The Shire Workshops
An Oasis of Creativity
About The Shire Workshops
Joe & Bob Stafford
At The Shire Workshops, we aim to have great fun using fantastical ideas and exploring infinite combinations of shapes, patterns, and colours, just as nature has done. We believe that all artistic expression is joyful, therapeutic, and enriching. That it should be encouraged in all ages, and be a vital part of all our lives.
When you join us at The Shire Workshops you can immerse yourself in creative activities and use your imagination to realise your ideas. You can explore materials and techniques for a purpose or for fun. You can join others in a community of like-minded people or sit by yourself and create. Indulge your creative desires in ceramic clay or learn to sculpt in the remarkable new sculpting medium called Pal Tiya Premium.
Pottery and Creative Classes at The Shire Workshops
The Shire Workshops offers a range of creative pottery classes and workshops for Pottery, Raku Pottery, and Pay Tiya Premium Sculptures. We also run half-day Craft Workshops for a variety of arts and crafts.
The classes are suitable for all skill levels, and we have something for all ages. So, why not try something new?
Pottery Classes
Raku Pottery
Sculpture Days
Craft Workshops
Please note we are having technical issues with card payments. Payments can be made through PayPal, including for debit/credit cards, even if you don’t have a PayPal account. Alternatively, you can email us to place your order.
Pal Tiya Premium
The weatherproof sculpting medium for creatives
Pal Tiya Premium enables artists of every skill level, from aspiring to professional, to make beautiful permanent art that can stay outside all year long!
Pal Tiya Premium cures stone-hard without firing, has considerable natural strength, and is designed for extreme outdoor conditions.
Pal Tiya Premium lets you:
- Go big and go outside with your art
- Use simple or complex armatures to get any shape
- Sculpt beautiful textures and finishes
And it gets better because you can now attend one of our popular sculpture workshop days as well as buy Pal Tiya Premium direct from The Shire Workshops.
What people say
About The Shire Workshops
Embracing mythical and creative side
Bob and Joe are wonderful and this is such a charming place. They have a very knowledgeable but relaxed teaching style and their creations are fantastic. I'd highly recommend everybody spends at least a day embracing their mythical and creative side here.
Girl Guides
I took some girl guides to see Bob (including one with severe special needs). We had a fab time and he was so patient with all of us...we all achieved a sculpture and threw a pot each on the wheel...can't wait to go back...highly recommended!
A wonderful space
I absolutely love visiting to do a bit more to my project each time. Bob is so patient and full of knowledge. His guidance and teaching of techniques is very clear. The studio is a wonderful space with inspirational ideas around the room, plenty of space to work alongside others and very clean and well organised. The outdoor space is a wonderful little getaway from the hustle and bustle of life with wildlife to watch and listen to. I'm looking forward to returning.
Fantastic Pal Tiya
Great day with Joe and Bob. I have a million ideas and honestly couldn't recommend it more! And the Pal Tiya is fantastic! Supple and so easy to mix and work with. Would be a terrific team building exercise.
Sculpting Workshop
I've just had a great day with Joe and Bob being introduced to Pal Tiya sculpting medium. The workshop was well signposted, with excellent joining information, and was held in a working ceramics workshop, The class size was small, which meant close supervision and guidance throughout that was helpful and informative. Joe did a great job demo'ing each of the techniques. Can't recommend the workshop enough for those wanting to explore sculpting in a clay-like medium without the faff of kiln firing.
Green Man Workshop
Really good day spent with Bob and Joe. Lots of advice, patience, tea and biscuits for an absolute beginner. With their help, came home with a Green Man that I will be happy to put on a wall. Highly recommended!
Witches and wizards sculpting day
Visited today for the witches and wizards sculpting day and thoroughly enjoyed it! Joe and Bob were very helpful and lovely hosts. Cannot wait to visit again!! Highly recommended!
Pottery Class
Bob and Joe are incredibly talented, have amazing patience and kept the tea flowing while we all put our newly learnt skills to the test. There is no judgement, just support and such an enthusiasm to share their knowledge with you. It was such a great experience.
Pay Tiya Workshop
Yesterday we had the most wonderful day with Bob and Joe at their pottery studio. We were shown the techniques of working with Pal Tiya, which is an amazing medium to sculpt without the need for firing. Everyone was lovely and tea and cake in the garden area was very nice! Definitely want to do this again - highly recommended!