Article for Ceramic Review Jan/Feb 2025

by Sarah Monk | Jan 1, 2025 | News

I have some wonderful news for all pottery enthusiasts! I have written an article for the prestigious bi-monthly magazine, Ceramic Review.

‘Potter’s Secrets’ is a regular feature designed to shed light on selected artist’s making processes. I’m always open to sharing my pottery techniques, so this came easily. We’re all about de-mystifying all things pottery during our classes here at Eastnor Pottery. Me and Jon Williams have been sharing our pottery secrets with our visitors for the past 30 years!

work in progress studio shot of slipware bt Sarah Monk Ceramics

A hand made ceramic flower brick in sun yellow decorated with brown sgraffito flowers flowers. Made by Sarah Monk Ceramics displayed holding fresh white daisies, white chrysanthemum and pink cyclamen.

terracotta clay pots waiting to be decorated with slip in the studio of sarah monk ceramics

I decided to share with the readers, how I make one of my favourite objects, a yellow flower brick. I make these using a method called ‘soft slabbing’, using terracotta clay. The article goes into great detail about my slip decoration, sgraffito and glazing techniques.

The January/February 2025 edition, issue number 331 can be purchased via the Ceramic Review website.

Sarah x

Find a Maker May 2024

by Sarah Monk | May 2, 2024 | News

From the 29th April – 3rd May it’s Find a Maker Week!

Find a Maker is a crafts directory curated by the talented Craft Festival team.

Sarah Monk standing in her studio at eastnor pottery holding a yellow box egg cup holder

Dotty yellow flower brick side view by Sarah Monk Ceramics

#findamakerweek heralds an exciting week of live chats and demos. There’s over 400 members, so please check out their social media platforms.

I had a wonderful interview on Instagram LIVE with Sarah James MBE, on the 2nd May take a look here!

I shall be posting daily on Instagram @sarah_monk_ceramics too!

Find a Maker Week, December 2023

by Sarah Monk | Feb 15, 2023 | Exhibitions, News

Hello everyone. This week I been celebrating #findamakerweek on Instagram! Here I am in my studio at Eastnor Pottery, which I share with my husband and fellow potter Jon Williams (behind the camera).

Find a Maker is an online directory and community of professional crafts people & galleries. It’s run by the famous and well established Craft Festival team.

On Monday 4th December 2023, I chatted LIVE on Instagram with founder, Sarah James MBE. It can be found on the CraftFestival Instagram page here!

Yellow slab built vase by Sarah Monk Ceramics with oxe eye daisies.

flower brick work in progress ata eastnor pottery by sarah monk

Talking of Craft Festival….. I shall be exhibiting with them again at Cheltenham from the 8th – 10th March 2024 Tickets can be purchased online nearer the time.

It takes place in the iconic Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA

If you are coming to Cheltenham do come and say hello, I would love to meet you! 🙂

Sarah x

Herefordshire Open Studios: H.Art

by Sarah Monk | Sep 11, 2022 | News, Uncategorized

From the 3rd ’till the 11th September 2022 it’s Herefordshire Art Week, or H.Art as it is fondly known!

#herefordshireartweek heralds an exciting 9 days of open studios. There’s over 130 artistans taking part. Here at Eastnor Pottery, myself and my husband/ fellow potter Jon Williams are venue at 121.

All welcome, please come and browse our studio shop, take a look at our pottery experiences teaching space and talk all things pottery!

Find a Maker Week!

by Sarah Monk | May 16, 2022 | News, Pottery Studio Life

From the 16th- 20th May it’s Find a Maker Week!

Find a Maker is a crafts directory curated by the talented Craft Festival team.

#findamakerweek heralds an exciting week of live chats and demos. There’s over 300 members, so please check out their social media platforms.

I shall be posting daily on Instagram @sarah_monk_ceramics too!

slab built butterdish work in progress in the studio of sarah monk ceramics

slab built olive plate work in progress with cobalt splatters

Flower Bricks & Vases at Blue Ginger Gallery

by Sarah Monk | Jul 4, 2021 | News

Midsummer’s day saw the start of Blue Ginger Gallery’s online summer exhibition entitled ‘Where the Wild Thyme Blows’. I created some slab-built vases and flower bricks inspired by the theme. It runs it until the 31^st July.

Rectangular slab vase with a single sgraffito daisy and scribbles by Sarah Monk

Flower brick with removable lid with real meadow grass

Thrown vase with four little feet by Sarah Monk in cream with sgraffito daisies

Kitchen herb planter and tray by Sarah Monk with fresh parsley in the top

Rectangular slab vase with sgraffito flowers by Sarah Monk in cream with fresh white flowers displayed (aerial view)

Flower brick with cobalt dots by Sarah Monk (corner view)

Ceramic Birds Installation at Hellens Manor

by Sarah Monk | Jul 3, 2021 | Exhibitions

In June I exhibited some slipware ceramic birds for a site-specific installation created in the beautiful grounds of Hellens Manor in Herefordshire. I named it ‘The Birch Perch’ ! It consisted of 10 humorous hand modelled birds (some sitting in nests) sitting along a real birch tree! Something to discover in the woods and make you smile! 🙂

sarah monk ceramics portait in front of shelves of her work at eastnor pottery

Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London

by Sarah Monk | Jul 3, 2021 | News

During May 2021 I sent some new designs to Contemporary Ceramics Centre, 63 Great Russel Street London. My slipware bowls, plates and cups are part of their summer dining range. It’s been beautifully photographed for their alfresco dining promotion.

Run by the Craft Potter’s Association, of which I’ve been a selected member since 1994. It’s the only retail gallery in the whole of London that is dedicated purely to ceramics. It’s well worth a visit!

work in progress studio shot of slipware bowls decorated with bold brown dots by sarah monk ceramics

Potter’s Wheel Classes Re-open!

by Sarah Monk | Jun 29, 2021 | Potter's Wheel Courses

April saw the re-opening of our pottery classes and courses at Eastnor Pottery. So wonderful to invite people back into our studio and teach the delights of the potter’s wheel. We are fortunate to have a large studio and a beautifully decorated, bake-off style ‘Potting Tent’ marquee. Our studio is set in the rural county of Herefordshire and is a stone’s throw from the Malvern Hills and the picturesque market town of Ledbury.

The fornt door and garden full of flowers at Eastnor Pottery in the spring

The interior of the potting tent marquee decorated with bunting and bistro tables

Find A Maker Member: Selected for Quality

by Sarah Monk | May 5, 2021 | News

‘Find a maker’ is an exciting new crafts directory created by the wonderful Craft Festival UK. It’s exciting to be part of this new movement and I’m chuffed to be selected!