Artists Comments
"I began my pottery adventure in January 2023 with friends, seeking a new creative hobby. It quickly became a significant part of my life, and I now find myself immersed in it almost weekly.
The process of transforming clay into something beautiful and functional is incredibly fulfilling. I love the creativity it allows, espcially with textures and carvings, and the way it relaxes me. Starting with no clear idea and ending with a piece I'm proud of is an amazing feeling."
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Amandine Street
"My CLAY journey began slightly unusually in Mexico when some corrupt police officer pulled us over in our rental car and made us pay a bribe. After that we didn't want to use the car so much and wanted to find something peaceful to do so found a local hand-building pottery class. I absolutely loved it so when i got back home i wanted to carry on. I was lucky enough to find Maria,, she taught me how to throw on a wheel, how to glaze and so so much more.. I'm still completely obsessed and CCLAY will now forever be in my life! I now have small wheel and kiln at home and am loving learning and producing."
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Emma Peak
"I began potting at Northernline Arts in December 2022,, and cannot recommend it enough!
Throwing, turning, glazing- the entire creative process is a joy. You get to create, get mucky, make gifts for family and friends, and you become part of a wonderful community of fellow potters. In addition to throwing, I also enjoy hand-building holly leaf and oak leafs bowls, and everlasting roses."
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Rachel Say
"I came with a group of friends to a Hen party event in February 2023 where we had a marvellous time decorating plates. Off course, when we arrived and saw the potter's wheels, we all wanted the 'Great Pottery Throwdown' experience so we booked a potter's wheel session with Maria and it has spiralled from there!​
2 hours most Saturday mornings making an alarming number off bowls, messing about with glazes and generally being creative is a brilliant start to the weekend and is a great way to de-stress, unwind and clear my mind after a week at work.
I love throwing on the wheel but I have also discovered the creativity involved in hand-building and the thrill of mixing glazes to see what the end results will be. Now the only issue is finding space to put all off my new bowls..."
Kirsten Burns
"I have been potting at Northernline Arts since February 2023 and I absolutely love it. I enjoy how working with clay combines both creativity and relaxation. Every session is fun and I learn so much from Maria, who is such a wonderful teacher.​
It is very satisfying throwing on the wheel or hand building, choosing the different glazes and decorating my finished pieces.
Having such an amazing pottery community here in Knaresborough makes me feel very lucky and it has been great introducing my son to it too. Even my puppy has become a pottery dog!"
Belinda Brearton
"A Canadian transplant to Knaresborough, I've always loved all things art. My first diploma was in Interior design and I have a minor in Fine Arts. In Canada, i started my own glass business but retired when i moved to the UK in 2021. Not to be deterred from being creative, I found Northernline Arts and began 'playing with clay' as i like to call it. I love my time in the studio learning new skills and trying new ideas"
Nicole Calvert-McKeag
"Early last year I booked a pottery throwing 'taster' course with Maria. It started off as a bit of fun, but i found it so addictive and have been attending sessions regularly ever since. Fortunately for me, her friendly supportive approach and continued encouragement has allowed me to progress to the point where i feel that I',m starting to produce some interesting pieces."
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Robin Hudson
"I began throwing pottery at Northernline Arts in October 2023 as a gift from my parents and since then it has become a big part of my daily life. The community here has enabled me to continue to develop my skills. Throwing pottery gives me a creative outlet after working as a therapeutic radiographer. I love to make things which i can use in daily life as well as gifts for family and friends. Since starting, I have recently been able to get my own wheel and bring my creativity home and make a mess of my kitchen with the help of Maria!"​
Grace Pollock
"I started potting at Northernline Arts as a birthday present from my wife in May 2023 and soon bbecame a regular.​
The process of taking a lump of clay and turning it into something is incredibly rewarding, especially when you exceed your own expectations. I love that there are also little happy accidents, or unexpected reactions, which can transform a piece in a beautiful way."
Jonathan Street
"I was quite afraid off the potter's wheel when I first came to an introductory session in November 2022, I had visions of clay flying everywhere. Now my weekly pottery session is like therapy. I love exploring all aspects from throwing through to glazing and enjoy making items i can share with family and friends."​
Deborah Yewdell
"I did my first taster session at the session at the studio at the end of 2022 and have been coming regularly ever since. I really enjoy hand-building and pattern painting and hope to produce a collection for sale in the future. The studio is a great place to come and see friends and lose yourself in some creativity."
Sarah Brophy
"My pottery journey began with a gift from my husband of a 2 hour taster session on the potter's wheel... nearly 3 years later and I'm still here!
The joy of creating bespoke pottery, coupled with the fascination and magic of glazing and all it's many effects are mesmerising. Definitely have a go!"
Anne Cherry
"From the minute you get your hands wet you are submerged into a world of creativity! Have never been this creative, this was a brand new experience for me and i absolutely love it. From hand-building to throwing, it is such a mindful activity that takes you away from everything else that is going on in life. Maria is such an amazing teacher and her fun and caring nature makes the studio a great place to be for those precious couple of hours of 'me time'. Having a hobby like this in my 40s has reminded me anything is possible, and perfectionism is not something to worry about. Some pots are brilliant, and some are a disaster- sometimes, it's about the journey, not the destination!"
Aisling Given
"I have been potting at Northernline Arts since February 2024. I've found it to be a fantastic outlet and even with limited skills and lots of guidance from Maria, I have been able to crate some fun little pieces that I am able to use at home for nibbles when I have parties. Maria is welcoming and very knowledgable and the other potters are friendly, making the whole experience relaxed and fun!"
Tina Johnson
"My mum gave me a gift voucher for Christmas and I haven't looked back since. Maria has helped me to improve my pottery skills and now I want to go whenever I get the chance."
Luke Brearton
"Pottery has always been a place for self-imposed time out for me. Time away from everyone needing me, asking questions. 2, 3 or 4 golden stolen hours to make useful, and hopefully beautiful things, to chat or be silent. If you can, I'd very much recommend stepping in these doors and finding some tranquil time with Maria."
Jenny Newall
"My pottery journey began in 2020 when Maria first started the studio. I started throwing on the potter's wheel but quickly discovered the art of hand-building, which has become my main art form. I started running my own hand-building workshops, which are all available in the creative clay workshops. I do, however, dabble in the wheel occasionally and hope to develop my skills in the future.
I also run workshops with adults with additional needs helping them understand the uses of clay and building their own pieces, which they all enjoy and also started selling in the shop!"