Clay has many qualities. This is something I learnt when I started as a pottery student in Tonbridge, Kent almost thirty years ago. Examining the work of other potters keeps me exploring new methods and new shapes. I try hard not to make direct copies of other potters' work but their ideas push me to create new themes in my own work.

I've been tutoring for over 16 years in a variety of studios but now I only take classes in my own workshop in Coleford Pottery, in Tonbridge, Kent. I've called it Coleford Pottery because the house I live in was named Coleford House, long before I moved here. My classes are small so that I'm able to give individual tuition. All aspects of clay construction are covered including handbuilding methods, wheel work and the many types of decorative techniques. I hope that I can give students the confidence to succeed in using their own creative skills to make their choice of ceramic items using the endless possibilities which clay offers.

My own work is mostly wheel thrown but I do make slab and coil pots. I make individual items which means that if I'm repeating a particular shape, like a set of bowls, these not identical but similar. I enjoy experimenting with all types of surface effects including using coloured slips, underglaze colours, glass and new glaze recipes. I create different textures by impressing, carving or applying thin layers of clay to make surface patterns. Each year I take part in South East Open Studios in Four Elms near Edenbridge.The last three years I have exhibited with the Kent Potters in the Art in Clay Festival at Hatfield House in August, and in the Maltings at Farnham, in November. This year I took part in the Wrotham Arts Festival where I was delighted to receive First Prize for Best Ceramics. If you look at the Gallery page of this website you will see some of the work I make.

© 2010 Liz Stace