A few weeks back we were contacted by a young videographer and photographer called George Nash. He asked if he could visit to shoot some footage to add to his burgeoning portfolio of photographs and moving image.

We were instantly struck by the professionalism of his approach and the initiative he’d demonstrated in doing so.

George spent a busy Saturday morning in March with us filming and photographing our customers and staff in action. He also brought along his drone to get a bird’s eye view of the Pottery and surrounding Herefordshire landscape.

George was very easy to work with, putting ourselves and more importantly our customers at ease as he moved around the studio, capturing large and small interactions. He demonstrated a really good eye for composition and worked very hard to capture the ‘right’ images.

We are so impressed not only with the results, but the speed in which he delivered the finished work. We think he’s captured the vibe and environment we strive for perfectly. Well done George!

George can be contacted on all the usual social media platforms:

George’s website.

George’s Instagram.

Georges other Instagram.

George’s YouTube.

George’s twitter.

George’s Face Book.

On this occasion we are reaching out to the engineering fraternity for a slightly different reason other than inviting them to come play with clay.

We have x5 standing and compact ‘kick’ wheels, all the same model, made by the same manufacturer. Two of the wheel s (later editions) have design modifications and are easy to work on. The other three are slightly older and need a little bit of TLC to bring them up to speck.

So, we were wondering if there was anybody out there who would be willing to take a look at them or have a tinker in their spare time?  Or, if you know of anybody that might be able to help us? Give us a call on 01531 633886. Or email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk

As well as all the wedging, fettling, kiln packing and cleaning, the girls have become very proficient at making pots on the potter’s wheel. So much so we haven’t had any hesitation in letting them share their new found talents with customers of all ages and abilities.

We asked them both to put pen to paper and supply a couple of photos by way of introduction:

Aimee

“My name is Aimee. I am currently an Apprentice at Eastnor Pottery studying Level 3 Community Arts.
I have been interested in the arty/creative world for as long as I can remember. My first inspiration into Art was my Year 7 Art Teacher. This had lead me to studying Art Textiles at GCSE in High School, A Level Fine Art in Sixth Form and a Foundation Diploma at Hereford College of Arts.
In my own personal practice, I am interested in the fine art side where I particularly like to paint and draw. I find that the main subject I work from is landscapes, particularly the mountainous and coastal types. I am also interested in embroidery and have recently picked up a new technique called cross stitch which I have found to enjoy.
I am also interested in politics and the local community which lead me to become a Parish Councillor in the area of Hereford I live. A new interest is travel as I enjoy exploring new places, taking photos and a sketchbook to document my trip and experiences.
I look forward to learning and trying something new on this course and doing something different.” 

Immy

“Hi, I’m Immy. I am 18 years old and have recently started my apprenticeships at Eastnor Pottery. Until I started at the pottery most of my time was taken up by a small Jack Russell puppy named Barney, who destroys his toys quicker than I can by them and is otherwise known as biting Barney!

I live with my parents just outside Upton Upon Severn. Upton is best known for its summer festivals, thankfully I live just far enough away for them not be annoying.

I studied A-Level photography at sixth form, and I got really interested in the subject. This fitted in with travel, something else I enjoy. I was lucky enough to go on school art trips to Barcelona and New York where I was able to see a lot of different types of art I wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to. I think this influenced by style of photography. I was really pleased when a collection of my photographs were chosen to be displayed in the main entrance of my school.

I clearly remember Eastnor Pottery coming into my first school and how much I loved making something with the clay. That led to me going to a Saturday pottery club at Worcester Art Centre for a few years. I am delighted to get back involved all these years later.”

Obviously, we’ll miss him but equally we are delighted and extremely proud he’s off to Art College to embark on the next step of his creative journey.

Ethan came to us as a Community Arts Apprentice having had no prior experience of working with clay. He quickly mastered the potter’s wheel and so inspired by his new found skill, set up his own pottery studio in his garden.

By the end of his first apprenticeship year he’d led workshops in school, showed countless adults and children how to make pots on the potter’s wheel and become a superb ‘wedger’ of clay!

We wish Ethan every success down in that there Cardiff and we look forward to hearing all about his exploits in clay when he pops back to work the odd shift at weekends and in the holidays.

Each year we welcome to the Pottery at least one or two YR10 students from local high schools, looking to experience what it’s like to be a creative practitioner. This year we were joined by Naima from Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School.

Naima packed kilns, wrapped customers work and helped with the day to day running of the studio. She approached her tasks with maturity and willingness enabling us to offer her more and more responsibility as the week progressed. The placement culminated with Naima coaching teachers and educationalists on how to use the potter’s wheel at an Artists in Education event in Birmingham!

Well done Naima and we look forward to seeing how your career in the creative industries develops.

Hot on the tail of the Community Arts Apprenticeship vacancy, we are now inviting applications for a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship here at Eastnor Pottery.

We are looking for a motivated digital marketing apprentice to join our small and friendly team. The ideal candidate would possess excellent communication skills, be experienced in using social media networks and have a commitment to delivering quality customer service.

• Assist with online and social networking marketing – facebook, youtube, twitter, pinterest and instagram
• Plan and implement online marketing strategies
• Take photos and make short videos
• General office admin work, attending to databases, updating website.
• Designing and implementing printed promotional material.

Occasional duties:

• Assist with educational workshops in schools and community settings
• Assist with educational and recreational workshops in studio – childrens birthday parties, hen parties etc, drop-in sessions
• Workshop assistant helping with glazing, packing kilns, cleaning, moving furniture

The award winning Creative Alliance based in Birmingham will be managing all applications and suitable candidates will be invited for interview at the Pottery after the closing date.

Please apply here.

Goodluck Jack in your new job and thanks for all your work over the past couple of years.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our small but perfectly formed creative business as a Community Arts Apprentice. You will be assisting in educational workshops in schools, community settings and here at the studio. You will be given full, on the job training in pottery techniques including the potter’s wheel, eventually being able to instruct our customers and workshop participants. The role will also require you to assist in a range of other duties including; helping with glazing, packing kilns, general office administration and gardening.

Both our previous apprentices have gone on to secure full time and part time employment with us having completed their one year apprenticeship.

Don’t delay – apply here!

Jack, our Practical Demonstrator and Workshop Assistant has a keen interest in photography and was recently asked to document a local ploughing match.

We loved these particularly ‘muddy’ shots. More of Jacks work can be seen on the Trumpet Agricultural Society’s Facebook page.