Pottery Workshops

Explore your creative side! Join us for one of our workshops to create your own unique pieces!

What? A series of one-off workshops, where you will be guided through making specific pieces. We have carefully designed a range of workshops where you will be able to make each piece your own in just 2 or 3 hours! After you’ve created your pieces they will be glazed and fired and delivered to you.

Where? In our studio in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, looking out on Pen y Fan mountain. We are a short 10 minute drive from Brecon, located just outside Libanus.

When? There are a variety of dates and times throughout the year. Make sure to sign up to our newsletter to be kept up to date with any additional workshops and if spaces become available.

The different workshop options are listed below with the dates for each. If you wish to view them as a calendar you can on our events page.

Who? All workshops are suitable for complete beginners or those with some experience working with clay. There will be a maximum of 8 people on a workshop so you will get plenty of individual support.

Workshops will be led by Jess, the potter at Beacons Pottery, who will support and guide you throughout the making process.

Please see the FAQs near the bottom of the page for more information.

Chip & Dip Bowl – 2 hours

Create your very own chip (or snack of your choice) and dip bowl. You will be able to make your bowl unique by choosing your own shape and design. We will guide you through making your bowls from scratch out of coils of clay.

Lovespoon – 2 hours

Join us to create your very own lovespoon. Explore the different meanings behind the features of love spoons and design and create your own. You could gift your finished spoon to a friend or loved one, or even come and make them together and then gift them to each other.

Coiled Fruit Bowl – 2 hours

Design and create your very own ceramic fruit bowl. We will guide you through using coils to make your own unique coil decorated bowl.

Pumpkin Lantern – 3 hours

Join us to make your very autumnal pumpkin lantern. We will guide you through making a pumpkin and stalk out of coils of clay, piercing them and decorating them with your choice of colours!

Christmas Wreath Decoration – 2 hours

Craft your very own small Christmas wreath. We will help you to make your base wreath out of a slab of clay and then support you as you design and decorate it.

Please note, these wreaths are not recommended to be hung outdoors. They can hang on inner doors, walls or on your Christmas trees.

Christmas Tree Lantern – 2 hours

Get into the festive spirit by making your very own Christmas tree lantern. We will show you how to make your basic tree out of coils of clay and you can then shape, pierce and decorate it however you wish.

Pair of Christmas Figurines – 3 hours

Create your very own Christmas figurines. Choose any festive-themed figures and sculpt and decorate them with support and guidance from us.

Christmas Snack Bowls – 3 hours

Make your very own Christmas snack set! We will guide you through making a set of three bowls, joining them and decorating them however you want.

Want to be kept in the loop?

If you want to be notified when we launch new workshops or when spaces become available why not sign up to our newsletter?

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We really enjoyed our morning spent learning how to throw. Jess was very informative and patient, showing us each step before guiding us through making our own bowls. We were spoilt with views of the mountains from the studio and unboxing our final pieces a few weeks later was very exciting!

Jess & Liz Hennessy

A great, fun experience! Thank you Jess, for being so informative, helpful and friendly. I highly recommend throwing. A really enjoyable afternoon in a beautiful setting – thank you very much!

Rachel

This is the second time I have been to Jess and yet again it was fab. I made three pots, one large pot and two smaller ones. I am looking forward to the next time I visit. Once again Jess a big thank you!

Judith Prankard

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

Excellent pottery tuition tonight. Thoroughly enjoyed the session. I made a vase, a bowl and some butterflies to hang up.

Dawn

Making pottery, she said, we’ll have fun, she said, and she was right, we did! Going with my daughter to this beautifully situated studio at the base of Pen Y Fan was a pleasure in itself. Our host, Jess, gave us a warm welcome and then a demonstration on how to throw a bowl – our task for the afternoon. My daughter had first go while I watched, trying to learn from watching her as well as Jess and then it was my turn. I managed to make a bowl! It was a bit squished and bent over, but my daughter’s was much better. Throwing is much harder than it looks, but it was so interesting as well as such fun I would recommend it to anyone.

Joyce

Jess was a star. She was patient, very informative, she offered support and help without taking over.
Her studio has the most amazing view of the Beacons and on the glorious day we were it was a real treat. We both came away having made two items now waiting for them to go through the kiln.

Lynda

A wonderful Christmas workshop with Jess, learned lots of new things, relaxing and so much fun. Thanks for a great experience! We will definitely be joining more sessions x

Justine

A friend and I spent a morning with Jess having booked on a Pottery Experience workshop.

Jess is an excellent teacher with a lot of patience. The studio is in a beautiful setting with wonderful views which added to the experience.

To my surprise, I also managed to make a bowl and a pot!

Nikki Alderslade

Just wrapped up a brilliant 6-week hand-building course. Jess is super organized, endlessly patient, and packed with pro tips. We dove into tons of techniques, laughed a lot, and created beautiful pieces. I’m completely hooked and can’t wait to do it again!

Charlotte Smith

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

We attended the 2 person throwing experience it was excellent in every way. We will be back.

Jane

We had a fabulous time with Jess. It all started with a 2h throwing course & quickly turned into a 6 week course. Jess is a brilliant teacher and very encouraging. We’d highly recommend trying a throwing experience as you can learn a lot and it is so much fun! We’ll definitely be back for more…

Kyle & Katrin

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

Excellent 6 week course. I learned so much. Great introduction for a total novice and very relaxing! Jess is a patient teacher. Would highly recommend!

S Norris

I had a 1-2-1 lesson, a birthday present. It was a wonderful, absorbing and fulfilling two hours, that felt like 5 minutes. Jess, you are a great teacher, clear and supportive, building confidence. I had a brilliant time and a really mindful experience, also down to you Jess. Thank you!

Jayne Williams

We had a great time at our two person throwing experience! Jess was really friendly and helpful, and we were really happy with the bowls and pots we made during the session. I would really recommend this experience.

Natalie

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 booked a session for 13 guests with Jess for my friends hen weekend. She presented the whole session so well, provided us with refreshments and a balloon and flowers for the bride! It was an amazing experience, we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you Jess! x

Rebecca

Bought the experience as a birthday present for my sister, we both had an amazing time and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to give pottery a go.

Jess was very knowledgeable and very helpful and patient.

Steve Yendle

We had a really absorbing and fun time as complete novices. Jess explained everything simply and showed us what to do in a relaxed and easy-going way. Thoroughly enjoyed it and ended up with something so chuffed to bits!

Mervyn Jones

My friend and I had a two-person throwing class with Jess and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Jess was super patient, a great teacher and the time flew by. We’re both really pleased with how our bowls turned out and would happily take another class with Jess.

Gabrielle Treanor

We absolutely loved our pottery workshop. Jess and her mum were a great team, friendly and helpful and lovely to chat to whilst we crafted! We got to make 2 bowls each, a cylinder and a few decorations and it was a fab learning experience. Would definitely do it again!

Tia

Bought a voucher for my mum so we could make memories together in 2024. Jess and Chris were lovely hosts. It’s so nice to see a bond between a mum and daughter. We had a few giggles during the evening. Made several items, very productive class. Enjoyed every minute. THANK YOU!

Hayley Arrowsmith

Not your thing? Why not gift an experience?

Gift Vouchers Available Here

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.

Handbuilding is an ancient pottery technique that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using just your hands, fingers and simple tools. The most common handbuilding techniques are pinch pottery, coil building and slab building.

The cost of each workshop covers tuition from Beacons Pottery as well as all the materials provided, kiln firings for your pieces and delivery of your finished pieces.

The workshops are 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.

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.

Sessions start on time and if you are late you can join in but unfortunately time cannot be made up at the end.

Anyone can have a go at pottery with us! Adaptations to the workshops 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 at least 14 years of age. However anyone aged 14-18 will need to be accompanied by an attending adult.

You will get to keep all of your main makes once they have been glazed and fired. 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 can be collected or 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. However, we will aim to have them ready quicker than this ( especially for themed makes such as at Autumn and Christmas) You will be notified when your products are on their way to you.

Workshop bookings are able to be transferred to an alternative workshop where there are spaces available, however this needs to be completed 14 days prior to the workshop.

Unfortunately, after this time we are unable to transfer or refund your booking.

All bookings are non-refundable.

Workshops will only be run where there are 4 or more people booked in. Where this is not the case, customers will be notified as early as possible that the workshop will not be going ahead. If a workshop is cancelled, you will be offered a full-refund or a place on a later workshop where spaces are available.

Please be aware you will be in a working studio and due care and attention must be given. We expect all participants to be respectful of the space, work and everyone else attending the course, as well as following instructions that are given. We reserve the right to exclude any participant if they consistently fail to meet any of these conditions. Appropriate refunds will be given if this is the case.