Keeping pottery 'fun'damental!
Hello and welcome to my revised website (it's still a work in progress!)
If you're familiar with my previous incarnation as Saz's Ceramics and Crafts you'll possibly be aware of the fact that I had a 'quaint', 'quirky', 'characterful' (customers' words) pottery painting and clay studio at the Red House Glass Cone from 2007-25. My aim was to create a welcoming environment for creativity for people of all ages and abilities. And I was so proud to have a studio at the Red House Glass Cone, which is a very special place indeed.
Last year, however, was time for a change; my partner and I moved house to Bridgnorth in Shropshire and we had a studio built in our garden. I was ready for a change in direction, a chance to focus on creating my own ceramics whilst continuing to offer workshops for small groups. And I love it!
So, if you've never heard of me (no matter) and you've just found me because you're interested in having a go at pottery, welcome, you're in the right place. My name is Sarah Cannings; I love teaching and sharing good practice and am as keen to learn and pass on skills as I was when I started my pottery journey all those years ago.
If you fancy learning how to throw on the Potter's Wheel, hand build or paint an item of bisque ware, please visit my Workshops page and follow the links to the schedule or call me to discuss your requirements.
Welcome to my happy place!
Adults' Workshops
Welcome to my workshops for adults. I have an exciting programme of in-house workshops focusing on different themes and techniques. The workshops are aimed at beginners and improvers or anyone wanting to get some more creativity in their lives.
I break it down step-by-step to help you build on your skills and create something you'll be proud of. Please don't be put off if you haven't done Art since school; the classes are very relaxed, friendly and fun. If you want do a specific class but can't make the date advertised, don't worry; some of my workshops can be fitted in at another date, subject to booking numbers.
So then, what are you waiting for?!
Handbuild a fairy house
Create and customise your own fairy house or door to reflect the season (generic, Hallowe'en or Christmas!) Once made, you'll have to leave your item with me for a couple of weeks so that I can fire it, before you collecting your masterpiece,
You then have the choice to hire a take away glaze kit (small additional charge applies) or paint it up at home in acrylics.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 6 people or on set dates on the linked schedule.
£30 per person
Handbuild a beehive
honey pot
Learn how to make a coil built beehive honey pot from scratch. I'll demonstrate the techniques first then you have all the fun of customising your own using clay, tools and sprig moulds.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 6 people or on set dates on the linked schedule.
£30 per person
Potter's wheel experience
'Have a go'
Great for a 'bucket list' pressie, or a crafty get together, Sarah will demonstrate how to throw a pot on the wheel before letting you have a go; you'll get to practice for the rest of the hour and which ever is your best pot, we'll fire for you. Easy!
Perfect for beginners or those who want a refresher class.
Your pot will be kiln fired and will be ready in approximately two - three weeks' time for collection, or you can have them posted out to you for a small additional fee.
I have two wheels available, so this is great if you want to share the experience with a friend or family member.
1 hr
£35.00 per person
Handbuild a highland cow
Learn how to make a fabulous highland cow out of clay.
Firstly I will give a demonstration before letting you have a play with the clay and tools needed. Firing will be included and if you'd like your sculpture glazed for you, there's a small additional charge of £8, or you can choose to collect and paint your cow at home in acrylics if you'd prefer.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 6 people or on set dates on the linked schedule.
£30 per person
Glaze a snail
Paint your own sensational snail using my fantastic range of crystal glazes. These snails are slip cast in house and are suitable for outdoor* or indoor living! Great for a quirky gift experience or just treat yourself to a crafty workshop; the results speak for themselves!
This workshop, which takes between 2-2.5 hrs, includes the choice of a large range of crystal glazes, full tuition and firing fee. Your snail will be ready for collection in approximately 2 weeks' time. Please choose size of snail when you book.
This experience is an exclusive workshop by appointment only. The studio can accommodate 4-6 people. Please call to check availability.Small £35, Medium £47.50, Large £60
Sgraffito a plate or mug
In this workshop I will be demonstrating two fabulous techniques using coloured slips onto leather hard slipcast plates & mugs before you get to have fun creating your own fantastic design. You’ll need to choose your preferred shape before the workshop takes place
Your masterpiece will be ready for collection in a couple of weeks' time after it's been fired.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 6 people or on set dates on the linked schedule.
£30 per person
Handbuild a
teacup & saucer
In this workshop I will be demonstrating how to make a slab built tea cup and saucer before you get to have fun creating your own. Once made, your masterpiece will be fired, and then if you'd like it glazed for a small additional charge (£5 per item) you can hire one of my take away kits or get me to glaze it for you.
Alternatively, you can paint up in acrylics if it's going to be used as an ornament.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 6 people or on set dates on the linked schedule.
£30 per person
Zentangle a pizza platter
Join me for a fun and relaxing half day painting a ceramic pizza platter using a combination of glaze techniques. I will guide you as to how to band a platter, then sgraffito (carve) a design onto it and use a fine writer to zentangle (posh doodle) the rest! If it sounds challenging, don't worry; it's easier than it looks and the results are so rewarding! Hot drinks included. Your platter will be ready in a couple weeks' time for collection
This experience is an exclusive 3 hr workshop by appointment only. The studio can accommodate 4-6 people. Please call to check availability.
£50 per person
Zentangle a Leafman
Enjoy Zentangle? (Posh doodling) Love the Greenman motif? Why not combine the two and have a fun and relaxing time being taught a range of 'tangles' with which to decorate your own slipcast plaque, which will later be glazed and fired for you.
Choose from a large selection of beautiful crystal glazes for the butterfly mask. Great as a gift experience or as a pressie for yourself.
This experience is an exclusive 3 hr workshop by appointment only. The studio can accommodate 4-6 people. Please call to check availability.
£50 per person
Block Printing on bags or clay
Join me for a fab, fun filled workshop decorating tote bags or tea towels using fabric paints or clay to make a set of 4 coasters using my range of beautiful wooden printing blocks. and rubber stamps
I will be on hand to teach you the basics of block printing, help you practice with different designs and colours and once confident you can start printing!
If decorating a bag, you'll get time to practice on some scrap fabric and greetings cards before committing your design to the real thing.
If choosing to make coasters, the price includes glazing of up to 4 coasters from a selection of specialist glazes.
This workshop is approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for up to 4 people. Please call to book.
Workshop fee is £30 per person.
Zentangle faceted
bisque ware
Enjoy Zentangle? (Posh doodling) Love the faceted ornaments? Why not combine the two and have a fun and relaxing time being taught a range of 'tangles' with which to decorate your chosen shape, which will later be glazed and fired for you.
Choose from a large selection of beautiful crystal glazes to complement your colour scheme. Great as a gift experience or as a pressie for yourself.
This experience is an exclusive 2hr workshop by appointment only. The studio can accommodate 4-6 people. Please call to book a date and to select from a selection of shapes.
Prices start from £30 depending on the shape you choose.
Lino printing onto clay
This course is split up into two parts. In the first half we will concentrate on creating a simple lino cut pattern from your own design or choose one of my in-house templates. In the second part you will be working with soft clay, rolling it out and cutting out a panel using your lino designs. The panel will later be fired and will be ready for collection in a couple of weeks' time. It can be painted in underglazes for a small additional charge or at home in acrylics.
This workshop is approximately 2.5 hrs long and is available by exclusive appointment during the week for 4-6 people. Please call to book.
Workshop fee is £30 per person.