Skip to content

Clay helped me cope with anxiety - pottery owner

Lee Bottomley
BBC Radio Stoke
BBC Two women, both wearing glasses, stand close together and are smiling. The woman on the left has long brown hair and is wearing dark blue dungarees over a light blue top, while the woman on the right, who has long blond hair, is wearing an orange woollen jumper. BBC
Tracy Cross (left) with her pottery studio apprentice Jessica Walley

A woman who has started her own pottery studio says handling clay helps her to manage her anxiety.

Tracy Cross has created the purpose-built site in her back garden near Nantwich, Cheshire, to teach ceramics, and is preparing to welcome her first pupils.

"I wish I'd done this years ago," said Ms Cross, who decided to leave behind a 30- year career in the corporate world to start the business, called ClayWays.

"I've suffered with anxiety for 30 years. I find pottery is something that calms me down, and I know many people feel the same," she said.

In 2024 when a work contract was coming to an end, she had a "moment" when she realised she had no desire to find another.

"It's now coming to a time in my life when I want to do what I want to do, and enjoy it," stated Ms Cross, who has loved pottery since she was at school.

There had already been several bookings from people looking to escape the stresses of everyday life and work, she said.

"We sit here and have the most in-depth chats," added her apprentice Jessica Walley.

"It's something about the clay. Your hands are distracted; you feel like you can open up more," she said.

A woman can keep be seen leaning over a potters wheel, working with clay. To the side of her is a large window looking out onto a field.
The studio has been built at the end of the garden, and is designed to teach small groups

In addition to teaching people pottery skills, Ms Cross and Ms Walley also want to run lessons in schools and care homes, as "it is such a beautiful activity".

They have also been asked to make personalised pottery for clients including restaurants and garden centres.

"When I started this it was going to be just Tracy sat in the garden having a good time," said Ms Cross, before realising she wanted to share her passion and the studio space with others.

She puts part of the interest in lesson bookings down to Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down, and the passion of judge Keith Brymer Jones.

"We love him, he's really opened up the pottery world, and I think there's a huge opportunity for lots of small potteries to open their doors to people who want to be involved."

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.