Training and Development

The Training Team:

Jenny Hawkins is the General Manager of Country Love Ceramics Limited.  Jenny has worked for Country Love since 2002 and has helped many studio and mobile owners set up their businesses during this time. 

Andy Skinner is Director of Art. He has owned a very successful local high street Ceramic Studio for 5 years. This hands-on experience, together with his creative artistic talent enables him to promote an ambitious and inspiring training programme for Country Love. He has an outstanding track record as an artist, having works in oils, acrylics, watercolours and ceramics. His work is exhibited widely and he undertakes commissions on behalf of customers. Andy can provide bespoke training either at Country Love or on site at customer's locations.

Imogen Richardson graduated from The University of the West of England with a BA Hons in Illustration where she specialised in Printmaking and enamelling. A selection of her enamelled work was selected for display in an exhibition in London, Oxo Tower. Imogen has worked as a freelance Illustrator and now runs the enamelling and glass jewellery courses at Country Love Ceramics.

The Importance of Training:

Country Love Ceramics recognises the importance of training to newcomers to the trade besides the need for an on going development programme.

Our on site, training facility is a centre of excellence for clay cafes, mobile pottery studios and hobbyists worldwide. The course and seminar programme focuses on business, product, artistic and workshop development training needs. Popular courses are repeated and new seminars introduced to meet the demands and trends of an ever-changing industry. We also undertake bespoke training both at our Training Academy and on location.

Where necessary, Technique Sheets are provided along with the usual continued advice and support. Fees generally include free product and use of tools. Lunch and refreshments are available on most courses. For delegates travelling distances, details of local accommodation can be provided.

Following completion of a training module, attendees receive certificates as recognition of achievement. These certificates have proved to add value and prestige to your business profile.

Training Grants:

A number of delegates receive training grants from their Local Council, Business Link or Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) - these have ranged in value from £500 to £1500.

If you are lucky enough to be in a region offering these grants, please speak to us about quotations and/or bespoke training.

Training Facilities:

•  Ideally located in Oxfordshire close to a mainline train station (Didcot Parkway), the M4 and

   M40.

•  Full disabled facilities available  

Bespoke Training:

If you have a specific individual requirement, or are unable to make any of the dates we have scheduled, please ask about Bespoke training. We can arrange to hold any of our courses for you and your colleagues either here in Abingdon or at your Studio. .

Tell us your training needs and we will design a suitable training programme for you. On the same basis, we will visit your studio and run any seminar of your choice...marketed well, these seminars will create income and inspire your customers!! 

The daily ‘Tutor Rate' (i.e. from 10am until 5pm) is £150 for the first delegate and £35 per delegate thereafter. Travel expenses are charged at .40p per mile and travelling time is charged at £17.50 per hour. Subsistence and accommodation will be charged separately according to requirements. Bespoke courses that are held at our Abingdon office will not incur additional travel, subsistence or accommodation costs.

No bisque or materials are provided in the course fees. Please order your goods at least 3-4 working days in advance of course date. If you need assistance, the Course Tutor will be happy to provide a list of required materials, based on the mutually agreed agenda.

Terms and Conditions:

DELEGATE REQUIREMENTS:

•  Brushes, tools, bisque, colour, glaze and decorating accessories will be provided for training

   held at Country Love Ceramics. Bespoke products will need to be ordered in advance (see

   Bespoke section above).

•  Note that we do not offer a firing service for course delegates but on two-day courses may

   fire course work for collection on day two.

DEPOSITS:

•  Full payment in advance is required for New Business Seminars.

•  A 50% deposit (plus VAT) is required to guarantee spaces on all other seminars. The

   remaining amount is payable on the day of attendance. If you book less than 2 weeks

   before the date of the course we will require full payment on booking.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

•  To guarantee your place, please ensure a deposit payment is made. Deposits are non-

   refundable but can be switched to an alternative course if more than 5 working days

   notice is given in advance of course.

•  Please advise immediately if you are unable to attend so that your place can be offered

   to another delegate.

PRE-ORDERED BISQUE:

•  As a special incentive to attend one of our decorating courses, all pre ordered, discountable

   bisque, colour and glaze collected on the day of a course, will attract a discount level of

   44%. Please ensure orders are received at least 2 full working days prior to the course start

   date. *Note this does not include any Guild ‘Bread & Butter' bisque items or fixed price

   products

•  Please note, office and warehouse staff are unavailable during weekends so additional

   orders cannot be processed during weekend courses.

TRAINING ROOM SHOP

•  Essential items such as brushes and some tools are available for immediate purchase on

   the day or a course from our ‘tuck shop' located in the Studio. Account holders will be

   invoiced retrospectively.

GENERAL NOTES:

•  All prices quoted exclude vat. Please check our website for pictures and further details.

•  Day courses usually start at 10.00hrs and finish circa 16.30hrs.

•  Half day courses usually run from 10am until 1pm or from 2pm until 5pm.

•  Any timings provided are given as an estimate and may vary according to the number of

   delegates in attendance.

•  A buffet lunch is provided on most full day decorating courses. Please check course details

   for further information.

•  All courses, unless otherwise stated, are run at our office in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

•  Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

•  Maximum of 10 delegates per course plus 2 reserve places.

•  Following any reservation, a letter will be sent confirming course details, travel &

   accommodation details etc. Travel info can also be found on our web site.

•  Course notes are available for most seminars.

•  Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off during class.

•  Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to attend training.

•  Please note that courses are subject to change. Please check availability.

Please contact on charlotteh@countryloveceramics.co.uk if you would like to make a booking

By Air:

The nearest main airports are London Heathrow (approximately 40mins drive) London Gatwick (approximately 1½ hours drive) and Bristol (approximately 1½ hours drive).

By Train:

Didcot Parkway is the nearest Train Station. There are shuttle buses that run frequently from outside the front entrance (approximately every 10 mins). Also, there is a taxi rank at the front of Didcot Parkway. Milton Park is approximately 3-4 miles from the station.

By Bus:

Oxford is the nearest main bus route.

By Car:

  From the M4 - Take A34 North (towards Oxford) at Junction 13.

  From M40 - Take A34 South (towards Newbury) at Junctions 8, 8a or 9.

  Leave A34 at Milton Interchange, clearly marked Didcot and Milton Park from both North and

  South approaches.

Enter Milton Park and pass a small Security Building on the left- hand-side. At the next round about turn left. Follow this road until you reach a T-junction. Frogs Island 4x4 business unit will be opposite the T Junction. We are next door to the right of this unit. The unit is clearly signposted Unit 37d. There is an overflow car park down the right-hand-side, and behind, the building. To access the overflow car park you will need to take the first right on the main road immediately after our building.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO KEEP CLEAR ACCESS/EXIT AREAS INFRONT OF THE GOODS IN ROLLER DOORS .

Travel Information

Here is a list of local accommodation. We are unable to comment on their suitability or make recommendations i.e. this list is for information only.

2008 TRAINING PROGRAMME

"Old Favourites"

New Business Course

With Jenny Hawkins

Our New Business Course is aimed at people that have:

(a) Never been in business

(b) Do not know about "paint it yourself pottery"

(c) Both of the above

The first half of the day covers:

•  Skills required to run your own "paint it yourself pottery" business

•  Business styles (mobile or studio, formal or informal)

•  Advantages, disadvantages and considerations for each style

•  Whether or not to charge a studio fee

•  Choosing your business name

•  Creating a business plan

•  Financial planning and financial decision making

•  Other specific business requirements (e.g. health & safety, licences, employment, payroll,

   consumer rights, insurances, accounts, planning classifications, disclaimers, stock levels

   and margins etc)

•  Sales and marketing

•  Selling tips (writing press releases, target market etc)

•  Stock selection & advice

•  Support

The afternoon session is practical and involves learning the basics of decorating (delegates paint their own mug), basic glazing and kiln management.

The course is £25 + VAT and includes a £50 voucher off the cost of a Nabertherm kiln (up to 2

vouchers can be used per kiln purhase).                                                                             

Price £30.00 [includes lunch]. Maximum of 12 delegates.

Amazing Glazing

With Andy Skinner

This course is free to anyone who has ordered a Nabertherm kiln through Country Love    

Ceramics. If you subsequently buy your kiln from us we will credit the cost of this course.

It is a ½ day Glazing and Kiln Loading seminar – essential for all new business owners or as a refresher.

•  Which glaze(s) will you need?

•  Dipping, brushing and spill glazing techniques

•  Safe storage of your glaze

•  Dry footing and stilting

•  How to load your kiln efficiently

•  Advanced loading techniques for plates, tiles etc

•  Trouble shooting and frequently asked questions

•  Your own copy of our ‘Glazing & Firing' manual to take away – packed full of helpful hints

    and tips.

A practical session is also included.

Price £40.00 or FREE to anyone who has bought a Nabertherm Kiln through Country Love Ceramics. Lunch not included. Maximum of 15 delegates

The Complete Pottery Painting Courses (CPP)

With Andy Skinner

There are three two-day modules that may be taken in any order of preference.

Delegates will learn basic decorating techniques, develop brush stroke skills and use a comprehensive range of decorating accessories.

•  Loads of hints and tips. 

•  Course folder and notes.

•  Flexible and seasonal! 

•  Montage of pictures from course syllabus below.

•  Ideal for newcomers to the Clay Cafe/ Mobile Pottery Business.

Price £125.00 [Includes lunch] = 2 day

Guild Members £120.00 [Includes lunch] = 2 day

Maximum of 12 delegates

The photographs shows a selection of images some of which duplicate techniques e.g the Monochrome design on the CPP2 image. In this situation only one piece will be taught during the course.

Plaster Outprints

With Andy Skinner

Learn how to make plaster outprints in this ½ day course. We try to organise for a baby to attend the session for a life-like experience.  OUR MOST POPULAR COURSE IN 2007. Attend two training courses in one day – attend the clay imprints course on the same day.

Sell the finished goods for in excess of £30 per print or £60 per double print!

Price £60.00 [excludes lunch]

Guild Members £55.00 [excludes lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

Clay Imprints

With Andy Skinner

Learn how to make clay imprints We try to organise for a baby to attend the session for a life-like experience. 

Price £60.00 [excludes lunch]

Guild Members £55.00 [excludes lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

Enamelling Introduction

With Imogen Richardson

Price £69.00 [excludes lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

* Make a weekend of training – combine this course with the 1½ day glass course below

Glass Jewellery Making

With Imogen Richardson

Price: £145.00 [Includes Lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

*Add the ½ day enamelling course on to the end of this training course.

Kiddies Creations

With Andy Skinner

2008 Training Courses  

Complete Wedding Course

With Andy Skinner

Learn how to make glass earrings, glass and ceramic favours, glass cufflinks, ceramic signature plates, glass moulds, homemade soap plus an introduction into designing and applying decals.  Delegates will use the Micro Kiln for glass firings.

Two day course

Monday August 4th –5th 10am-4pm

Monday October 27th –28th 10am-4pm

Monday December 15th –16th 10am-4pm

Price: £150.00 [Includes Lunch]

Guild Members £142.00 [Includes Lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

Clay work Course

With Andy Skinner

Learn how to hand-build with clay to enhance bisqueware.

Monday September 22nd 10am-4pm

Monday December 1st 10am -4pm

Price: £55.00 [Includes Lunch]

Guild Members £50.00 [Includes Lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

Silver Clay Keepsakes

(Silver Fingerprints and Silver Leafprints)

With Andy Skinner

Learn how to make silver fingerprints and leaf-print jewellery using Silver Clay products. Techniques including producing fingerprint moulds, working with Silver Clay products, finishing & polishing, antiquing, shaping, letter printing, scribing, attaching findings, producing leaf-prints. Delegates make a minimum of 4 items including a leaf pendant, fingerprint cufflinks and fingerprint pendant. Further items can be made with the excess Silver Clay.

A soldering demonstration will be held during the course.

06th August 2008, 10am-4pm

26th October 2008, 10am-4pm

11th November 2008, 10am-4pm

17th December 2008, 10am-4pm

Overflow courses maybe offered according to demand.

Price: £125.00 [Includes Lunch]

Maximum of 8 delegates

Silver Clay with Dichoric Glass

With Andy Skinner

Enhance beautiful dichoric jewellery with your own hand-made silver findings.

Saturday October 4th 10am-4pm

Thursday December 4th 10am-4pm

Price: £95.00 [Includes Lunch]

Maximum of 12 delegates

Image shows a selection of examples, not course pieces.

Halloween Designs

With Andy Skinner

Tuesday 16th September, 10am-4pm

Price: £45.00

Guild Members £40.00

Maximum of 12 delegates

Christmas Designs

With Andy Skinner

Tuesday 23rd September, 10am-4pm

Price: £45.00

Guild Members £40.00

Maximum of 12 delegates

Guest Tutor Slots  

Where are my customers

With Kelly Smith, Marketing Director, All Fired Up

This course is aimed at Ceramic Cafe, Mobile and Studio owners who will benefit from a range of low-cost marketing ideas that will raise awareness, entice more customers and generate additional income. 

Topics covered are:

• Customer Analysis (e.g typical customer profiles of daytime, evening and weekend customers)
• Your Marketing Calendar
• Benefits of a customer survey
• Brand Awareness
• Marketing Materials
• Promotions and Advertising
• Direct Mail
• Other Opportunities

New dates TBC - 10am until 3pm

£47 [Excludes Lunch]

A minimum of 10 delegates per course, maximum of 15

Lunch not included