About Jane (and Bertie)

This is Jane….

I fell in love with pottery when I was 20. It all started with a Raku workshop at a festival – it was a magical warm summer evening, I had moddled a small figurative sculpture the day before and watched transfixed as it emerged from the kiln at 1000 degrees, glowing bright orange, then plunged into sawdust it was smoky and alchemical, a transformation from soft clay to shimmering coppery iridescence… It was an enchantment and I was hooked.

I went on to study at Bath Spa University where I attained a BA hons and also an MA in Ceramics. I have been pottering about the studio for about 19 years, using a wide variety of clay techniques but specialising in hand building, particularly slabbuilding. Often pushing the boundaries and exploring the material with the greatest of enthusiasm, I am a bit of a rebel potter and I encourage my students to let go and enjoy the ride with this very special medium.

I have developed a range of high-quality pottery products and studio equipment during 2020 including the innovative Pigment Free Underglaze Medium and High Pigment Decorating Slips that I make by hand in small batches here in Wiltshire. You will also find lovely plate moulds that are hand made locally and lots of other nice things you might need in your pottery space – all available to buy in the POTTERY SHOP.

I run inspiring pottery workshops and regular classes in my studio and also via zoom, make YouTube pottery videos, and also lead mobile multi media art workshops, including life drawing, for schools, museums and other organisations and groups.

Jane Scott leaving her studio with a tray of part glazed ceramic cups that have been made by students on a pottery workshop near Bath uk

portrait of the pottery studio dog, Bertie, who helps to run her ceramics workshops in wiltshire uk

This is Bertie….

Bertie is the studio dog – a fine example of a beautiful full coated Border Terrier.

He is super friendly. He will bark when you arrive but he’s just telling you that he is super excited to meet you. He likes to lick your legs – Don’t be alarmed, be flattered he has chosen your legs to lick.

Bertie is well known for being very vocal, he will ‘talk’ and make cute snuffle noises especially if you talk to him and give him a pat.

You can give Bertie a snack if you like. He is keen on most doggie treats, but be warned – if you do treat Bertie to a little something he will NEVER forget and will get excited to see you and sit for you EVERY time he sees you – hoping for another treat!

Sometimes Bertie likes to lie down in the studio – right in the way, and he does look a bit like a chunky doormat so occasionally he gets stepped on! But apart from that he lives a very happy life here in Corsham and everyone seems to be very fond of him.

If you would like to meet Bertie come and do some pottery here and if you need a friend for life, bring a snack.

Catherine West

17:21 16 Sep 24

I booked a 1•1 pottery wheel experience for my daughter. Jane was amazing and extremely knowledgable, and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the hands on session with Jane’s guidance. Would definitely recommend

Vicki Plomer

15:08 18 Aug 24

A beautiful afternoon making a pot and understanding great pottery techniques. Very welcoming and knowledgeable.

Paula Wheatcroft

06:49 16 Aug 24

Really enjoyed my 1:1 2 hour with Jane. Jane is very patient and explains everything very clearly. Would recommend.

Jenny Wiltshire

21:39 09 Aug 24

I had the pleasure of a two hour private tuition with Jane, which I enjoyed immensely. Jane is an excellent teacher, friendly, patient and her instruction and explanations are clear and easy to understand. I threw my first pot and decorated it and would love to explore this further. A lovely, mindful experience which I thoroughly recommend.Thank you 😁

Adam thomas

13:25 31 Jul 24

Great fun and learning day. Jane shares her extensive knowledge that goes well beyond the scope of the course, so I picked up lots of tips and ideas as well as the printing, layereing and laminating. Would thoroughly recommend

Polly Holbrook-bull

20:12 16 Jul 24

We went to Jane for my Hen do and had a brilliant time. Organising the day was made easy by efficient communication. She was fun and welcoming and obviously very knowledgeable. We all made a pot with Jane’s help and had a lot of fun and giggles throughout the morning.Thank you Jane.

Ella Hayward

20:29 05 Jul 24

I had a great 2 hour session with Jane today for one-on-one throwing tuition and totally loved it. She was clear, encouraging and patient and guided me through throwing a pot explaining the process, technical details and had loads of helpful tips and insights. Incredibly knowledgeable and passionate teacher. Highly, highly recommend!

Karen Reilly

07:53 23 Jun 24

Attended Jane’s workshop - Laminating &Printing on clay on 22/6/24 and what an excellent day. Jane is very welcoming along with Bertie the dog who greeted us at the gate. Jane’s style of teaching puts you at ease from the get go. She demonstrates the process and allows you to be as creative as you wish. I am delighted with what I achieved for my first experience with clay. I would highly recommend this workshop, you will not be disappointed. Thanks again Jane and look forward to collecting the final pieces.

Siobhan Randall

12:53 01 Jun 24

Had a wonderful 2 hour session with Jane. As a complete novice I was unsure what to expect but Jane made me feel totally at ease and has a wonderful teaching style. I was thrilled with my finished result after my first session.

Priya Gofton

11:25 31 May 24

Lovely morning spent with Jane learning how to throw a gorgeous pot and decorate it. Jane was super patient, a great teacher with a warm and friendly manner. I will definitely be booking again.

Anne Watkis

13:12 20 May 24

I had a private class with Jane today, 20th of May 2024. I’ve only been learning pottery about 6 months. It was a really wonderful two hours. Jane is so easy to learn from. I made 3 press mould dishes and Jane was so patient with me. I am delighted with the results. Jane also gave me practical tips like how to hold the potters knife and how to achieve rounded edges when finishing off. Jane shared her knowledge about potting in general. Her studio is spacious and comfortable. I came away from the lesson full of confidence, ready to implement the learning. I am going to book other sessions with her.

Fred Hope

09:54 20 Apr 24

Remember the best teacher you had at school? For whatever reason you remember them as outstanding, you probably remember every syllable they ever uttered to you, every minute they spent on or with you; you likely consider your life unequivocally better for the time you spent with them. Jane is that teacher for ceramics.I booked a morning of pottery for a friend's birthday. We all agreed it was an absolutely brilliant way to spend a Sunday morning. We arrived almost clueless and left having made something we were proud of, something we can't wait to see glazed and finished, something we can't wait to use and show people. It is a wondrous feeling to go from unable to having learned something.Jane's workshop is literally and figuratively warm. The majestic log burner belches out heat and Jane warmly welcomes you to the studio that is also her home. Effortlessly, Jane learns names, asks questions, remembers things about each attendee; everyone feels valued and accommodated.Within the time constraints we had, each plain slab of clay was transformed into a wildly different vessel. Each of us felt nurtured, encouraged and free to try whatever we liked. More than just turning a flap of clay into something you can quaff coffee from, you focus on nothing else.We all left feeling calmed, peaceful and happy. In focusing on, caring for and developing something so simple as a flat slab of clay into a usable vessel, you have no time or head-space for anything else. Phones? No. Work worries? No. The state of the world? No.If someone suggested you could go to Corsham for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning to make a cup and emerge feeling entirely better than you did, you'd doubt them at best and probably tell them where to go... You can!Jane is a person you feel lucky to have been taught by and wish all teachers were like. I'd go back and do the same again. I'd go back and do something else. I'd recommend it to anyone, even sceptics. Very little goes on your headstone and the really important things are those you remember. I'll remember making a cup with Jane very vividly. An added bonus is that I did it with friends and have something to show for it.I challenge you to find the time, spend the money, make the thing and regret it - you won't.

Pete Wood

19:16 14 Apr 24

Had a 2 hour session with Jane, she's an amazing teacher, very hands on session and Jane's explanations of the processes gave me a good understanding of what we was trying to achieve. I enjoyed it so much I've signed up for a regular class. Thank you Jane you're brilliant. Throughly recommend to anyone who's interested.

Robert Narbett

09:17 10 Apr 24

Jane made us feel very welcome and it was a really informative and great introduction to pottery.

Louise Collins

22:08 26 Mar 24

I booked a private tuition session with Jane as I needed help with a personal project.Jane is so friendly and knowledgeable, and made me feel right at home in her studio.She has helped me plan this project and made me feel confident in what I am doing, and I am really looking forward to continuing my pottery journey with her support.I definitely recommend booking a session if you are thinking of getting into pottery.

Abigail

13:14 25 Mar 24

Loved my first ever try at hand building with Jane. It was great fun and I loved it!

Avril Clark

07:15 24 Mar 24

I booked in for a couple of hours of tuition with Jane and I threw my first ever pot on the wheel. Jane is a fantastic teacher and I would highly recommend her. She’s very clear with her instructions and reassuring all the way through the process. I found working with the clay to be very therapeutic and quickly switched off all other thoughts. I am so pleased with my bowl and it will be used everyday. Thanks Jane

Ingrid Sidmouth

15:50 22 Mar 24

Jane is a brilliant teacher! She carefully broke down each step in the process of throwing a cylindrical pot and made it manageable, achievable and really enjoyable. I would thoroughly recommend her 1-1 tutorials.

Megan Gibson

17:55 18 Mar 24

Had a lovely 2 hour private tuition session with Jane and absolutely loved it! I'd never thrown on the wheel before and I managed to throw a pot! Really easy steps to follow, and Jane lets you do it all yourself, which I found was a great way to learn.

Meryl Lakin

15:56 17 Mar 24

Pottery Brunch was quite the loveliest way to spend a Sunday morning! Perfect in every way, brilliantly guided ceramic bottle making session and a brunch to gladden the heart in delightful company. Just go, you won't regret it ♥️

Bev Hudspith

14:20 17 Mar 24

Fabulous pottery brunch, utterly brilliant! Lovely teaching, very inspiring and delicious food 🤩

Diana Gill

14:19 17 Mar 24

sheralyn coates

20:45 15 Mar 24

Brilliant session learning to throw. Jane is so patient and her explanations are really clear. Great sense of achievement in producing my pot (with a bit of help!). Will be back for a course. Highly recommended.

Judith Baker

16:59 15 Mar 24

Spent a 1:1 2hr. pottery throwing session with Jane yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. She has a clear and relaxed teaching style that enables you to produce an impressive pot by the end of the session. The studio was light and bright with an effective wood burner to keep you warm. Looking forward to picking up my creation after firing.

Margaret Hatherell

17:12 09 Mar 24

We had a great morning with Jane yesterday. She gave very clear instructions and guided us through the process of throwing a pot. We both had a real sense of achievement at the end. Jane was friendly and encouraging. We would definitely recommend her. The studio was a warm, calm space and has parking right outside.

Jayne Erickson

16:21 08 Mar 24

We had a fantastic 2 tuition, it was amazing

Russell Martin

19:37 04 Mar 24

Fabulous day learning about and playing with oxides. Jane makes it so easy and such a laugh!

Mckenty Surveying

13:54 03 Mar 24

Had a throw down class today. It was great fun and Jane was brilliant. Highly recommend it.

T EDGINGTON

12:03 26 Feb 24

Excellent, absolutely perfect session

Rowena Van Rensburg

16:41 25 Feb 24

My mum and I have just spent the loveliest 2 hours hand building a beautiful pot, under Jane’s expert supervision. We did not imagine we’d be able to create anything like we did. We fully recommend the private tuition, and had such a great time, I’m thinking of signing up for the regular classes. Thank you Jane!

Jason Richardson

20:27 28 Jan 24

Absolutely brilliant day! Jane is a wealth of knowledge, the course teach a range of techniques using slips which I will definitely carry forward in what I make! If you are looking for a surface decoration course in ceramics, look no further!! Will definitely be back!

Chris Eley

22:14 14 Jan 24

We both loved the lesson with Jane today - such a great thing to step out of normal life for a while and learn something new and creative. Jane is a great teacher - warm, patient and knowledgeable and made us both feel at ease. We were so pleased with pots we managed to create using the wheel. Thanks Jane

Chris K

16:33 11 Mar 23

Jane was a great teacher, very patient and clear instruction. Under her guidance we both threw our first pot with great success. It was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend others try it!

Dave Webber

07:05 31 Aug 21

Brilliant, really helped me sort out the basics for throwing. Great studio / facilities and a Brilliant teacher.

Henry Brooks

12:44 23 Feb 21

Bought as a present for my mothers birthday, Jane was kind enough to send express to get it there on time! Excellent service. Thank you.

Steven Jenkins

16:34 19 Oct 20

Great place to learn ceramics!

Suze Mac

17:27 16 Oct 20

What a lovely way to spend a birthday safely with friends under the gentle and wise tuition of Jane - so lovely to have a Clay Day in the Potting Shed ... will be back again soon x

Daniel Allsop

16:35 25 May 20

Had a fantastic zoom session with Jane, then when we dropped off our pottery to be fired we ended up buying a couple of pots/vases as they were just so beautiful!

Robin Worrall

14:23 19 Mar 20

Possibly one of my most favourite memories ever. What’s not to love about a hands on creative clay class followed by the most sumptuous and delicious vegetarian brunch... literally heaven 😍

Rebecca “Scoobsinthetrap” Bosher

23:59 26 Nov 19

My boyfriend and I did a pottery workshop for our one year anniversary and it was so lovely. Jane was a great teacher and we had a great laugh!Would recommend to everyone!

Toni Hovey

12:54 23 Nov 19

Have just completed two wonderful workshops making bowls and then Christmas decorations. Such fun and so relaxing to get creative with clay. Jane is a fantastic teacher and I would really recommend her workshops..

lynn franklin

17:15 04 Sep 19

Jane is brilliant at teaching and guiding choices and rescuing disasters! These are pieces i made when i first started, no experience at all but alot of enthusiasm. I love the self directed learning style. We laugh alot, learn and relax. Brilliant sessions.

Dave Williams

08:12 19 Jul 18

Jane has a fabulous easy going coaching style of teaching. I have never handled clay in any form before but Jane enabled me to throw a couple of creditable pots on her wheel within a couple of hours... all my own work. A fantastic experience. Thanks Jane

Miss Scott

19:53 19 Jun 18

I brought my son to do a jug work shop and we both had a wonderful time with this hands on creative workshop. Jane is lovely, very kind and attentive, guiding us through the creative process and even making tea along the way! The workshop was a cosy space filled with Jane’s amazing ceramics and we were both so proud of our beautiful unique creations when they were finished, we will treasure them forever!! Would definitely recommend this to anyone old or young, we will certainly be back for more!!

About Jane (and Bertie)

This is Jane….

This is Bertie….

Jane Scott Ceramics