11k 
Louise Crookenden-Johnson Ceramics
location_on Kettering, Northampton
local_activity classes: Wheel Throwing • Pottery
5.0 (73)
5k followers
Hello, I’m Louise
I adore leading pottery experiences, passing on pottery skills to other people. Clay is infectious!
I did a degree in Ceramics at Loughborough in the late 1980s and then had community arts roles and a pottery business in my 20's and 30's. After a career in children's services and growing my family I'm now full time in the pottery.
My dad, Rodney, was a brilliant bird artist, and both he and my mum found ways to encourage my artistic nature. They supported me in everything I did. Aged 13, I had a day with a local potter and was hooked on the clay.
When I started out in Ceramics in the 1990's the internet was just an idea, but with the help of my adult children I've grown my online presence and enjoy customer interactions both in person and over social media.
I also head out to local in person markets, my brilliant Mum helps with these.
I have a beautiful workshop which is bright and spacious, so the perfect commute down the garden path and the big pine table which is the hub of activity great for gathering with others who want to learn the craft or chatting to friends and neighbours as I make.
Classes
Gallery
Reviews
(73)
Sian Butler • Mar 2024
Lovely time spent with my daughter not only enjoying the creative process of pottery but making memories in a relaxing and nurturing environment.
Natalie Serbyn • Mar 2024
Louise was lovely, she explained every step we needed to follow. There were 3 of us on the course, we each made 1 mug and one bowl each. I am returning to paint my pottery. I had a great morning, thank you
Rah Flynn • Mar 2024
Louise is a superb teacher. She breaks down a multifaceted task simply, from centring to handholds. More than that, she has the innate ability to read your needs and capability, then fill in any gaps, making it a stressless, gentle and fun experience.
Highly recommend. Will undoubtedly be back!
Teacher's response
Thanks for this absolutely lovely review, it’s always such a thrill for me when people come and enjoy it as much as I do!
Looking forward to seeing you again, to paint your pots x
Alice • Mar 2024
I have always wanted to try wheel throwing so I took the plunge and booked the last spot and couldn't have been happier with my choice! Louise is a ray of sunshine and extremely knowledgeable. I was a little apprehensive about having to take turns but it worked out really well with having Louise's attention and expertise not to divided. So excited to pick up my mugs when they're fired
Teacher's response
Wonderful Alice, so thrilled that you enjoyed it, I’m always working hard to make sure that people feel comfortable, even if they come alone.
Your pots are drying gently having been trimmed, I look forward to getting them through the firing safely for you to collect.
Lovely to meet you Louise X
King Enekeme • Mar 2024
This experience was more than expected. A fantastic time was had. Louise has a gift not only in poetry making but also in her approach to teaching such a delicate skill to newbies.
We enjoyed this so much the time went so fast.
Will definitely be going back.
Teacher's response
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review King.
It was a delight to meet you and your friend, you both did brilliantly with a new skill, well implemented, hope to see you again in the Pottery, Louise X
Abigail Shannon • Mar 2024
On this website the maximum that can be rated is 5 stars for a 'great' experience - and I believe this does Louise a disservice! There should be the option to choose 'spectacular' or 'phenomenal' because I think that is more better suited. My mum and I smiled the entire time. Our teacher was hilarious, interesting, and extremely informative. Her personality really added an additional layer to what was already bound to be a fun time. I learnt about the event talking to a stranger in a yoga class, and they spoke about how amazing this ceramics class was, and so I instantly booked a session, and was not disappointed in any way! The venue was also easy to find, and the classes are very small so Louise is always available to help if required. Thank you for your help Louise, and we will see you again in April!
Teacher's response
Woohoo, magnificent that you had such a super time, and that my infectious love for the clay rubbed off on you, too!
X
Victoria • Mar 2024
I'd wanted to try for ages so I asked for a voucher for Christmas and I was not disappointed. Louise is very welcoming and friendly. She made the class fun and I cannot tell you how much I loved it! I made a cup and a bowl and I can't wait for them to be fired, glazed and back in my hands. I'd definitely recommend it, it's inspired me to find a course to learn more. Thanks Louise!
Diaz • Feb 2024
This class was brilliant! There were three of us that went and all very much enjoyed it! Louise was so helpful and has a super friendly and outgoing personality. This class is definitely worth the money and I look forward to going back and painting our cups and bowls! Louise also takes videos throughout the session which is absolutely lovely to look back on.
Teacher's response
Wonderful! Thanks for the super review, glad you enjoyed watching the throwing videos back, you were all fab!
Sandhya Senthilvel • Feb 2024
Louise was absolutely great! She was kind and patient throughout the class. Have loads of fun making pottery
Teacher's response
Magic, so thrilled you loved it. It was a joy to meet you.
Emma Stout • Feb 2024
my sister and i booked the class as a treat for our birthday. it was the first time we had ever tried pottery and it was great. Louise was lovely, so helpful and an amazing teacher. She explained each step really well, and showed us what to do. the whoke class was great and we were both so pleased with what we made. we did a bowl and a mug each and are going to go back and paint them in a few weeks. i would absolutely recommend trying it.
Teacher's response
Well done you two, the first twins I have taught together, I think. Lovely to meet you and splendid that you enjoyed it so much!
Lynne Franklin • Feb 2024
A birthday treat for me and my daughter making a clay bird feeder. Louise is brilliant and very enthusiastic and made the session very enjoyable. The time flew by and we were sorry when it was time to go home. This is the second time I have been to one of Louise’s classes and it won’t be the last. A great way to spend a dull Saturday afternoon. Lynne and Emma
Shaun Muckle • Feb 2024
What a fantastic introduction to throwing clay, you end up with recognisable pottery from your first throw. Louise takes away the pain, making it a joy. You get the chance to try the tricky bits, without using your whole lesson having to master them. We did the class as a family group, this was so relaxing and Louise was like a hawk, picking up any issues before they became unrecoverable. We even booked up to go back to paint our own designs on at a later date. We would all definitely recommend this class.
Teacher's response
Brilliant to meet you all and absolutely fantastic that you enjoyed the session so much, look forward to seeing you to come back and paint your pots in due course. Hope you had a lovely birthday
Anonymised ClassBento student • Feb 2024
Louise is a fantastic teacher, calm patient and very well knowledgeable in pottery, her passion is extremely obvious and it’s catching, we all felt very enthusiastic about pottery by the end and the nerves had gone. Love lady, great class. A pleasure.
Teacher's response
Thank you for your wonderful review! You can see how much I love doing what I do, and I’m thrilled that you had such a lovely time. Louise x
Rhiann • Feb 2024
Louise was so calm and welcoming, showed us the process super clearly and aided us through whilst still letting us create our own individual pots.
The venue was easy to find /park outside, and was neat and comfortable throughout.
Teacher's response
I adore welcoming people to my happy Pottery, and it’s so rewarding to see the things that you create. Thank you for taking the time to do such a lovely review. X
Ryan • Jan 2024
Louise is a lovely bubbly instructor who made sure that our pottery creations were far from amateurish.
Their workshop is where dreams come true!
Perfect for a date or group of friends.
Teacher's response
Terrific that you loved it, and thrilled that you were pleased with what you made. I do adore passing on my learning to others. Louise X
James Peutherer • Jan 2024
I booked a workshop for my mum and sister as a Christmas present and we all had a great time. The pottery is fabulous with a really relaxed and calming atmosphere and Louise was wonderful. She explained everything brilliantly, kept us laughing the whole way through, and was considerate of my physical disabilities, making sure I was able to get as much out of the class as everyone else. There was just the 3 of us there so we got lots of hands on time. I would definitely recommend Louise’s workshop to anyone considering giving pottery/wheel throwing a try. We’ll be back soon to decorate our mugs and bowls!
Alex • Jan 2024
Louise was fab. Explained everything well and made sure eveyone in the class got to go home with a piece by keeping us all in shape. Venue was clean& set up well. Easy to find.
I have learnt the stages of how to throw a pot. Now I just want to play with clay& learn even more.
Alison Ward • Dec 2023
A very relaxed and creative session. A great start to Christmas. I’d definitely recommend.
Darian Simpson • Nov 2023
Louise was very welcoming and we was even greeted with mince pies and cuppa! Me and my friend thorough enjoyed the lesson :) we would highly recommend and will be returning. Thanks Louise for the fun and therapeutic experience. Darian & Sophie age 30, 29 x
Bilal • Nov 2023
Louise was absolutely amazing, from the moment we arrived. Her studio is really welcoming, quiet and peaceful. She was really supportive and great teacher. Me and my wife both really enjoyed our session. Louise was really encouraging we even booked in another session with her to have a go at painting our mugs. We would highly recommend booking in with her, you will not be disappointed. We will definitely be telling our freinds and family and booking in again.
Teacher's response
Bilal, Thank you for your lovely review, it is brilliant when people have such a wonderful time, and I always enjoy meeting people and sharing my love of the craft.
It will be a delight to have you back again!
Claire Twiseton • Nov 2023
This was a birthday present for my daughter as we love a gift that means we get to spend time together as we live 200 miles apart! Louise is a wonderful lady - very talented - and very patient! Her studio is perfect and she provided us with a fantastic afternoon. She displays some of her pottery around the studio and we could see how talented she is. Beautiful pottery in fabulous colours.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful afternoon. Look forward to coming back to paint our creations!
Teacher's response
Well done, fabulous pots, great to meet you. Really thrilled that you enjoyed yourselves, it was fab to have you in the Pottery. Will see you in a couple of weeks to paint your pots. They are happily through the first firing and waiting patiently for you to come, and learn another new skill!
Thanks again
Jill Smith • Aug 2023
Louise's warm friendly welcome put us at our ease. Her passion for her art is obvious and she clearly wants her students to have an enjoyable and productive time. The step by step tuition and guidance meant we were able to have a go and create some pots ourselves with the reassurance of Louise's magic sponge and guiding hand. Lovely way to spend a Sunday morning. Thanks Louise, looking forward to decorating our creations.
Sarah Hillier • Jul 2023
Louise is an excellent teacher ! She was patient, passionate about pottery and provided an enjoyable experience for my Mum and I.
The studio is bright and welcoming, we will definitely be going back !
Teacher's response
Thanks Sarah, what a lovely review! Brilliant, so have you and your mum in the Pottery, do you come back for another clay play date! X
Lucy Smith • Mar 2023
My sister and I had the most wonderful day throwing on a pottery wheel for the first time. Louise was very lovely and an incredibly engaging teacher. We will definitely be back again to experience more of Louise’s wonderful pottery studio !
Anonymized Customer • Feb 2023
We had the best time! Louise was so welcoming and instantly made us feel comfortable! The atmosphere of her studio is perfect, with lots of light coming through and calming music in the background (which was perfect for focusing!). We have never done wheel throwing before and Louise made this new experience really enjoyable - she is fantastic teacher! We are so pleased with the two pieces we each got to make during our session.
Marie Newman • Feb 2023
Thank you, Louise. we all had a great time in your beautiful studio. You made us feel very welcome, used high quality materials. Despite the fact that none of us had ever done pot throwing before with your excellent teaching we all managed to create 2 lovely pieces, and you have inspired us to continue fantastic great fun
Laura Parker • Jan 2023
So many positives no idea where to start!
First off location is really easy to find. The Pottery room is lovely, bright and airy. Louise made us feel totally comftable and at ease from the first Hello.
Everything felt very calm and chilled. She spent the fist few minutes telling us if her love for poetry, and how it's a hobby she has had fir life.
Great demonstration by Louise, and her way of teaching is really good. She is understanding and patient.
We are returning for printing our creations in a few week. But we have said we would definitely do it again.
