Clay Shed Bristol

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Clay Shed Bristol

We’re a co-working ceramic studio in Bristol founded by professional ceramic artists.
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We provide pottery classes, studio membership, artist residencies and group events. Our facilities include potters wheels, kilns and communal group working spaces.

08/09/2026

Almost eight years since Clay Shed opened its doors, it feels like the right moment to introduce the three founders behind the studio. Next up is Louise Blois .ceramics

Louise holds an MA in Ceramics from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She studied at Alfred University and Kansas City Art Institute in the US, and gained her BA (Hons) from Camberwell College of Art. Alongside Clay Shed, she's a Ceramic Demonstrator at Bath Spa University (). At the studio, she heads up our events workshops, supports daily running, estates and membership training.

‘Clay Shed’s facilities and equipment support a diverse range of creative processes and experience levels. I love that our members bring such varied interests, skills and perspectives to the studio. This diversity creates a rich, inspiring environment, full of exploration and creativity with clay.’

Her own practice centres on porcelain vessels, through experimentation with decorative coloured slips and cast plaster moulds. Her work explores the indelible marks left by loved ones, the traces people leave on their surroundings, creating memories, connections and lasting presence.

Catch Louise's work at our studio sale on Saturday 21st November 11am - 4.30pm or at .ceramics

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing more of the founders, processes, and craftsmanship behind Clay Shed.

📷

07/09/2026

Members Nikki and Peter deep in making mode.
Showcasing some of our fantastic members, who make up our rich community of potters, makers, artists and researchers at Clay Shed.
📸 Jo Hounsome Photography

01/09/2026

As Clay Shed approaches eight years (I know, we can’t quite believe it either), it's a fitting moment to introduce the three founders behind our studio.

First up is Alice Shields

Alice holds an MA and BA (Hons) in Ceramic Design from Bath Spa University (). She has exhibited across the UK and internationally - including a shortlisting for the prestigious Westerwald Keramik Prize in Germany. At the studio, she coordinates our Clay Talks programme, teaches our beginners' throwing courses, and oversees day-to-day running and membership training.

‘I love the diversity of Clay Shed’s community and the different backgrounds, experiences and interests everyone brings. Their curiosity, generosity and willingness to share make it an exciting and dynamic place to work. It’s a privilege to nurture individuals as they develop their skills, confidence and ideas, while contributing to a kind and supportive environment.’

Alice makes work which explores themes of walking, materiality and sustainability which investigate the mapping of a place and our ability to form deep emotional connections to it.

Explore Alice’s work at or during our studio sale on Saturday 21st November 11am - 4.30pm

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing more of the founders, processes, and craftsmanship behind Clay Shed.

📷

30/08/2026

- LAST REMAINING SPACES - on our 6 week courses for September - December.

You can still sign up to the following courses beginning this autumn.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY
Designed for both beginners and experiences potters. Covering hand-building, wheel throwing and surface decoration techniques.
Taught by .studio
Begins Weds 16th Sept
Begins Weds 4th Nov

IMPROVERS THROWING
Already confident centering clay and throwing basic forms? Our improvers throwing course is designed for students with previous wheel -throwing experience who are looking to refine skills and improve consistency.
Taught by
Begins Tues 15th Sept
Begins Tues 3rd Nov
Begin Thurs 5th Nov

Courses include all materials, firings, tea and coffee.

Link in bio to book - 'courses'

13/08/2026

- Our AUTUMN TERM 6 week courses are selling out fast -

Join us in the shed this September - December.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY
Designed for both beginners and experiences potters. Covering hand-building, wheel throwing and surface decoration techniques.
Taught by .studio

Begins Weds 16th Sept (sold out)
Begins Weds 4th Nov (only 4 spaces left)

BEGINNERS THROWING
Suitable for complete beginners and those looking to refresh or practice foundation skills - our 6 week course offers a welcoming and supportive environment designed to build confidence and skills.
Taught by

Begins Weds 16th Sept (sold out)
Begins Fri 18th Sept (sold out)
Begins Weds 4th Nov (only 1 space left)
Begins Weds 6th Nov (only 3 spaces left)

IMPROVERS THROWING
Already confident centering clay and throwing basic forms? Our improvers throwing course is designed for students with previous wheel -throwing experiencewho are looking to refine skills and improve consistency.
Taught by

Begins Tues 15th Sept (only 4 spaces left)
Begins Thurs 17th Sept (sold out)
Begins Tues 3rd Nov (only 5 spaces left)
Begin Thurs 5th Nov (5 spaces left)

Book via our website.

04/08/2026

A collection of recent student's work from across our 6 week courses - including all levels, beginners and intermediate throwing.

We're so thrilled for our summer cohort of students and all they've achieved. Some really confident and unique styles coming out of the kiln.

Our Autumn term of courses are now available to book online - some have already sold out.

All Levels - £215
begins Weds 16th Sept (SOLD OUT)
begins Weds 5th Nov (only 5 spaces left)

Beginners Throwing - £265
begins Weds 16th Sept (SOLD OUT)
begins Fri 18th Sept (only 2 spaces left)
begins Weds 5th Nov (only 4 spaces left)
begins Fri 7th Nov (only 3 spaces left)

Improvers Throwing
begins Tues 15th Sept (only 4 spaces left)
begins Thurs 17th Sept (only 1 space left)
begins Tues 4th Nov (only 5 spaces left)
begins Thurs 6th Nov (only 4 spaces left)
begins Thurs 6th Nov (only 4 spaces left)

Book via our website.

14/07/2026

Multi Section Throwing with Jo Taylor
Day Two - and everything came together.

Working carefully, each participant assembled their individual components into a single, large-scale vessel; the result of two days of considered planning and precise throwing.

Jo demonstrated her signature wheel-made decorative sprigs - a technique closely tied to her own practice - before participants made their own using a selection of Jo's personal moulds. The seashell moulds were particularly popular, producing delicate, detailed forms well suited to the Rococo influenced surfaces already developing across the work.

Time was then spent considering the placement of the decoration; arranging sprigs, adding handles and embellishments, with participants thinking carefully about the form as a whole. These decisions required stepping back and looking at each vessel with a critical eye.

The finished work was impressive. Jo noted that the group were skilled practitioners who made significant progress across the two days - high praise and well deserved from a maker of her calibre.

We're very grateful to Jo for bringing such depth of knowledge and generosity to the weekend, and to the five participants who gave it their full attention.

07/07/2026

We're thrilled to welcome ceramic artist Nancy Fuller to Clay Shed for Traditional Handbuilding Techniques, a workshop grounded in wedging, pinching and the quiet, precise "millimetre work" that transforms a good form into a GREAT ONE.

Nancy draws on her long-term study with master potters across Asia to guide you through a holistic approach - one that considers your posture and presence as much as the clay itself.

Over two days you'll prepare, build, refine and complete a handbuilt vessel, with individual guidance throughout.

📅 Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September
🕐 10.30am–4.30pm each day
👥 Limited to 8 students
💷 £340 - only 5 spots left

Suited to makers with prior handbuilding experience.
Includes Materials, firing, tools, tea and coffee
Link in bio to book → 'Workshops'

📸 Nancy Fuller, Teppo Honkala

25/06/2026

Last weekend we were deighted to welcome Jo Taylor for a two day masterclass in multi-section throwing.

Day One opened with an artist's talk from Jo, offering an insight into her practice and the opportunity to handle her finished pieces - a grounding and intimate start to the weekend.

Our participants then designed their own vessels, each working through four to five individual sections- these would later be joined to create a single large scale form. Participants worked into the profiles with wooden and metal tools, adding playful C shaped curves and incised lines, embellishment drawn from Jo's interest in Rococo.

Everyone did a such a fanstastic job throwing their seperate vessels. Follow for Day Two - where the sections came together!

15/06/2026

- AUTUMN TERM DATES ARE LIVE - all of our 6 week courses beginning in September are now available.

ALL LEVELS POTTERY
Designed for both beginners and experiences potters. Covering hand-building, wheel throwing and surface decoration techniques.
Taught by .studio

BEGINNERS THROWING
Suitable for complete beginners and those looking to refresh or practice foundation skills - our 6 week course offers a welcoming and supportive environment designed to build confidence and skills.
Taught by

IMPROVERS THROWING
Already confident centering clay and throwing basic forms? Our improvers throwing course is designed for students with previous wheel -throwing experiencewho are looking to refine skills and improve consistency.
Taught by

Book via our website.

Address

Unit 6, Lawrence Hill Industrial Estate, Russell Town Avenue
Bristol
BS59LT

Website

http://www.clayshed.co.uk/

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