Marches Family Network

Gemma led two workshops at Eastnor Pottery this week, working with children from the Marches Family Network. The charity supports families who have a child/children with a disability or special need through play schemes and holiday activities.

The groups from Hereford and Leominster made & painted coil-pots under the supervission of Gemma.

Participant Chris had this to say: " It was a really great experience to make a pink banana!"

St Thomas & Ladywood Children's Centres

Jon Was busy this week working with two of his regular settings in the centre of Birmingham.

Families at Surestart Ladywood made coilpot fairies and knights, whilst everybody at the popular 'stay & play' sessions at St Thomas' were treated to no less than three afternoons of potter's wheel and clayplay fun.

Fish from the kiln!

These fabulous beasts are just two of the results from a recent teambuilding session in the centre of Birmingham.

The client wanted to acheive something collaborative, representing aspects of their organisation.

The shoal of eight fish were delivered to the company's HQ earlier this week. To see all the fish in their glazed glory, we've created a photo album on our Facebook page.

If you would like to learn more about our teambuilding and corporate workshops please visit http://www.flyingpotter.com/

Clay training session in Birmingham

No less than 39 staff from a Birmingham Children's centre and nursery experienced a whole host of pottery techniques and approaches to working with clay...all within 3hrs! The participants were on a training day and had heard about 'Jon the Potter' from an Early years conference a few months ago. Once the work has been fired and glazed it will be delivered to the centre for the participants to keep.

Picnic @ the Pottery

Hello to all the young potters who took part in our Summer holiday workshop sessions.

This year the theme was 'Picnic' with everybody modelling a picnic rug/hamper and items of alfresco food. After the workshop sessions, families were invited to picnic proper on the Pottery lawn.

There are a few more photos on our Facebook page.

If you took part and enjoyed your 'picnic' pottery experience, we would be very grateful if you could write us a quick review. Simply follow this link and click on 'write a review'.

The next children's workshops take place 27 & 28 Oct in 1/2 term and includes a go on the potter's wheel. 'Like' our facebook page to be first to hear about forthcoming workshop themes and content.

The Upton owl 'ed!

Whilst Jon was busy in Bromsgrove on Tuesday, Gemma headed to Upton Upon Severn to work with famillies at the towns library. Over 50 individuals helped make this magnificent bird - each one producing a unique and highly decorated feather.

Once the owl has been united with it's lower body it will be fired and returned to the library for perminant display.

Clay @ the Artrix Arts Centre

Jon travelled to Bromsgrove on Tuesday to work with groups of children at the Artrix Arts Centre. The clay workshops were part of the venue's "family fortnight" activities. Other attractions included puppet making and birds of prey demonstrations. Check out http://www.artrix.co.uk/

Big Chill Photos

Thankyou to all the lovely people who dropped by the Eastnor Pottery Potting Tent to sample the delights of throwing clay. Jon took in excess of 100 photos, the best of which we'll compile into an album on our Facebook page.

Cake mountain

On of two cake sculptures made with school groups at the Three Counties Show in Malvern June 2010.

Big Chill build-up

Must say, as residents of Eastnor, we've been very impressed with the professional and smooth way in which the festival has been put together. Festival Republic have taken on the running of the Big Chill, bringing to the table years of experience and expertise of staging similar festivals all over the UK.

We secured our passes and wristbands with the minimum of 'fuss' and by Wednesday evening we were pitched up in the Body & Soul area ready to receive our first festival potters.

We intend to publish photos from the Deer Park on a daily basis (yer right!) so watch this space!

Transitional project at Grace Academy

Jon returned to Grace Academy in Solihull to work with 22 of the new September intake of Yr7 students. Having been shown various potting techniques, the participants used their own imagination to build various clay objects including giraffes, training shoes and a Nanny McPhee!

Day at the Museum!

Fantastic exhibition by Kate Plumtree on at Worcester Museum & Art Gallery at the moment. Using birds and animals as her inspiration, Kate has produced a collection of wonderful costumes and outfits, designed for stage & screen!

Jon made his annual workshop trip on Tuesday to work with children and families in the art gallery. Having studied & sketched the costumes, everybody created clay sculpture based upon Kates exhibition.

More photos

Pottery hen party

Had the privilage & pleasure of hosting Alice's hen party at the Pottery on Saturday. The 21 girls took turns on the potter's wheels as well as making some exquisite coil pots and models. Please 'like' out our facebook page for the full series of photos.