Armpits Pottery

18/10/2026

Time is passing quickly now for our upcoming village made Christmas Fair. Put it on your calendar.

Just 6 weeks to go until our local village Christmas Fair. This year we have an incredible 20+ local crafters and makers taking part. So many that we have had to expand into the chapel next door. All are from the village or very close by. Who would have thought that a small place like Oughtibridge would have so many lovely arty folk.
It will be a great way to spend a Monday evening, chat, craft and hot chocolate.
I hope to see you there, Nog ( Armpits Pottery)

16/10/2026

I don't generally post non-pottery stuff on here, but this has got me SO CROSS! Down the road from us, at Hangman's corner near the Middlewood Tavern, some low-life numpty scum-bag has dumped this! It just makes me angry and depressed at the same time. What sort of moronic, thoughtless idiot does this?
I've travelled abroad a lot, and it feels like only here and India (whole different rubbish problem there) litter and dump stuff. What's up with us?
I don't just understand it. Just take it to the tip!
Rant over, Nog.

15/10/2026

On the 31st of October, 6 - 9pm AgeUK Sheffield are having a charity fund raising clay throwing evening. £45 each which includes a complimentary glass of bubbly and a buffet, there is a bar. Spaces are limited to 32 only so follow the link on the poster to book on.
Me and several members of The Northern Potters are providing the instruction and help on the evening. If you've ever fancied having a go now is the time. Sounds like it could be a lot of fun.
Cheers, Nog

06/10/2026

Just 6 weeks to go until our local village Christmas Fair. This year we have an incredible 20+ local crafters and makers taking part. So many that we have had to expand into the chapel next door. All are from the village or very close by. Who would have thought that a small place like Oughtibridge would have so many lovely arty folk.
It will be a great way to spend a Monday evening, chat, craft and hot chocolate.
I hope to see you there, Nog ( Armpits Pottery)

15/09/2026

Hot out of the kiln this morning, so just bisqed and not yet glazed, a fruit washer. One of the ladies at Voyager Arts in Stocksbridge was asking about making one, so this is the prototype. Couldn't wait to see if it would work, and it seems to so I'm quite chuffed with that.
Cheers, Nog.

06/09/2026

All stu up and ready at The Wortley Top Forge open day. I believe Britain's only surviving 17th century iron forge.
The photo is of the original wooden hammer beam, still worked by water power. A unique survivor.
Open until 4 this afternoon.
Cheers, Nog.

21/08/2026

This is the next event I'm at. If you don't know about, or have never been to this historic ironworks then you are missing out on one of Sheffield's true hidden gems.
Their summer fair is always a great day out for the family. History, ride-on train, cafe craft stalls what's not to like 😁
Cheers, Nog

19/08/2026

A couple of new pieces out of the kiln this morning.
The jug was made at Liz Carlisle's studio in Askrigg. Bev Seth initially made the basic shape but was going to bin it. I took it as it cried out JUG to me. And here it is. It pours buitifully.
The next piece was made on a Rebecca Appleby course. Lots of slips, oxides and crushed clay used in a very free-form way. I've put some clear glaze on the inside to try and make it a bit more user friendly.
I'll be taking these along to my next show which is at Wortley Top Forge open day (a great day out) on Saturday 6th of September.
Cheers, Nog.

16/08/2026

A few weeks ago a bunch of us went up to Liz Carlisle's pottery studio near Askrigg for a week of ideas and inspiration. One of the ideas was to make ceramic things which join, or become part of other things. I ended up via a strange route with a turtle which could carry interchangeable house/trees/objects on it's back.
It's been drying for ages, and I thought it was ready for a bisque firing. Obviously I was wrong. Either the head was still damp in the middle, or it had an air pocket ot two. Either way, the result when I opened the kiln this morning is fairly obvious. Oopps!
What's the pottery mantra - 'be prepared for disappointment'
Cheers, Nog.
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15/08/2026

Some photos from the last hand building pottery session at Voyager Arts in Stocksbridge.
I run these small classes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday afternoon's of the month 1.30 - 3.30. Cost £30.00 each. Max 4 people per session due to space. To book on please phone Josette on 07909 969605
Cheers, Nog.