Courses and Lessons at the Ankor studio

 

An Introduction to Soda Firing - August 2025

Come and learn about the dynamic and exciting soda firing process!

Under the guidance of ceramicist Jethro Lynch, you will make and fire your own soda fired pottery.

During the course you will learn about:

  • The importance of clay bodies in soda firing

  • How the use of slips influences the surface effects

  • How form influences the surface effects

  • Throwing, trimming and texturing clay

  • How to pack and fire a soda kiln

  • How the placement of pottery in the kiln effects the outcome of the piece

  • Unpacking the kiln, discussion and analysis of the firing

Surrounded by trees and fields in rural west Cornwall, the course will be run from Ankor’s studio at Higher Crankan.

This course runs weekly over the duration of August. Bookings are available for Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

£350 - Four and a half days (weekly)


Jethro Lynch has learnt his craft with soda firing specialist Jack Doherty, and has continued working with Jack for the last five years. Jethro now makes his own soda fired ceramics from his studio in west Cornwall. He is primarily interested in functional ceramics, working with various different stoneware clay bodies, slips and local clays to create a varied palette of surface effects.


Please use the below form to book or for any queries.

I’ve now got a small collection of soda fired items on Ankor’s website (link in bio). These used quite a broad variety of clays, slips, wood ash and minerals so there’s a fairly wide selection of different surface effects across the
It’s a favourite time of year for me to spend in the garden. We have some very strong seasonal changes here in the UK, and during late spring there’s a vigour and lushness to plant life that is hard not to love. Here’s a few soda
I know I said I’d have a small sale of some pots a couple of weeks back, but the birth of my daughter somewhat stalled that idea. I’ll endeavour to get the pots for sale online this week, but for now here’s a few shot of the kiln bu
A couple of espresso cups… #sodafired #sodafiring #handmade #reductionfiring #cone10 #espressocups #artisan #pottersofinstagram #pottery #ceramics #potterystudio #wheelthrown
I’ll be having a tiny sale of some of my soda fired stoneware tumblers. I’ve used a blend of clays, wood ash and minerals; which, once soda fired, has given me some rather individual looking pots. Here’s a couple that will be goin
I had about 30 tumblers that went through the last firing as I was testing a lot of new slip recipies. They’re fairly quick to make so are the perfect pot to test out new clay/slip combinations, this was one with some promising results. It&rsqu


 
 

Make your own Sand & Sea pottery!

Ankor now offers pottery experiences from our studio near Newmill, rural west Cornwall. Lessons are run by Ankor’s ceramicist Jethro Lynch, and are offered for one-on-one tuition or groups of up to three people. 

Our pottery experiences run for 2.5 hours, covering the basics of hand building and wheel throwing. Tips, feedback and demonstrations will all help you on your way to making your own items. Whatever you choose to keep will be dried, glazed and fired at a later date by Jethro, then packaged and posted to you.

All pottery is finished with Ankor’s signature Sand & Sea glaze combination.

 
 

One person lessons - £80 / person

Two person lessons - £65 / person

Three person lessons - £50 / person

Glazing, firing and postage: £5 / pot

 
 

If you want to book or simply have a question concerning our courses or lessons, please use the form below.