Cernamic
location_on London
local_activity classes: Wheel Throwing • Kintsugi • Pottery
5.0 (578)
13k followers
A rare and hidden pottery Eden in the heart of east London, Stoke Newington. Cernamic studio in Stoke Newington was founded, created, and built during the first lockdown of the pandemic, through hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Nam and Susi two professional ceramicists run this fun and affordable pottery studio open for everyone from all walks of life.
Nam Tran is an award-winning practitioner who gives lectures and demos at universities and exhibits internationally. A ceramic lecturer and head of the departments in design and multi-media with Kensington and Chelsea college. Nam specialises in wheel-thrown raku, bringing years of experience and craftsmanship to every object made.
Tran's work is focused primarily on exploring the physical properties of clay and material experimentation is a strong characteristic of his work. He has been developing making enclosed forms that are much stronger than open forms and therefore resonates well with the alternative firing technique he uses. His work is dominated by thrown pieces that subtly echo the urban roots and conceptual design. Nam Tran first made pots as a teenager on a wheel in his own bedroom and remembers being captivated by the experience. With his unique alternatives methods and approach to ceramics, Nam Tran identifies rules and manipulates and bends them.
Classes
Reviews
(578)
Jennifer Lam • Nov 2023
Christopher and Cherry are really helpful. If you struggle, they are always here to help and guide. We had so much fun. You can actually make 3 things in 2 hours.
Georgia Meredith • Nov 2023
What a lovely experience! I have never used a pottery wheel before but the step by step teacher led lesson was perfect to help me throw my very first pot. I would highly recommend this workshop as you will come away with a great sense of achievement (and even a pot or 2 to show for it!)
Kevin Jarin • Nov 2023
I recently attended a ceramic pottery class in Stoke Newington, and it was a blast! The instructions were clear, making the two hours fly by. However, the class size posed a challenge; with only two teachers, some struggled more than others, and a few went unnoticed. Despite this, I managed to craft two small pots with the option for glazing. Overall, a fun experience, but perhaps a smaller class size would enhance individual attention. I'd still recommend it!
Mirna • Nov 2023
I went with friends and it was our first experience with pottery and certainly wont be our last! We enjoyed it so much, it was de-stressing, fun and a chance to get creative. Paul, Layila and Anitha were super friendly, very patient with us and explained things in detail. We also had few tries so certainly got better by the end of the taster class!
Anonymised ClassBento student • Nov 2023
The teacher we had was lovely and very welcoming.
The 3h taster class was very informative if you are a complete beginner and we got to do quite a couple of creations (4) in that time.
Elie Disso • Nov 2023
Booked this session to celebrate our 2 year anniversary and we couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The class was beginner friendly in a wonderful art studio. All the necessary materials were provided, accompanied with wonderful instructors that demonstrated the whole process from start to finish. 100% would recommend, if you’ve always wanted to try pottery. Will definitely be going again!
Beth Price-King • Nov 2023
We had a great time at the taster session on Saturday 11th.
We decided to do a fun wholesome Saturday and try something new. It was great and all of us really enjoyed it! My friend Beth and I now want to do a course!
The teachers Rosa and Cherry were really great. They made it super fun, funny and engaging.
Cannot wait to sign up for courses!
Dani x
Saskia Oroyemi • Nov 2023
Great experience! The teacher was really authentic and , really inspired me to continue with pottery. I booked this class for my partner’s birthday and he had a great time too. Really happy we have some physical mementos as well
Siobhán Bradshaw • Nov 2023
We had the best afternoon and would recommend this activity to everyone! The studio was gorgeous and the teachers were very skilled and knowledgeable. Thanks for a great day!
Beth Elrefai • Nov 2023
Great class! The instruction was very clear and thorough. I can't wait to take another pottery class and learn more. Highly recommend!
Patchi Claudino • Nov 2023
My partner and I had the best time!
Nam and Susie are super talented and passionate about their work as ceramicists and educators.
Nam was our instructor and he’s an excellent teacher! Very engaging, attentive and encouraging. The instructions are clear and make success achievable.
They provide plenty of clay and time to practice and make various pieces. We ended up having 3 glazed (each)!
The studio is spacious and bright and has a great community feel with other lessons going on and members doing their own thing. Great vibe.
This was my second workshop with Cernamic, this time at their new studio. I did one last year with my cousin and it was just as good.
I couldn’t recommend it more!
Thank you, Cernamic! ????
Claire Galvin • Nov 2023
The teachers were great, so friendly and encouraging!
The venue was quite cold but we had heaters which did the trick. Also warm tea was available.
The teachers installed confidence and the class made me want to do another course!
Giorgia Querin • Oct 2023
It was great! Quite technical, very good for beginners and the teachers provided assistance to every step to achieve good final pieces!
Mhairi Elisabeth Thatcher • Oct 2023
Beautiful charming studio. The instructors Rosa, Cherie and Suzy were so helpful, fun and informative and struck the perfect balance between giving you independence and also stepping in if you wanted them to, to guarantee you came away with some pieces you were happy with. I surprised my partner with this class as a gift and he had a great time and is really excited to pick up our pieces once they're glazed and fired. We came away with 10 different things! Looking forward to having some cute, unique crockery and decorative pieces that we made together in our home.
Paolo Stucchi • Oct 2023
Amazing class! Quay and Cherrie are both great teachers we had loads of fun and we’ll hold on to our pots dearly.
Mr Mahad Hassan • Oct 2023
3 ClassBento workshops attended
Had the pleasure of doing pottery with Bento the first time. LOVED IT Managed to create a piece of art that I’ll be cherishing forever.
Thank you, Megan + Cherrie!
Charlotte Corbo • Oct 2023
Highly recommend this class. Nam and team were super friendly, patient and were very clear, helpful teachers. If you are looking to try out pottery this is the class to do it!
Karim Bakkali • Sep 2023
Great instructors who are very friendly and most of all patient. I messed up a lot, and they kept coming back to check up on me. Not only did they help to make sure I was actually able to take something away but they really take the time to teach the technique so you can do it yourself. It's a really fun experience where you don't feel pressure, giving you a lot of time to start from scratch if needed or whether you want to make multiple pieces.
Babes • Sep 2023
Rosa absolute amazing instructor, made us feel super comfortable from the beginning aswell as Z and cherry supporting along the way to ensure the best results. Will definitely be returning.
Cynthia Samuels • Sep 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this class. Nam was very helpful and gave clear and easy to understand instructions. We were all making amazing pots in no time.
I'll defo be back probably for the longer course.
Pamela Moore • Sep 2023
Such a lovely class for beginners! Bring your friends along for the experience! Thank you
Emma Gower • Sep 2023
Loved the pottery making class today! The teacher was absolutely fantastic, clear with instructions and very helpful with everyone. A great experience for anyone who has never experienced pottery making before. Great location / easy to park. Will definitely be back soon!
Sammy Johnson • Aug 2023
Great taster session covering hand building and pottery wheel, easy to understand demonstration, lots of help provided
Iris Bardon • Aug 2023
Thank you for a nice experience. This is perfect for beginners and such a great value for money. In three hours, we got to experience different forms of pottery but also get help from the staff there who is very friendly and fun. Thanks!
Mohammed Aftab • Aug 2023
We had an excellent time at the session. The teachers were great and very helpful. The class was engaging, interesting and informative.
Christine • Aug 2023
Great step-by-step instructions for a beginner and lots of fun using the wheel.
Serap Halis • Aug 2023
3 ClassBento workshops attended
I would highly recommend. Really relaxing and the teachers were amazing. They were clear and very helpful. It wasn’t a rush in time, the time frame was just perfect. Can’t wait to see the end results of our ceramics
Rebecca Folorunso • Aug 2023
7 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
Teacher was good, there were more than enough people to help and guide you so don’t worry if you are a complete beginner
Lydia Noura • Aug 2023
Such a great class - teachers were great and very supportive. We’ve never done pottery before and it’s ticked off our bucket list! We can’t wait to pick up our creations
Lauren Randell • Aug 2023
Honestly the best pottery class I've taken in London. Rosa was so lovely and fun to learn from, her and her assistant were supper supportive during building.
The whole process was explained clearly and a lot of attention was placed on ensuring everyone was learning. Great value for 3 hours too!
Chris Johnson • Aug 2023
Great fun, really empathetic teaching from Rosa - ended up with times I was super happy with. Took my mum along and she loved it! Will most definitely be going back
Diana Sikandar • Aug 2023
It was my first time trying pottery and I loved it. The lesson began with a helpful demo and the teachers provided assistance throughout the whole session. It was a fun and relaxed atmosphere. I am looking forward to going back.
Reem Abdelrahman • Jul 2023
Special thanx for the whole team they all were so friendly, and always their to support.
I think this class is best value for money. The studio is good equipped and the materials were good.
I liked how systematic was the class(the demo and the explanation at the beginning was brilliant. If you looking for weekend stress relief, meditation and joyful new experience this. Class is for you.
Thnx
Abi Harper • Jul 2023
2 ClassBento workshops attended
Rosa and the team were great! Would definitely recommend! Can't wait to see our pots!
Sikemi Akinyemi • Jul 2023
teacher was very fun hands and super helpful plenty of clay was provided and loved the length of the session great value for money and guaranteed to walk away with a quality piece of pottery!
Emily Madkell • Jul 2023
Amazing teachers. Really passionate. The class was engaging and really fun. Great to have both the wheel section and the moulding section
Xanthe Wilkins • Jul 2023
This was the second taster workshop I attended - I’ve been giving them as birthday presents to any friends who want to try throwing - both sessions were so much fun!
The teachers are great, and Nam and Susie are so lovely. You can tell they just love to make and create. The class gives you a very thorough overview on throwing, and you get a long way in 2 hours.
Will definitely be going back in the autumn to do the 6 or 8 week classes and can’t wait to get started!
I’m so pleased with the pieces I made in the taster workshops and am really excited to learn the ins and outs of glazing and firing.
Tyrone • Jul 2023
The lesson was great. The teachers were very hands on and interactive which made learning really easy. I would highly recommend this activity and it is a nice skill to have.
Woo Yin • Jul 2023
Overall great experience Loved the studio and I truly appreciate the help and guide given by our instructor, especially as I was a beginner. Would definitely come again :)
Jocelyn • Jul 2023
3 ClassBento workshops attended
It was my second time having the taster lesson at Cernamic. Nam made the wheel throwing very easy to understand. All of the tutors there are very helpful. I also love the vibe there, we had lots of fun. I will recommend it to all of my friends who are interested in pottery making
Giuliana Salomon • Jul 2023
I really enjoyed the introduction class, the teacher and all the helpers were really nice and informative. I would 100% come again!
Christelle Roberts • Jun 2023
2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
Supportive and encouraging. Great intro to pottery. Really loved it. I especially liked the mix of using the pottery wheel and hand crafting.
Ahmad Abdullah • Jun 2023
Amazing session - super friendly team! I Highly recommend. The host is very approachable and funny. Definitely made the experience memorable!
Kayley • Jun 2023
Had a great time, Amy and Mae were brilliant. They explained everything clearly and there was a great demonstration at the beginning of the class. All 8 people in our group managed to create pieces we wanted to bring home.
Felicia Soon • Jun 2023
Teacher was very patient and encouraging! Love that there was a lot of attention and details.
Panna Thakker • Jun 2023
It was a man amazing first time pottery experience for me with step by step guidance from Rosa on the techniques involved with plenty of help from the other assistants when needed. The venue was great and easy to get to and with a class of 13 /14 was just right for the session. There was time to experiment independently and it was very therapeutic at the same time. I would definitely go back again. ☺️ #classbento & #cbcomp
Panna Thakker • Jun 2023
It was a man amazing first time pottery experience for me with step by step guidance from Rosa on the techniques involved with plenty of help from the other assistants when needed. The venue was great and easy to get to and with a class of 13 /14 was just right for the session. There was time to experiment independently and it was very therapeutic at the same time. I would definitely go back again. ☺️
Bami Adesina • Jun 2023
Very fun class, teacher was very thorough & hands on with examples and help. Definitely a fun new thing to try.
Imogen Ward • Jun 2023
I booked this class as a birthday present for my girlfriend and we were both incredibly impressed with the whole experience.
Our class was led by Nam who explained everything step by step, with little breaks to help if anyone was struggling but also gave us all lots of creative freedom to try different techniques. There were also a group of assistants providing tips throughout the session who were all so helpful and enthusiastic.
We’re so pleased to hear a new studio has opened in Deptford (where we from) so we will certainly be heading for another class!
Emily Hopkins • Jun 2023
Venue was lovely, teachers were super knowledgeable and helpful - 2 hours was a good taster session for clay but obviously requires many more hours to master the skill. Teachers were eager to help, but it did feel a bit rushed at times and that they felt annoyed we hadn't asked for more help
Lizzy Bunker • May 2023
The teachers were really friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The 2 hours absolutely flew by! I had a great time with my boyfriend. Suitable for absolute beginners, and a lot of fun!
Sophie Ogawa • May 2023
So fun, wonderful teachers (funny as well), relaxed atmosphere, very well explained and taught for beginners.
Highly recommend!
Rosie Jenkins • May 2023
Such a great class! Our teacher Rosa was
Fantastic! She got all the 12 yr olds totally on board and helped them all make things they were supper chuffed with. Great fun and really educational, new skills learned
Olivia Alexander • May 2023
Nam and the team at ceramic were so lovely and all incredible teachers, making it look so easy! We all had so much fun and are already talking about going again! Great value for money, we all had 3 pieces by the end that we all decided to take home too. Looking forward to getting them from the kiln in a few weeks. Cannot recommend this class enough!
Beth Townshend • May 2023
I had a great time! They are amazing teachers and i cannot wait to come back.
Its a super chilled vibe, an oasis from office work in Central.
Erica Cohen • Apr 2023
An excellent way to quickly learn the basics and make some pottery on a wheel. Great teacher, with two extra staff members to help when you get into tricky spots. All materials and aprons provided. You get to have your pottery fired, painted (even handles added) if you want for an extra £5 each. A great class!
Marianne Roberts • Apr 2023
Great class, everyone included. Teacher enthusiastic and knowledgeable. All materials provided. Just the right amount of time. Venue easy to find.
Yemanah Darby • Apr 2023
Really enjoyed the class, they were so friendly and patient. Would defo recommend this class to anyone looking for a fun relaxing activity
Heike Messler • Apr 2023
Rosa and her colleagues were amazing teachers! The class was so much fun and I can't wait to see the fired pots.
Eliza Ward • Apr 2023
The teachers were great, so attentive and on hand to help out. They were all so skilled in explaining about the different pottery steps and made the whole workshop so enjoyable. Looking forward to coming back with my friends!
Cecilia • Apr 2023
It was a great surprise from my daughter for my birthday and I really enjoyed learning how to make some clay pottery and can’t wait to see the end result! Thanks to the teacher and his team for being so friendly and patient with us all
Athanasios Almpanis • Apr 2023
Such an amazing experience! Lovely teacher and beautiful environment. I loved every moment and I’m gonna definitely go back!
Rossella Marzocchella • Apr 2023
The experience was great It was the first time for me and my husband and we really enjoyed it. The teacher was friendly and explained step by step what to do and how to do it.
After two hours we finished a couple of pieces and I couldn’t believe it! Highly recommended
Hannah McCrory • Mar 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed my first time having a go at some pottery on the wheel at Cernamics I booked the throwing taster session for my mum and I as a birthday gift and we both loved it. The teachers were very thorough in their demo and patient with everyone as we battled to get out clay centred. Absolutely loved the pieces we made and am really looking forward to picking them up once they’ve been glazed. Highly recommend!
