Testimonials

 

Rachel  helped us set up our ceramic studio after attending one of her bespoke courses. She came to our premises to train our staff and helped them all to feel like they were able to paint ceramics confidently and enthusiastically. She gave us lots of ideas and has supported us throughout what can be a tricky and stressful time! We will be using her for all our training requirements in the future and look forward to learning of her new ideas and products on the free courses.

Glenys and Nils Persson
Coffee and Clay , Skipton, North Yorkshire

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Having been thinking about setting up a mobile pottery studio for over 18 months, I finally decided to do something about it. I looked at various training courses but chose Rachel after reading the testimonials on this site. Over the two days spent with Rachel I learnt more than I thought was possible in such a short time. It was also a fun and enjoyable experience (even though my artistic skills leave a lot to be desired!). Rachel showed us many different techniques and gave us lots of tips on how to promote the business. She also put together a start up package to fit our budget and requirements, staying up late to ensure that we could leave with everything to start the business. On returning home I secured my first booking the same week! This is all thanks to the great training provided and the new found confidence I have due to Rachel's positive nature. Thanks Rachel.

Rhianne

______________________________________________________________________________________

Half Acres Junior and Infant School, Temple Street - Castleford

Dear Rachel

I am writing to thank you for the ceramics workshops you have been leading in our school. The children who have been involved have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had the opportunity to learn some new skills and different experiences.

The Foundation Stage parents were thrilled with their "Little Red Robin" Beakers as a memento of their child's first school play - what a lovely idea.

We are looking forward to working with you again soon. I will be discussing your ideas for "5 a day" with Zoe Liddle who is currently putting together a bid to promote healthy eating in our community. I think your ceramics could be an innovative extra dimension to get the message across.

I have recommended your workshops to several of my colleagues so you may be getting more phone calls. See you in school again.

With Regards

Mandy Pickles.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Hi there Rachel. I just wanted to say a big thank you for the brilliant two weekends .The kiln arrived safely and i cant wait to have it up and running making my own things and i feel i have learned a lot from you and i'd love to come again soon.

Chrissie.

______________________________________________________________________________________

I've spent two training days with Rachel so far and can't wait to go back for more!   Her experience and extensive knowledge of the ceramics industry is impressive, to say the least, and she is happy to share this with her students.  She is a very relaxed friendly person with endless patience and enthusiasm, which makes her a wonderful teacher. I've learnt the basic skills needed for ceramic painting, glazing and firing, some great clay building work and brushstroke techniques (even the frustration of my inability to master this quickly didn't faze Rachel) along with practical ideas for promoting the business. The whole day feels welcoming and informal and the lunch provided was excellent.  I have been looking for new business ideas to fit in with my lifestyle for some time now, and the ceramic cafe idea is just the sort of thing I've been looking for.  With Rachel's positive support I can set up my new venture feeling confident of success. 

Jackie Roberts, Wetherby

______________________________________________________________________________________

Ceramic Painters Pattern Book Review

Dear Rachel, Having recently purchased your book "Ceramic Painters Pattern Book"I have to say as a Decorative Painter this is the most wonderful reference/pattern book.   It is inspiring just to leaf through and my head buzzes with new ideas when I look at it.  I have used some of the flower patterns especially the Sweet Peas and adapted them for my use with excellent effects as even the areas to be shaded and highlighted are so obvious from the pattern!   The variety of patterns has something there for everyone and I would thoroughly recommend this book as a "must have" - I have let my friend have a look at it for a week and I cannot wait for its return!!   I also enjoyed the excellent instructions regarding the ceramic side of things. Cannot wait for the next book! - Every good wish Gilly

Thank you so much for a fantastic day on Thursday 10 July 2008. The techniques we used were fantastic and will definitely go down well when I'm promoting my classes, I was extremely impressed with the vibrancy of the colours of the new paint that you are launching (Creative Colour) it's fantastic very impressed, and thank you again for our trial tester pots, a fantastic lunch and really good company, oh how we laughed what a uplifting day.

Jayne Taylor

Pots4u2do

______________________________________________________________________________________

Maureen Darling, Magnolia Studios (Ceramic Consultant)

I have attended many workshops taught by Rachel and also commissioned her for one on one tuition. Her workshops are well structured and organised and Rachel will always ensure that each student gets the best possible outcome from the session.

As well as being a fantastic and talented artist, Rachel is always willing to share her experience and knowledge unreservedly.

Rachel has a pleasant, easy going manner which makes her sessions very enjoyable as well as educational.

I would certainly, and indeed do, recommend Rachel as a teacher of ceramic art.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Debbie Smith - Pot Doodles (Sheffield)

Bespoke Training Day - April 2008 & Launch of Creative Colour paint range - 10 July 2008.
After running a mobile pottery studio for a couple of years, I was looking for inspiration and ideas. I certainly found this and more besides. Rachel is full of ideas and tips and is a wonderful teacher. I discovered skills I didn't even know I had!

The Creative Colour launch was very informative and great fun. The new paint range is fabulous and full of vibrant colours. I couldn't wait to get home and try them out!

______________________________________________________________________________________

Shelley and Lindsay (26th June 2008)

Thank you so much to Rachel for helping us find a talent we never knew we had! 

My mum and I wanted to set up a Ceramic Cafe and Rachel helped us all the way.  We had brilliant fun whilst learning from the master herself - the woman can even make a great chilli.  I would recommend Rachel to anyone wanting to set up in business or just wanting to have a bespoke training session - its brilliant!

______________________________________________________________________________________

Ghee Tan - Funky Pots (26th June 2008)

I had the good fortune of being taught by some very good teachers in my still relatively short ceramic studio life. Rachel Byass to me is among the best of them. Her teaching is always very informative and practical. She will impart on you her knowledge and skill without any reservation. She has a light-hearted approach which makes a difficult piece feels easy to do. You can't help being affected by her passion and enthusiasm for the industry. Her knowledge and experience in the industry are invaluable which she is prepared to share with you.

I would recommend Rachel Byass as a consultant and teacher in the ceramic industry without a single doubt. Everybody whether they are new or experience in the industry will be able to learn and pickup some knowledge from her.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Priscilla Carter - Unique Creations (26th June 2008)

Over the past 5 years I have attended many of Rachel Byass's Training courses and I have always found her to be very informative and highly professional. It is clear that to Rachel ceramics is not just a hobby or business, but a passion, and her enthusiasm is infectious. I would highly recommend a training day with her - you will leave having learnt a huge amount on the subject she is teaching plus a whole lot more.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Michael Vernon, Eire

I have recently attended two ceramic workshops run by Rachel Byass both were a very practical, engaging and enjoyable "hands on" experience. Rachel is a very competent and patient teacher who easily corrected and explained with good humour why I was making my many mistakes, but without criticising my efforts. If you are thinking of learning a craft especially in the ceramic field I would highly recommend you contact Rachel Byass both for her vast knowledge and total professionalism.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Nancy & Anthony Walsh (15th January 2008)

Thank you so much for an absolutely fantastic day on Saturday. After obtaining training a while back on basic bisque work it was great to meet you for the first time and increase our training to include the clay & silver prints & recap on things we were not doing exactly the right way.

The day was filled with more than we could have ever hoped for and on a one to one basis was invaluable!!

Thank you for making us feel so welcome, for a delicious lunch & the loan of a jumper!!! We will definitely stay in touch & it truly was an amazing day, just listening to your ideas, life with ceramics and personal experiences was worth the money! We have been looking on your website already for more training days.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Rachel Barber (Wed 2nd January 2008)

I spent the day with Rachel, and I have to say, what a wonderful, informative, and exhilarating day it was! I found Rachel to be friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming and had a real flair for teaching. I really did have such an enjoyable day.

Over the years Rachel has gained a wealth of professional knowledge, techniques and invaluable tips, both within the ceramics field and business sector, which she was quite willing to share with me, with the outlook of me starting up my own business within the ceramics / pottery painting industry.

Having been out of the industry myself for 6 years I approached Rachel to give me some revision on techniques and new thinking, and I have to say Rachel did just that, and so much more, after only one day spent with Rachel my confidence really returned and she reignited the ceramics fire in my belly!!

I have already approached her with regards to spending further time with her and learning some more new skills, and I am really looking forward to that, I would highly recommend anyone with a keen interest in all things pottery and ceramics to contact Rachel Byass.

What Rachel Byass does not know about ceramics, techniques and pottery painting is really not worth knowing!!

Alison and Lynne of Party Potters (Sun 18th November 2007)

______________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Rachel

Just to say again how much I enjoyed your course. The two days we spent with you have allowed an idea to become a reality. Your teaching methods and enthusiasm, along with a proven history of expertise in your craft and business has given the confidence to proceed with a business plan of our own. Your teaching methods are very generous and informative. I would recommend your courses, whether it be to enhance a business proposition or for the pleasure of being taught pottery painting by a professional with such a wealth of experience. I am looking forward to continue to attend your pottery painting classes to learn new techniques but also to attend your microwave kiln glass course. I have attended many courses and yours is by far one of the best value I have experienced.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Scallywags Indoor Play

After recently deciding to offer pottery painting at our Indoor Play Centre we contacted Rachel Byass. This was based on her being recommended by another play centre Little Hoppers.

We have been extremely impressed by Rachel's professionalism and with the advice and support she has given us along the way. After just a two-day course to give us an insight into pottery painting, Rachel enabled us to set up our pottery side of the business in just 2 weeks, which not only included sourcing all the materials including the kiln but also included the training of our staff on site.

Her advice has been invaluable and she has ensured that we have only purchased the items which we really needed. Without this advice we wouldn't have known where to start. In addition to this we were also given advice and guidance on how to market the pottery painting.

The training of our employees has been outstanding and whenever we have had any issues or needed advice we have been able to call her.

I would not hesitate in recommending Rachel to other prospective customers. Her experience in ceramics and her professionalism are outstanding.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Liz Wood

Just a short note to say thank you for all your help and assistance from the initial costing and planning stages of setting up our ceramic area to starting our parties. Your expertise was an enormous help and on-going support is invaluable.

Your advice and training techniques have ensured all my staff are enthusiastic and confident helping our customers to create their own masterpiece. Even those that don't feel they have any artistic ability have become positive in their outlook, which in turn transfers to the customers.

I am certain that our new venture will be a huge success especially as I feel comfortable knowing that I can contact you if we do encounter any problems or wish to build on our knowledge.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Martin and June Whitman - Craft Works, Isle-Of-Man

We were introduced to Rachel Byass in 2003. She was the newly appointed Art Director at Country Love Ceramics and we met at an 'Open Week' of teaching seminars designed by Rachel.

That meeting was the beginning of a close working relationship with Rachel. She has visited our Studio on the Isle of Man each year, twice a year since then, and her workshops are a sell out.

Rachel is passionate about what she does. Her generous nature enables her to share her painting techniques as well as the vast amount of technical knowledge she has accumulated over the years.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah Doyle - Pottery Corner, Manchester

Pottery Corner has been open for 3 and a half years and apart from the basic business training I had not found the time or money to attend any further courses. Having 2 loyal and keen members of staff I felt there was a need to look forward to new products and techniques as well as to refresh some bad habits! So I contacted Rachel, whom I knew by reputation, and she came to do a day of training in my studio. It was a great day, covering all the topics that we wanted and driven by Rachel's endless enthusiasm. Her knowledge and skill is truly impressive and her honesty refreshing.