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The setting is magical- a 17th century mill in the Dordogne, sheep, streams, forests and plenty of hikes. The gite is huge and comfortably and tastefully furnished, the board is generous and well prepared, interspersed with visits to local restaurants. The studio space is professional and ideal for 2-3 students working. Sylph is a hard working, experienced and committed potter who devotes much energy and thought to the development of her students. She is an excellent teacher, balancing carefully humour, gentleness and strong guidance. Highly recommended
Bern and Jaap
London

I went to Sylph to improve my throwing skills as I was off to study for an MA in creative practice this autumn. She was brilliant, a born teacher. She was very good at finding out what I needed to learn and explain it. I came away so much better prepared for college.

Then there was the fun – she has a good sense of humour. Oh, the food! It was lovely and she was coping with both a celiac and an allergy to dairy so that was amazing feat. The accommodation was beautiful and peaceful. Altogether a holiday that was both useful to my life and good for the soul.

Helen

My friend and I, both complete novices regarding pottery, spent a wonderful week with Sylph in her lovely home. We found her to be knowledgeable; informative; passionate about her subject; encouraging; patient with us; and we were amazed at our results at the end of a week. We both took home some lovely, and useful, pieces in both clay and porcelain – and our friends and families are really surprised at what we have achieved! (as are we!!). She showed us interesting, and relevant films, each evening after dinner.

Our separate accommodation, next door to the main house, was superb and very comfortable. Our personal kitchen was well stocked with equipment, should we wish to cook. She ensured we had fresh bread, eggs, butter, milk etc. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.

The bedrooms were tastefully and comfortably decorated. The comfy beds had clean, crisp bedlinen and the towels were a good size and lovely and fluffy!

Whilst we were engrossed in pottery classes all day, she ensured that she took us out each lunchtime to local restaurants, thereby giving us a real “taste” of the area in which she lives. Each evening she cooked a lovely meal, complete with local wine, and she was very attentive to our dietary requirements. I don’t know where she gets her energy from – she seems to work non-stop!

We would recommend her beautiful accommodation if you are looking for a great base from which to explore the surrounding area. If you are so interested, her pottery course for beginners was both absorbing and challenging and we had a fantastic week. Just what we both needed!

Thank you Sylph!

Kathryn Hanks and Debbie Smith

I spent a memorable week with Sylph at her beautiful mill in the Dordogne. She is a brilliant teacher and I felt very fortunate to be able to draw on her huge knowledge and experience of ceramics. But just as important is the passion she has for her craft, which infused her teaching and was thoroughly infectious. I returned home feeling inspired and itching to put my greatly improved throwing skills into practice.

Sylph is a wonderful host and, on top of the tuition, I enjoyed trying the different menus at local restaurants, playing backgammon in the evening and getting to know her dog, cats … and sheep. Le Moulin is in an idyllic spot and I enjoyed running in the beautiful countryside after a hard day’s throwing. The accommodation for guests is charming, comfortable and clean.

I recommend the course to anyone looking to take a big step forward with their pottery far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Tom.

My husband and I have just returned from a wonderful week with Sylph at Le Moulin. I did the intensive throwing course and my husband, on a full board basis, spent the week painting in the beautiful surrounds of the gite.

Sylph is an excellent teacher. I have some basic throwing ability but as a result of the course my throwing has moved onto another level. During the week I threw 3 jugs of different sizes and 8 tea bowls in porcelain(which I hadn’t used before) and they were glazed and fired. I also threw some stoneware to double the size I had been able to hitherto.

Sylph explains things very clearly and patiently, she is very generous with her knowledge and I now feel much more confident and am looking forward to throwing at home with my new skill level.

We ate very well. Sylph prepared a breakfast hamper for us with lovely bread etc. She took us to lunch at a number of local restaurants and cooked a delicious dinner for us in the evening.

The accommodation was excellent and very comfortable. We slept so well. We appreciated the large living/dining area with a fully equipped kitchen, as well as the lovely private courtyard area and beautiful grounds.

In our spare time we were able to experience the glorious countryside. I can highly recommend the course and hope to return to further improve my skills in this wonderful setting.

Thank you Sylph!

Ali and John

What a brilliant week.  As a first year BA mature student in Design Crafts (Ceramics) at the University of Hertfordshire, I wanted to extend my practice of throwing with a professional and saw Sylph’s advert for summer courses in Ceramic Review.  She’s found a great way to provide a wonderful creative environment in rural France to pass on her incredible knowledge of functional ceramics and history of the craft.

My techniques have improved so much in a week, I can’t wait to get back to University to try them out.  She tailors her teaching to your own level or designs and encourages the sort of discipline and finish required by the CPA (Craft Potters Association)! In addition, she’s a lovely warm person to spend the week with and the accommodation and food are amazing – every day is a new experience.

I’d thoroughly recommend her courses to anyone who wants to immerse themselves and feel very privileged to have spent this time with her and my fellow student, Josie.

Mandy English, June 2018.

I have just spent a delightful week with Sylph, improving my throwing skills in her studio. This was the purpose of my visit.

However, I return to England not only with new throwing techniques and a renewed confidence with porcelain but also with wonderful food recipes.

I have been truly looked after in every respect in her lovely home.

Thank you so much Sylph, you are an inspiration.

Josie Cuming 20^th May 2017

Well, I started off with a list of things to achieve and managed to tick them all off as the week progressed. The tuition was excellent throughout, striking just the right balance.

I know now, to think before I pot and constantly strive for quality.

But the week has been about much more than ceramics – gorgeous house and setting, fantastic food, excellent company and of course, my host, brimming with ideas and inspiration.

Thanks Sylph for a most enjoyable week

Richard Atkinson 20^th May 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed receiving very individual tuition to improve my skills on the pottery wheel. Her attentive and sensitive style of teaching and her wealth of experience and skills allowed me to learn more about my own strengths and weaknesses and become more confident. Sylph’s tuition includes understanding better the whole natural cycle of pottery, from the origin of clay to what happens in the firing and glazing process to increasing awareness of one’s own body when working with the clay on the wheel. This has been enormously helpful and inspiring and it becomes a very wholesome and fulfilling experience.

I am sure this new venue will develop in the most beautiful way as Sylph’s vision for her project is breathtaking as is the beauty of the old mill and it’s natural surroundings. Best of luck! I will surely come back and will recommend it.

Christiane from Germany