Friends & Family
Who is this for?
Group size: 3 – 8
Venue: Goring-on-Thames
Perfect for anyone who wants to celebrate with a splash of colour – whether it’s a birthday, hen do, anniversary, wellbeing session, reunion, or simply an excuse to get together with your favourite people.
These sessions are ideal for beginners. There’s no need for prior experience or artistic talent.
And they are just as rewarding for accomplished artists who might choose a more challenging illustration or design.
This experience also makes a wonderful gift for a special person. Contact us for a personalised voucher.
Please join us, Carry and Peter, in our tranquil home in Goring-on-Thames. Goring is a beautiful South Oxfordshire village on the River Thames, where it flows through the Chiltern Hills between Reading and Oxford. It is directly opposite Streatley in Berkshire, and a close neighbour to the villages of South Stoke, Woodcote, Wallingford and Pangbourne.
Driving: There is driveway- as well as free on-street parking
By train: The house is a 5-minute walk from Goring & Streatley Rail Station
By bus: Reading Buses and Going Forward Buses both serve the village
Mondays to Saturdays
As long as the session is available, we can host your special party on any day, Monday to Saturday. There are three sessions a day to choose from, and each one lasts three hours – giving you plenty of time to finish decorating.
Morning Mindfulness: 10am – 1pm (includes teas and coffees or soft drinks, and a small selection of muffins or cookies)
Afternoon Art in Action: 2pm – 5pm (includes teas and coffees or soft drinks, and a small selection of snacks)
Evening Chill Time: 7pm – 10pm (includes soft drinks or one bottle of bubbly, and a selection of nibbles)
You are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks if you prefer.
Planning:
Simply gather a group of 3-8 friends
Decide on a date and time
Make a booking
On the day
Arrive to a warm and friendly welcome. You needn’t bring anything at all. All the equipment and refreshments will be provided.
Tips:
The glazes do wash off, but it’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothes that you aren’t too precious about.
You might want to come along with some design ideas in mind. If you don’t have any, that’s absolutely fine – we will be here to guide you, and there will be plenty of examples to inspire you.
When we’re settled and ready, each person will choose their own pre-made pottery PLATE to decorate.
Spend a few happy hours absorbed in planning and decorating your plate, with guidance on-hand should you need it. You can draw or sketch your design onto the plate before starting on the painting, or dive right in with the underglazes.
You will be individually guided throughout the process, from choosing your theme or pattern and colour scheme to sketching this onto your plate, and decorating with the underglaze paints.
Afterwards
When you have left and your works have dried, we will coat them with a transparent overglaze, and fire them in a kiln heated to 1220C. The firing process will deepen and brighten the colours, fusing them into the clay and making the plates strong and water resistant.
The finished plates will be ready for collection within 7-10 days. (If you are unable to pick them up, they can be posted for an extra charge.)
‘We loved every minute!’
‘I can’t believe I painted that myself!’
‘The best morning I’ve had in ages …’
‘I could get used to this’
Pricing
£50 per person
This includes studio time of up to 3 hours, your plate (or other pottery item), all underglazes and equipment, basic refreshments, and kiln firing.
It doesn’t include delivery or Post & Packaging, but this can be arranged if required.
Payment terms
Bookings are secured with a £10/person deposit. The outstanding balance is due 48 hours prior to the party.
We do our utmost to make sure your experience is comfortable and enjoyable. However, the final part of this journey involves the glazing and firing of your pottery which, unfortunately, is not an exact science. Kilns, glazes and materials can be unpredictable.
Your brushwork and colours mightn’t turn out the way you envisage.
What’s more, perfection in firing is not always possible. Glaze spotting can occur as well as things like brick dust on the items. This is the charm but also the frustration of working with ceramics.
In the exceptional event of your pottery breaking or cracking in the kiln, we will offer a £30 refund on that piece, or a replacement voucher in lieu.
Materials & Skin Sensitivities
All ceramics and painting materials will be provided on the assumption that there are no allergies to these materials. Equipment and materials used during the event are at the guest’s own risk.
Paints, glazes, ceramics, brushes, and other materials are provided for creative use. While labelled non-toxic where applicable, they may still cause irritation, allergic reactions, or staining.
Guests are encouraged to wear aprons and gloves if they have sensitive skin or known allergies.
By participating, you accept that you are responsible for your own interaction with materials and that the organisers are not liable for any allergic reactions, sensitivities, or damages to clothing or belongings.
Food allergies
Food and drink consumed during the event are at the guest’s own risk
While we take care to provide a safe environment, we cannot guarantee that any food, drink, or snacks present will be free from allergens (including nuts, dairy, gluten, soy, etc).
Guests are solely responsible for managing their own dietary needs and allergies. If you have severe allergies, we strongly recommend bringing your own food/drink.
By participating, you agree that the organisers are not liable for any allergic reactions or health issues related to food or drink consumed during the session.
If there are minor food allergies, please let us know so we can cater accordingly.
If there are any serious or life-threatening food allergies, please bring your own drinks and snacks.
Cats and dogs
A cat and a small dog live on the premises. If anyone in your party is allergic to cats or dogs, please use your discretion in choosing this experience. We cannot guarantee an absence of cat or dog hair or dander. (Likewise, if any member of your group has a fear of cats or dogs, please let us know, so we can keep them out of the area.)
This experience is designed to be fun, relaxing, and creative. Guests may bring their own alcoholic beverages if they wish, however, they must drink responsibly.
By attending, you acknowledge that any alcohol you consume is at your own risk
With the exception of one bottle of fizz at an evening session, we do not provide or sell alcohol and cannot be held responsible for the effects of alcohol consumption.
Excessive drinking, disruptive behaviour, or conduct that poses a risk to yourself or others will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if necessary.
Guests are responsible for arranging safe transportation and must not drive under the influence.
By participating, you agree that you are solely responsible for your actions and release the organisers from any liability related to alcohol consumption during the event.
Thank you for helping us keep the session safe, fun, and inspiring for everyone!
If anyone in your party has a disability including a wheelchair user, please let us know in advance so we can best cater for their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely. I will email you a personalised voucher that you can forward on to the recipient or print out and give them in person.
Not at all. No experience is needed, and full guidance is given. If you paint or draw regularly, you might like to choose a more challenging design.
Yes! Art is for everyone. This is all about doing something engaging and fun with a group of your favourite people.
Eight people can fit comfortably. Any more would be a squeeze.
Not usually, but get in touch – perhaps we can work something out.
Yes, if you’ve seen something you’d like to work on, let me know and, if it’s available to order in, I’ll happily do that.
The glazes do wash off, but it’s always advisable to wear an overshirt, or comfortable clothes you aren’t too precious about.
Food: You can bring your own food, but if you do, please also bring your own serving dishes. If it’s a cake for example, please bring the candles, matches, knife, paper plates and napkins.
Alcohol: You may also bring your own alcoholic beverages (in moderation). Please read the section above.
Materials: If you might be sensitive to any of the materials used in the painting of ceramics, please read the Allergies section above.
Food and drinks: If there are minor food allergies in your party, please let us know so we can cater accordingly. If there are any serious or life-threatening food allergies, please bring your own drinks and snacks. For more information, please read the Allergies section above.
Cats and dogs: A cat and a small dog live on the premises. If anyone in your party is allergic to cats or dogs, please use your discretion in choosing this experience. We cannot guarantee an absence of cat or dog hair or dander. (Likewise, if any member of your group has a fear of cats or dogs, please let us know, so we can keep them out of the area.)
Yes, Alexa is in the room if you’d like to make requests.
Think what the item is to be used for. Think who you are painting it for and what they like. Think about your/their favourite things and colours. If you are still at a loss, I will have lots of ideas and examples to inspire you.
I will have a backup, but will need to charge you (at cost) for the replacement item.
In the exceptional event of your pottery breaking or cracking in the kiln, we will offer a £30 refund on that piece, or a replacement voucher in lieu.
You can’t know for certain because the glazing and firing of pottery is not an exact science. Kilns, glazes and materials can be unpredictable. Your brushwork and colours mightn’t turn out the way you envisage. Glaze spotting can occur as well as things like brick dust on the items.
If you really can’t get back to fetch them, I can package them and arrange to have them posted. The cost will depend on the size and quantity of the items.