When Jess started running pop-up pottery events in Ashby as a side venture, she didn't expect to open herself up to running a full-time business holding events across the region.

The Pottery Pop Up is a mobile paint-you-own-pottery business bringing creative experiences to local bars, restaurants, coffee shops and private events across the East Midlands.

When she launched in May 2025, Jess held her first event at Centivo Lounge in Ashby, welcoming local people to unwind and get creative and now she hosts more than 10 regular pottery painting events every month.

According to Jess, 'the idea came from spending lots of time pottery painting with my two daughters. While they enjoyed it, I realised I probably loved it even more than they did.

'I found it incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, but it felt like most of the opportunities available seemed to be aimed at children and families.

'I felt there was space for something that gave adults permission to slow down and get creative, whether with friends or on their own.

Pottery Painting event at Centivo Lounge (Photo: The Pottery Pop Up)

'My favourite thing is to simply bring people together of all ages and abilities in a welcoming space where they can relax and discover their creative side.'

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Jess's events at Centivo Lounge are a great opportunity to bring friends together for a relaxed evening of great food and drinks and getting stuck into something a bit different.

'Before launching the business,' continues Jess, 'I started organising informal pottery painting evenings at home with my girlfriends. We'd simply have dinner and paint pottery. Every time, we'd all say home much better we felt afterwards.

'The more people I introduced to pottery painting, the more I realised how many others were looking for that same creative outlet. That's what inspired me to turn the idea into business and it's been amazing to see so many people embrace it.'

Jess holds regular monthly events at Centivo Lounge and Ice and a Slice in Swadlincote, as well as other locations in the area.

The Pottery Pop Up can also be booked for private events, making pottery painting an ideal activity for a birthday, hen do or just a fun way to get friends together and do something a little bit different.