Welcome to The Funky Teapot, home of creativity, paint your own pottery studio, personalised gifts and keepsakes.
The Funky Teapot is a local family run business and has been run by the Hopkins/Culverwell family since 2014.
Barry, Kat and Linda form the main team with additional staff and volunteers supporting throughout the year.
We are not only a paint your own pottery studio, but also offer a range of workshops to widen your creativity, including Glass fusing, Glass painting and guided workshops.
We also sell some of the wonderfully created items our staff have lovingly painted and take commissions too.
Meet the team
Barry Hopkins
Owner / Director
Barry can usually be found sat at a computer doing the 'important' stuff!
He also does all the glazing and loading/unloading the kiln! He has a licence to Kiln!
He is an expert at handprints and footprints, is often found doing the outprints and as a Children's Entertainer is excellent at bringing smiles to the customers in store.
Kathryn Culverwell
Owner /Director
Kathryn is the one who does most of the artwork and writing! She can usually be found under a mountain of pottery awaiting personalisation.
She has painted many of the items you see in the window and around the shop and her faceted fox has been one of our popular commissioned items.
She is a mum of 3 and often has one of them with her at work (their choice not hers).
Linda Hopkins
Owner / Director
Linda is the wife of Barry, she does a lot of the invaluable jobs that don't always get seen but without her we would be lost!
She can usually be found painting up dinner services for customers in the White Horse range and personalising our Christmas decorations from Rudolph and me.
Thank you Linda for all you do!
Suzie and Phil
In-house artists
Suzie and Phil can usually be found in The Funky Teapot on a Friday.
They have painted many of the items you see around instore and a variety of commissions.
Suzie also paints up our White Horse items as as well as running some workshop and glass painting.
They are a great support to the team and keep us topped up with doughnuts so do say hello if you see them!
Hannah
Hannah joined the team in Summer 2024. Although she is the newest member of the team she certainly isn't new to the world of pottery painting.
Hannah brings with her over 25 years experience as she owned and ran her own paint your own pottery studio in Claygate before moving local to wantage.
Hannah comes with huge energy, enthusiasm and great knowledge and we are so lucky to have her in the team!
Dasher
Meet Dasher the Miniature Dachshund.
He is our studio dog! He comes in with Kat on occasions and can usually be found in his bed sleeping or chewing on his favourite chew. He loves to greet our customers and children and loves nothing more than a tummy rub!
Don't worry we wont let him bother you if you are not a fan of dogs!