young potter proud of her pot at eastnor pottery and the flying potter taking part in hey clay 2019

Hey Clay 2019

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young potter proud of her pot at eastnor pottery and the flying potter taking part in hey clay 2019

Each year we take part in a FAB free event called Hey Clay.

The initiative is organised by The Crafts Council as part of the BBC’s Get Creative campaign and shines a spotlight on public participation in all things pottery and clay!

Hundreds of organisations across the UK throw open their doors, hosting thousands of free events and workshops. We’ve been involved with Hey Clay ever since it’s inception in 2015 and every year we invite individuals and families the Pottery to make a pot on the potter’s wheel for free.

No less than 120 visitors spread over three days crossed the threshold here at Eastnor Pottery and took a spin on the wheel. Here are just a few of them!

hey clay participant makes a pot at eastnor pottery as part of free hey clay eventfamily photo of family making pottery at hey clay at eastnor pottery in herefordshire west midlandsthumbs up from hey clay participant at eastnor pottery and the flying potter

 

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workshop participant at eastnor pottery proud of her pot made on the potter's wheel

Creativity & Well-being

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Just over a week to go to the amazing FREE HeyClay event and BBCGetCreative (one of the partners) have published an article about creativity and well being carried out by BBCArts. Definitely worth a gander and you can even take a test to see how best to maximise your own well being through creative pursuits.

Here’s the article:

Good news for those juggling time pressures in today’s busy, modern life. According to research commissioned by BBC Arts, even the briefest time spent on a creative pastime such as painting, pottery or playing the piano has an impact on our wellbeing and emotions.

In the largest study of its kind, with almost 50,000 people taking part, last year’s Great British Creativity Test – in partnership with UCL – explored for the first time how creative activities can help us manage our mood and boost wellbeing.

Led by Dr Daisy Fancourt, UCL Senior Research Fellow and former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Thinker, the research shows there are three main ways we use creativity as coping mechanisms to control our emotions:

  1. A distraction tool – using creativity to avoid stress.
  2. A contemplation tool – using creativity to give us the mind space to reassess problems in our lives and make plans.
  3. A means of self-development to face challenges by building up self-esteem and confidence.

Trying new creative activities is particularly good for our emotions and wellbeing. The research found that getting hands-on with something new and creative is important regardless of skill level – it is the taking part that counts.

Constantly learning and trying new creative pursuits is also more beneficial, as the survey revealed that doing an activity for more than ten years means it can become less effective at regulating negative emotions.

and if you want to try making a pot on the potter’s wheel for FREE call us on 01531 633886 and we’ll book you in at some point over the 17-19 May HeyClay extravaganza here at the Pottery.

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hey clay participant makes a pot for free at eastnor pottery as part of the crafts council's and bbc get creative event

HEY CLAY! at Eastnor Pottery

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hey clay participant makes a pot for free at eastnor pottery as part of the crafts council's and bbc get creative event

crafts council event hey clay participant makes a pot for free at eastnor pottery in herefordshireHey Clay is back!

On May 17-19 we will again be offering individuals and families the opportunity to make a pot on the potter’s wheel for FREE! 

Hey Clay! is an annual, national event designed to increase participation in clay work and all things pottery. It’s organised by The Crafts Council and is part of the BBC’s Get Creative campaign.

We love Hey Clay and have taken part every year since it’s inception in 2015. It’s a brilliantly busy weekend and we get to meet lots of new people, most of which have never touched clay before.

Participants get to take their creations home on the day to dry and paint at home, or for a small fee, they can be left with us to be fired and glazed.

15 min slots are available through-out the three days but pre-booking is essential. Please tel 01531 633886 or email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk to reserve a place.

  

 

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Family make ceramic Daffodils at Eastnor Pottery in memory of beloved family member

Easter opening times

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Family make ceramic Daffodils at Eastnor Pottery in memory of beloved family memberWe’re closed Friday 19 – Monday 22 April. Back to it on Tuesday 23rd and have sessions starting at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm amd 3pm. Booking essential and you can reserve your session by calling 01531 633886 or email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our lovely customers a Happy Easter and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Pottery soon.

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Pottery Experience

Creative customers

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creative couple spend the day learning how to make pottery on the potter's wheel at eastnor pottery

Another post in our occasional series of “What our customers get up to when they’re not on the wheel”

Dan and Steph spent the day with us on our one day potter’s wheel workshop 16-2-19, making some very respectable vessels and shapes.

There is no apparent end to their talents and as well as proving themselves competent potters, the couple have a multitude of other creative strings to their bow.

Steph posts penny whistle tutorials, twice a week, online as well as producing and staring in promotional videos for businesses and organisations. Dan is a freelance sports journalist commenting on football, rugby, cricket and darts.

In their ‘spare time’! the pair act and produce in a theatre group too – Phew!

couple making pots on the potter's wheel at eastnor pottery herefordshire

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