A little bit
about us
Ceramics on the Hop started as a mobile ceramic painting activity. We now have a lovely studio in the pretty village of Writtle.
Having a studio allows for a wider choice of pottery to paint and the space to offer clay workshops.
No prior experience? No problem!
We are always on hand to provide guidance and support, ensuring that your pottery painting experience is both enjoyable and rewarding.
We'll walk you through the process, from selecting the right brushes and paints to mastering different techniques.
How does it work?
Choose your piece
Firstly browse the shelves and make your selection.
There is an extensive range of pottery blanks to suit all tastes and budgets along with seasonal and themed products.
There is a studio/firing fee of £5 per item.
The fun part!
Get creative and paint your chosen item with specialist ceramic paints. Remember, it’s mostly about enjoying the activity. Bold and simple or intricate designs will all come to life once fired
Let the kiln work it's magic
Time to cook. After glazing, your work will be fired in the kiln.
It's usually a 7-10 days turnaround
Collect your masterpieces
Feel a real sense of achievement when you reunite with your totally unique ceramic wearing it’s dazzling, shiny coat. (Collection details will be on your invoice, you will only be contacted if there is a delay) please make sure you have your invoice number to hand when collecting as this is used to locate your pottery.
You asked... we answered!
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Is it easy for beginners?Yes, you’ll be given some basic instructions, but the rest is mostly about having fun.
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What age is it suitable for?From 0 to 100. The studio has now been running for over 10 years, and it is great to hear that items painted all those years ago are still treasured on bedside cabinets and shelves! The glazes used are food and clothing safe but please supervise equipment and paint use with the little ones.
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Can I come by myself?Yes, you are most welcome as an individual.
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What is the maximum group size?32 people. Please get in touch about booking if you have a group this size.
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Can I paint more than one item?Yes, you can paint multiple items but do bear in mind the studio fee is payable on each item.
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Is there disabled access?Many wheelchair users have visited without any problems. However, there is no direct vehicular drop-off as the studio is located in a pedestrian alleyway. The Pathway from The Green is fairly flat and there is a very small lip at the threshold. Please advise of any disability when booking, so that seating can be organised appropriately.
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How long will pottery painting take?You are assigned a 2 hour time slot when you book. This should be more than enough time to create beautiful works of art without any rush. If you require longer, this is not normally a problem, providing your table is not needed for another booking. As a guide, allow around 1 hour for children and 2 hours for older children / adults. If you of not finish your creations, you can take them home for safe keeping and pay an additional £5 for a return session. If your item is in excess of £20, you can have a two hour return session free of charge.
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Can we bring food and drinks?Yes, as there is no café facility on site you are welcome to bring your own goodies. All I ask is that any leftovers including wrappings are are taken away with you. Also be aware that food residue can prevent good glaze adhesion, so please wash your hands before touching your pottery.
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Does everyone have to paint?No, whilst it is great for everyone to have a go and join in the fun, circumstances can of course demand support. In the busy times, it is appreciated if non-painters are kept to a minimum.
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When will it be ready?You can expect to collect Pottery painting items between 7 and 10 days after finishing. Clay hand building and impressions turn around time is much longer. This is to allow for slow and thorough drying and for environmental and financial reasons bisque firings are only carried out when the kiln is full. Therefore this is heavily dependent on the amount of work done during that given period of time.
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How much does pottery painting cost?The cost will depend on your choice of pottery. The only set price is a £5 studio fee on each item painted. With over 200 blanks to choose from there should be something to appeal to all tastes and budgets. Around 80% of the items are priced between £10 and £20. Prices start at £6 and range of to £30 with a small percentage of very large statement pieces reaching prices up to £50.
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How old do you have to be to pottery paint?During daytime hours, there are no age restrictions as it is the perfect activity for all ages. Children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.