Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960.jpg" alt="Wall and shelves of handmade tiles and ceramics " class="wp-image-56109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1960-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Pottery is having a moment. You only have to look at<em>The Great Pottery Throw Down</em> &#8211; 6 series in and upward of 2 million weekly viewers. It makes sense when it&#8217;s a surefire way to nab some mindful me-time, with the added incentive of bagging a handmade ceramic without the gallery price-tag.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030.jpg" alt="handmade ceramic jugs" class="wp-image-56110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2030-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>I&#8217;m off to see what all the fuss is about, with three friends in tow: two who&#8217;ve never put hand to clay before, and one who makes pots as a side hustle so knows her stuff. Our eyes are on the prize of making these pretty spring jugs. So sweet but will our pottery skills, or rather lack of, really cut it?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990-1000x750.jpg" alt="Taz of The Ceramics Academy demonstrating how to make a jug" class="wp-image-56128" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1990.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Our destination is a two-hour Saturday beginners&#8217; group session at <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=the+ceramics+academy&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8">The Ceramics Academy</a> in South Molton with academy&#8217;s owner, Taz. She&#8217;s an award-winning ceramicist who started potting in primary school and now has her stylish ceramics found as far and wide as The Conduit Club in London. She offers a range of classes, from weekly term-time to monthly Saturday classes, kids lessons and memberships for potters.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1.jpg" alt="Exterior of The Ceramics Academy in South Molton, Devon" class="wp-image-56129" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2047-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Based on a small industrial estate on the town&#8217;s outskirts, the studio is divided into work-spaces for the regulars, workshop potter&#8217;s wheels, a kiln called Alma and interesting-looking shelves of drying ceramics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE COURSE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968.jpg" alt="students sitting on a table at a ceramics course" class="wp-image-56112" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1968-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Having been distracted by cake and pasties in South Molton, we&#8217;re a teeny bit late but Taz and her helper-apprentice Jo are relaxed and welcoming. Taz gives us a quick tour around the studio, then sits us down in our aprons, explains the necessary H&amp;S, and demonstrates what she wants us to do first &#8211; take a big lump of clay and have a play. &#8216;Get a sense of it&#8217;, she says &#8211; &#8216;feel it under your palms, roll it out like pastry and then make some marks&#8217;.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972.jpg" alt="student making marks in pottery  clay" class="wp-image-56113" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1972-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This isn&#8217;t any old clay, this is bespoke &#8216;Taz&#8217; clay, her own mix of white stoneware clay and raku clay, suitable for indoors and out. We rummage on a table set up with things to make marks with &#8211; bits of old doily, embossed wallpaper, ceramic and wooden stamps. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017.jpg" alt="student making a spring jug from pottery clay " class="wp-image-56132" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2017-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>We won&#8217;t be throwing on a wheel, instead we&#8217;re hand-building, a tradition which goes back millennia. Interesting fact from Taz: firing clay was probably discovered because the ancients would smear it onto the base of their baskets to make them waterproof and used them for heating water. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997.jpg" alt="Taz of The Ceramics Academy making a ceramic jug" class="wp-image-56117" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1997-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Once we&#8217;ve found some patterns we like, we&#8217;re handed a new blob of clay for the real thing. I like that there&#8217;s no &#8216;blank white paper syndrome&#8217; as Taz has prepped templates to cut out our clay so it&#8217;s all pretty foolproof. But it&#8217;s still enough for to keep the seasoned potter among us interested, especially with the tools, which she hasn&#8217;t seen before.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009.jpg" alt="Taz of The Ceramics Academy showing student how to make a handbuilt pot" class="wp-image-56114" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2009-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Because we&#8217;re a small group, Taz is on hand &#8211; twisting the spout just so, getting the handle to stick (which took us all two or three attempts) and making sure we get a good finish.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004.jpg" alt="makings of a handmade ceramics jug with students in the background " class="wp-image-56120" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2004-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;If we had a byline,&#8221; she says encouragingly, &#8220;it would be &#8216;Home of the Wobbly Pot&#8217;. Because anyone can go to IKEA and buy a 50p pot, but that&#8217;s just boring.&#8221; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975.jpg" alt="boiling water urn and cake on a kitchen counter" class="wp-image-56115" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_1975-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Homely with coffee and handmade cake on offer, Radio 2 type music on low. Taz&#8217;s self-deprecating sense of humour makes for lots of laughs too. Depending on who you&#8217;re with it lends itself to being therapeutic and mindful, or just relaxing and fun, and maybe a tad competitive. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038.jpg" alt="pottery cat on a shelf with earthenware pots" class="wp-image-56133" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_2038-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Taz warned us beforehand it&#8217;s easy to go over time, so in the end it was closer to three hours than two but we never felt hurried, and having chosen the colours we wanted for our jugs, we left them to Taz to fire, glaze and send by post.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier.jpg" alt="South Molton Pannier Market " class="wp-image-56147" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/pannier-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s worth making time for a quick mooch around South Molton which is known for its <a href="https://www.southmoltonpanniermarket.co.uk">Pannier Market</a>, open weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 8:30am until 1pm<em>.</em> The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/southmoltonfleamarket/?locale=en_GB">Flea Markets</a> here are great for picking up vintage finds and antiques, and if you&#8217;re a fan of Annie Sloan paint, rag rugs and up-worked vintage furniture, make a beeline for <a href="https://www.sourceforthegoose.com">Source for the Goose </a>on East Street. Nearby you&#8217;ll find a cheese deli, a couple of good coffee shops and the Muddy Award-winning gift shop, <a href="https://www.daisypark.co.uk">Daisy Park</a>. If you&#8217;re coming with kids&#8217; or family, you could make a day of it with a trip to the <a href="https://quincehoneyfarm.co.uk">Quince Honey Farm</a>, where there&#8217;s a big indoor play area, beehives, nectar gardens and interesting workshops on beekeeping and honey.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443.jpg" alt="Three handmade jugs lined up on a shelf" class="wp-image-56119" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3443-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A memorable morning with benefits. Tadaaaaa! Not bad, eh? I&#8217;d say that&#8217;s unexpectedly large gain for little skill! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455.jpg" alt="the underside of a handmade pot with patterns" class="wp-image-56122" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/05/IMG_3455-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: a memorable mindful and fun day with your gals; a taster for a new hobby; an alternative hen do; corporate work parties; thoughtful gifts for special occasions (Taz runs seasonal workshops); a family bonding session; meeting new mates.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: creating your own design &#8211; you follow a template; instant results &#8211; your masterpiece needs to dry for a week then glazing and firing for 14 hours in Taz&#8217;s kiln; long nails, they get in the way, nor glad rags &#8211; dress down for this one.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: £45pp, 11 am – 2.30 pm&nbsp;<em>(with a lunch break)</em>, and the cost includes all your materials and firings.</p>



<p><em style="font-weight: bold"><a href="https://ceramicsacademy.co.uk/">The Ceramics Academy</a>, Unit 4 Woodlands Enterprise Centre, Pathfields Industrial Estate, South Molton, EX36 3BY. Tel 07779&nbsp; 945&nbsp; 859</em>; <strong><em><a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@ceramicsacademy.co.uk</a>.</em></strong></p>


Clay date! Muddy goes potty at The Ceramics Academy

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