Question 1

When are you open?

Accepted Answer

Our shop at our Pottery Wheel Studio is open Friday-Monday from 12-6 pm for purchases, class pick-ups, and studio visits.
Our studios are open to students only during scheduled class times. 
For class schedules, visit our Classes Page on our Website.

Question 2

What classes do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer 1 day and 4 week classes as well as shorter workshops on the pottery wheel or handbuilding techniques. 
1 Day Pottery Wheel Classes: 1 Day Throw Clay and Sip& Spin are 2 hour pottery wheel classes where you learn how to create forms on the wheel, then choose glazes at the end and we take car of the rest. Most people make 2-4 pots (cups/bowls...no mugs)
1 Day Handbuilding Classes: Handbuilding is a freeform process of creating with clay with slabs, coils, or pinch pots. These classes are project based, like Handbuilt Mugs for example. Price and duration depends on the project.
4 Week Classes: For pottery wheel or handbuilding, these go more in depth in all the processes of forming, shaping, trimming clay to glazing ceramic pieces.

Question 3

I took a 1 Day Class. When will my pieces be ready for pick up?

Accepted Answer

It takes about 4 weeks to trim, dry, fire, glaze, fire again and bag up your work from our 1 day classes. We'll send you an email notification to whoever signed up once they are ready to be picked up. You can also check our POTTERY PICK-UP PAGE to monitor your work. Our pick-up hours are Friday-Monday 12-6 at our Pottery Wheel location. 1 Day workshops held at our Westside location will be available to pick up at our Midtown location. They are bagged up with your name and date available under our shop shelves. We appreciate your coming to pick up your pottery as soon as you can. (Please check your spam for Clay Parlor notifications.)

Unfortunately, any pieces remaining 12 weeks after  your class will be considered abandoned and will no longer be available for pick up. We wish we had infinite storage, but we don't. And yes, you can pick up pottery for a friend that took the class with you. If someone else signed up for you, you will not receive any correspondence since we do not have your contact info. If you have not heard from the studio 5 weeks after your class, please contact us. Typically it's an issue with entering your email address incorrectly or our emails are in your spam folder.

Question 4

Are my pots food safe?

Accepted Answer

Our clays and glazes are food safe; however, the construction and firing of a piece can make them unsafe for food. Bubbles and pockets that can trap food and harmful bacteria can appear throughout the construction, glazing and firing processes. We cannot guarantee food safety as every pot made in class will be different.

Question 5

First time taking a 4 Week Course. What can I expect?

Accepted Answer

At your first class you will meet your instructor, discuss our objectives, and get a tour of the studio. Then we start working with clay right away. First, we'll focus on creating simple forms. Each week, you build on the skills you learned the previous week. While different level classes learn different things, the basic layout is:

Week 1 - Throwing
Week 2 - Throwing + Trimming
Week 3 - Trimming + Attachments
Week 4 - Glazing

For Handbuilding, It generally looks like:
Week 1 - Creating using pinch and coil techniques
Week 2 - Creating using clay slabs
Week 3 - Small Slab projects and finishing all projects
Week 4 - Glazing

Question 6

Do I need to purchase any tools or materials before coming?

Accepted Answer

The studio has tools for you to use. If you wish to bring your own tools, you are welcome to do so but they cannot be stored at the studio. Clay and glazes are included in the cost of the course. Clay for practice time can be purchased from the studio at $1.50/lb.

Question 7

If I miss a class, do you offer make-up classes?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer make up classes at this time. Our classes tend to fill up, so we do not have a seat available to move you into. We offer very short courses, each week building on the week previous. We do ask that if you cannot make it to a class, especially the first two, please sign up for a different month. If you cannot make one of your scheduled class times, you will forfeit your spot in the class for that week.

Question 8

What should I wear and bring?

Accepted Answer

Wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit of clay on.  We encourage you to bring your own apron and towel. Our last day of class is held in our outdoor glazing area, so dress accordingly. Certain glazes may stain a bit so it’s probably a good idea to leave your favorite shirt at home if you’re glazing. It's best to remove any jewelry from your hands and wrists. Long hair should be tied back. We have a box of new hair ties in case you forget yours. If your nails are long, trimming them will make your time on the potters wheel a lot easier. Closed toed shoes will keep your toes safe.

Question 9

At the end of a 4 Week Course, what can I expect to have accomplished?

Accepted Answer

At the end of a 4 Week Course, you will have learned the basics of how to center, open and pull a simple form on the pottery wheel, usually a cup or a bowl. We recommend taking the Beginning Pottery Wheel two to three times if you are an absolute beginner before moving on. Once you can comfortably make a cylinder start to finish without help, then consider moving into a Intermediate Pottery Wheel. You can ask your instructor what they recommend for your next step. For Handbuilding, you should expect to learn several methods of creating pottery by hand...including pinching, coiling and slab work. We recommend taking the Handbuilding Course 2-3 times before signing up for more intermediate courses. You can make different projects each time you take the class.

Question 10

Do you offer membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes! At our Members Studio inside Bell Arts Factory. Members work independently and have access to the studio during extended members hours. Please visit the Membership page on our site for more info and to apply. We tend to be on a waitlist. Our members studio is upstairs. If you are unable access our upstairs studio, please reach out so we can make an accommodation for those who cannot access the upstairs studio

Question 11

In a 1 Day Wheel Class, what can I expect to take home with me?

Accepted Answer

Students generally make 1-3 pottery pieces during your two-hour session. At the end of class, you'll choose your glaze colors. We will fire and glaze each piece, then email you three to four weeks later once they are ready for pickup. Make sure you enter the correct email address at the end of class and keep an eye on your spam folder. For wheel classes, you will create bowls or small planters or cups.

Question 12

What if I cannot make it to my scheduled class?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer refunds for cancellations or rescheduling. We ask for a 4 day notice to cancel or reschedule, and then you may receive class credit in the form of a coupon code that is applicable toward any class at Clay Parlor. If you need to reschedule or cancel within the 4 day period, if we can fill the space you will receive a class credit. If we cannot fill the space you reserved, then you will forfeit that spot. We recommend sending a friend in your stead if it is a one day class. If cancelled after a class or course had begun, then no credit can be given.

Frequently Asked Questions

Class FAQs

When are you open?

What classes do you offer?

I took a 1 Day Class. When will my pieces be ready for pick up?

Are my pots food safe?

First time taking a 4 Week Course. What can I expect?

Do I need to purchase any tools or materials before coming?

If I miss a class, do you offer make-up classes?

What should I wear and bring?

At the end of a 4 Week Course, what can I expect to have accomplished?

Do you offer membership?

In a 1 Day Wheel Class, what can I expect to take home with me?

What if I cannot make it to my scheduled class?

Studio FAQs

Am I allowed to buy clay outside of Clay Parlor?

Do you offer firing services?

What temperature do you fire to?

Do you offer Kids Classes?

Can I bring my four-footed friend?

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