Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses reviews

sophie reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"After an excellent weekend on the course I genuinely cannot recommend it enough! Not only did we learn a fantastic new craft, we made beautiful bowls and had such a laugh doing so. We loved the friendly relaxed feel and just cannot wait to go back again. Thank you"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Sophie, Thank you for your lovely review, myself and Rachel had a great day teaching you all various clay techniques on the course. If you ever want to develop your clay skills further in the future, with another creative workshop let us know. Best wishes Mathew & Rachel"

Lucy Barry reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"What an outstanding weekend. So much more personal than we were expecting. Both supportive and pushing us to be creative, and the results were fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much whilst also learning. I can’t wait to go back!"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Lucy, We had a great day teaching all of you to throw on the wheel, seeing your creativity develop throughout the day using hand building techniques. I am sure that the famous Barry honeycomb technique will be used for future decoration.The work created was excellent and we can't for you to receive the finished glazed work. Should you want to return in the future for another workshop it would be a pleasure to have you back to develop your ideas further. Best wishes Mathew & Rachel"

lesley wills reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I attended the beginners course over a year ago and was hooked!!! Mathew's endless patience, skill and enthusiasm is infectious and I now have a class every month; what an amazing gift from my brother in 2018. Thank you Mathew, for so generously sharing your passion for pottery. Give it a go!!!"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Lesley, It is an absolute pleasure seeing your creativity grow each month and understanding of each technique. The big kiln reveal after decorating and glazing all of your work was really exciting, with outstanding results. I look forward to seeing you again in May. Best wishes Mathew"

Glenn Hickling reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"It was, without doubt, one of the best things I've ever done, spending a day with my wife throwing pots under the expert eye of Matthew. He is an incredible teacher, by the fourth pot I actually felt pretty confident on the wheel and got great results that we will actually use day to day in our home. Can't wait to eat noodles out of a bowl I threw myself. He made the day such fun too. If you want a pottery experience with solid results to remember the day by, choose Matthew. And where better to do it than at The Potteries?"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Glenn, Thank you for such a great review and I had a fantastic day teach both of you. It was amazing how much progress that you both made in such a short time and the quality of the forms that you both produced. Your pots are now drying and will be fired shortly, I will be in touch as soon as they are ready to collect. Best wishes Mathew"

Rachel reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I recently attended a one to one 'Throwing Wheel Workshop' day with Mathew for a birthday gift from my partner. It was the best gift ever - I had such an amazing day. Having been a little apprehensive beforehand, any fears were soon alleviated from the moment I arrived. Matthew and his wife Rachel welcomed me into their home and Mathew very quickly put me at ease in using the wheel. As the day progressed, my confidence grew and I managed to make 6 items (3 bowls and 3 jugs). I was amazed that they even looked a proper shape! I learnt so much in a day and it was so therapeutic and a good distraction from life's stresses! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished products once they have been fired. I would highly recommend the day to anyone. Mathew's instruction, humour and patience really helps to make the day so relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you Mathew."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Rachel, Thank you for the lovely review. It was great to meet you and partner and chat over lunch. The beautiful forms that you created on the day have now been fired. If you can e-mail me at sales@dimblebyceramics.co.uk with your mums address I can drop them off for you later next week. If you want to collect them yourself let me know. Best wishes Mathew"

Fiona Galbraith reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"What a fantastic day my daughter, my partner and I had with Matthew at Dimblebey Ceramics. We were made to feel so welcome. The course was fun and Matthew was an excellent teacher. We were all complete novices yet each of us went home with several pieces of pottery. Many thanks."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Fiona, Thank you for your lovely review. I had such a fun day teaching all of you, not only seeing everyone's progression but the competition grow throughout the day. The beautiful forms that you all created are all drying, these will be fired over the next couple of weeks ready to collect. Best wishes Mathew"

Esther Pepper reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Hi Matthew Yes, we very much enjoyed the experience - Andrew had such a great time he is seriously looking at taking up throwing as a hobby. I can't tell you how wonderful it was for me to see him so absorbed in something that wasn't work-related. I counted 17 vessels in total. Large or small, they each represented a unique challenge for us first-timers. Of course, much of what we achieved was down to your can-do character, your time-honoured techniques and the clarity of your teaching. Couldn't help but notice how working with clay demonstrates many serendipitous life lessons - from the firm grip that's needed for centring, to slowing the wheel at key moments and when to stop fiddling. A big favourite was that if any project doesn't work out, we can just recycle it and start afresh with a new piece. So for me, clay work represents the perfect blend of meditation and creation - 'One could spend a lifetime throwing the perfect pot and that life would not be wasted,' (to steal a quote from The Last Samurai). Our best regards. love Esther"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Esther, Thank you for the lovely review. I has such a great day teaching you and Andrew, especially seeing the progress you made throughout the day on the wheel. Best wishes Mathew"

Louise Evans reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Thanks Matthew for a fantastic day. My daughter and I loved every minute and even surprised ourselves. Your help and patience in teaching us how to produce some great pieces shows how you can teach novices in such a short time!! We look forward to collecting our pieces and putting them to use. We would recommend you and look forward to returning one day soon. Thank you"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Louise, Thank you for the kind review. It was lovely to meet you and Hannah,. It was fantastic to see the progress that you both made creating forms on the wheel. Best wishes Mathew"

Ian Rushton reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Thanks again Mathew for a fabulous return visit. I really enjoyed the day and very pleased with difficult shapes you helped me to master, especially the tankard. Hope to see you again soon."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Ian, Thank you for the review, it was a pleasure to have you back on the course and build on the skills you learnt in the previous workshop you attended. Your pots are now ready for collection, and a cup of tea if you have time. Best wishes Mathew"

Sally Rowney reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Easily enough equipment and space for 2 people to be taught at the same time. A good day for my daughter and I. We both made some bowls and jugs. Looking forward to seeing the final results when we get them back."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Sally, Thank you for your review. Your just pots are in the kiln firing this evening and will be ready to collect next week. Kind regards Mathew"

Helen Herbert reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I was a complete novice and quite nervous about attending the workshop , but Mathew was so friendly and patient , I soon relaxed. I'm looking forward to collecting my pottery pieces in a couple of weeks ."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Helen, Thank you for your lovely review. Your pots are in the kiln firing this evening and will be ready to collect next week. Best wishes Mathew"

Gavin reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I did a one day wheel throwing session with Matthew recently. It was an excellent day. It was fairly intensive, which is exactly what we wanted and we got quite a bit more done than we expected. I'd not gone near a potter's wheel before and would have been happy with anything vaguely resembling a pot, so I was a tad sceptical of Matthew's claims that we would get a range of finished wares made that day that we could use in the home. The instruction was top-notch however and I was really pleased with the half a dozen pots and jugs I made on the day. Matthew is a very capable instructor, whose passion for his craft really comes out in the way he teaches. The day is well structured and very practical; quick coffee then straight into the clay, all hands on, all day. I would not hestitate to recommend this course to anyone who wants a really practical, enjoyable introduction to wheel throwing."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Gavin, Thank you for your kind review, I had a great teaching both of you and seeing you both achieve so much in just one day. I just wanted to let you know that your pots are now ready to collect. Best wishes Mathew"

Sarah reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"My son and I have just had a superb day on the beginners pottery course. From learning the basic techniques to progressing in our own directions, learning from our errors and having the space to experiment. Matt was generous with his knowledge and patience. Thank you. I would be willing to bet that whatever you might want from a day like this you won't leave disappointed."

Kerry Brown reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I booked the potters wheel workshop as a birthday present for my husband . Both myself and my husband attended and had a fantastic day . Having no experience at all using a potters wheel , I came away feeling like I had learnt new skills . Matthew was very friendly , clear with his instructions and patient . An excellent day , would love to attend again sometime to build on the techniques I learnt . Thankyou Matthew ."

Dave Clarkeson reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"One day pottery course with Mathew Dimbleby I cannot praise this day highly enough. Before going, I had only had one very short session on a potter’s wheel, but I needn’t have worried. Mathew is an excellent, patient teacher, willing to spend as long as it takes to help you along the way. Seldom have I been so focused, or felt the same sense of achievement as I did during this class. It was also really good fun - Mathew is a top bloke, and we found plenty to chat and laugh about during the day. It has really whetted my appetite and I can’t wait to do more. Thanks very much Mathew. All the best David"

Hayley reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"The course was so much fun, starting right from the basics as I'd never done anything like this before. Matthew was friendly and professional and made it a very enjoyable day. I'd recommend it to anyone."

Daniel reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I had an excellent day learning throwing from Mathew. His relaxed hands-on style really helped me to pick up the techniques involved in throwing. This was my first experience on a potter's wheel. Mathew taught me how to throw bowls & jugs. He gave me leeway and choices to impact the design of the final pieces as well, which gives a much more personal feel to the output. I'd recommend Mathew's course to anyone who wants to learn how to throw. I'd do it again tomorrow!"

Shelley reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"For at least the last five years I have wanted to go on a course of throwing but have been plagued by illness and injuries. So last week when I was 'mended' enough I jumped at the chance to book something. I did a lot of research and even though there are many tutors closer to home I really felt I should follow my instincts not to mention glowing reviews. So glad I did!! Mathew and his wife Rachel are delightful. I had an horrendous journey and arrived flustered but Mathew immediately put me at ease and I knew we were going to have a great day. He is a exceptionally talented tutor - calm, methodical, friendly, knowledgeable and kind. Not every potter can teach how to centre clay or show a beginner the ropes. I was delighted with the results and absolutely know I want to learn more - in fact have thought of little else since I left his studio. Bizarrely every pot I have picked up since I have scrutinised and run my fingers through it's 'walls' I am now on a big drive to find funds for my own wheel. I seriously cannot thank Mathew enough."

Mark Elsmore reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I received a days experience on the potters wheel as a birthday gift from a friend. Upon arriving at Dimbleby Ceramics myself and my friend were met by Matthew and were instantly made to feel welcome by himself and his wife, Rachel. As I had never done any pot throwing before i was a little apprehensive, but there was nothing I had to worry about. Matthew is a very good teacher, is very patient and put me at my ease quickly. The workshop was nice and warm and within minutes we were on the wheel working on our first bowl! Under Matthews calm instruction it seemed only a few minutes had passed and I was sitting in front of a bowl that I had made! I couldn't believe it! The day could have ended there and I would have been happy. To cut a long story short, before the day had ended I had many more bowls, jugs etc, each time learning another technique. My friend and myself have done a few experience days in the past and this has to be the best I have done so far. Anyone looking to do a course on a potters wheel could do no better than booking one with Dimbleby Ceramics. Definitely a five star experience."

Simon Rouse reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"From the moment we knocked on Mathew's front door we found a warm welcome and a great communicator. Mathew went out of his way to establish a friendly informal tone, quickly understanding our expectation of the day. As a couple we started the day with a litle trepidation; I hadnt touched a potters wheel for more than 30 years, and my wife had no previous experience at all. Mathew skillfully coached us both simultaneously, spotting our mistakes and showing us how to correct them as we went. Our confidence grew rapidly as our pots took shape in front of us. We achieved far more than we expected, with 6 pots each now waiting to be fired and glazed (all included) The whole experience was loads of fun and we're keen to return very soon to learn more. Thanks so much Mathew !"

Pete and Louise reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Amazing experience throughout from learning about the course and booking to getting in the studio. We had a fantastic day with Mat who's such a friendly and enthusiastic teacher. We've already recommended to a couple of people and would recommend to anyone looking to throw a bit of pottery!"

Caroline & Ian reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"This workshop was absolutely fantastic. We had no previous experience of any sort of pottery and so were a little apprehensive about what to expect. We had both wanted to try to throw pots for some time. Mathew immediately put us at ease. He paid close attention to what we were doing and so could show us when we were doing things right and wrong. We learned a lot of the basics and through the course gained a bit more of a feel for the clay and how to throw different forms. Mathew is a very genuine person and a great teacher. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and would wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in gaining a new skill. Thanks so much for an amazing day in so many different ways. It was very relaxing and very informative."

Karen Robinson reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"As a complete beginner I had no experience of throwing clay, However after just 1 day with Mathew I had learned enough of the basics to enable me to take what I had learned home and develop my skill. Mathew is a very experienced teacher, very knowledgable, patient and clear in his instruction. I made 5 forms during the day, 4 Bowls and a jug. I learned how to centre clay, cone up, open out , pull up the clay wall and use tools. Having dedicated tutoring time really makes a difference in how quickly you can pick something up and I would recommend this day without Hesitation to anyone who seriously wants to learn a new skill. The day is relaxed and friendly and you come away with a sense of achievement , Thanks again Mathew"

Susan koszak reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Spending a day learning how to throw a pot with Matthew was brilliant.I shared the day with my daughter and we were amazed how many different items we made.Matthew guided us through each stage of the process in his wonderful pottery workshop.Its definitely inspired us both to do more with clay. Many thanks?"

Sheila Dempster reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I had a fantastic day, it had been 40 years since I had last thrown a pot and under Matthew's guidance it seemed like yesterday. I had a very productive day making cylinders, bowls, jugs and dishes and even went off piste throwing different shaped pots I had sketched out myself over coffee. I highly recommend this course for all abilities."