Sue Whelan reviews

simon ford reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Sue was fantastic! I attended the course having no previous experience. I was able to throw and hand form bowls and small vases after completion and feel as though I have gained insight into the whole process of producing ceramics. Apart from the practical skills I was also taken through in great detail the theory of pottery from mining your own clay and recycling to firing and glazing. If you want to learn the art of ceramic production you could not do better than a course at Fired Thoughts."

Helen Stoddart reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Thankyou so much for yesterday - what a great way to spend a rather dismal December Sunday! Jennie and I thoroughly enjoyed the day, learnt a huge amount about various pottery techniques and had the bonus of a delicious lunch too! Can’t believe how much was done in just a few hours and we’re looking forward to seeing the end results. Best wishes for a healthy and happy Christmas, Helen."

Sue Whelan responded:

"It was a pleasure to meet you both and spend the day sharing our passion of working with clay."

Kate reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Such an enjoyable few hours learning about the ancient art of Raku. Geri and Sue were really knowledgable and great teachers. I would definitely recommend, and hope to repeat the course in the future."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thankyou for the review Kate, So pleased you enjoyed the session, Now you know how it all works you could offer your own work to the Raku next time."

Lisa Trowbridge reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"My daughter and I had a really fun day together learning about all the different ways of working with clay. It was varied, creative and relaxing. We enjoyed it so much that we are intending to repeat the day with some friends later in the year."

Duncan Bell reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Big thanks to Sue and Geri for an excellent introduction to Raku firing. We each glazed 3 pieces of bisque pottery, experimenting with a wide range of colours and designs. Observing the glazing and reduction process was very interesting, and then we all compared our surprising and pleasing end results. I now want to learn a lot more about Raku and perhaps set up my own Raku kiln. It was a fun day of learning which I can thoroughly recommend."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Duncan, we are very pleased that you enjoyed the Raku Workshop and want to continue exploring this method of firing ceramics. We are happy to give you advice and help as an when you need."

Gaye Easton reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Really warm and friendly welcome with an interesting peek into the history of Raku, before discussing the order of the day. Plenty of help and advice throughout the workshop, ensuring we all had a good time and got the best results possible. Came home with 3 amazing pieces to be proud of and can’t wait to go back for more."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thank you for reviewing the course, very pleased you enjoyed the session. The next step would be to make your own pots to offer to the "kiln Gods" See you soon Best wishes Geri & Sue"

Sylvia Raddon reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"I had a fantastic day with Fired Thoughts, excellent guidance with pottery techniques, patient and helpful in every regards. Very happy with what I made, can't wait to see the finished result once fired. The buffet lunch was an added bonus, with great vegan menu."

Sam reviewed: Pottery course for at home pottery

"Hugely enjoyable ! Something I'd always wanted to try and was bought as a gift for me. Sue and Geri are really friendly and knowledgeable have helped me try new techniques and encouraged and inspired me. I've made lots of different pieces which are functional and it makes me proud to use them. I love coming to Fired Thoughts, always fun and the time flies by!"

Sharon Thomas reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"What a brilliant course! I went with an open mind and was encouraged just to give it a go and see what happened. Seeing the results was great fun and I love the way the pots turned out. The colours are brilliant and they make me smile whenever I look at them. Thanks both."

Mark Bent reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Thanks guys – I had a really good time dabbling with the different glazes. The kiln was most enteraining!"

Kat Spreadbury reviewed: Pottery course for at home pottery

"I have been coming to Fired Thoughts for over a year. I have learnt alot from Geri and Sue's help and expertise. I came with my mum, at first as she has always been keen to have a go at sculpture and ceramics. I thought it would be fun to have a go together. Geri and Sue really helped my mum, to come out of her shell and she created some really lovely pieces. Which she's very proud of! I would definitely recommend to people to come to Fired Thoughts, if they wanted to experiment with ceramics. As Geri and Sue are lovely ,very encouraging and knowledgeable. They make you feel welcome and it's lovely relaxed atmosphere. The main thing is to have some fun with clay."

Lisa Clift reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"I spent a wonderful afternoon learning about Raku with Sue and Geri. They are wonderfully organised, friendly and encouraging and I am delighted with the three completed pots I made. The structure of the day was very clear, and the site was organised so that everyone had space and materials to work. The explanation of what we should do and how to be creative with our pots was so helpful, and their warm encouragement led everyone to produce some beautiful work. Generous with their time, teaching, anecdotes and tea, I thoroughly recommend this course."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thank you for your review, we are so pleased you enjoyed the course and wish you many wonderful creative days in the future, happy making!"

Jan Telfer reviewed: Pottery course for at home pottery

"I was a complete beginner and my daughter thought this would make a great Christmas gift for me. She was so right. Both Sue and Geri create a thoroughly enjoyable experience in a relaxed atmosphere, whilst sharing their vast knowledge and skills with patience (and a sense of humour). I’m hooked - wish I’d discovered Fired Thoughts years ago."

Steve and TRicia reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Great day with a small group which enabled Geri and Sue to spend devoted time with each of us. We made 4 items in different styles and was able to take away with us when fired. We learnt a lot from them both and would thoroughly recommend spending a day/s with them both at their great studio in Devizes. We will certainly be going back despite the long drive from Cornwall. Thank you both."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thankyou for taking time to review the course, we hope to see you again soon too."

Gill Sharpe reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyed my day here at Fired Thoughts, the atmosphere was very relaxed, teaching very professional but not overwhelming, the demonstrations were splendid, and the management of the day given that there were six of us was superb. Lunch was an added bonus, provided by the farm shop, and coffee and biscuits throughout the day were most welcome. I was pleasantly surprised to end the day with four separate items to eventually bring home with me, and I’m sufficiently excited by it to want to do more. However, it seems I’m in the majority, as trying to find a regular spot on a course seems to be impossible! I would thoroughly recommend this day to any budding potters."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thanks so much for the review, so pleased you enjoyed the day."

Alexandra Z reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Lovely class and lovely people! I learned a lot of different techniques and can't wait to go again :)"

Deborah reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"I attended this course with my daughter a couple of weeks ago. I would thoroughly recommend it as a really good fun experience. With the advantage of bringing home a piece of your own work. It introduces you to many new skills. The course tutors were excellent patient and very attentive"

Sarah Calvert reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"L❤VED IT! Both Geri & Sue were both extremely knowledgable and great at explaining things in layman terms. I learnt loads and 'created' quite a bit too. We over ran by an hour as we were so enthused but we felt no pressure to leave. 10/10 for enjoyment, education and value for money. I will definitely return at some point to do more and, can highly recommend this day particularly, if spent with friends plus, there's a great farm-shop next door for a tasty picnic lunch."

Julie Phillips reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"We had a fantastic day learnt lots of pottery techniques. Our hosts Sue and Gerie were great very funny, thankyou girl, will definitely be back ??"

Shirley Edwards reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Such a lovely way to spend a Sunday. Thoroughly enjoyed our day. Very informative and pleased with the results too! Thank you."

Rachel Proto reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"We went as a group of 6 but got so much help and assistance we all had a fabulous time. It was great to try so many techniques without feeling rushed and the end results were carefully wrapped and touchingly returned to us to our delight! Thank you both."

Sue Whelan responded:

"Thank you so much, We are very pleased you all enjoyed it. It's great to have such positive feedback."

Sylvia Pinner reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Great introduction to Raku. I would take this again to build upon knowledge learned. Sue and Gerry are great teachers and mentors in all aspects of clay and pots. A truly fun afternoon!"

Tina skinner reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"My son and I did this course. It was a wonderful introduction that also allowed us to develop our own style and thoughts within the projects Gerry set us. Gerry is a great teacher and lovely person to spend time with, she listened to our ideas and helped us make them happen. I could not recommend Fired Thoughts more highly.... We both want to do more and more with them in the future."

Shani Plackett reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"My daughter and a attended this course last Sunday and had a great time. Both Geri and Sue were informative and very patient! We both managed to turn out pretty good looking pots on the wheel, albeit with a little help, we also made a pinch pot, a pot from coiling and a small box - you pack a lot into the day! We will be back."

Richard and Jasmin reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Jasmin and I had a great time exploring various clays and techniques. Some of which rung a bell from school many years ago, some that were enlightening. It was great to have a day where you could work on different types of clay and methods of construction as it allowed my wife and I to see where we both wanted to follow up on the specific types of creation. I am certain we'll be back so we can both focus on our own preferred areas."