About 

The Pottery Experience is a family run pottery cafe where you can paint ready-made pottery and learn to make your own pottery on the potters wheel, all whilst enjoying a nice cuppa and a sweet treat. We'll host your hen party, team building, children’s party or any other event you want to celebrate with us! We are here to welcome people of all ages and abilities, both from the local community and further afield, into the wonderful world of ceramics.

Meet the Team 

What a great bunch they are. Oh man, every single one of them is so utterly lovely, a pleasure to be around, and an all round good egg. They are the fabulous people you can rely on to ensure your pottery experience is a great one. (This is a little out of date, we’ll update the team one day).

Our Story

Here’s a bit of Pottery Experience back story to help you feel at home… 

Hazel + Oli met studying Sculpture in Brighton, where Hazel was working part time at the infamous Painting Pottery Cafe, and Oli was working as a hot tub salesman. As you may guess, one of their jobs turned into their dream lifestyle and the other merely a dream. Maybe they will install a hot tub in the kiln room one day. 

In the meantime, Oli started working as a web designer and all round handyman for The Happy Startup School. Yet another super inspiring business that helps people take the leap from doing a job that sucks, to building their lives around the things that matter to them - whether it’s starting a business that does good in the world or allows them to live the life they dream of. This was when the sparks started to fly for Oli, and he realised he wanted to start his own business, it took a little while longer and lots of convincing from Oli to get Hazel ready take the jump. After 8 years of managing The Painting Pottery Cafe, and absorbing everything Gill had learnt in her 20 years of running a super successful pottery cafe, Hazel finally felt ready to go it alone.

Flash forward past all the wobbles, pinterest boards and long days DIY to this gorgeous studio space in Jesmond which they launched as The Pottery Experience on 19th April 2019.

It's such a wonderful space that will continue to provide lots of lovely times for many years to come ❤️

[A special thank you to everyone who mucked in, mopped up tears and believed in us along the way - you helped make this wild dream a reality xoxo]

Now for the big questions: What is The Pottery Experience? Why does the world need it? And who is it for?

What?

We offer sessions to paint ready-made pieces of pottery, such as plates, bowls, mugs, and decorative items, as well as classes where people can have a go at making their own masterpieces on the potter's wheel. This is where The Pottery Experience really sets itself apart, making your own ceramic from scratch is an enormously valuable, truly unique and enchanting experience. We believe that exceptional customer service and great products in a welcoming environment is the key to creating an experience that our customers will return to time and time again, recommend to friends and gift to loved ones with vouchers.

Why?

Ceramics, especially making pots on the potter's wheel, can seem quite intimidating to most people as it requires specialist knowledge and equipment. At The Pottery Experience, we make ceramics as accessible as popping out to a restaurant for a delicious meal. Our experiences are designed for people who just want to have a go, with more advanced options available after they've fallen in love with ceramics and are returning to learn more with us!

In recent years there has been a huge swell in the popularity of ceramics, which has coincided with an increased awareness around mental health and wellbeing. As both a mindful activity and accessible creative outlet, time spent at The Pottery Experience meets both of these needs. Decorating and making pottery gets people out of their normal routine, gives them something to focus on and brings a sense of calm, joy and discovery as they explore their potential - feelings we now know carry huge mental health benefits.

Who?

We honestly believe that pottery should be accessible to all - whether you’re in need of a bit of ‘me time’, a catch up with friends, or to entertain the whole family - all are welcome. We pride ourselves on ensuring everyone, no matter their age or ability enjoys their experience and has something handmade and unique to take home and feel proud of.

On weekdays we meet mostly students, team building events, people on mid-week holidays and carers of young children. The studio is especially popular with the latter before events such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day when colourful little footprints are a must! Capturing baby footprints on pottery is the perfect easy gift and as soon as you do them for one family member - everyone wants one! We hope they will return year after year to capture their little one’s development - from tiny toes to hand prints, to abstract colourful masterpieces. Perhaps eventually we will start to meet the children and teens who visited as babies!

We encourage people who would like to make the most of our quiet and slower paced sessions to visit us on a weekday when we’re able to offer an even more relaxing environment.

On weekends the studio is bustling with groups of friends and couples spending quality time together. . We focus on helping groups connect and open up to each other, I have noticed that sitting down together in a creative environment is not only a relaxing activity, it also draws people away from their digital devices and helps to stimulate conversation. It is truly joyous to over hear people rallying for their companions who perhaps may not be overly confident in their creative abilities - it evokes a real sense of support and togetherness which is rather heartwarming to witness. These factors make The Pottery Experience the ideal spot for a family day out, a team building activity or a festive get together.

Whatever the reason they choose to visit, we will offer each of our customers a little slice of calm and creativity in their busy lives. We also offer a posting and packing service which allows tourists and visitors to take part too!

If you’ve made it this far you won’t mind a cheeky plug for Oli who also runs a graphic and web design business, and quelle surprise is responsible for all of ours. If you’ve got a need for some great design, give him a shout www.oliuwins.com