Beginner Course - 5 weeks

Week 1 – Throwing Fundamentals

Centring clay on the wheel and throwing cylinders and mug bodies.

Week 2 – Throwing Bowls and Refining Technique

Building on week 1, refine your throwing technique and learn to form bowls.

Week 3 – Trimming and Throwing Taller Forms

An introduction to trimming (refining the base and creating footrings) and push yourself to throw larger forms.

Week 4 – Handles and Slip Decoration

Learn to make and attach handles to mug bodies or jugs made in previous weeks. Apply decorative slips.

Week 5 – Glaze Application

Your pieces will all have been bisque fired and ready for you to dip, pour and paint with our wide selection of house glazes.

During the course you have unlimited clay to work with. Be as free and creative as you like! On week 4 of the course, you’ll select your 6 favourite pieces which will be fired and ready for glazing in week 5.

(If you have more you’d like to keep, don’t worry. You can keep additional pieces for a small fee to cover material/firing costs).

“I am relatively new to pottery but this has been by far the best studio I have been to in London…”

“I’ve had a lot of fun on this course (5 week Beginner), and I now have a relaxing and rewarding hobby! The teacher splits her time well between each student and is friendly and patient. This was well worth the money and I’m eager to get my hands on some clay again soon”

“I would recommend everyone to try throwing at least once so they can experience the serenity it brings to your life”

“I felt more confident with my pottery skills every week and learned so much more than I had expected. You get to go home with lots of your handmade pottery, which is a bonus!”

“The teaching on the course is spectacular. She’d incredibly encouraging and kind and explains things in a way that makes total sense”

The Beginner and Developer courses teaching is split between professional potters, Izzy Letty and Tash Hart. Izzy runs the daytime sessions and Tash is our night owl teaching the evening classes. A little about both of them…

Tash Hart

Tash is an exceptional potter whose skill on the wheel is only matched by her infectious enthusiasm. After comprehensive and informative demonstrations, she gives her students freedom to explore, while being on hand to jump in and offer technique adjustments at exactly the right moments. One thing is for certain - you will learn a lot from Tash.

The student work coming out of her kilns are well made and with great flair as she encourages her students to build their own rhythms and embrace their creativity. Having taught in studios across London, we are lucky to have Tash and in fact her students frequently ask to sign up to her next course while still on the first one!

Alongside teaching and in her own practice, she makes tableware for restaurant commissions and is currently especially interested in exploring different clay bodies.

Tash teaches a Beginner, Developer Course. She also has bookable spots for private sessions.

Fun fact – Tash is also a trained sommelier.

Izzy Letty

Izzy splits her time between running Stoneware Studios, making for commissions and teaching courses, but the best bit of her week is seeing her students develop their skill and confidence on the wheel. Her teaching style is warm and deeply informative. Always ready to explain why something has gone wrong and offer an adjustment to rectify, building the students knowledge and understanding of the process.  

Having downed tools on wholesale commissions this year, Izzy is focusing on making pieces for a big Christmas shop update. That means a lot of production throwing! Away from the studio, she’s part of the Kings Foundation 35 under 35 this year, representing pottery.  

Izzy teaches a Beginner and Developer Course. She also has bookable spots for private one off sessions, but has some clients who do regular weekly private classes with her too. Get in touch to discuss regular privates further.

Fun fact – Izzy has thrown pots on a BBC1 daytime show

A light filled pottery studio nestled a courtyard of makers in Parsons Green.

What sets Stoneware Studios apart is its commitment to small class sizes (max 6 students and 1 teacher) and our students say they really feel themselves developing under the hands on guidance of our expert tutors.

When not moonlighting as a teaching space, the studio is a professional workshop for Izzy who throws her own work for shops, restaurants and commissions. For people wanting to learn to throw in an authentic working studio, rather than a space that’s soley set up for courses, Stoneware Studios offers something unique in London.

Life is busy and flow state is rare.

We believe that pottery offers an ancient remedy for modern stress. As your hands move, your mind clears and you won’t believe how quickly time is absorbed. Leave your day at the door, up your sleeves and find your rhythm.

Or the very least, you might just make your new new favourite mug.