'Clay is therapy' - We meet the owner of a Staffordshire pottery studio who teaches workshops and paint-a-pot sessions
From hand-building to wheel-throwing, clay offers endless possibilities for creativity. Pottery is one of our oldest art forms and remains a popular hobby today.
Caroline Farnell-Smith, who has spent 30 years perfecting her skills, runs The Pottery Cave, near Lichfield in Staffordshire, and offers a range of workshops for adults and children.
“I started pottery classes during school and continued this as a hobby during evening classes once I had left school.
“I continued with my education of clay and pottery through short courses, specialist training courses and I have been lucky enough to receive mentoring from master potters to perfect my knowledge and skills over the past three decades.
“Following completion of my teacher training qualification, I realised that my skill set was perfect for sharing my passion for pottery with others.
“I initially started teaching on a casual basis, in village/community halls before quickly realising how popular this art had become.
“I purchased a kiln in 2015 and connected with businesses across Stoke-on-Trent to secure the necessary equipment to expand and create a small hobby business within the heart of the Potteries, in Staffordshire.
“In 2020, I secured a small unit which became known as The Pottery Cave, Clay Studio. This was expanded in 2023 with the addition of The Pottery Cave, Paint a Pot studio now based at Curborough Hall Countryside Centre,” says the 54-year-old.
