BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS Need some Christmas gift inspiration? Looking for something a little different, unique and shows that you've put some thought into it? Then, you need to browse our handmade pottery collection. All of the beautiful pottery you'll find on the Keeeps shelves has been handmade by a potter from around the UK. All the pieces are completely unique, one-off creations which make for perfect gifts. If you've arrived at Keeeps looking for a special gift, then read on to see our top picks for the festive season this year. Ceramic Vase with Fresh or Dried Flowers ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS Do you want to learn how to make pottery, but are unsure of where to start? One of the questions we often get asked is "Should I take a taster pottery class or private pottery lesson?" It’s a great question! At the end of the day, it comes down to preference and budget. So, let me tell you a little about both, and hopefully we can help you decide which would be best for you. What is a Taster Pottery Class? At Keeeps, we have two different types of taster class; the clay taster class and the wheel taster pottery class. Both are designed for beginners and to give begi ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS There are so many reasons to buy British pottery, but for Buy British Day, I've tried to nail it down to just five, which was a tougher feat than I anticipated! One thing is for certain, it's more important now than ever to support our local UK businesses, craftsman and high streets in whatever way we can. So, let's take a look at my top five reasons why buying British handmade pottery is not only important, but also gives back. 1. Buying British Helps the Economy Buying British pottery is great news for the economy, and let's be honest, there's not much good news coming ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS There are so many reasons to love ceramic handmade mugs. There’s a reason they’re so popular with our customers.  They help establish routine and structure which in turn helps you feel in control of the day ahead. They provide benchmarks, and act as a reminder to take a break in your day. Think about it, your first cup of tea in the morning that gets you going, that 11am coffee break to look forward to.   A handmade mug can promote mindfulness and encourage mindful habits. Enjoying 10 minutes of quiet can help you gather your thoughts and prepare for the d ..read more

Tamra Booth, Keeeps At Keeeps, we offer two different wheel throwing courses. A 6-week and a 2-week course. Both of our wheel throwing courses are for those who have had at least a little experience on the potter’s wheel and have preferably completed a Keeeps Wheel Taster Class. Get in contact with us if you haven’t completed a Keeeps Wheel Taster, it may be that you can join anyway if you’ve had a previous go on the wheel and learnt how to ‘centre’ the clay. Both courses are for people who loved their initial wheel throwing experience and want to take the next step in their wheel throwing jou ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, FOUNDER Come rain or shine, there are always things to do in Marlow. Marlow is a charming and vibrant Georgian market town, and is without a doubt one of the loveliest and most picturesque locations on the River Thames.   With so much on offer, Marlow is the perfect place for a weekend away in the UK, for a break from the City, and a quintessentially English town guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of tourists!  For the foodies out there, Marlow is home to several Michelin star restaurants owned by nationally renowned chefs, as well as an abundance of excelle ..read more

Whilst you can start your pottery journey with a wheel taster pottery class, we’d recommend beginning with a clay taster pottery class first before moving on to a wheel throwing taster class.  Why? Well, the clay taster pottery class gives you a broad-ranging idea of what making pottery is like and the various techniques of making it. The clay taster predominantly covers hand building with a short session on the wheel so you can get a feel for the clay.  Wheel throwing is a specific way of making pottery, and our wheel throwing taster class hones in on that particular skill, which is ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS It’s Father’s Day next week so we’ve collated some of our favourite handmade ceramics that would make the perfect gift for all the different Dads out there. We always find Father’s Day a little tricky for gift-giving but men tell us that our collection of beautiful, but practical and functional handmade ceramics are a great present for them. So, whether your Dad loves to be in the garden, is a social butterfly who lives for entertaining, or loves nothing more than enjoying a pint or a glass of wine, accompanied by his favourite sport and a few snacks – we’ve got somethin ..read more

BY TAMRA BOOTH, KEEEPS So, you’re thinking about pottery classes but you’re not sure which one to take? We are always happy to answer this question over the phone or in person at our store, but we have also put a series of blogs together about our pottery classes to help you make your decision.  One thing is for sure, you are going to love your Keeeps pottery class, no matter which class or course you opt for.   First in the series is our clay taster class and this is where we recommend you begin your pottery class journey with Keeeps.  What is a clay taster pottery class ..read more

Mums are amazing aren’t they? Always there to pick you up in challenging times, cheer you up after a hard week, to celebrate your successes and encourage you to keep going. Mother’s Day is a day to show your appreciation for all that mums, step-mums and mother figures in your life do, but how on earth do you say thank you to someone who does so much? Handmade ceramics make a great gift because they are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. They show that a lot of thought has gone into picking that gift. Not only that, but they are also often practical, useful and sustainable, and something that a pe ..read more