Welcome!

This long established workshop is rethinking itself into a CERAMIC CAFÉ.

The pots won't change but we invite visitors to watch, to learn, to chat over a coffee, to have-a-go, and perhaps to buy.

JOHN RIVERS is the potter, who has built his own gas kiln and digs his own clay locally.

PAT SMITH is the gentle presiding presence and occasional chef.

John pots to show and sell.

John and Pat run occasional courses: Saturday and weekend schools.

Pat has a real job, but also works in textiles and loves cooking.

Please follow the links above to discover more about Riddings Pottery.

Contact us at: riddingspottery@hotmail.com

News

In October 2005 twenty five 'Northern Potters' took over the OXO Tower Gallery on London's South Bank for what proved to be a very successful show. John was the 'top' seller among the exhibitors and enjoyed the experience but the time/costs/sales equation was still daunting. The NPA have been invited back for 2007 but he's opting out... tho' keen to hear of a good week-end fair/sales-point in London or to get the NPA into the South Bank Complex for a future show. Any suggestions from our readers in cyber-space?

John will be showing/selling at Birmingham's Mac centre in Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston on Sunday November 18th and Sunday December 9th (both from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.)

We've now posted 2007/2008 week-end course dates. - See COURSES.

We are now in a position to offer a week-long course. - See COURSES.

As to his work, John likes to feel it's always developing. The elusive 'copper red' glaze is a bit more biddable now though firings are going ever higher: up to cone 10 in gas.

He found a gorgeous poster showing all 26 letters and all 10 basic numbers photographed on butterfly or moth wings where they've evolved by chance - in fabulous colour configurations. A lot of recent pieces have been attempts to create glaze patterns along these lines. That, and the Hubble space photos are 2 pretty substantial challenges!

DO MAKE CONTACT.