A warm, creative, and relaxed pottery studio in Balcombe, West Sussex. Perfect for total beginners to more experienced potters looking to create beautiful things with their hands.
A Friendly Space to Create
Unlike some busy studios, we limit class size to just 7 students. This guarantees you plenty of quiet, patient, 1-on-1 guidance from a dedicated tutor. Our 5-week terms are designed to be relaxing, fun, and a place to escape from the hectic rush of daily life. You will sit down with a friendly group of like-minded locals, enjoy a cup of tea, and watch raw clay transform into beautiful, functional ceramic pieces for your home.
Join Us for an Upcoming Term
Gingerbread House Tea light Short Course
This is a special 2 session short course to make something Christmassy. Hand-build and decorate an heirloom gingerbread house using terracotta and “snow-white” slip trailing. They look stunning when lit from within by a tealight and will add an extra glow to your holiday festivities.
There’s nothing like a good cup of tea when it’s cold outside – and there’s no better time to make a teapot. Perfect for anyone wanting a rewarding winter project.
Also, apparently Queen Victoria made tea time a British institution, so now we have a reason to make queens!
5 Weeks | £185 w/c 4 January 2027 and to 3 February Tuesday or Thursday evenings, or Wednesday afternoons
A lot of people look at our pottery and think, “I could never make that.” But hand-building isn’t about natural artistic skills—it’s just a rewarding, step-by-step process of shaping clay. Here is how we bring our favourite gluggle jugs to life in the studio, moving from a flat clay pattern to a vibrant, functional piece for the home. If you can cut a shape and join a seam, you can make this!
Step 1: Cutting the flat template out of the clay slab.Step 2: Rolling the cylinders and joining the clay seams.Step 3: Assembling the hollow forms.Step 4: Adding the finsStep 5: The finished, fired, and brightly glazed gluggle jug!
“I encourage my students to respect what happens when hand meets clay – both the wonky and the wonderful.”
Students’ Testimonials
Great for your mental health!!
“I thoroughly enjoyed my 5 week hand building course with Julie. I found myself looking forward all week to my Wednesday evenings where I could relax and be creative. It was a perfect group size and a relaxed environment. Julie was extremely supportive and encouraged us to have fun and love any imperfections. She is a brilliant teacher. The projects covered various hand building techniques/decorating and glazing methods. I made a mug, pen pot, money bank and tray. I will be returning! “
Jenny
I really can’t wait for my next course
I’ve just finished my first course with Julie and already thinking about my next! Julie is an amazing teacher and it was fascinating watching everyone’s creations take shape under her watchful eye ( she has unlimited patience!)
Jacquie
Thoroughly enjoyable!
A delight. In fact so good, I (and another person) went round for a second introductory course, as that was the only time available that suited me. Informal weekly meeting under Julie’s helpful, enthusiastic guidance. Even though this was my second introductory course, she had thoughtfully changed the course content just enough for us to be encountering new challenges at every lesson.
Jon
Can highly recommend it!
I learned so much whilst having a ton of fun 🤩. Would and will join again.
Ben
The classes have been great fun too.
I thoroughly enjoy this course, in fact I’ve done two and will be doing more! I learnt so much about hand building with clay.
Nicky
The classes are nice and homely.
I have done a few terms here since moving to the area and will definitely be doing more. Lovely relaxed class and you make so many great things – pots using different techniques, mugs, butter dishes, jugs, clocks! I thoroughly enjoy each class and Julie the teacher is amazing. She is very experienced and really friendly.
Joanne
Definitely recommend!
Julie is a fantastic teacher. We had a lot of fun and managed to make a variety of pots that were good!
Jacqui
Fantastic teacher and course!
Have done two courses with Julie and thoroughly enjoyed both. Already planning to do more
Suzanne
I enjoyed it so much I have now been on 4 courses
“My first course was bought as a gift and i enjoyed it so much I have now been on 4 courses. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in ceramics, no matter what your experience. Julie is really talented and provides excellent support to all students. Look forward to coming back again soon”
Tracey
The group was great fun.
“I loved the 5-week course. The group was great fun. I hadn’t done any pottery since school but that didn’t matter and I was pleasantly surprised with the pieces I produced under Julie’s excellent and patient guidance. “
Sussex Harvest Course Celebrate the season from harvest to oven! We will make a charming miniature Sussex clay trug filled with tiny, hand-shaped autumn vegetables. Then, we move to the kitchen, with a classic small batter bowl and… Read more: As the days grow colder and shorter, make pottery!
Gluggle jugs, mugs, bells, and cats – my summer schedule is a mix of a regular 5-week course and some brilliant short courses. 2026 Summer Course Dates TUESDAYS 6:30pm – 9:30pmGluggle Jugs: 30 June – 7 JulyBells: 14 July… Read more: Summer Short Courses
Sussex Harvest Course Celebrate the season from harvest to oven! We will make a charming miniature Sussex clay trug filled with tiny, hand-shaped autumn vegetables. Then, we move to the kitchen, with a classic small batter bowl and… Read more: As the days grow colder and shorter, make pottery!
