Training & Courses

Hobby Ceramicraft offer training and courses throughout the year both for newcomers to the trade and for more experienced ceramists who are interested in increasing their knowledge.

Our weekend "Introduction to the Business of Paint Your Own Pottery" course is the ideal starter course if you are looking at starting up in the contemporary ceramics business. This two-day course takes the worry out of starting up a ceramic cafe or mobile pottery painting business. Let Jane and Matthew give you the benefit of over two decades of experience with ceramics - not just showing you how it's done, but also how to make the most of the business opportunity, taking you through the different business scenarios, how to prepare for opening your own business.

You'll learn what equipment to use, including the all-important kiln!

Taking this course gives you the peace of mind to know that you have had the best possible preparation. This can avoid costly mistakes in the early days, and give you the kick-start you need!

Courses are held over a weekend at our studio in Hampshire. Both days start at 9:00am. On the Saturday we usually go on until 6pm, and on the Sunday around 4pm, as we know that some attendees will have a long drive home! The atmosphere is relaxed and open, so you can ask any questions you like without feeling awkward. A pub lunch is included on both days, so you should be able to get to know the other participants well. We encourage people to stay in touch after the course so you can benefit from each other's experiences.

The course costs £170 per person (including all materials used and a pub lunch on both days). We take a non-refundable deposit of £90 to secure your place, and the balance is payable on the day. You will have the chance to purchase the equipment and materials you will need to start off at a discounted rate when you attend the course. You can pay by credit card or Paypal over the phone or by clicking on the buttons below. Make sure you give us all your contact details. We look forward to hearing from you!

• January 28th - 29th 2012
• March 10th & 11th 2012

To ask a question about the "Introduction to the Business of Paint-Your-Own-Pottery" course, please click here

As well as our starter course, we offer training days throughout the year covering other subjects, including slip-casting, working with clay, using speciality glazes, and many more. As part of our commitment to helping your business grow, we also arrange special events where we invite teachers over from the U.S. to show us some of the latest and most exciting developments within this unique craft. The next such event as you can see below is a Mayco Hosted 'Pottery Camp', scheduled for this May. If you are an existing studio or perhaps considering starting up a new studio, and already have a basic grounding in the principles of ceramic decorating, do consider attending one of these very special events!
If you are ready to begin your business, yet are unable to attend one of our events, never fear, we are happy to arrange for an event to be hosted in your studio, please contact us for more details on indivdual consultations.

Mayco has been serving this industry since 1954, and continues to develop and manufacture the finest products for this unique market. Each project within the Pottery Camp has been carefully considered to be equally, easy to create, as it is beautiful when finished. Teddy Wright will be flying over in May to host another one of these ever popular events at our studio in Hampshire. Giving you a fabuluous set of insipiring new projects, along with sound business advice, to take back to your studio.

We want your business to grow, so we travel all over the globe bringing you the newest trends, product knowledge, retail management, and techniques that create promotional opportunities. You won't find this from any other manufacturer than Mayco.

We are really excited about the 2012 projects. Please save the date and join us for two days of Imagination, Inspiration, Education and a whole lot of fun!

When: May 15th and 16th, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Who Should Attend: Studio owners, managers and key staff.

What to bring: Why not share a technique that has been successful in your studio using Stroke & Coat, Foundation Glaze or a Crystal glaze. If you want, bring along a simple technique that you have had success with, and share with the other attending studios. The more people that attend, the more you benefit. Feel free to bring a camera to take pictures of the displays and future projects.

Click below to book your place. Bring another member of your staff for a discounted attendance fee!