Private Throwing Lesson – £70

Enjoy a 2 hour 1-to-1 throwing lesson in my studio in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, looking out on Pen y Fan mountain. Take a break from the world and get your hands messy!

Learn how to throw a simple pottery form and then your finished pieces will be delivered to you at a later date, once glazed and fired.

Suitable for complete beginners or those with some experience working with clay.

Want more info? See FAQs below.

First time ever trying pottery after wanting to try it for years. Had a great time and really enjoyed it, can’t wait to see the finished product! Highly recommend

Rob

Great fun to learn to throw clay, and have some decent bowls to show for it! The lesson was very practical, lots of opportunity to practice and the setting is a beautiful corner of Powys. Great find!

Lelanie

I had a great time learning to throw a pot on the potters wheel. Jess is a great teacher and guided me through every step. Very pleased with the results.

Pauline

I had a brilliant couple of hours with Jess. She was fun, instructive and patient. All in a stunning setting. And I finished up with actual bowls, beautifully glazed! Throwing pots with Jess is highly recommended.

Sara

Not your thing? Why not gift a lesson?

FAQs:

 There's something very therapeutic about squishing a bit of wet clay in-between your fingers!

Pottery can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, arthritis and even PTSD.

  • Reduce Stress - Working with clay can be very relaxing. The tactile nature of ceramics provides a unique sensory experience that can lead to lowered stress levels. Research has found that that art activities, including using clay, can lower the stress hormone cortisol, after just 45 minutes.
  • Turn Your Brain "Offline" - Disconnect from the information overload and endless tasks of daily life. The meditative state achieved when working with clay allows your frustrations and worries to melt away. Just a few hours of working with ceramics can rejuvenate and recharge your mental state.
  • Sense of Accomplishment - There's a special satisfaction that comes from creating something from start to finish. Whilst it might not be the perfect work of art to start with, it’s something that you made from scratch and something to look at and be proud of. Seeing your own finger marks, intentional and accidental in the clay, means that you are forever connected with it. Your pottery has the potential to last forever and serve as a constant reminder of your achievements.
  • Enhanced Creativity - Pottery helps you to express your creativity. It’s a good way for people of all ages to explore the things they can do. You may be more creative than you think and there’s no right or wrong way in pottery.
  • Exercises Hands, Wrists, and Arms - The movement of making pottery is gentle yet strengthening to the hands, wrists, and arms. This can be beneficial to those prone to arthritis in the hands, as it promotes joint movement, dexterity and fine motor skills.
  • Experience Joy - Clay is messy and squishy! Playing with clay is fun regardless of age or ability.

Wheel throwing is the technique of shaping clay using a potters wheel. You use a constantly turning wheel - powered by a motor and triggered by a foot pedal - to rotate a lump of clay between your hands. You then use your hands and the wheel's rotation to mould the clay into a round shape.

Lessons are available at a variety of times Wednesday to Sunday, including morning, afternoon and evening availability. Lesson bookings are booked on a first come first served basis so availability may be limited at times.

The lesson if based in my studio, on my farm in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. The road to the farm is a typical single track country lane, so please take care when driving as there may be oncoming vehicles. NB: The postcode may take you to our neighbours' property, please carry on to the end of the lane.

From my farm, on a nice day you can enjoy breath-taking views of the Brecon Beacons. You are welcome to stay and have a picnic lunch or just sit for a while on a picnic table in our garden.

Also, less than a 5 minute drive away is the National Park Visitor Centre, where you can browse their shop with lots of local products and crafts and have some food or drink from their café. The common land surrounding the visitor centre is also a great place to go for a walk. If you want, you can walk from our farm and along to the visitor centre, just let us know and we can provide you with directions.

You can also visit Brecon town or explore the Brecon Beacons.

Clay is messy by nature, so wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Aprons are provided and clay will usually wash out of clothing. Beacons Pottery takes no responsibility for any damage to your personal items.

Anyone can have a go at throwing on the wheel! Adaptations to the lesson can be made for all needs, just let us know how we can help upon booking.

The studio is fully wheelchair accessible, however we do not currently have a wheelchair accessible toilet - please bear this in mind.

Please contact us if you have any concerns - jess@beacons-pottery.co.uk

Participants must be over 18.

You will each get a maximum of two pieces fired, glazed and delivered to you after your lesson. Due to the nature of the firing process, some pieces may be damaged in the kiln. If this happens, you will be sent a small complimentary product from Beacons Pottery.

Your pottery will be delivered to you a maximum of 10 weeks after your lesson. This allows time for pieces to be fired, glazed, fired again and then delivered, which is a slow process. You will be notified when your products are on their way to you.

Lesson bookings are booked on a first come first served basis so availability may be limited at times. New lesson slots are added regularly, so keep trying.

Sign-up to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to be kept updated about availability.

Lesson can be rescheduled a minimum of a 24 hours prior to the booked time, at no extra cost. Lessons can be rescheduled a maximum of 3 times and must be redeemed within 365 days of original booking.

All bookings are non-refundable.