Cheshire Clay Studios

Sunday Sketch Club
2026-05-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-05-24 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-06-07 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-06-21 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-07-05 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-07-19 10:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Cheshire Clay Studios, Lowes Farm, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 9NG
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this regular workshop is ideal for anyone looking to start their day with some mindful creativity. This is a social art workshop, with a friendly feel focusing on creative exploration and connecting with others.
In a relaxed and cosy studio space, you will be invited to draw from a still life setup, interesting artefacts or let your imagination run wild!
Materials: paper and a range of basic media is provided, but feel free to bring your own sketchbook or project and any special materials to continue your creative journey!

Modern Calligraphy Workshop
2026-05-16 11:00 - 13:30
16th May 11.00am- 1.30pm
Join Mellor & Rose at Cheshire Clay Studio on our Modern Calligraphy Workshop on Saturday May 16th from 11am – 1:30pm!
Modern Calligraphy is fun to learn and relaxing to practice. Join us at Cheshire Clay Studio on our Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Spring theme this New Year and start your Calligraphy journey with this mindful, creative pastime and art form.
Guided by expert tutors; Lucy Mellor and Polly Mellor, you will begin by covering the fundamentals of how to hold the dip pen, learning the pressures and rhythms that give calligraphy its characteristic contrasting strokes before moving onto learning the upper and lower alphabet, how to link letters, first words and phrases. You will learn how to draw decorative illustrations and flourishes to complement your calligraphy lettering on stationery pieces. The second half of the workshop covers how to lay out greeting cards, letter up and design a piece of wall art along with luxury stationery items.
£69.00 per person

The Raku Experience
2026-05-16 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-18 14:00 - 16:00
Two hour Raku experience at Cheshire Clay Studios

An unforgettable, fiery adventure in ceramics
Get ready for two hours of drama, colour, fire and fun with our brand-new Raku Experience — a hands-on pottery session that puts you right at the heart of this thrilling and unpredictable firing technique.
What’s Involved?
You’ll begin by selecting a beautiful, premade pot created by one of our skilled potters. Then it’s over to you to decorate it using special Raku glazes — metallic, crackled, and unpredictable in all the best ways.
Once your piece is ready, the real magic begins. You’ll help load the raku kiln and feel the roar of the flames as your pot is heated to over 1000°C in just 35 minutes. While the heat works its alchemy, grab a coffee from our on-site café or chat with our friendly Raku expert, who’ll explain the secrets behind the process.
Fire, Smoke and Steam
With the kiln blazing hot, the pots are carefully lifted out — red-hot and glowing — and placed into small bins. Here’s where you take centre stage again: add newspaper and watch your pot erupt into flames. Once the fire is dancing, pop on the lid and stand back as the pots begin to smoke!
After 10 smoky, magical minutes, the pots are pulled from their bins and plunged into cold water — a spectacular finale of hissing steam and crackling heat.
The Big Reveal
Finally, if your pot has braved the flame, smoke and water, you’ll scrub away the soot to reveal the incredible, unique colours and textures that only Raku can deliver. No two pots are ever the same.
Who’s It For?
This experience is perfect for adults and teens, whether you’re a total beginner, a seasoned maker looking for something new, or just someone who loves a bit of controlled chaos and creativity.

£90.00 per person pot and materials included.
Book Now

Sparkling Seascapes Watercolour Workshop with Allie Pottinger
2026-05-22 10:00 - 15:00
Capture the sparkle of a stunning seascape in fluid, transparent watercolours. 10 – 3pm bring a packed lunch, or there’s lovely Ginger & Pickles cafe on site. All art materials and tea/coffee included. At CHESHIRE CLAY STUDIOS light, bright, airy studios. Plenty of free parking. Learn to paint or rekindle your skills. Lots of techniques shared, demonstrations and guidance. Suitable for complete beginners or intermediate’s alike.
£88.00 per person

Monday Evening Pottery Throwing Class
2026-06-01 18:30 - 2026-06-29 20:30
Five week throwing classes on Monday evening

Sessions are two hours duration and limited to eight people.
Throwing classes are for beginners wanting to learn the basics of throwing a pot on the wheel, and full tuition is provided by our expert class leaders.
We also have returners to the class who can practice their skills, although supervised, returners will largely throw independently in their sessions.
£250.00 per person

The beginner’s class includes all clay and full tuition over five weeks. Any pots that attendees wish to keep will be subject to a £24 glaze and firing charge.
Returners who are attending to practice their throwing may have up to five pots glazed and fired in their class fee. All clay is also included.
Book Now

Friday morning pottery throwing class
2026-06-05 10:00 - 2026-07-03 12:00
Five week throwing classes on Friday mornings.

Sessions are two hours duration and limited to eight people.
Throwing classes are for beginners wanting to learn the basics of throwing a pot on the wheel, and full tuition is provided by our expert class leaders.
We also have returners to the class who can practice their skills, although supervised, returners will largely throw independently in their sessions.
£250.00 per person

The beginner’s class includes all clay and full tuition over five weeks. Any pots that attendees wish to keep will be subject to a £20 glaze and firing charge.
Returners who are attending to practice their throwing may have up to five pots glazed and fired in their class fee. All clay is also included.
Book Now

Print Club: Series 3 - 'Ink - Print - Repeat'
2026-06-14 10:30 - 12:30
A creative reset for curious, hands‑on makers.
Print Club is a warm, welcoming space to slow down, experiment and reconnect with the joy of making. Expect tactile materials, playful exploration and a calm, supportive environment. No experience needed. Just curiosity, a willingness to try, and a love of getting inky.
Every session stands alone, so you can dip in and out, but regulars will enjoy a natural sense of progression as techniques build over time.
Expect colour, mess, laughter, and plenty of “what happens if I try this?” moments.
All materials provided. Suitable for beginners, returners, and anyone seeking a mindful creative pause in their week.
What to Expect:
Series 3 – ‘Ink – Print – Repeat’
There are 4 sessions in the series.
Dates: 14th June, 28th June, 12th July and 26th July
Focus: Linocut – includes single and multi-block prints and repeat pattern making.
Cost: Individual sessions cost £22.
Block book two or more sessions for £20 each (discount applied in cart)
All materials provided.
Sundays 10:30 – 12:30 (bi-weekly)
Class size: 8
Suitable for adults.

Seashells and Feathers Watercolour Workshop with Allie Pottinger
2026-06-19 10:00 - 15:00
Capture the organic texture and beauty of various shells and feathers. 10 – 12pm all art materials and tea/coffee included. Situated at CHESHIRE CLAY STUDIOS, in their light, bright, airy studio. Plenty of free parking. Learn to paint or rekindle your skills. Lots of techniques shared, demonstrations and guidance. Suitable for complete beginners or intermediate’s alike.Bring a packed lunch, or there’s lovely Ginger & Pickles cafe on site.
£88.00 per person

Turn simple clay surfaces into beautifully patterned works of art using slips and inlay.
2026-06-20 14:00 - 16:00
Create beautifully detailed patterns in clay using the timeless techniques of slip decoration and clay inlay.

In this two-hour mini workshop you’ll learn how to use liquid clay slips and carved lines to build intricate surface designs. Working on soft clay slabs, we’ll demonstrate how to draw with slip, carve decorative lines and fill them with contrasting colours to produce striking patterns and textures.
It’s a fascinating decorative technique that allows you to create surfaces that look wonderfully complex while using simple, satisfying processes.
By the end of the session you’ll have made your own decorated piece ready for firing and glazing by the studio.
This workshop is suitable for those with some basic clay experience.
£25.00 per person (Studio members should use their discount code for this mini-workshop to receive their member discount.)
Book Now

Pinch Pot Teapot Workshop
2026-06-27
Design, build, sculpt: a teapot with personality
Teapots are wonderfully quirky creations — part sculpture, part functional art. In this hands‑on, playful workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to design and build your very own teapot using the pinch‑pot technique. With lots of time, guidance, and good quality materials, you’ll create something truly unique.
What You’ll Learn
Step by step, you will explore how to:

Pinch, shape, and refine the teapot body
Add a rim and cut the opening for a perfectly fitting lid
Make a lid and finial
Form a spout from a thin slab of clay
Create an effective strainer
Make and attach an appropriate, well‑balanced handle
Assemble all components including the base
(Optional) Carve a unique design into your teapot body

With these techniques, you can make a traditional teapot — or go wild and create something sculptural, playful, or animal‑inspired!
Decorate & Personalise
Once your teapot is built, you’ll have time to experiment with a range of decorating techniques, such as:

Sprigging
Carving
impressing

After drying and bisque firing, your piece will be finished with a transparent glaze and fired to a beautiful glossy shine.
Materials & Amenities

All clay and tools provided — no need to bring anything
Tea, coffee, and biscuits included
Please bring your own lunch to enjoy during the session
Workshop duration: 5 hours — plenty of time to experiment and play!

John Slade
John has been teaching for 26 years, with 24 of those years teaching Art and Ceramics. He has a degree in 3D Design from MMU and a PGCE from Huddersfield University, and has taught people from 5 years old to 95 years old, working in mainstream education, SEND, FE, HE, Artist in Residence and as a freelance educator.
Book Now
