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sarah
SARAH PLACKETT
FOUNDER & OWNER

Pottery is my passion - and has been for the past 9 years! After 15 years working in the translation industry, I was looking to make a career-change and incorporate a more creative purpose into my working life. My pottery journey began on an Adult Education evening class in Northampton; having built up a solid grounding in handbuilding, and following an introductory course in wheel-throwing, I acquired my own potter's wheel and set up a small studio at my home. In 2016, life took me to the west coast of the USA, where, while living in San Francisco, I was lucky enough to find Clay by the Bay, an open-access ceramics studio offering courses, memberships

jane
JANE METCALFE
SEASONAL WORKSHOP TUTOR

Along with Melissa (her partner in crime!), Jane was one of the very first students to join Swanspool Ceramics when we opened back in January 2017. A talented handbuilder, she now coordinates and runs our programme of seasonal workshops, primarily in the run-up to Christmas and Easter.

JODIE STARNES
JODIE STARNES
INSTRUCTOR

Jodie joined the studio in January 2018 and teaches all levels of wheel-throwing at Castle Ashby, as well as group and private taster sessions. When she’s not teaching, Jodie can be found in the studio most weekday evenings and Saturdays working on her own beautiful pieces - and offering tips and encouragement to students and members!

Gemma Hudson-Findlay
Gemma Hudson-Findlay
Deputy Studio Manager & Technician @ Castle Ashby

I’ve always regarded myself as a maker and creative and I found my addiction to ceramics back when I was undertaking my first project Fine Art Practice Higher National Diploma. I’ve never looked back! There’s always something new to learn and I’m always particularly intrigued by different surface-design techniques that can be achieved on clay. I’ve taught art and design in formal settings as well as pottery classes in Milton Keynes and children's pottery parties, and teach wheel-throwing taster sessions and surface design at Saramica Clay. See you around the studio!

Kate Cooper
Kate Cooper
Deputy Studio Manager & Technician @ The Depot

Kate has worked in various studios supporting people with their creativity and making, as well as developing her own work. She joins us in September 2022 at our new studio at Weedon Bec!

John Bavester
John Bavester

John has been a studio member since 2021 and joins our teaching team at The Depot from September 2022. He is a precise and inspired maker, creating primarily functional ware - and is the studio’s resident expert on ‘beanpots’…!!”

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sarah
jane
JODIE STARNES
Gemma Hudson-Findlay
Kate Cooper
John Bavester
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