Potclays Ltd. reviews

15 Nov 13'

Yve Peck reviewed: Caricatures in Clay

"Thoroughly enjoyable & relaxed two day course learning how to create a stoneware mural sculpture. Neil Dalrymple is hugely talented & extremely knowledgeable & informative. Neil demonstrated various methods & techniques which could be employed in a wide range of sculptures. The small group enabled Neil to offer sufficient guidance to each individual & everybody on the course created some wonderful work. Overall, the course was very good value for money & I would recommend this course to anybody interested in learning how to sculpt."

13 Nov 13'

neil spalding reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"I have been on at least 5 throwing courses. I have to say that I got more out of this one than any of the others. Very sympathetic tuition."

13 Nov 13'

JOHN COMMANE reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"A great learning experience with such a highly skilled and helpful mentor. David is such a nice guy. Learnt a lot of new techniques.The two days flew by. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. The food and refreshments are up to the normal good standard. Thank you"

13 Nov 13'

patricia kumar reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"David Frith is an excellent and inspiring teacher with a lot of sympathy for relative beginners.The course organisation was excellent but the provision of clay was a bit sparse! Luckily David could cope with clay reuse/ slabbing etc and did most of this for us. The only other problem was a worry that the warehouse would shut before we had time to finish our course and tidy everything up. A very enjoyable and productive two days!"

13 Nov 13'

Rosey Paul reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Great course with David whose throwing is inspirational."

31 May 13'

Maria reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"A great course, as well as a great day out. Richard was inspiring in his enthusiasm and extremely helpful, freely sharing his knowledge. He brought lots of information in the form of books, and sample tiles from his own firm. The initial presentation was really interesting. Lunch was sumptuous, although I would have preferred to have had a shorter lunchbreak and more time on the course. The only other thing was that the tables were rather too wobbly for comfortable working. The day went quickly - too quickly - and I went home feeling motivated to experiment with the new techniques, and happy to have met some other people with the same interest as I. Really enjoyable, good value for money."

16 May 13'

Petra Rohr-Rouendaal reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"The Raku course was very good. I enjoyed learning about two different types of Raku firing and it was good being able to go home with a sample pot. John Wheeldon was extremely helpful and answered all our questions. One suggestions- inevitable the participants will buy equipment from you and it would be better to have a least two staff members at hand to take our orders during the time we had to buy. Some of us missed John's teaching because we were queuing up to place our orders. Generally there was a bit too much time waiting around. Maybe we could have had a print out about the Raku technique we could read while waiting? Lunch was great and it was good to meet other people interested in the Raku firing."

14 May 13'

JOHN COMMANE reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"Right from the beginning the course was highly informative and easy to understand. John made the day very interesting and the final results were excellent. Time seemed to pass so quickly as we enjoyed the magic of RAKU. The facilities were very good and an excellent choice of food at lunch and a good supply of drinks all day. Thankyou"

14 May 13'

Stephen Williams reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"Interesting course. Lots of waiting around though (understandably). A little more information on the history, science and practicability of the process would have been useful."

26 Apr 13'

Sue and Charley reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"As complete mould making novices, and having never been on a course at Potclays we did feel a bit apprehensive before arriving. But the staff made us very welcome and Ed swiftly put us at ease. We have now successfully used our moulds and have spent the last couple of days making more. All in all a very rewarding day worth every penny. If you book yourself on the course be sure to pre order clay and a bag of plaster to take away with you. Thank you Ed and Potclays we will definitely be back."

26 Apr 13'

Niky reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"I had a great day. The course was a brilliant introduction to mould making. Ed demonstrated various techniques, encouraged each of us in our own attempts and was generous with helpful advice and experience to ensure each of us produced our own mould/s. My mould is nearly dry enough to be used. The Potclays team were, as ever, extremely helpful and provided a great lunch and break-time refreshments!"

24 Apr 13'

Margaret reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"Course: Educational, useful, valuable. General: Well tutored. Good fun. Food: Surprisingly good. Recommendation: Have already recommended it to many."

24 Apr 13'

Mike reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"This course was both great fun and very useful. It catered very well for a wide range of experience. Ed did a brilliant job of working with all the attendees on an individual basis, interspersed with appropriate demonstrations for the group. The course delivered exactly what it promised and was good value for money. As usual the catering was well up to the outstanding Potclays tradition!"

23 Mar 13'

Sarahthompson reviewed: Tilemaking with Richard Miller of Froyle Tiles

"The staff were very friendly and helpful. the table layout trapped one in, as I mentioned and you needed a rubbish bin earlier, however the equipment was good and space was fine. Resource material was good. Content of course was good, I learnt a good deal. A bit more structure would be good as people tended to get information in groups and I wasn't sure what we were going to be doing so I could plan my time better. However we had plenty of time and it was relaxed and the tutor was enthusiastic and approachable and helpful. Lunch was very nice but if the fee could be less I would have a plainer lunch. I am not so bothered about that. Yes, it was value for money. I would recoment it to others. To improve, I can't think of anything other than the above."

9 Mar 13'

Andrea Young reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Having recently attended two days at Potclays seminar 'Pottery Throwing With David Frith', I just had to say what an enjoyable and inspiring time I had. So much was achieved in just two days. Techniques included: throwing, turning, pulling and attaching handles, slip decoration, faceting, decorative pattern and mark making, and techniques for larger scale pots. David demonstrates first, and then gives plenty of individual attention which makes the course suitable for all abilities. The venue was excellent, and everything you could possibly need was provided. Highly recommended!"

22 Feb 13'

JOHN COMMANE reviewed: Glazing and Firing

"The course was very well run. I gained a vast amount of knowledge. All questions were professionally answered and solved many problems I have encountered over many years. The techniques demonstrated were most enlightening and executed expertly. What a great team of experts you have at POTCLAYS. The breaks and lunch were well timed and food excellent. THANKS"

19 Feb 13'

Martin Swaby reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"As an enthusiastic amateur I had never thrown anything bigger than six inches. As a small group there was plenty of hands on experience and personal attention which had me making faceted and lidded jars and 12 inch vases using the two piece throwing. In two days I had advanced more than the previous six months and inspired to further progress and success. David's style of teaching was friendly and effective making this a most enjoyable and productive two days. Highly recommended!"

23 Jan 13'

Melissa Jackson reviewed: Glazing and Firing

"A very informative and in depth course. Covering a wide range of areas, including some very technical detail on glaze components, which may not necessarily be for everyone! Overall a great day and certainly informative re firing faults and causes."

22 Jan 13'

louise schrempft reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"an excellent course, so informative and usefull, i have been able to maintain my kilns with confidence ( with a little back up from my friendly electrican) and understand firing processes more deeply than was ever covered at uni. its a must if you want to run your own studio."

22 Jan 13'

Mrs Suzie Hall reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"very helpful and interesting"

21 Jan 13'

Pat Lockwood reviewed: Caricatures in Clay

"Excellent course. Very informative and interesting. I enjoyed it very much."

21 Jan 13'

Sarah Deamer reviewed: Glazing and Firing

"I brought a new inexperienced teacher and my art technician with me. We all benefited from the course and now the technician is finally happy to load and fire a kiln. I am still working on her mix glazes! A really thoughtful interesting and helpful day."

21 Jan 13'

Mike Riley reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"Very comprehensive course content. I have been able to maintain our own heavily worked kiln quite easily!"

21 Jan 13'

Bill Runciman reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"For anyone thinking of taking up Raku and perhaps making a Raku kiln, John Wheeldon's course is first class. I had built one prior to the course and wish I'd waited! Advice is given on clays which work best, glaze recipes - which you will apply to pots - and then fire them. Tips which look so simple and obvious gained from years of firing experience are now yours; how and when to take pots from the fire, minimising heat-loss, secrets of oxidation and reduction and much more. Highly recommended."