Our Team
At The Shire Workshops, we are proud to have a team of passionate, creative, and highly experienced teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge in pottery/ceramics, sculpture, and arts & crafts. Each of our tutors brings their own unique style and expertise, ensuring that every workshop is both inspiring and enjoyable.
From beginners to experienced artists, our team helps you explore your creativity!
Our team is led by Bob and Joe, a dedicated father-and-son duo who have years of experience not only in the art of pottery and sculpting but also in teaching people with disabilities and special needs. Their warm, patient, and supportive approach makes learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter their background or ability.
At The Shire Workshops, we believe art is for everyone.
Our friendly, welcoming environment is designed to encourage creativity, connection, and confidence.
Teaching Team
Joe Stafford
Owner, Artist & Sculptor
Joe is a sculptor, ceramicist, and owner of The Shire Workshops. Inspired from a young age by his father’s gargoyle sculptures, fantasy films, and nature documentaries, Joe began sculpting as a child and returned to it in adulthood with renewed passion. He now works alongside his father, exploring a wide range of sculpting techniques and materials, including kiln-free medium. Joe believes creativity is for everyone and encourages imagination and play in his workshops. His work often blends fantasy and realism, aiming to spark a sense of wonder and inspire others to reconnect with their creative side.
Bob Stafford
Sculptor, Ceramicist, Designer
Bob is a sculptor, ceramicist, designer, and co‑founder of the studio. His creative journey began in childhood, modelling pastry into little figures, and later evolved into a full teaching career specialising in ceramics and sculpture. After 36 years as a teacher, he retired in 2012 and set up his own studio, working alongside his son, Joe. Bob describes himself as a “resuming, up‑and‑coming, but now ancient artist,” bringing imagination and joy to his work. Bob has embraced Pal Tiya Premium—a weatherproof, kiln‑free medium—opening new creative possibilities beyond traditional ceramics.
Here is our timetable and the other experienced teachers who teach at The Shire Workshops. Joe and/or Bob are often present during sessions taught by other teachers.
Claire Brown
Ceramicist and Pottery Teacher
Claire works as a ceramicist from her studio in Market Harborough and sells her work in the Midlands at Craft and Ceramics fairs as well as online. She is particularly interested in thrown ceramics, working with underglazes and scrafitto as well as Horsehair and Raku ceramics.
Emma Swales
Ceramicist and Pottery Teacher
Emma works from her pottery studio in Lutterworth, working mainly in thrown forms creating handcrafted ceramics and functional art for the table and home. Her work balances function and feeling with the use of glazing techniques that evoke a sense of dramatic landscapes. The Lake District, Peak District, and coastal regions deeply influence her work, shaping forms and colours that reflect the natural world. Find her work at pottery events across the country, including Potfest, Toasted, Only Clay, and others, at independent shops and online.
Helen Lopez
Sculptor, Ceramicist and Teacher
Helen works from her studio in Naseby, where she sculpts portraits, figures, and animals which she casts into bronze and ceramics. She has exhibited her work at the Mall Galleries in London and exhibitions throughout Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. She also throws functional pottery. Purchase her works at markets and fairs in Northamptonshire and Etsy.
Lucy Pashley
Ceramicist and Teacher
Lucy is a local potter based in Kibworth, working from her cosy home studio. She creates functional and decorative ceramics using hand-building and wheel-throwing, inspired by nature and experimenting with clays, textures and glazes. Each piece is made with care, curiosity and appreciation for the process. She began ceramics at The Shire Workshops after many years in community arts in Leicester and a long career as a midwife. She now sells through independent artisan shops and online. Believing in the joy creativity brings, she sees it as essential and a source of connection between maker, teacher and admirer.
April Martin
Ceramicist and Teacher
April works from her home studio in Corby, creating functional kitchen and homeware on the wheel, inspired by her travels and love of colour. She took the first of many pottery classes right here at The Shire Workshops in January 2023 where she quickly fell in love with the craft. Purchase her work on Etsy.
Ruth Cowley
Artisan Potter, Mixed Media Artist & Teacher
Ruth is an art educator and designer with over 20 years of teaching experience and a background in crafts, specialising in ceramics and metal. Her work with clay explores form, texture, and process as tools for personal development. Ruth is passionate about using making as a pathway to self awareness, helping individuals become more confident, creative, and happy.
Marilyn
Studio Cat
Marilyn is our much-loved and pampered Studio Cat. He/She brings much joy to the students and regularly inspects their work. However, Marilyn is not always well, so we have a GoFundMe page for Marilyn’s ongoing care and treatment. Read more.
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 hav…Read More
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.
Emma Bond
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!
Carole Rowsell
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.
Robes KT
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.
Andrea McVey
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.
Neil Burley
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!
Carol Willow
Witches and wizards sculpting day
Visited today for the witches and wizards sculpting day and thoroughl…Read More
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!
Gina Tebby
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.
Amy Harris
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!
Carol Willow
