• Home
  • Pottery in Great Shefford
  • More
    • Home
    • Pottery in Great Shefford
  • Home
  • Pottery in Great Shefford

Elé van Schoor
Ceramics

Elé van Schoor CeramicsElé van Schoor CeramicsElé van Schoor Ceramics
Hands shaping a clay pot on a pottery wheel using a sponge.

Gallery - Inspired by the sea

    About me

      

    I was born in South Africa in 1974 and first discovered pottery at the age of ten, when I made a small elephant in an art lesson. I have been captivated by clay ever since.

     
     

    My work draws inspiration from nature and ancient ceramics, whether ceremonial, functional or decorative. I explore contrasts between straight lines and organic forms, and between smooth and textured surfaces. Influenced by the sea, I mimic weathered natural forms and eroded shapes.

     
     

    I work with earthenware clay, using sculpting, hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques.

     
     

    Drawn to the classic forms of vases and pots, I finish my wheel-thrown vessels to a high standard.

     
     

    I also teach pottery in my garden studio in Great Shefford, Berkshire.


    Galllery - Early work

      Have fun with Clay - pottery lessons

      Unpainted ceramic bowls, mugs, and containers on a red and white checkered tablecloth.

      Potter's wheel taster

       This 3-hour session aims to give students confidence to work on the potter's wheel. 


      • Get a feel for the clay while working on a potter’s wheel
      • Explore making pots using different tools and techniques
      • I will give guidance and demonstrations throughout    
      • Practice as much as you like – choose your two favourite pieces to fire and keep. 
      • Each student will have use of their own potter’s wheel for the duration of the time
      • Refreshments are served in the garden or conservatory
      • 3-hour session - £50 per person includes all materials and bisque firing 
      • Plenty of one-to-one tuition (I have 4 potter's wheels)

      Hands shaping a clay bowl on a pottery wheel.

      5-day pottery workshop

        

      This 5-day course is for those with a keen interest in learning or improving their skills on the potter’s wheel. It is suitable for all abilities.

      Specific dates available in the summer.


      • Learn to throw pots (making on the wheel) and turn pots (finishing on the wheel). I will guide you to practice making various forms. You will learn new techniques and short cuts in a fun and relaxing environment.
      • Each student will have use of a potter’s wheel for the duration of the course.   (I have 4 potter's wheels and cater for maximum 4 students at a time) 
      • Practice as much as you like – choose your two favourite pieces to fire and keep.
      • You will be able to take fired or unfired finished items home.
      • Beginners and advanced potters welcome.

        

      What does the week workshop cost? 

      £250 per person 

      Monday to Friday 9:15 – 12:15 (morning workshop)


      £250 per person 

      Monday to Friday 1:45 – 4:45 (afternoon workshop)


      Handmade clay pots drying on newspapers in a pottery studio.

      Weekly pottery lessons

        

      This course is for those with a keen interest in learning or improving their skills on the potter’s wheel. It is suitable for all abilities.

      Learn to throw pots (making on the wheel) and turn pots (finishing on the wheel). I will guide you to practice making various forms. You will learn new techniques and short cuts in a fun and relaxed environment.

      Each student will have exclusive use of a potter’s wheel each session. We will use white earthenware clay and I have a variety of glazes to choose from.  I offer 10% discount for a 6 week course.

        

      Mornings

      9:15am to 12:15pm

      Payable in advance for a half term

      Afternoons

      1:45pm to 4:45pm

      Payable in advance for a half term

      White Earthenware

      The finished vessel from our ceramic studio is now ready for drying after being crafted in our potter's wheel classes. This is a perfect example of what you can create in our pottery classes for beginners, especially during our pottery lessons in Berkshire or pottery workshop in clay.

      Working with clay

      Pottery lessons for beginners

      Mondays to Saturdays

      Pottery taster sessions

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Event Details

      Mondays to Saturdays

      Pottery taster sessions

       

      This is a 3-hour session to give students confidence to work on the potter's wheel.  Enjoy learning to throw on the potter's wheel in a rel...

      Event Details

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Pottery lessons to improve and build skill

      Mondays to Saturdays

      weekly Pottery lessons

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Event Details

      Mondays to Saturdays

      weekly Pottery lessons

       

      Weekly 3-hour session in my pottery studio in Great Shefford. Enjoy learning to throw on the potter's wheel and practice pottery techniques...

      Event Details

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      2026

      Sculpting workshops

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Event Details

      2026

      Sculpting workshops

      This 3-hour workshop will give you the confidence to explore sculpting a head. This could be lifelike, whimsical or grotesque. I will give a...

      Event Details

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      2026

      5-day workshops

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Event Details

      2026

      5-day workshops

      This 5-day course is for those with a keen interest in learning or improving their skills on the potter’s wheel. It is suitable for all abil...

      Event Details

      9:15am - 12:15pm

      -

      1:45pm - 4:45pm

      Great Shefford

      Cave in Spain

      Welcome mat with 'HOLA ADIOS' text and feet in sandals.

      Experience Our cave house in Granada province in Spain - contact me for more details

      Cozy bedroom with wooden bed and floral bedding in a cave-like room.

      Our 3 bedroom cave is lovely and cool

      Wooden pergola with fabric shade on a sunny terrace overlooking a rural landscape.

      contact me for more information

      Spanish Cave house

        Social

        Contact

        Send Message

        This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

        Please contact me for more information about exhibitions, pottery classes for beginners, potter's wheel classes, and details on my pottery workshop in clay in Berkshire.

        Elé van Schoor

        • Privacy Policy

        Elé van Schoor

        Copyright © 2026 Elé van Schoor - All Rights Reserved.

        Powered by