Autumn at Umber Works.
Beginners, Relaxed Evening Sessions
(Wednesdays)
Four-Person Summer Throwing Courses and Tasters
Sunday Morning Sessions
(Larger Forms and Statement Pieces)
Children + Family Sessions (New dates coming soon)
Beginners Candlelit Evenings
Wednesdays at 7pm, join us at the end of your day for atmospheric classes, relaxed teaching, and a great playlist.
Book for two and receive 10% off. BYOB if you wish.
Join us as the evening light shifts and the candles are lit for an extended, immersive dive into the intricate beauty of Nerikomi ––––– a focused, rhythmic exploration of colour, pattern, and precision.
We’ll start in golden hour and finish under candlelight.
This session is a deeper exploration than our standard classes, teaching you how to stack and slice clay to create visually complex, marbled slabs and then form these around our studio moulds to create a bowl, small tray, or plate, or an object of your choice. Perfect for those who want to slow down and learn a technical skill in a beautiful setting. No experience needed—just a love for pattern, precision, and attention.
Session Notes
We offer this workshop once a month, on a Wednesday evening (18.30–21.00)
You can opt to have your work glazed in our glossy transparent studio glaze or leave unglazed. Your work will be glazed (if opted for) and fired for you after the workshop, ready to collect around a month later.
Please find our booking policy here.
Our Candlelit Evening series is an invitation to slow, ground, and connect.
In our most-loved Bowls and Plates evening, you will choose and create one of two distinct forms, either a beautiful small bowl or sweet side plate using traditional, plaster drape moulds made in-house at our studio. This wonderful Oribe ware inspired workshop invites you to embrace shapes that are more organic, with a simple and accessible process.
Oribe ware is a distinctive style of Japanese pottery that originated in the early seventeeth century during the Momoyama period, known for its asymmetrical, freeform designs as much as its vibrant copper glazes, bold brushwork and playful motifs. At Umber Works, we admire Oribe ware for its celebration of imperfection and the earthy, organic qualities that align with our own approach to handmade ceramics.
Workshop Notes
We offer this workshop once a month, on Wednesday evenings (19.00–20.30)
For this workshop, you will use “Chalk” — a tactile, sanded white stoneware sourced exclusively from UK clays.
Pictured is the Chalk clay dipped in our transparent studio glaze and our Toast clay with a hand-applied white glaze, an example of what could be achieved in a glazing class.
Your work will be glazed in our transparent studio glaze as standard and fired for you after the workshop, ready to collect around a month later. Or you can opt to return for a glazing class should you wish to explore that element of the process.
Please find our booking policy here.
In this beautiful new addition to our Candlelit Evening Series, we are softening our grip on outcome.
As you are gently guided through the ancient art of pinching clay, the act of shaping your piece of earth becomes a practice of awareness, attunement, and presence.
What happens when let go of the pressure to create something, and instead pay attention to a material that has formed over many million years –– and is now in your hands? What reverence may emerge? What shift in your own understanding of time, both deep geological time and your own immediate present? We invite you to slow down –– and see what emerges.
We will start together with an exploration of texture, temperature, rhythm, resistance, and integration through pinching. And then, these pinched forms make for beautiful incense burners or candle holders and towards the close of the session, if you wish, you can transform a single piece you are connected with into something for your home*, that connects you to the elements: earth, air and fire. The welcome alternative is to keep nothing, fire nothing, and return everything ––– experience alone is more than worthy, you choose.
Session Notes
We offer this workshop once a month, on a Wednesday evening (19.00–20.30).
To orient ourselves, we will be working with a stoneware which combines just four English clays sourced from Cornwall, Kings Lynn, Staffordshire and North Devon.
We will always open with floral tea and connection.
*If you choose to put something forward for firing, there will be a supplement of £10 per person to cover the cost of your fired material. Clay is endlessly recyclable (which we do here at the studio) until it is fired. Once fired, it is transformed to a non-recyclable, permanent state. We ask you to fire with intention.
Please find our booking policy here.
Our evening series is an invitation to slow, ground, and connect through touch and clay. Each relaxed session is centred around a simple, beautiful object made to be used and enjoyed throughout the summer season.
No prior experience is needed — just come as you are, bring a friend, BYOB if you wish, and sit –unhurried – making something both beautiful and useful by hand.
In STEMS, you'll create a hand-built bud vase around the ancient technique of coiling. Designed for a few cuttings, a single stem, or herbs that mark the season.
Workshop Notes
1.5 hours
Make 1 piece
Level: Beginner
“Chalk” clay — a tactile, white stoneware blended exclusively from British clays
Book for two and receive 10% off
BYOB if you wish
All materials and firings included
Transparent glaze
Ready to collect c. six weeks later
Please find our booking policy here.
Our Sunday Morning series, when the studio light is the most beautiful, explores some more specialist ceramic techniques with a little more time and depth, whilst remaining accessible for complete beginners.
Sunday Mornings
Our Sunday Morning series, when the studio light is the most beautiful, explores some more specialist ceramic techniques with a little more time and depth, whilst remaining accessible for complete beginners.
In MATCHA SET, you’ll create a four-piece matcha set using the oldest and most intuitive of techniques: pinching.
Over this relaxed and meditative workshop, you'll make a complete set comprising a Katakuchi (pouring bowl), Chawan (tea bowl), Chasen (whisk holder), and Chashaku (scoop rest). Working slowly by hand, we'll explore form, proportion, and surface, allowing each piece to emerge through touch rather than tools. A calm, tactile morning dedicated to making objects for ritual and pause.
Workshop Notes
3.5 hours (10.30am–2pm)
Make 4 pieces: Katakuchi Chawan (Pouring Bowl), Chawan (Tea Cup), Chasen (Whisk) Holder, Chashaku (scoop) Rest
Level: Beginner
Book for two and receive 10% off
All materials and firings included
Transparent glaze unless otherwise discussed
Ready to collect c. six weeks later
Please find our booking policy here.
Our Sunday Morning series, when the studio light is the most beautiful, explores some more specialist ceramic techniques with a little more time and depth, whilst remaining accessible for complete beginners.
In MARBLED EARTH, explore the intricate beauty of Nerikomi — a Japanese term for a ceramic process that involves layering coloured clays to create patterns and motifs visible in cross-section and then create a piece of your choice — such as a small bowl or decorative tray.
Workshop Notes
2.5 hours (10.30am–1pm)
Make 1 statement piece
Level: Beginners and up
Book for two and receive 10% off
All materials and firings included
Transparent glaze
Ready to collect c. six weeks later
Please find our booking policy here.
Our Sunday Morning series, when the studio light is the most beautiful, explores some more specialist ceramic techniques with a little more time and depth, whilst remaining accessible for complete beginners.
In this tactile, peaceful workshop, you will create a set of two beautiful coffee or tea cups for your morning rituals. We’ll be building from slabs, which allows for precise shaping, clean edges, and more balanced forms but this handmade process celebrates the responsive nature of clay, where subtle textures and slight imperfections enhance the story of each cup.
Workshop Notes
We offer this workshop once a month, on Sunday mornings (10.30am —1pm)
For this workshop, you will use either “Chalk” — a tactile, sanded white stoneware sourced exclusively from English clays, or “Terra” — a strong, sanded terracotta brown, also sourced from the English Midlands.
Your work will be glazed in our transparent studio glaze as standard and fired for you after the workshop, ready to collect around a month later. Or you can opt to return for a glazing class should you wish to explore that element of the process.
Please find our booking policy here.
Our Sunday Morning series, when the studio light is the most beautiful, explores some more specialist ceramic techniques with a little more time and depth, whilst remaining accessible for complete beginners.
In our most-loved Bowls and Plates evening, you will choose and create one of two distinct forms, either a beautiful small bowl or sweet side plate using traditional, plaster drape moulds made in-house at our studio.
Workshop Notes
This workshop runs 10.30am–12pm
For this workshop, you will use “Chalk” — a tactile, white stoneware sourced exclusively from UK clays.
Pictured is the Chalk clay dipped in our transparent studio glaze and our Toast clay with a hand-applied white glaze, an example of what could be achieved in a glazing class.
Your work will be glazed in our transparent studio glaze as standard and fired for you after the workshop, ready to collect around a month later. Or you can opt to return for a glazing class should you wish to explore that element of the process.
Please find our booking policy here.
Throwing Tasters and Courses
Intimate four-person throwing tasters and courses mean more time dedicated exclusively to you, with the hands-on 1–on–1 guidance you need to truly learn.
Payment plans available for six week courses – split your fee over 3 months.
Four people. One dedicated wheel each. Attuned guidance throughout.
A rare opportunity to try wheel throwing in a genuinely small-group setting intentionally limited to just four participants.
You'll learn the fundamentals of wheel throwing, from preparing and centring clay to shaping simple forms, all within the calm atmosphere of our studio. With your own dedicated wheel and ample guidance, you'll have the space to settle into the process and enjoy the rhythm of making.
We'll select and finish your best piece for glazing and firing, ready for collection in the weeks following your session.
Workshop Notes
Each session is two hours – but we’ll allow for ten minutes at the end to clean down your workstation.
Your final piece will be ready to collect around one month later.
Transparent glaze
Please bring an apron and old tea towel, and consider cutting your nails short for throwing sessions.
Please find our booking policy here.
Four people. Six weeks. Attuned, individual guidance throughout.
A rare opportunity to learn wheel throwing in a genuinely small-group setting.
Designed with beginners in mind but open to all levels, these courses are intentionally limited to just four participants, allowing for plenty of one-to-one support within our calm and carefully considered studio environment.
Whether you're learning to centre clay for the first time or refining an existing practice, teaching is tailored to where you are in your making journey. With your own dedicated wheel and attentive guidance throughout, you'll have the space to develop confidence, build technique, and enjoy the slower rhythm of working with clay.
Upcoming Course Dates
Tuesday Evenings, 6.45—8.45PM
22 Sep • 29 Sep • 6 Oct • 13 Oct • 20 Oct • Glazing: 27 Oct
SOLD OUT
Monday Evenings, 6.45—8.45PM
14 Sep • 21 Sep • 28 Sep • 5 Oct • 12 Oct • Glazing: 19 Oct
For Beginners: How We'll Work Together
(If you already have throwing experience, sessions will be adapted to your individual goals.)
Week 1
An introduction to clay preparation, centring, and the foundations of throwing. You'll learn how to use essential tools and begin creating simple cylindrical forms.
Weeks 2–4
You'll continue developing confidence on the wheel, refining your technique and exploring new forms with plenty of support and individual feedback.
Week 5
A dedicated trimming session. You'll learn how to turn the bases of your chosen pieces, refine their shape, and add details such as foot rings.
Week 6
Glazing. You'll finish your work using a curated selection of studio glazes, preparing your pieces for their final firing.
Course Notes
2 hours (6.45–8.45pm)
With time built in at the end for cleaning down your work area and storing work safely
Includes glazing and firing for up to 8 finished pieces.
Additional pieces can be fired for a small fee.
Ready for collection within four weeks of your glazing session.
Please bring an apron and an old tea towel. Short fingernails are recommended for throwing.
Please see our booking policy for further information.