Sphere bowl, from artistic range
(15" diameter, 7" deep) |
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. We have produced a video so you can find out more about us. 
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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. |
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Carafe Set, from domestic range
(12" carafe, 6 goblets) |
To navigate the webpages click on the button to the left of the page heading, ie 'Courses'. Contact us at: riddingspottery@hotmail.com NewsSORRY FOLKS. This page has been "an unseeded garden" for too long. We've had health problems within the extended family this year, and the increased inertia of getting older! John had to miss the SCOTTISH POTFEST in its changed venue at Stirlings' new Agricultural Centre, and the Derbyshire "Food and Drink Fair" at Kedleston Hall - both booked but alas they had to be cancelled on account of a health scare. He will be at the Edinburgh Festival as ever - August 16th - 29th ....the "3D/2D West End Craft Fair" at the West End of Princess Street - about 100 fine, varied craftspeople and something to interest every visitor; apart from the 600 odd shows at the Fringe Festival. He's the 'father of the House' at the Craft Fair, this being his 28th year, ever since it opened. Week-end CoursesWe've scheduled two in the pre-Christmas months. The summer is given over to making for Edinburgh and then a well-earned holiday. The proposed dates are October 9-10th and November 13-14th (see "Courses" for details, and "Visitors" for the uncensored comments of some who have attended).Recent PottingNothing revolutionary (at my age?!); but refinement of shapes, some new designs and new combinations of glazes (some inspired by the amazing Professor Brian Cox's series on the "Solar Systems" on T.V.). My old reliable cream/white glaze has inexplicably been playing up for 2 years and the 'copper red' likewise. The latter is always unpredictable but recently it's been as elusive as a yeti. One learns every day about how and how not to make pots. No potter ever knows it all.Pat is still working on her textile artworks and bags, Do call to see them, talk fabrics, or buy. One on-going project she is working on now is a hand sewn, double sized quilt which hopefully will be ready for next winter! She is also is often drawn into our garden during the summer, either to 'weed or read' - depending on the weather. |