Helen Cole 05-03-2025
For the Love of Clay: Why We’re All Obsessed with The Great Pottery Throw Down
"Who knew a perfectly pulled handle could bring a grown man to tears? "
If there's something the Indytute knows well, it's pottery.. Head of Experiences, Helen, reveals all about her pottery passion...
Idon’t know why, but I find something truly magical in watching a lump of dull clay being turned into a perfectly formed pot. Cue my obsession with The Great Pottery Showdown, approaching its 8th season final this weekend! I’m deeply invested in who Siobhan announces as Potter of the series? Will it be Natalie, the double gourd champion, or James the hell mouth fireplace hero or perhaps Steve, with his whimsical statement mantlepiece clock? They’ve each won Potter of the Week 3 times so it’s all to play for. Keith and Rich’s surprise challenges keep it fun and risk pottery disasters which, let’s face it, are highly entertaining.
It’s soothing, it’s hypnotic, and if The Great Pottery Throw Down has taught us anything, it’s that it’s also deeply emotional. Who knew a perfectly pulled handle could bring a grown man to tears? Or the repeated mention of knobs would reduce the entire cast into fits of giggles.
If you’ve ever found yourself glued to the screen, quietly rooting for a wobbly vase to make it through the firing without cracking, then welcome to the club. This show has turned us all into armchair potters, critiquing the consistency of slip decoration as if we’ve been throwing pots for years. And let’s be honest, it’s also made us all secretly want to have a go.
Get Your Hands Dirty
Pottery is not about perfectly piped icing or precision cut patterns. It’s raw, tactile and wonderfully unpredictable. The wheel spins, the clay takes shape (or collapses spectacularly), and somehow, through patience and perseverance, something beautiful emerges. Most of the time. Across the UK, pottery workshops are popping up, giving us the chance to try out throwing, coiling, and glazing our own ceramic creations. And yes, you absolutely should give it a go.
Channel Your Inner Throw Down Champion
If you’ve ever shouted “IT’S GOING TO CRACK!” at the telly or teared up at a delicate raku-fired bowl, then it’s time to swap the sofa for the studio. Whether you want to try wheel throwing or fancy hand-building your own mug (because tea tastes better from a cup you made yourself), there’s a pottery workshop waiting for you.
We can’t promise a Hollywood-style slow-motion moment at the wheel aka that Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze moment in Ghost. Ok, I appreciate that was 1990 (showing my age there!) We can promise that sinking your hands into cool, squidgy clay is one of the most satisfying things you’ll ever do.
If you’re itching to get your hands dirty and have a go, why not book a pottery workshop and see what all the fuss is about?
You may find your new craft passion but, at the very least, you’ll have a wonky bowl that’s 100% unique. And that’s something worth celebrating.
