Name of Business: Saz’s Ceramics & Crafts

Address: Studio 8, The Red House Glass Cone, High St, Wordsley, Stourbridge, DY8 4AZ

Telephone: 07966 514766

Website: www.sazsceramics.co.uk

Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Etsy

Opening Hours: Saturday 11am-4pm / Sundays – by appointment only / Weekdays – opening hours released each week

Who are you? Sarah Cannings

When did you open and why? I created Saz’s Ceramics & Crafts in 2007 as a pottery painting business initially, as l am passionate about pottery and art. My aim has always been to share the love with everyone; no matter what their age or ability!

Tell us about your business

We deliver creative workshops, both in house and on line, including pottery painting, hand-building with clay and other craft mediums. We have a range of finished and bespoke items, which are also available in our on line shop.

How did you decide on the name?

There are several Sarah’s based at the Red House Glass Cone, and Saz became my nick name!

Who works there?

As well as me, there’s Carly Grandini-Williams, who is a potter, and also deals with all of our marketing, plus Eden Cannings, our assistant.

Who are your customers?

Anyone and everyone! We have babies and toddlers doing handprints, kids enjoying creating masterpieces, adults having a bit of ‘me time’ and learning a new skill, people requiring something different for a party or celebration, community groups such as Brownies & Guides and schools who have asked us to support them with their curriculum and create projects for the pupils.

What’s your most memorable/proudest moment in business?

There have been two in the last 12 months! Firstly, when we worked with Creative Black Country during the first lockdown. We were commissioned by them to provide 50 free takeaway pottery painting kits. We asked people to contact us with names of people who deserved a treat, as they had been either struggling with lockdown, or had gone above and beyond to help others. The stories we heard from people were truly humbling and it was tricky to pick just 50! Secondly, reaching the final six in the Innovation & Adaptability category of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards 2020. We were chosen from hundreds of entrants, from across the Black Country business community, as being outstanding in the way we reacted to keep our business going during the year of Covid restrictions.

Have you had any strange/quirky suggestions or stories from customers?

Lots! A policeman’s helmet for the top of a cake, giant snails for the top table at a wedding reception, a replacement cigar for a Groucho Marx figurine, General Custer’s hat and a sheep shaped gravy boat to name but a few! We also had a baby who really didn’t want their hand or footprint done, so we coated their bottom in the paint, sat them on a plate and turned it into a picture of a Christmas pudding!

What are your ambitions for the future?

Our main aim is to grow! We want to try and get our products into other outlets such as garden centres (we have a huge selection of garden ornaments!) and gift shops. We want to promote our ‘Black Country Range’, which has started to prove popular, as we are all proud of where we come from, and also expand into the wedding market with bespoke items. Most importantly, with the effects of Covid still effecting our business, we must continue to develop how we make our services available to the public.

Have you had to introduce any changes due to Covid-19?

Yes – we have had to completely change the way we operate! It has been a huge challenge, but we hope we have risen to it by providing more on line workshops, offering takeaway clay and painting kits, introducing a booking system for the studio and developing more finished items to sell in the shop. We’ve also given the studio a complete re-furb - it looks amazing, so please come and say ‘Hi!’