If you like my pottery, tell EVERYONE…
if you don’t, tell ME.
If you like my pottery, tell EVERYONE…
if you don’t, tell ME.
I make all the pottery from my home studio
situated at the back of my house which overlooks my beautiful garden, fields
and trees. The studio is also used for workshops which I
run most days. It is very well stocked
with equipment, glazes, tools, along with vintage tea towels! I can offer an
array of hand-building workshops/classes to suit. This includes, a six-week course, taster
sessions as well as a pay as you go workshop which offers flexibility.
If you
are interested in one of my workshops, please contact me through the link at
the bottom. I am quite happy for you to come for a chat and show you around.
I have always loved ceramics. My home is full of pottery. Firstly, lots of Spanish pottery, then onto
Portmeirion, Sophie Allport and Emma Bridgewater.
On my school holidays staying in Yorkshire with my
grandparents one of my fondest memories was Saturday night… salmon sandwiches,
crusts cut off and cut into triangles and, of course, the best China! I thought
we were SO posh. We weren’t at all! The salmon was tinned, mixed with
breadcrumbs and vinegar to make it go further but I loved it.
Initially, I was going to call my business after my
grandmother. I have such fond memories
of her and staying with her in my school holidays from boarding school. They
lived at the edge of a railway. Oh yes,
we were the railway children! The house was amazing. Amazing but cold! No
heating or upstairs loo. But again, I
loved it. Enid Blyton book under the bed
which I still have. We picked fruit and
vegetables from the garden for dinner, made jam. It was simple, perfect
actually. Not an iPhone/tablet or computer in sight and only 3 channels on the
TV with no remote control!
As I have already said, she came to pick me up from school
for exeat weekends and half terms. My
grandfather would sit on the bonnet of the car and wait for me. Not my grandmother, she loved the celebrity
status of the lady in her best clothes, shoes, hat and white gloves. Everyone
thought she was so sweet. She was my
Queen Mother!
So, not Alice Bell Ceramics but Oakslade Ceramics. Oakslade is the name of our home and that is
where I make all my ceramics in my home studio, so it seemed more fitting.
It’s a very inspiring location. It is very quiet
and still. It’s quite often referred to
as therapy.
The former studio is now the workshop which houses
benches and shelves which are full of my potter’s work. In the workshop, I have a selection of clays,
slip moulds, 2 kilns, slab roller and a wheel. My fellow companions in the workshop are
Bertie (Bert) my trusty wheel. He’s an old man and I love him. Ernie (Ern) the other old man in my workshop
has now been replaced by Barbara. Barbara is a Rohde 60 Ecotop. he joined us in September 2023. Later to be
joined by Margo, (the same make and model) in June 2025.
I would strongly discourage using naked flame near my ceramics. For tealights, etc. please use LED lights.
Avoid extreme temperatures, i.e. prolonged use in the microwave and dishwasher, to extend the life of your ceramics.
Prolonged use in the microwave and dishwasher. This will, therefore, limit any crazing which are hairline cracks on the surface of the pottery. It is likely to craze over time, it all depends how you treat it.
I am a potter working from my home studio. Please be mindful that my pottery is handmade and unique in the fact that it is a one off piece and not mass produced in a factory. Obviously, pottery is a natural product and as I have already said, it is a one off piece and hand painted to order. The finished product may slightly vary from those shown on the website.
If you are unhappy with your piece, please let me know immediately via the Contact Us form at the bottom of this page.
We can now offer a range of classes and workshops at Oakslade
All Abilities – Tuesday morning 10am to 12pm
Exactly what it says on the tin. All ages and abilities
in this group. This is a hand building workshop held in the studio with
Michelle.
Throwing – Tuesday morning 10am to 12pm
This is a wonderful opportunity to have 1-2-1 tuition
with Judy in the workshop.
Gentlemen’s Club – Friday 10am to 12pm
Just for men, mainly retired. Why not come along and be
creative with the Gentlemen’s Pottery Club.
Taster Sessions – Sunday 10am to 12pm
If you feel a bit undecided or just want a taster session
with a couple of pals, maybe for a birthday perhaps. My 2-hour taster session
is just for you. Come along a make
something you’ve seen in the shops? I can then get your piece(s) bisque fired
before you come back again, generally about 2 weeks later and add some colour.
I’ve got an extensive range of glazes in my studio. After the second firing, I
will call you to collect your masterpiece(s).
We are very flexible with our workshops and classes here
at Oakslade. I won’t tie you down to a strict 6 class of 6 weeks. I understand that life gets in the way, and
you won’t be able to make it every week, or you may want to! I can also offer a
pay as you go option which gives you even more flexibility.
So, if you think you’d like to come for a session or are
still a bit unsure, why not contact me and come for a chat. If you want me to send you all the
information, complete the Contact Form
We have been very fortunate in being asked to do some quite lovely commissions from mugs, coasters, Christmas and other seasonal decorations to olive oil bottles for The English Olive Company and vases, mugs, bowls and jugs for the National Trust at The Coach House Shop at Belton House. We are happy to have the very talented Hannah Hamilton Pottery in collaboration.
2 Park Walk
Easton on the Hill
Stamford
PE9 3LW
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