Do you want to set up your own mobile or contemporary studio/ceramic café? If the answer is Yes and you have the enthusiasm, we have the knowledge which will enable you to run a café studio totally independent of any kind of franchise

With 22 years experience of running studios, shops and wholesaling and retailing, we have put that knowledge together to help others to run a fun and lucrative business.

There are several ways for you to go about your training. Firstly the Complete Pottery Painting course, This covers 18 techniques which are all very different, but very easy to pass onto the café customers. The course is usually run over 3 weekends, 6 days in all. You do not have to do all three. This course is also a good way of topping up your own skills if you already run a café and is also great for staff training. Each model is the same level so in which order you do them does not matter.

Alternatively you may want to cover only the skills you need. For example hand and feet in clay and children skills only, a one to one can be arranged at your convenience.

A typical bespoke day will cover the use of kiln glazing skills, marketing tips and simple quick painting ideas to suit your chosen style for your cafe business. Fired Art Design is a bespoke training business only, so the course is undisturbed.

Addresses of where to buy kilns, colours and bisque direct from the distributors will be given, as we do not normally sell these materials.

All courses are all inclusive of ware, bisque, colour, glaze, firings, paperwork and lunch. All courses can either be run in Pontefract or at your own location.

Available courses at Fired Art Design Studio.

The Complete Pottery Painting Course

Three two day modules, usually at weekends.

Cost £125 per person per weekend from 9.30 to 4.30.

Bespoke Day on a “One to One” costs £150 from 9 to 5.30.

My interest in pottery was fostered whilst I was still in the womb when my Mother attended pottery classes whilst pregnant! So I think my love of this art form could be called congenital! My family were living out in Aden at the time and as a toddler I continued my interest by making mud pies in the dirt whenever it rained! On returning to the UK I chose pottery as a subject at school. On leaving school I attended Horticultural College where I developed my interest in botanical drawing. However, in need of my clay ‘fix', I also attended night courses in pottery. It was there that, due to my production figures being so high I was encouraged to buy my own kiln. And so my career began.

I have gained 9 colour line certifications and have written one certification for the industry. I have co-written ceramic books and pattern packs. I have work published on a regular basis in popular ceramics.

Through the years I have had a home studio and at times, an industrial studio running classes. I have retailed product, brushes etc. and also finished ware. I have also run a main street shop retailing gifts and running seminars on a day to day class' basis. I gave up the town shop three years ago to fulfill my need to teach, which I had already been doing for 3 years. In 2003 I taught for 20 weeks in the USA and have been at the Florida show for 5 years. Also, for the first time in September 2003 the Contemporary Show in Philadelphia. I teach on a regular basis at my studio, at the local boarding school and do seminars and children's parties.

I strive for good quality finished products and work in a number of quality glazed finishes – Duncan, Gare, Chroma Colour, to name but a few.

With the passion to spread knowledge from beginners to advanced students, I have joined a very much growing and open-minded company. We will be running classes on tube-lining (piping), teaching, blending of glazes, basket weaving, hand building fruits, flowers etc. and slab work, specializing in brush work both fired and in decorative art. We will be running certifications, stress busting courses and anything you want to avail yourselves from my 20 years experience!

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