23-24 November 2024 Turning Earth Leyton 11-5pm
7-8 December 2024 Turning Earth Highgate 11-5pm
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Ceramics Markets, a vibrant showcase of artistic talent and handmade craftsmanship, with over 200 different makers over four days.
Whether you’re a returning pottery lover or a curious newcomer, the markets offer something for everyone: browse the one-of-a-kind pieces, meet the makers behind the masterpieces, and discover why this mindful craft is so popular in the city. With the Christmas season fast approaching, get ahead of the last-minute frenzy and buy something that has been made by hand locally with passion, and support small businesses in your area.
There will be street food, from freshly baked sourdough pizza to BBQ delicacies and hot dogs. We’ll have festive drinks to warm you up in cold weather, from local craft beer to mulled wine, and barista coffees, or soft drinks if you prefer to keep it chilled. And last but not least, there will be live music to add an extra dose of festive cheer to the atmosphere.
There will be live wheel-throwing demos on all of the four market days, so you can get up close and see lumps of clay transform into beautiful pottery. For anyone who would like to get hands-on involved with clay, there will be drop-in workshops at the Leyton market on the 23rd and 24th of November.
Each year Turning Earth makers donate special pieces and seconds to raise money for organisations that reflect Turning Earth's vision of building a community with open arms. This year, we’re supporting the potters and craftspeople affected by the recent hurricanes in the Southeast US through the charity CERF+. Look for the charity stall at the market.
21-22 September 2024 Turning Earth Highgate 11-5pm
After a short summer break, Turning Earth's Ceramics Market returns to the Highgate studio on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of September. With 120 different makers offering their handmade pieces over the weekend, you can expect to find some crafted and unique treasures. Make sure to visit on both days as there will be 60 different makers on each!
All the ingredients for the best weekend out are there: handmade goods, live music, street food, pottery demonstrations, and the cherry on the cake, a Roman kiln firing!
On Saturday, the market will be enlivened with music of critically acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Theo Bard. While on Sunday the composer Jimm, from the Jazz Cannibals, will be back with his eclectic style, a mix of jazz, rap, trad, folk, reggae, sea-shanty, punk, and funk.
Sourdough Daali, a micro-bakery and street food pop-up, will let you indulge in some hearty sourdough focaccia sarnies - grilled cheese and lamb shawarma, French-onion black daal and baked goods such as cardamom banana bread and brown butter flapjacks. Next to them, Nuun Cakes will be offering a specially curated menu of cake boxes, serving their artisanal sponges, signature toppings, and unique flavour combos. Last but not least, Handles Coffee will have barista coffees.
We also have a little cherry on the cake to make that weekend even more special - on those same days, we will fire a Roman Kiln replica in the Highgate Woods, in collaboration with the Friends of the Highgate Roman Kiln (FoHRK). An exceptional one-off event not to be missed!
For those curious about the art of ceramics, our teachers and technicians will give wheel-throwing demonstrations, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and showing you what you might learn in one of our courses.
16-18 May 2024, Old Spitalfields Market 10.30-5.30pm
Turning Earth, in collaboration with Spitalfields Market, is delighted to take part in the next edition of London Craft Week 2024.
Over three days, professional makers and teachers from our studios will share their passion for clay, showcasing and selling their work, as well as teaching throwing and hand-building taster workshops.
The exhibition will be open daily 10.30-5.30pm.
Our 45-minute one-to-one throwing workshops are a great chance to discover the excitement of spinning clay and making a shape on the wheel. Our 45-minute small-group hand-building workshops are a fun way to connect with clay, making simple pinch pots and letting your creativity run free!
The workshops can be booked in advance here - some spaces will be left for drop-in on the day.
23rd-24th March 2024 Turning Earth Hoxton 11-5pm
Turning Earth Ceramics is delighted to announce a homecoming celebration as the next Ceramics Market returns to its very first studio in Hoxton. Marking the 10th anniversary of the organisation, the event will take place under the railway arches of the studio in Hoxton for the first time in 6 years, 11 am-5 pm, on the 23rd and 24th of March 2024.
This is not just any event – it's a homecoming. Join us as we honour our roots, celebrate the growth of our community of ceramists, and reaffirm our commitment to promote creativity and community through the art of pottery. Over 120 makers from our five studios will come together under one roof, to display and sell the work they have been crafting over the last few months. Come join us on both Saturday and Sunday as there will be 64 different makers each day!
The Turning Earth Markets attract thousands of ceramics lovers from across the country every year. Regular visitors to the markets include many people from East London’s creative community, including celebrity chefs, food and homeware stylists, and interior designers, as well as conscious consumers searching for beautiful one-of-a-kind objects that they know have been made with love and care to take home and decorate their homes with. Among some famous visitors to the markets are the food writers Nigella Lawson, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Anna Jones.
Come and find beautiful and highly original ceramics but also live folk music performances by the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Theo Bard. Meanwhile, in the yard, Bolland & Crust will serve BBQ flatbread wraps, burgers, hot dogs, and breakfast buns. Handles Coffee will have barista coffees and pastries. Last but not least, Queer Brewery, a London-based queer and trans-owned brewery since 2019, will refresh you with local craft beer.
2-3 December 2023 Turning Earth Highgate 11-5pm
Turning Earth's Winter Market, now a decade’s long tradition, will once again be opening its doors and showcasing its vast array of exceptional handmade ceramics and setting up another entertaining seasonal weekend bonanza for the whole family to enjoy. Nestled in the beautiful, ancient wood of Highgate, we will again invite you to explore our N6 studio and surroundings.
This year, the event has grown even bigger and will feature over 110 of our talented ceramic makers, who, over the course of the weekend, will be displaying their wares and you will get the opportunity to purchase some of their vibrant and unique ceramic work; the perfect occasion for some Christmas shopping - or even just an indulgent gift for yourself.
The market this year is delighted to welcome back The Turbans, or, as they define themselves: “International Musical Collective from Manywhere”. Enjoy their lively multi-genre instrumentals and vocals that will get your toes tapping and heads nodding as you enjoy the day, browse, have a bite and a drink, and chat with the makers. We will serve mulled wine and barista coffees to keep you warm.
Sourdough Daali, a micro-bakery and street food pop-up, will let you indulge in some hearty sourdough focaccia sarnies - grilled cheese and lamb shawarma, French-onion black daal and baked goods such as cardamom banana bread and brown butter flapjacks. Next to them, Susie of Shakti Cafe will offer savoury and sweet crepes and vegetarian Buddha bowls.
For those curious about the art of ceramics, our cherished, expert teachers will give wheel-throwing demonstrations, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and showing you what you might learn in one of our courses.
16-17 September Turning Earth Tottenham 11-5pm
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of artistic mastery and creative inspiration as the highly anticipated Turning Earth Ceramics Market returns to Crawley Road on September 16th and 17th. This two-day event promises to be a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and community, featuring a stunning array of over 80 talented makers showcasing their unique handmade ceramics.
Event Highlights:
Artisan Showcase: The Ceramics Market will host a diverse assembly of 80 skilled artisans from across the four Turning Earth studios, all gathered under one roof to showcase their exquisite handmade ceramics. From intricate pottery to awe-inspiring sculptures, visitors can expect to discover an assortment of artistic treasures. In a world driven by mass production, finding unique, ethically and locally crafted treasures has become a true delight. The pieces you will find at the market are also a testament to time-honoured techniques, creativity, and the genuine connections that are established between the maker and the buyer. When you choose handmade ceramics, you're not just acquiring a beautiful item; you're investing in a story that reflects the rich heritage of our local artistic community.
Live Music and Culinary Delights: The ambiance of the event will be further enhanced by live folk music performances by the critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Theo Bard. Attendees can also taste a selection of street food offerings from the new Bolland & Crust Café, who have organised a special menu for the weekend. Craft beer, wine and a special tiki-style cocktail bar are on the pipeline too!
Demonstrations and Interactive Experiences: The Ceramics Market is not just an exhibition; it's an opportunity to engage and learn. Admire the magic of the potter's craft with throwing and handbuilding demonstrations, and for those feeling adventurous, the "have-a-go wheel" offers a chance to try pottery-making under the guidance of our expert teachers.
But that's not all! The entire Crawley Road area will come alive with the Open Studios Weekend. Explore a vibrant tapestry of creativity as art exhibitions, boutique market stalls, more music and food sparkle the neighbourhood. Families can partake in a variety of kid-friendly activities, such as face painting, “have a go” workshops and flower crown making, ensuring that every member of the community can share in the joy of this cultural celebration.
24-25 June 2023 Turning Earth Leyton 11-5pm
On 24/25 June, Turning Earth will be holding a huge artisan ceramics market in our members’ studio on Argall Avenue, Leyton E10. There will be over 100 artists selling their hand-made ceramic wares over the course of the weekend. Come and stroll around the beautifully converted industrial building just down the road from Lea Bridge station, and browse through the work of over 100 ceramic artists. With live music from local musician, Zoot Lynam and locally made artisanal food sold alongside beautiful tableware and sculpture, it is all set to be a wonderful summer weekend - perfect for a day out!
Being regularly featured in Time Out and the Evening Standard and popular now all over London, the market is an East London gem, with people coming from all over the capital to buy hand-made ceramics directly from the maker.
Aside from the many hand-made wonders on sale, visitors will be able to watch live demonstrations as our members will be showcasing their skills on the potter’s wheel.
Turning Earth's Summer Market will again be part of the Argall Ave Open Studios. The entire Argall Avenue industrial estate has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, with a wide variety of artisan businesses, with everything from hand-made furniture, craft beer and sourdough baking.
In 2017, Dominic Wilder, the visionary behind MentmoreStudios, refurbished an old hardware factory in the Argall Ave industrial estate to establish a new home for creative businesses in small-scale production.
11 Argall Avenue now houses some of the East London's most exciting makers, including carpentry businesses WilderCreative, and thinkFOUND, artisan bakery Pavilion, and open-access ceramics studios, Turning Earth. On the weekend of 24/25 June, the businesses will open their doors to demonstrate the breadth of making processes taking place under one roof and to show visitors some of the beautiful objects being created on-site.
WILDER CREATIVE Designs and makes bespoke furniture and fitted joinery for high end residential and commercial markets.
Furnishing Futures Furnishing futures helps women and children who are living with furniture poverty, because having a comfortable home supports wellbeing and helps to break the cycle of poverty.
SASA Works The artistic works of Craig Bamford, artist architect designer and master craftsman.
Studio Hako Studio Hako is a design and build construction company specialising in modern commercial and residential projects.
thinkFOUND Is an environmentally conscious furniture company making tables to order using reclaimed wood.
PAVILION BAKERY Uses the spices of Sri Lanka to enrich locally-sourced ingredients with a flavour of past adventures. It's fresh loaves hit the shelves warm and are sold on the day.
1-2 April 2023 Turning Earth Highgate 11-5pm
Turning Earth markets are back for another celebration of hand-made ceramics with our spring makers’ market the weekend of the 1st/2nd April in our Highgate studio.
Come and wander around the beautifully renovated 1930s industrial building just minutes’ walk from the Highgate station, and browse through the work of over 100 ceramic artists. With live classical guitar music and locally made artisanal food sold alongside beautiful tableware and sculpture, it's a great excuse for a day out shopping. It's also a sure way to buy ethically - every pot sold at Turning Earth has been made locally, by hand, by someone who loves what they do.
Turning Earth's markets are the biggest of their kind in the UK. A not-to-be-missed opportunity to pick up ceramic treats for yourself and gifts for your friends. There will be live demos of pots being thrown on the wheel so you can come and experience a real-life working pottery studio.
19/20 November Turning Earth Tottenham 11-5pm
3/4 December Turning Earth Leyton 11-5pm
The Turning Earth markets return this winter with another jubilant celebration of pure human creativity.
On 19/20 November and 3/4 December, 100 ceramic artists come together across two market weekends at the Turning Earth studios in Tottenham and Leyton. Each market will be accompanied by open studios from neighbouring businesses, including furniture makers, house plant stylists, and vintage fashion stores, among others.
As usual, you can expect making demonstrations, live music, mulled wine and mince pies, street food vans and barista coffee, and an Aladdin's cave of ceramics from the most diverse, high-quality selection of artists you could find in one place anywhere.
By shopping handmade, you'll support the life-affirming creative experiences that give rise to each piece. You never know, perhaps the maker-space spirit will rub off, and you'll decide that now is finally the time for you to sit down and start making things again yourself.
Crawley Road Open Studios 19/20 November
Turning Earth Tottenham is located within the newly launched Crawley Road studios complex, which is holding its first open studios during the market weekend on 19/20 November. Creative businesses opening their doors include vintage clothes houses, handmade chandelier makers, photographic studios, and a terrarium workshop. There'll be food from barbecue specialists Bolland and Crust and barista coffee from Handles Coffee Cart. The studios are located close to Lordship Recreation Ground in Tottenham, and about 7 minutes walk from Turnpike Lane station on the Piccadilly Line.
Argall Avenue Open Studios 3/4 DecemberArgall Avenue Open Studios returns alongside the Turning Earth Leyton market. Coffee comes from Climpsons and there'll be pop-up food stalls from Sourdough Daali and Shakti Cafe, alongside a maze of open studios to wend your way through - from the beautiful but still affordable furniture of social enterprise ThinkFOUND to a pop-up Botanical Fair, the very first from Plants by There.
15/16 Oct 2022 Turning Earth Highgate 11-5pm
Turning Earth opens its fourth London ceramics centre - this time in Highgate - with a weekend maker market on 15/16 October. Nose around the beautifully renovated 1930s industrial building complete with contemplative garden, and browse work from a hundred of London’s up and coming ceramicists.
Show solidarity with local makers as they express their creativity in the face of the energy crisis and rub off some of the peace that comes with working with the calming medium of clay.
As usual, there’ll be street food and live Klezma music, and - inspired by the Spring’s #CookForUkraine campaign - this time they’ll be selling specially donated wares to raise money for displaced children supported by UNICEF as part of #MakeForUkraine.
