New Throwing classes Raku firing January to April 2025

All my classes are held in my fully equipped North London Studio (See map below)

Thanks for visiting my website. The classes are very popular and fill quickly. To secure a place you will need to send a 50% deposit.  If you wish to keep updated its best to subscribe to the newsletter. 

If you are interested in throwing this winter/spring I will be having three one day throwing courses and a three day course on throwing with porcelain. In March there will be be a raku firing day where you can bring bisque fired pots to be glazed and fired on the day. There will also be a short taster course for anyone new to pottery who wants to give it a try. Details of dates , times and availability are all below. If you are interested please get in touch

All the best, Ricky

To find out more about the classes and workshops I offer, sale day’s or late availability subscribe below.

Throwing with Porcelain
7th 8th 9th April
10am to 4pm

This three day course is suitable both for intermediate to more experienced potters who would like more time to explore throwing with porcelain. I am limiting the class size to five participants so you will get plenty of attention and tuition. You will learn to use chucks to trim your pots and will be shown how to pay special attention to detail and finishing.
With all the throwing courses I offer a choice to come back on a glazing afternoon class or you can take any bisque pieces away after they have gone through a firing to glaze elsewhere. There are a wide range of glazes to choose from and plenty of test pieces to show how they look. The glazes in the studio are always evolving and being tested giving an exciting range of possibilties.
You will need to bring a towel and an apron and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £300

A deposit of £150 secures your place.
Tutor Ricky Grimes

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
full

One Day Throwing Course
15th February
10:30am to 4:30pm

The one day throwing course is open tor anyone whether a complete novice who wants to give throwing a bash or if you want a bit more time to improve. The studio is equipped with six wheels so you all will get individual tuition and lots of time to practice. Any pots you keep will be fired and dipped in a glaze for a small charge of £2.50 per item.
With all the throwing courses I offer a choice to come back on a glazing afternoon class or you can take any bisque pieces away after they have gone through a firing to glaze elsewhere.
You will need to bring a towel and an apron and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £110

A deposit of £55 secures your place.
Tutor Jenny

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
full

One Day Throwing Course
8th March
10:30am to 4:30pm

The one day throwing course is open tor anyone whether a complete novice who wants to give throwing a bash or if you want a bit more time to improve. The studio is equipped with six wheels so you all will get individual tuition and lots of time to practice. Any pots you keep will be fired and dipped in a glaze for a small charge of £2.50 per item.
With all the throwing courses I offer a choice to come back on a glazing afternoon class or you can take any bisque pieces away after they have gone through a firing to glaze elsewhere.
You will need to bring a towel and an apron and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £110

A deposit of £55 secures your place.
Tutor Ricky

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
1 space

One day throwing course
25th January
1030am to 430pm

This one day throwing course is a good introduction to using the potters wheel. You will be guided on clay preparation, centring and opening up to form shapes. No experience necessary so suits both beginners and anyone who wants to improve their throwing. If the weather is good the pots can dry sufficiently to be turned. Any pieces you decide to keep will be fired and glazed for a small charge of £2.50 per item.
You will need to bring a towel and an apron and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £110

A deposit of £55 secures your place.
Tutor Jenny Williamson

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
full

Taster session hand building With Clay
1st March
10am to 1pm

If you are completely new to working with clay this taster session is a great way to explore various hand building techniques. You can make small vessels, vases and sculptural pieces. From coiling , pinching and using slabs you can make lots of interesting things. Your pieces can be fired and dipped in a glaze for collection in a few weeks. Any pieces that you keep to be fired will have a small charge of £5 per kg of clay. Come and have fun.
You will need to bring a towel and an apron and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £60

A deposit of £30 secures your place.
Tutor Ricky

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
5 places

Raku firing
22nd March
10:00am to 4:00pm

When the temperatures start to fall and leaves begin to drop I find it the best time of year to do raku firing. An abundant source of leaves is great for covering the glowing pots as they get plucked from the kiln. The firing takes place in the allotment space at the side of the house. I have a range of glazes here that you can experiment with for dipping your bisque fired pots in. Its important to use a suitable clay body for the raku as it goes through very rapid heating and cooling and they often will crack due to the thermal shock. If you would like to experiment with naked raku techniques then its best to polish the green ware before bisque to give a more satisfying finish. You will need to bring suitable shoes especially if it rains as it could get muddy and a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. If you would like more information please get in touch.

Cost £110

A deposit of £55 secures your place.
Tutor Ricky Grimes

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Enquire
Full

Weekend and Weekly Courses

Weekday Courses

The weekday classes are small and friendly limited to 8 participants. They are very popular and participants get a chance to re enrol at the end of each term. For this reason spaces only become free very occasionally. I do not keep a waiting list. A wide range of glazes and clay are available.

Cost is £310 for the ten weeks with clay sold separately by the bag including firing and glazing.

Times

Mon 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Tue 9:15am to 11:45am
Tue 12:30pm to 3:00pm
Tue 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Wed 10:00am to 12:30pm
Wed 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Thur 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Please note that when you sign up for the ongoing courses you are committing to be there for the term. Classes cannot be transferred to other days to make up for times when you cannot attend. I also cannot issue refunds once the course has started.

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
All Fully Booked

Weekend Course - Throwing

The throwing classes are open to all levels and are a great way to make big improvements on your wheel ability. There are six wheels so spaces are limited and plenty of individual attention is guaranteed.

The classes run throughout the year.

Times are from 10:30am to 4:30pm and cost is £110 for a one day course. You can select up to three pieces at the end of the day to be fired and glazed.

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Click Here

Weekend Course - Raku Firing

The raku process is fast and exciting. There is something very satisfying about seeing the glazes melt and the kiln opening with glowing bright orange pots then covering with leaves and sawdust.

In the raku day classes you bring your own pieces to be fired. This is restricted to five small to medium pieces per person.
The next raku will not be until the autumn.

Times 10:30am to 4:30pm cost for the day £110. Limited to eight participants

Please read the course booking and cancellation terms and conditions.
Click Here

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Location Of Ricky Grimes Ceramics Studio

Directions to Studio 104 Alexandra Rd N10 2EX

The studio is off the main roads in a residential area in Muswell Hill next to the golf course and near the North Circular. It takes about ten minutes from the nearest bus stop to walk here. If driving there are usually spaces across from the house. I request that if you can to park here. Please do not block the driveway. If coming for the first time you will find, to the right of the house a gate. Follow the path around to the rear of the house and you will find the studio.

From Highgate Station catch bus 134 or 43 to Muswell Hill and get off at Wilton Rd stop on Colney Hatch Lane. Cross at the zebra crossing and follow Sydney Rd all the way to Oak Avenue. Turn right on to Oak Avenue then turn left at the top on to Alexandra Rd. 104 is about 200m down on your left

From Bounds Green Station catch bus 102 or 299 to Muswell Hill getting off at St Andrews Church. Cross here and take Windermere Rd to the end and turn left on to Grosvenor Rd. At the top of the road there is a barrier to prevent cars passing. You can either turn right down Forest Walk taking the footpath leading you on to Alexandra Rd, or continue down Wetherill Rd and turn right on Sydney Rd. From here follow directions above

From North Circular take junction for B550 signed Muswell Hill. Go in direction of Muswell hill then take second turn on left Hampden Rd. Follow all the way to the end then take a left on to Sydney Rd. At the end of Sydney Rd take a right on to Alexandra Rd and 104 is 300m along on the right.