Tarka Pottery & Ceramics Studio

I started Tarka Pottery back in 2008 when, quite by luck, we moved to a smallholding in North Devon with a small studio which had a kiln. Having taken Pottery A Level at school many years previously, I was delighted to find a home for my family where we could enjoy the fabulous rural coast and countryside alongside redeveloping my love for clay. madeindevon.org.uk www.tarkapottery.co.uk

I discovered that there was a gap in the market for offering pottery classes and experiences in a fun and interactive way, accessible to all ages and abilities. My ethos is very much to enable everyone to enjoy the feel and discover the possibilities that clay offers. The business has developed and is thriving, offering weekly classes for locals, both adults and children, alongside one-off experiences where customers could book to have a go on a potters wheel as a one-off activity to celebrate a special occasion or bring the family or friends along for a couple of hours of fun.

I am passionate about offering opportunities to everyone and we have a programme of work experience students from our local senior school and over the last 5 years have supported an apprentice every year. On top of that, in the last couple of years, we’ve also provided the chance for our apprentices to complete a qualification in Digital Marketing alongside developing skills in making ceramics, learning the technical aspects of operating a studio, teaching and running a small business - we’ve been so proud to see our previous apprentices set themselves up as makers and teachers, creating a space for themselves to thrive.

The Made in Devon scheme is a perfect partner for us as we are a business that very much serves our local community and we love to buy and support locally owned, independent businesses, it’s always inspiring to see other local small businesses, usually showcasing invaluable specialist skills, and seeing how they contribute to their local communities. Looking local provides invaluable support but I have to admit I shop local for plenty of selfish reasons - it’s so convenient! Especially over the last few years when our lives have moved online, I find it’s so important to get back to real life - nothing beats meeting the maker face-to-face or finding out about their service over a coffee in person. There’s so many amazing businesses in Devon that offer quality, artisan items, made with care, and so many people with specialist skills to take advantage of, I am always in awe of what I discover by staying local and investing in my own community.