Sarah Plackett - Founder and owner

Pottery is my passion - and has been for the past 7 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 and taster sessions. After joining the studio as a student and then member, the idea crystallised in mind that this was an environment I wanted to create back home in the UK. My own work combines a love of both form and function. Teapots are my favourite vessel to make: as anyone who knows me will confirm, I’m never knowingly without a cup of tea in my hand! I love teaching and running the studio, and sharing with others my passion for pottery and the incredible benefits it has offered me. Seeing people grow in confidence and skill is extremely rewarding.

Gabrielle Richardson - Instructor

Being an active and on-the-go person, I’ve always been eager to immerse myself in new skills. So when a close friend signed up for the City and Guilds course at Tresham College, I thought, why not…That was 15 years ago and I’ve has been using ceramics as a creative outlet ever since. During my early work I used sponging methods to achieve floral and fruit designs. I then explored the technique of sgraffito using coloured slip to decorate my pots. My intricate designs pay homage to the indigenous African and Mayan cultures, where my interest and inspiration is found. My pottery merges form, function and aesthetics into one. Combining these elements allows each pot, plate and bowl to work not only as ornamental but functioning household objects. As a potter I am constantly wanting to challenge myself and have more recently started developing my own glazes, smoke- and saggar-firing, and exploring sculpture and the human form. Since I began teaching classes I've been able to share my knowledge, skills and love of pottery in a social environment. I love teaching, it’s so much fun. Being able to be at the beginning of someone’s journey is so uplifting.

Andrew MacDermott - Instructor

I discovered a love & passion for pottery from a desire to try a new skill. I immediately fell in love with the tactile clay and found myself wanting to learn all I could. With a background in Community Development work for me it was a natural progression to combine my passion for connecting people with a desire to use pottery workshops as a tool of engagement. I now work across Milton Keynes and beyond delivering pottery workshops. I also make and sell my own collection of pottery inspired by landscapes and the environment around us. In particular the country of Iceland has captivated my imagination. All of my pottery is made at home in my small studio space which is my oasis, place to escape to and my creative world.