Pinch-Pot Pumpkin Workshop at Ravn Clay Pottery – review

We tried something a little different and booked onto a pinch-pot pumpkin workshop at Ravn Clay Pottery studio in the pretty village of Ford, during our recent week away at the beautiful Northumberland coast.

The workshops at Ravn Clay Pottery run all year round and change with the seasons. They’re really popular – we missed out last year – so this time we made sure to book on our first day of the holiday for a Thursday afternoon session.

Beforehand, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at the nearby Post Office and Elsie had a quick play in the park, which set us up nicely for an afternoon of creativity.

---

Pinch-Pot Pumpkin Workshop at Ravn Clay Pottery

We arrived a little early but Keith, who runs the sessions, was really welcoming.

He let us have a look around the studio, choose our seats and pop on aprons ready for the clay fun to begin.

The sessions are nice and small – there were eight of us in total – which meant Keith could give everyone individual help and advice.

Steve helped Elsie with hers, so we all got to make our own pumpkins.

Keith began by showing us how to create a medium-sized pumpkin using the pinch-pot method, and then it was our turn.

I decided to go for a small one, while Elsie (with Steve’s help) made a medium one.

It was really therapeutic – working with the clay, shaping it slowly, and seeing our pumpkins take form.

Keith was always on hand if we needed a bit of reassurance or guidance, which made the whole process really enjoyable.

By the end of the 90 minutes, we had two unique little pumpkins that we can’t wait to see finished once they’ve been fired and glazed.

We all really enjoyed the workshop – it was relaxing, creative, and a great way to spend an afternoon together.

Elsie loved getting stuck in, and I think we’ll definitely treasure the pumpkins.

If you’re staying in Northumberland and fancy something a little different to do with the family, this workshop is well worth booking.

For prices, more information and to book a place, head to the Ravn Clay website.

Our pumpkins arrived on 18 September and were carefully packaged. Unfortunately there had been an error when they were glazed and Elsie’s pumpkin was a different colour – not the purple she had wanted.

Elsie was disappointed and keeps mentioning it as she walks past them on display in the living room but she’s proud of what she made.

We contacted Keith who was apologetic about the mistake and we understand that these things happen.

Despite this hiccup we enjoyed the workshop and would recommend it.

---

Pinch-Pot Pumpkin workshop details

The Pinch-Pot Pumpkin Workshops at Ravn Clay Pottery are family-friendly 90-minute sessions held in the Ravn Clay Classroom at the studio in the village of Ford.

Seats cost £6 to book, and then the final price depends on the size and number of pumpkins you make on the day.

Once finished, your pumpkins are fired and glazed.

You can either collect them later or have them posted out for a flat fee of £6 – which is what we chose.

---

Where is the Ravn Clay Pottery studio?

---

Pin this 

---

Other North East related posts

• Silver Ring Making Workshop at The Glamorous Owl
• Fused glass Christmas tree workshop at The Glass & Art Gallery Consett
• Christmas wreath making workshop

---

Keep in touch

You can also find me on Twitter @rachael_stray
Or follow my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rachaelstrayblog/
You can see my random pictures on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachys2011/
And see what I’m pinning on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rachaelstray/