About Your Pottery Class

How to prepare for class.

Fingernails - the shorter the better (long nails make it difficult to work the clay).
Dress casual. Wear an old short sleeve t-shirt or long sleeve rolled up.
Avoid dangly strings or just tuck them in..
Long hair needs to be pulled back and secured from dangling
Rings, watches, jewelry should be removed.
Age restriction 10 and older. Please let Robin know if children will be attending.

NOTE: When you book your class, it is just your group in the studio. The studio is being prepped just for your group. If you need to cancel, please give at least an 8-hour notice.

What happens when I arrive to class?

Arrive just 5 minutes before your class.
Introductions
Paperwork - Liability Waiver. If you aren't feeling well, please reschedule.
Permission for Social Media (optional). Unless you specifically decline social media, photos may be used on social media as well as the website.
Quick overview of the pottery studio/safety info.
Demonstration by TFP - going through all the steps (10-15 minutes)
Then each potter gets on a wheel and we go step-by-step together
Each potter should be able to get a minimum of 2 attempts to create depending upon the time.
TFP assists each potter as much or as little as the student wants with the Center, Opening & Pulling Up Wall.

End of session:

Wash hands and we take group photo
Choose glaze choice - fill out card
Firing & Glazing Fees Extra - Approximately $5 to $7 per pot depending on size, handles, decals, glaze choice, etc.
You are responsible for a little bit of cleanup.

The Studio Atmosphere

The studio is very casual. We are all here to have fun and create.

TFP works with students that are mostly beginners. Our goal is to show the student potter the basics and let them adjust to what they feel comfortable throwing the way that works best for them.

Once in a while we come across a potter that has experience. TFP may still go through the demonstration, but that potter is free to throw pottery as they wish as long as follow safety rules.

The Journey of Your Creations

What happens after the class?

Your pottery dries to leather hard (about a day)
TFP trims the foot and sketches your initials on the bottom
Your pottery has to be completely dry before firing or “kaboom” if there is moisture in it.
Once we have enough to run the kiln, TFP bisque fires your pottery for 14 hours and then a 24 hour cool down.
TFP removes the dust from the pottery, waxes the bottom and then glazes.
TFP then fires for another 9.5 hours with a 24 hour cool down.
TFP smooths out the bottom of your bottom with grinding disc.

Time Frame

5 - 6 weeks (depending upon pottery pieces we have ready for the kiln).
When your pottery is done, an email or text will be sent to you or the leader of your group.
No guarantees that your piece will make it through the entire process.
Because you will prepay for firing and glazing. If you have a non-surving pot your pot will be replaced with a Turkey Foot Pot that was made during a demonstration.