top of page

Home
Our Story
Classes
Memberships+Packs
Contact
FAQs
Gift Voucher
More

Use tab to navigate through the menu items.

We couldn't find what you're looking for

Please contact us or check out our other services

Join our mailing list to keep updated on classes, courses and more. We promise to only send you interesting stuff!

Email*

Pottery in the yard
Unit 1, The Old Builders Yard
Quex Park,
CT7 0BH

Have a drink in the studio and you'll find these little cups made by an old friend Derek Andrews of Prickwillow Pottery. Made sometime in the 1980's, these cups are quite possibly older than me (shocker!)

He was an influencial character in my Dad's life, as a potter and human being, and consequently mine too.
Derek trained with Bernard Leach in 1958 and his work was heavily inspired by him.

These cups were in a cupboard for a while after his death a few years ago, but I'm so happy they are in constant use now. He'd be happy that were too!

Find out more about Derek here

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/sep/20/derek-andrews-obituary

#potter #inspiration #passion

Have a drink in the studio and you'll find these little cups made by an old friend Derek Andrews of Prickwillow Pottery. Made sometime in the 1980's, these cups are quite possibly older than me (shocker!)

He was an influencial character in my Dad's life, as a potter and human being, and consequently mine too.
Derek trained with Bernard Leach in 1958 and his work was heavily inspired by him.

These cups were in a cupboard for a while after his death a few years ago, but I'm so happy they are in constant use now. He'd be happy that were too!

Find out more about Derek here

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/sep/20/derek-andrews-obituary

#potter #inspiration #passion

Health and safety being our top priority here... Our youngest potter needed some tools and who am I to stop her?

Come get your barefoot pot on, or keep your shoes on, we don't mind 😅

#potteryclasseskent #pottery #studiolife

Health and safety being our top priority here... Our youngest potter needed some tools and who am I to stop her?

Come get your barefoot pot on, or keep your shoes on, we don't mind 😅

#potteryclasseskent #pottery #studiolife

WARNING!! Pottery is highly addictive!

Without fail, every single time we run this course I hear at least one person saying they're not creative... I've taught hundreds of people pottery over the years, believe me when I say I have NEVER met a single soul who isn't creative!

We have availability for our next 6 week course which starts Sept 3rd. YOU WILL ROCK IT!

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studiolife

WARNING!! Pottery is highly addictive!

Without fail, every single time we run this course I hear at least one person saying they're not creative... I've taught hundreds of people pottery over the years, believe me when I say I have NEVER met a single soul who isn't creative!

We have availability for our next 6 week course which starts Sept 3rd. YOU WILL ROCK IT!

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studiolife

And now it's shut down for the day ✨🏺

2 classes and 4 members in today. It's been a good one!

See you in the studio soon 🥰

#PotteryClasses #potteryinkent #studiolife

And now it's shut down for the day ✨🏺

2 classes and 4 members in today. It's been a good one!

See you in the studio soon 🥰

#PotteryClasses #potteryinkent #studiolife

Come open the studio with me this morning... It's so beautiful today!

See you all soon ❤️🏺🌞✨

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studiolife

Come open the studio with me this morning... It's so beautiful today!

See you all soon ❤️🏺🌞✨

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studiolife

One year on... 💜

This is where you'll find me today—my little piece of tranquillity, shared with 12 wonderful members and all of our lovely pupils who join us for classes.

Tucked away at the end of the road at Quex, it feels like stepping back in time. Surrounded by trees, you'll hear the bell tower chime every 15 minutes, the forge next door hard at work, horses wandering past, and birds singing all around. It's a truly special place.

The second photo takes us back to a year ago, when we first fell in love with this yard. What a dream journey it's been.

If you haven't found us yet, we'd love to welcome you. It's all waiting for you.

Violet x

One year on... 💜

This is where you'll find me today—my little piece of tranquillity, shared with 12 wonderful members and all of our lovely pupils who join us for classes.

Tucked away at the end of the road at Quex, it feels like stepping back in time. Surrounded by trees, you'll hear the bell tower chime every 15 minutes, the forge next door hard at work, horses wandering past, and birds singing all around. It's a truly special place.

The second photo takes us back to a year ago, when we first fell in love with this yard. What a dream journey it's been.

If you haven't found us yet, we'd love to welcome you. It's all waiting for you.

Violet x

✨ Member Highlight... Meet @kfarzana11 ❤️

If you've spent any time in the studio, you'll probably know Farzana—and you'll definitely recognise her work!

Bold, colourful and full of personality, her ceramics are always a joy to see taking shape.

As one of our full members, Farzana spends up to 15 hours a week in the studio, making the most of every session. Her beautifully thrown pieces are brought to life with intricate hand-painted details, and every one has its own unique character.

We're so lucky to have Farzana as part of our studio community, and we can't wait to see what she creates next. ✨

#pottery #studio #potteryclasseskent

✨ Member Highlight... Meet @kfarzana11 ❤️

If you've spent any time in the studio, you'll probably know Farzana—and you'll definitely recognise her work!

Bold, colourful and full of personality, her ceramics are always a joy to see taking shape.

As one of our full members, Farzana spends up to 15 hours a week in the studio, making the most of every session. Her beautifully thrown pieces are brought to life with intricate hand-painted details, and every one has its own unique character.

We're so lucky to have Farzana as part of our studio community, and we can't wait to see what she creates next. ✨

#pottery #studio #potteryclasseskent

There's nothing quite like kiln unload day! 🔥✨

Take a look at some of the amazing pieces our members have created from Monday's kiln unload.

Thinking about giving pottery a go? Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced maker, we'd love to welcome you to our studio. Come and create something you'll be proud to see come out of the kiln!

Get in touch to find out more about our memberships and classes. 🏺

#KilnUnload #PotteryStudio #Ceramics #PotteryClasses #HandmadeCeramics

There's nothing quite like kiln unload day! 🔥✨

Take a look at some of the amazing pieces our members have created from Monday's kiln unload.

Thinking about giving pottery a go? Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced maker, we'd love to welcome you to our studio. Come and create something you'll be proud to see come out of the kiln!

Get in touch to find out more about our memberships and classes. 🏺

#KilnUnload #PotteryStudio #Ceramics #PotteryClasses #HandmadeCeramics

A small selection of pots made in one of our 3 week throwing courses.
So proud of all our students, you constantly amaze me!

#pottery #potteryclassesthanet #kentpottery

A small selection of pots made in one of our 3 week throwing courses.
So proud of all our students, you constantly amaze me!

#pottery #potteryclassesthanet #kentpottery

Member of the week, Harriet @sturryhillceramics

Check out this gorgeous haul, fresh out of the kiln!

Harriet uses a variety of stoneware clays, sometimes marbled, but always thoughtfully glazed. She often layers up @maycocolors and @amacobrent glazes to produce beautiful drippy combinations. But thankfully, she also provides her own kiln cookies to catch any stray drips 😅

We love her work and love having her as part of our studio.

#community #pottery #studio #glazecombo #amaco

Member of the week, Harriet @sturryhillceramics

Check out this gorgeous haul, fresh out of the kiln!

Harriet uses a variety of stoneware clays, sometimes marbled, but always thoughtfully glazed. She often layers up @maycocolors and @amacobrent glazes to produce beautiful drippy combinations. But thankfully, she also provides her own kiln cookies to catch any stray drips 😅

We love her work and love having her as part of our studio.

#community #pottery #studio #glazecombo #amaco

Unpacking the first experimental pit firing @thanetarchaeology this morning... Exciting results with reduced black areas and some gorgeous red flashes. The clay used was left over from archaeological digs across Thanet.

Pit firing is a primitive ceramic technique. Potters place dried, unglazed pots in a shallow dirt hole and cover them with organic materials like wood, straw, and leaves. The fire burns for several hours, reaching roughly 700-800C. Smoke and mineral vapors permanently stain the clay, creating unique patterns.

Well done guys, great results and an exciting start to our experimental firings!

#clay #wildclay #primitive #firing

Unpacking the first experimental pit firing @thanetarchaeology this morning... Exciting results with reduced black areas and some gorgeous red flashes. The clay used was left over from archaeological digs across Thanet.

Pit firing is a primitive ceramic technique. Potters place dried, unglazed pots in a shallow dirt hole and cover them with organic materials like wood, straw, and leaves. The fire burns for several hours, reaching roughly 700-800C. Smoke and mineral vapors permanently stain the clay, creating unique patterns.

Well done guys, great results and an exciting start to our experimental firings!

#clay #wildclay #primitive #firing

I love getting to use friends pieces of work, this gorgeous cup was made several years ago by the talented @janie.eales1

Isn't this glaze dreamy?

#pottery #classes #ceramicstudio

I love getting to use friends pieces of work, this gorgeous cup was made several years ago by the talented @janie.eales1

Isn't this glaze dreamy?

#pottery #classes #ceramicstudio

We don't stop for no heatwave! Although, on Friday we possibly should have 😅

New dates for clay socials, throwing courses, 6 week intros and Friday level 2 sessions now LIVE 🌞❤️🔥

#potteryclasseskent #potterykent #ceramicstudio

We don't stop for no heatwave! Although, on Friday we possibly should have 😅

New dates for clay socials, throwing courses, 6 week intros and Friday level 2 sessions now LIVE 🌞❤️🔥

#potteryclasseskent #potterykent #ceramicstudio

Hello from me, Violet, the founder of Pottery in the Yard! Here's some photos of a selection of my work through the years. Check me out @violetshawpottery

Before we opened last November, I have had the pleasure of making and selling my own work for several years. I've always loved to run my own business, and this one is the best by far!

My time running a coffee shop helped me to get into production throwing for cafes and restaurants, and also shops. You can still find my work in some cafes around Thanet and in London too.

For now, making my own work has slowed down, but I'm hoping to get back to it in the next few years as my daughter gets older and the studio is more established.

In the meantime, let me help you get started or progress on your ceramic journey!

#pottery #kent #quexpark #potteryclasseskent

Hello from me, Violet, the founder of Pottery in the Yard! Here's some photos of a selection of my work through the years. Check me out @violetshawpottery

Before we opened last November, I have had the pleasure of making and selling my own work for several years. I've always loved to run my own business, and this one is the best by far!

My time running a coffee shop helped me to get into production throwing for cafes and restaurants, and also shops. You can still find my work in some cafes around Thanet and in London too.

For now, making my own work has slowed down, but I'm hoping to get back to it in the next few years as my daughter gets older and the studio is more established.

In the meantime, let me help you get started or progress on your ceramic journey!

#pottery #kent #quexpark #potteryclasseskent

Please share and get in touch if this is you!

We are looking for freelance tutors, preferably wheel throwers!
Excellent rates of pay!
You will be working one off sessions initially, growing into more sessions as we expand.

#potteryjobs #kentpottery #jobsinthanet

Please share and get in touch if this is you!

We are looking for freelance tutors, preferably wheel throwers!
Excellent rates of pay!
You will be working one off sessions initially, growing into more sessions as we expand.

#potteryjobs #kentpottery #jobsinthanet

New workshops and courses are now LIVE to book for August and September!

New workshops and courses are now LIVE to book for August and September!

SEND HELP
We need a bigger kiln 😅🫣

SEND HELP
We need a bigger kiln 😅🫣

Some work from our 6 week introduction to pottery course... Couldn't be prouder of you all! 🥹🏺❤️🌞

#potteryinkent #potteryclass #makepottery

Some work from our 6 week introduction to pottery course... Couldn't be prouder of you all! 🥹🏺❤️🌞

#potteryinkent #potteryclass #makepottery

Love it when a family comes to play with clay together! Mum and Dad come for private classes often and bought their daughter today as it's half term, who made this delightful toadstool fairy house. I love the detail on the pebbles 😍🍄

#potteryclasses #potteryinkent

Love it when a family comes to play with clay together! Mum and Dad come for private classes often and bought their daughter today as it's half term, who made this delightful toadstool fairy house. I love the detail on the pebbles 😍🍄

#potteryclasses #potteryinkent

Had the best morning with @thanetarchaeology and @lou_frances learning about beautiful pots and their origins and having a go at some mark making inspired by them.

This is just the beginning of many experimental workshops we hope to run with our wonderfully interesting neighbours!

#pottery #archaeology #thanet

Had the best morning with @thanetarchaeology and @lou_frances learning about beautiful pots and their origins and having a go at some mark making inspired by them.

This is just the beginning of many experimental workshops we hope to run with our wonderfully interesting neighbours!

#pottery #archaeology #thanet

Bank Holiday Workshop... Last few spaces, link in bio to book🏺

Come and join us in our beautifully cool studio this Bank Holiday Monday 25th May as we join forces with our neighbours @thanetarchaeology and pottery pal @lou_frances to bring you a fascinating and fun workshop.

You will be shown pots from the neolithic to post-medieval period and have the chance to handle some beautiful archaeological examples. We will learn how clay preparation, vessel building, decoration and surface texture reveal clues about daily life, as well as how the accidental impressions of the potter's own hands are preserved in the vessels. And finally get the chance to get hands on with some clay, recreating some of these marks and forms.

#history #archaeology #pottery

Bank Holiday Workshop... Last few spaces, link in bio to book🏺

Come and join us in our beautifully cool studio this Bank Holiday Monday 25th May as we join forces with our neighbours @thanetarchaeology and pottery pal @lou_frances to bring you a fascinating and fun workshop.

You will be shown pots from the neolithic to post-medieval period and have the chance to handle some beautiful archaeological examples. We will learn how clay preparation, vessel building, decoration and surface texture reveal clues about daily life, as well as how the accidental impressions of the potter's own hands are preserved in the vessels. And finally get the chance to get hands on with some clay, recreating some of these marks and forms.

#history #archaeology #pottery

Student work spotlight! ✨
Check out all this great work from a variety of different classes and different ways of working and decorating. So proud of you all!

1. Slab built mug with underglaze decoration of a dog, made during our 6 week intro course

2. Slab built cup with black underglaze, made during our 6 week intro course

3. Wheel thrown pot decorated with underglaze, made during our 6 week intro course

4.pinch pot stamped mug made during our 2 hour clay social, dipped in two glazes

5. Wheel thrown pot dipped in two glazes, made during a private 1:1 class

#potteryinkent #handmade #potteryclasses

Student work spotlight! ✨
Check out all this great work from a variety of different classes and different ways of working and decorating. So proud of you all!

1. Slab built mug with underglaze decoration of a dog, made during our 6 week intro course

2. Slab built cup with black underglaze, made during our 6 week intro course

3. Wheel thrown pot decorated with underglaze, made during our 6 week intro course

4.pinch pot stamped mug made during our 2 hour clay social, dipped in two glazes

5. Wheel thrown pot dipped in two glazes, made during a private 1:1 class

#potteryinkent #handmade #potteryclasses

A week of classes in the studio... we've had coil pots, pinch pots, wheel throwing, tea pots, bowls, mugs, cat sculptures, cheese platters... The list goes on 😅

You're all amazing!! And keeping the kiln alight!

Looking forward to another week

#pottery #potteryclasses #studiolife

A week of classes in the studio... we've had coil pots, pinch pots, wheel throwing, tea pots, bowls, mugs, cat sculptures, cheese platters... The list goes on 😅

You're all amazing!! And keeping the kiln alight!

Looking forward to another week

#pottery #potteryclasses #studiolife

People see the classes… but that’s only a tiny part of studio life 👀

There’s clay to recycle, glazing to finish, kilns to pack, tools to repair, shelves to organise, deep cleaning to do… and somehow the jobs keep multiplying 😂

I honestly love it all, but having an extra pair of hands makes the world of difference.

Big shout out to @sherrington_neil for all the bloomin’ hard work 🤍 Here he is wedging the never ending clay reclaim, and making some very satisfying little bricks to fill our clay bags!

#potteryclass #potterystudio #ceramicsstudio #potterykent #studiolife

People see the classes… but that’s only a tiny part of studio life 👀

There’s clay to recycle, glazing to finish, kilns to pack, tools to repair, shelves to organise, deep cleaning to do… and somehow the jobs keep multiplying 😂

I honestly love it all, but having an extra pair of hands makes the world of difference.

Big shout out to @sherrington_neil for all the bloomin’ hard work 🤍 Here he is wedging the never ending clay reclaim, and making some very satisfying little bricks to fill our clay bags!

#potteryclass #potterystudio #ceramicsstudio #potterykent #studiolife

A few things we see often when people are starting! It's a right of passage almost, but here are a few tips if you're at this stage!
📌Save this post for when you start your throwing journey!

1. It seems logical that your hands do the centering. Whilst this is true, they are just part of the story. Lock your elbows tightly into your body, depending on your body shape sometimes this is actually into your knees, sometimes into your abdomen. Wherever it is LOCK THEM IN!
Then activate that core and lean!
You only need to push into the clay at one point, and push away from you towards the other side of the clay. It will centre!

2. Always come off the clay slowly and carefully. Work your way to the tip, then float away like a beautiful butterfly! This will help keep it all centred.

3. Cutting your pot in half on the wheel is something we see so often. This means your keeping the pressure at one point on the pot instead of moving your hands and the weight of the clay all the way to the top! This often happens because people get scared of the wobble, or the top feels too flimsy.
Keep moving, there's always more in the top than you think.

4. When you've taken your pot off the wheel DON'T TOUCH THE SIDES!! You will hear me shout that a lot 😅
It seriously only makes it worse even though you think it's helping.
Generally speaking you only touch the sides when it's spinning, or when it's firmed up to leather hard, unless you're intentionally distorting it.

Hope this helps a little!

#pottery #studio #throwingtechniques #beginnersthrowing #potteryinkent

A few things we see often when people are starting! It's a right of passage almost, but here are a few tips if you're at this stage!
📌Save this post for when you start your throwing journey!

1. It seems logical that your hands do the centering. Whilst this is true, they are just part of the story. Lock your elbows tightly into your body, depending on your body shape sometimes this is actually into your knees, sometimes into your abdomen. Wherever it is LOCK THEM IN!
Then activate that core and lean!
You only need to push into the clay at one point, and push away from you towards the other side of the clay. It will centre!

2. Always come off the clay slowly and carefully. Work your way to the tip, then float away like a beautiful butterfly! This will help keep it all centred.

3. Cutting your pot in half on the wheel is something we see so often. This means your keeping the pressure at one point on the pot instead of moving your hands and the weight of the clay all the way to the top! This often happens because people get scared of the wobble, or the top feels too flimsy.
Keep moving, there's always more in the top than you think.

4. When you've taken your pot off the wheel DON'T TOUCH THE SIDES!! You will hear me shout that a lot 😅
It seriously only makes it worse even though you think it's helping.
Generally speaking you only touch the sides when it's spinning, or when it's firmed up to leather hard, unless you're intentionally distorting it.

Hope this helps a little!

#pottery #studio #throwingtechniques #beginnersthrowing #potteryinkent

Member Highlight!

This is Sarah's work. Isn't it gorgeous? She mixes strong forms with incredible painterly work, with henna inspired designs and thoughtful layered brushwork. Each piece has a unique design and is painstakingly painted!

It's a joy to see so much patience and effort going into each piece. And we're lucky to have her as part of our community!

#community #pottery #studio #potteryclasseskent

Member Highlight!

This is Sarah's work. Isn't it gorgeous? She mixes strong forms with incredible painterly work, with henna inspired designs and thoughtful layered brushwork. Each piece has a unique design and is painstakingly painted!

It's a joy to see so much patience and effort going into each piece. And we're lucky to have her as part of our community!

#community #pottery #studio #potteryclasseskent

Ever wanted to try it? Or maybe you're desperate to keep practicing and get in that flow state.

We have your back.
Classes, workshops and memberships are here for you.

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studio #potteryintheyard

Ever wanted to try it? Or maybe you're desperate to keep practicing and get in that flow state.

We have your back.
Classes, workshops and memberships are here for you.

#pottery #potteryclasseskent #studio #potteryintheyard

Thinking about trying pottery but not sure what to expect in a class?
Here are a few things most beginners don’t realise 👀
Save this for when you book your first session ✨

1. You're going to make something small on the wheel! Most likely lots of small bowls. Think of all the snacks you can have in them!!

2. Expect to get messy and there really is no need to apologise for it! Such an English trait haha! At the studio, we spend most of our time cleaning. We're set up for it so please just enjoy the freedom to make a mess!

3. Try and let go of perfectionism. It's a hard one. I get it. But ultimately it just slows down learning! No one expects you to be a master of it on your first go, try to enjoy the process!

We can't wait to see you in the studio!

#pottery #studio #clay #kentdaysout

Thinking about trying pottery but not sure what to expect in a class?
Here are a few things most beginners don’t realise 👀
Save this for when you book your first session ✨

1. You're going to make something small on the wheel! Most likely lots of small bowls. Think of all the snacks you can have in them!!

2. Expect to get messy and there really is no need to apologise for it! Such an English trait haha! At the studio, we spend most of our time cleaning. We're set up for it so please just enjoy the freedom to make a mess!

3. Try and let go of perfectionism. It's a hard one. I get it. But ultimately it just slows down learning! No one expects you to be a master of it on your first go, try to enjoy the process!

We can't wait to see you in the studio!

#pottery #studio #clay #kentdaysout

There’s something quietly powerful about working with clay — slowing down, feeling the texture in your hands, and letting your thoughts settle as you create. Pottery is good for the soul, a gentle reminder to be present, to breathe, and to shape something beautiful out of the moment.

Come unwind with us, get your hands a little messy, and leave feeling a little lighter. We can help make some sense of this crazy world!

Video credit to @_studiomon big thanks to you for a wonderful day shooting in the studio. Full film coming soon.

#potteryintheyard #pottery #studio #mindful #workwithyourhands

There’s something quietly powerful about working with clay — slowing down, feeling the texture in your hands, and letting your thoughts settle as you create. Pottery is good for the soul, a gentle reminder to be present, to breathe, and to shape something beautiful out of the moment.

Come unwind with us, get your hands a little messy, and leave feeling a little lighter. We can help make some sense of this crazy world!

Video credit to @_studiomon big thanks to you for a wonderful day shooting in the studio. Full film coming soon.

#potteryintheyard #pottery #studio #mindful #workwithyourhands

Lovely new group of beginners tonight ❤️

All super chilled and in the zone! Can't wait to see what you all make ☺️

#pottery #thanet #quexpark #studio #makers

Lovely new group of beginners tonight ❤️

All super chilled and in the zone! Can't wait to see what you all make ☺️

#pottery #thanet #quexpark #studio #makers

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@potteryintheyard

bottom of page