If you’re looking for things to do in the week as a couple, a group of mates or even alone, have you thought about trying out pottery? Wait, before you start scrolling eBay for a kiln, pottery wheel, and bags of clay and spending a fortune on your next life-long passion! You could give Pottymouth Workshop a go first.
There’s no need for expensive equipment with Pottymouth Workshop, whose workshops across Bristol, Bath and the South West teach hand-built pottery – so there’ll be no reenactments of that ‘Ghost’ scene here, Swayze fans! What you’ll get are beginner-friendly sessions that could see you taking home anything from (slightly wonky) mugs to vases, jugs to butter dishes, or even dog bowls.
Started by two potters (Naomi and Meredith) almost two years ago, Pottymouth’s first workshop was at the Wiper and True Taproom, which was an instant hit selling out month after month. Since then, it has only gotten bigger, hosting at least three workshops a week of up to 50 people – in such venues as Bristol Loaf, Crafty Egg, No 1 Harbourside and The Greenbank.
“We host workshops in various independent venues, lots of which are pubs and taprooms so you can even grab a pint as you make,” said Naomi and Meredith, co-founders of Pottymouth Workshop. “We think it’s the perfect midweek wind down.”
So what’s got the people of Bristol and beyond turning up to these pop-up pottery events in droves? Well, firstly, the aim is to keep it as accessible to all as possible. This includes keeping ticket costs low, often around £35 per person for two and a half hours – with discounts for students, NHS staff, lower income and group bookings too.
They’ve also found a way to offer classes that are fun and affordable, as well as a place where you might even learn a thing or two. They’re described as “beginner-friendly”, but seasoned potters will find something to enjoy too. Guiding you through the basics of hand-built pottery, workshops cover slab building, pinch pots and coil pots, plus decorative techniques.
So don’t be a kiln-joy and stay in on the week, book in for a fun evening with old friends or to try and meet some new ones. Pottymouth Workshop also offers more in-depth workshops if that’s what you’re after. To learn more we recommend heading to their website here.