience to get the most out of it, However, it would be possible for someone with no pottery experience to complete the course using bisqued pots which Alison and Abi sell and have a nice experience and a few lovely pots to take home.
It was really exciting to see each others pots emerge from the different firings-the results were fantastic!
So pleased with mine, completely surpassed my expectations.
The setting is picturesque and the lunches excellent
I've already ordered an oil drum on ebay to try some barrel firings of my own!
I would highly recommend this course.

I really recommend this course and also feel it is suited to experienced potters, and those with no pottery experience. There were nice small numbers of about 8 students and we could fire 8-12 pieces. You could bring your own pots and good instructions were sent in how to prepare your pots. Or you could purchase pots. The course was well paced and in a gorgeous setting with lovely food served. I was so happy with my results. Abi and Alison are knowledgeable and helpful and I particularly liked how helpful they were in helping me select which pieces should go in which firing. I felt I received enough one to one attention to improve.
My only feedback is that I wish I could have had a go at lifting my pots in and out of the raku kiln as I wanted to try this. Perhaps an advanced class could be made for those who have attended this course?
Lovely location, be prepared for narrow roads if you are an inexperienced/city driver. Book accommodation ahead of time!

The course was absolutely wonderful. Abi and Alison were so kind and generous with their time, their hospitality and sharing their knowledge and skills.
We were all able to produce some fabulous results thanks to how hard they worked to ensure that the course was great fun, successful and safe.
I have already recommended it to a number of people.
My partner bought me the gift of the course for my birthday and it was the best gift ever. I learned so much too.
Thank you so much Abi and Alison.

I learnt loads on this enjoyable course about raku, barrel and saggar firing methods, not least because not everything was predictable.
Thanks to Alison and Abi, I now feel confident to try these myself and experiment till I find my own preferences.
I'm experienced in other forms of pottery and am very glad I've added to my knowledge through this course.

Beautiful setting, delicious food, two very experienced inspirational potters and teachers, relaxed informal atmosphere. Each of us prepared pots for saggar, barrel and raku firings carried out over the weekend, with practical info about safety, firing methods, kilns, glazes , colouring effects , cleaning and finishing pots ,
It was exciting and dramatic , strongly recommended

Really enjoyed the firing weekend with Abi and Alison. It was fascinating to see the different results from the saggar, barrel and raku firing. It was fun to experiment with the different techniques. The setting in Devon was beautiful and the food was delicious!

I was really impressed by this course. It was packed with information, activity and comprehensively covered the really interesting art of raku and saggar firing. Alison and Abi were helpful and encouraging at all times managing to spread themselves around a group of 7 very well . A huge amount of effort must have been put into running everything including the delicious food. The setting was in the beautiful Devon countryside which for an urban dweller was very enjoyable. I would highly recommend this course and hope to return again next year.

What a fantastic course! Thoroughly recommended to anyone with or without potting experience! Abi & Alison are brilliant tutors who welcome you to the beautiful setting of Abi’s home & garden in Devon. So many exciting techniques fit in to the two days i felt like a child in a toy shop! You get to produce multiple pots in each technique & I came away with 11 pots- fired & glazed & treated in different experimental techniques & methods. Saggar firing, Raku firing, Barrel firing & Horse Hair firing all fitted into a magical two days of fun. Don’t hesitate to do this course you will LOVE it!!

As a non potter I attended as the unglamorous assistant of a ceramicist thinking I might not get much out of it - but I was wrong as the 2 days were excellent and enjoyed with a great group of people. Abi and Alison were great and must have been exhausted with all the setting up and continuous questions being fired at them. There hospitality was great with homemade lunch both days and plenty of tea and coffee. Thank you

Friendly and relaxed weekend amongst interesting people.
Lots of different techniques explained and demonstrated.
Lovely al fresco catering.
We all went home happy 👍😀

Amazing course! My mum and I attend a weekly pottery class at a local college but wanted to explore the world of Raku firing. This course couldn't have been better! Abi and Alison are both amazing potters and have so much knowledge and experience to share. We explored a range of firing techniques using various materials to bring out beautiful colors, designs and textures. The course was held in beautiful Devon with lots of open space making it easy to distance from the other participants. We all wore masks and I felt very comfortable that everyone else was being 'COVID safe'. Highly recommend this course, I will certainly book on again soon!!

This course was brilliant from start to finish. Abi and Alison were great facilitators and we all quickly went from strangers to a chatty, friendly group.
It was certainly an action packed weekend but it didn’t feel at all rushed.
We were all at different levels in our ‘pottery journey’ so it was nice to share knowledge and skills.
Lunch was homemade and delicious and the setting gorgeous.
Abi and Alison were extremely generous sharing all their knowledge and I learnt loads and some really good ‘hacks’.
Thoroughly recommend this course whatever your skill level.

My second time doing this workshop. Not that I didn’t learn anything two years ago, it was just that it was so good the first time I was determined to return and introduce a friend of mine who was just beginning her pottery “adventure”. I can only say it was even better the second time around - and on top of everything we were blessed with lovely weather.
Abi and Alison are not only knowledgable and experienced in their craft but are friendly and patient and always engaging. They had made strenuous efforts to keep everybody safe in these strange viral times and to put everybody at ease.
The whole two days were a joy. Exciting, and inspirational. It’s given me so much more confidence now, to improve on the techniques and skills learned and to advance with a raku kiln of my own. I cannot recommend the experience too highly.
No doubt I will be back for another ‘booster’ session in the not too distant future. It’s worth it for the food alone!
Thanks to Abi and Alison.

Wonderful setting for a course, I enjoyed meeting both Abi and Alison and learning some new techniques in raku. I had not tried naked raku before and having prepared my own pots prior to the course I was interested to see how they came out. It is certainly a technique I will try in the future.
It was a shame that the weather was disappointing (it rained all day on saturday) as we had to spend a lot of time outside. The lunches and homemade cakes were a triumph!

It was a great weekend in Devon for me. Apart from two full days of learning a variety of alternative firing techniques, I also enjoyed excellent hospitality from Abi and Alison. It was like a craft retreat holiday for me! The course is suitable for a wide range of abilities, from total newbies to potters with some firing experience, we certainly had taken a lot home. Highly recommended!

Thank you Abi and Alison for a wonderful weekend - truly inspirational. Yvonne and I can't wait to try more raku firing.
Thank you for sharing your expertise in a friendly informal way. The weather was also superb, enabling us to enjoy good food and share ideas with new friends in your lovely garden.
Best wishes,
Bob.

Thank you Abi and Alison for the excellent and wonderful weekend doing raku, saggar and barrel firing.
The course was certainly worth coming to England to from Iceland. I have taken with me a lot of information on saggar and barrel firing. Everybody on the course produced interesting work and I am certainly happy with my 12 pieces I managed to take back to Iceland in my hand luggage.
Well done you two, you have impressed and inspired me with your talent and professionalism. The lunches, the environment in lovely Devon and the group of people were also fantastic.
Helga

Such a great weekend learning under the instruction of Abi and Alison. Our group was an eclectic mix of professional potters, enthusiasts and in my case beginners. It just suited everyone!
The skills we were able to take away with us are simply amazing, I had no idea I was to learn so much in a matter of days. The excitement when the finished product is revealed was just another aspect of the weekend I was not expecting.
“Well done guys”! Just a beautifully designed and executed course that would suit anyone and the homemade lunches were to die for!

Results were amazing. Another day of fun, good food, great company and expert instruction. I’m already thinking about a return visit.

What a busy, fun packed weekend we've had! Lovely setting and great guidance in the techniques of Saggar, Barrel and Raku firing. It was amazing to learn, experience and reveal the effects from the different firings and be surrounded by lovely people sharing a love of ceramics.
Wonderful food, beautiful surroundings and knowledgable fun hosts too!
Highly recommended if you're visiting Devon or a local pottery enthusiast, don't just take my word for it...book your place now!

Fantastic.
Everything is well explained, questions answered knowledgeably. These ladies know their stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Mill. Food was fantastic.
Looking forward to seeing the results of our efforts. Highly recommend this course.

This was my second visit having enjoyed the course so much last time. Learned hands on from these two lovely creative and talented artists. Abi and Alison share their ideas and experience with humour. I am so pleased with the results which I took home. Great group of potters to learn with too.
Hope to see you again sometime.

Ruth x

Hi Abi and Alison
Just to thank you both for such an informative and wonderful course at the weekend. It was just so nice to get away and meet like minded people since being a potter can be a lonely profession. I came away on a high determined to get back in the studio again but of course that will have to wait until after I get back from my holiday and with this weather it can't come soon enough!

Good luck with the next course.
Sue x

Even though I have never done any pottery, I enjoyed the course very much. I learned a lot, especially that pottery and firing techniques are not an exact science. The outcome depends a lot on timing, experience and, last not least, "luck". Everybody produced some amazing pieces to take home. Both Abi and Alison are excellent teachers, they are enthusiastic, patient and explain very well. They provided lot's of tips and tricks and encouraged an exchange of information between the participants. The course took place in the lovely Devon countryside. It was an overall very inspiring experience and I would highly recommend it to anybody who is interested in pottery and learn more about firing techniques.