Frequently Asked Questions & Important Information
Membership FAQ:
1. I want to join! Where do I get started?
Fill out our membership application form here to get started! Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received.
2. I’m new to ceramics, is membership the best way to get started?
Great question! Our classes are the best way to get started in pottery. Memberships are only open to those who have previous experience with ceramics. We offer one-off classes so you can try things out as well as longer 6 week classes.
3. What cone do you fire to?
We are a Cone 5 - 6 studio. We offer 10+ Kentucky Mudworks clay bodies such as: :
Sheltowee
Speckled Turtle
Dark Star
Roo
Iceman (with grog)
Iceman (without grog)
Polar Bear
White Bear
Brown Bear
Kota Porcelain
4. Can I bring my own clay?
If and only if, you email the studio and confirm that the clay is cone 06, provide all relevant details, and assume responsibility for any and all damage that is a direct result of the clay. Please reach out to the Studio T/M team to discuss.
5. What does membership include?
Access to Studio T/M during dedicated member hours
Dedicated member shelf for work-in-progress storage
Use of member Shimpo Whisper Wheels
Access to Handbuilding Tables and wedging tables
Access to over studio glazes
Use of all studio tools from basic essentials through to unique and fun ribs, bats, different sized loop tools, calipers, cookie cutters, ribbons, handle molds, handheld extruders, chucks, Giffin grip, base setters, brushes.
Studio clay and goodies for purchase
Member programming and events
Discounts on classes and public events
6. Do you have a minimum term commitment?
Yes, our current minimum term commitment is 4 months. Memberships roll over on a monthly basis from that point on and be canceled no later than 30 days in advance.
7. Can I really use any of the studio’s glazes and tools?
Absolutely! We’re doing things a little bit differently to other studios that you may have tried. Ceramics can be an expensive hobby and we don’t want you to have to buy additional glazes, ceramic paints, tools etc. (unless you want to have your own dedicated sets!) so we are providing a range of these for you to experiment and explore your creativity!
8. Do you offer outside firing?
Yes, we do! Fill out our kiln firing request form!
Class FAQ:
1. It’s my first class, what should I wear?
Wear anything you feel comfortable in! If you’re someone who likes to wear dresses or skirts and you’re taking a wheel class, we recommend that you wear longer options as you’ll be straddling the wheel. Closed toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty are highly recommended.
2. Will I get dirty?
For handbuilding, you can expect muddy hands and you may get some on your clothes. For wheel-throwing, even the pros tend to get a bit messy. It will all wash off but darker clays can stain so don’t wear anything you’re very attached to, just in case!
3. What will my first piece look like?
Real talk: your first piece may not be the masterpiece you envision and it will also be smaller than you expect because clay shrinks. Heck, for some of us veterans, our 500th piece isn’t what we imagined either! Our goals for you in a one-off class are to have fun, learn about ceramics, and pick up a finished keepsake that will remind you of your first pottery experience.
4. When can I get my piece?
It takes between 2-4 weeks for pieces to be ready for collection. We need your piece to dry and then it goes through two 24 hour processes before it is finished. Clay is a great teacher in patience 🙂
5. I can’t make my class anymore! Can I reschedule?
Check out our cancellation policy below!
6. I have long nails, can I still do pottery?
ABSOLUTELY! While long nails may make it trickier to pick up certain techniques at the start, and be a bit to get used to, they’re also an asset in other ways too. Our instructors can offer some suggestions, but TikTok and YouTube also have excellent methods to suggest as you find what works for you! Some of makers including a member of our staff regularly have long nails and have found methods to be just as successful with no negative impact to their works.
Cancellations, Refunds, and missed classes or events
Studio TM is a small family-run business with limited seating and space, and your reservation is important to us and we want to see you! We understand that things come up and sometimes you just cannot make it. Our policy for these things are as follows:
Cancellation for a prior registered event
Were you looking forward to joining us but something came up and you just can’t make it? As long as it’s more than 7 days before your event/class/private party, then you can receive a full refund. No worries!
Anything less than 7 days is subject to a 50% refund only.
If you cancel 48 hours or less than the start of a class/event, the spot is now forfeited. (However, you may transfer your seat to a friend and gift them your seat!)
If we’ve rescheduled you once prior to the 7-day window, we will not be able to accommodate a second request to reschedule. You will, unfortunately, forfeit your spot without refund (However, you may transfer your seat to a friend and gift them your seat!).
Missed classes
We know life is very busy and it’s hard to attend EVERY session 6 weeks in a row. But that is your scheduled time in our space, and yours to be here. If you can’t make it, that’s okay! You can make up a session that you’ve missed during Open Studio - let the staff member on duty know that you are making up and there will be no additional charge for clay used for up to 3 pieces. Our classes tend to be full and becomes difficult to accommodate temporary additions in sections that are already reserved by others. Please do your best to be here! If your situation is unique, please email us so that we can see if accommodations can be made.
When will I get my project back?
After your event/class has ended, it can take at minimum to 2-3 weeks and during busy periods up to 4 weeks before your work is fully fired and ready for pick-up. You will receive an email to the email that you registered with when your work is ready to be picked up. You can plan to pick up work during our regular business hours (Tuesday - Friday 9 am - 9pm, Saturday 10 am - 9 pm, and Sunday 12 - 6 pm).
Will my project be glazed?
Yes, classes have scheduled time during the last two weeks of a 6-week class to glaze projects. If glazing is not completed during your class session, then we will glaze your project for you in one color of your choosing.
Can I schedule a private event?
Want to bring in family or a group of friends for your own clay adventure? We’d love to host you! There’s a special request form you can fill out here. When doing so, please please tell us the kind of project you’d like to do, how many people, and a few dates you’re available! If we have no other prior classes or requests at that time we’re thrilled to set up for you and your group. The average party is about an hour long.
Membership Cancellation Policies
We’re sorry to see you go, but understand life moves us away from clay, but we hope you continue your journey! As per our membership agreement, a 30-day advance notice is required when cancelling to receive your deposit back in full. Cancellations that occur without notice forfeit your deposit and all fees for firings, glazes, store expenses are due prior to shelf pick-up. Items that are left on your former shelf for more than 3-days will be placed in the trash.
Illness
Colds and Other Illnesses
Parents are requested to please keep their children at home if they show signs of illness. Parent will be notified when children need to be sent home because of illness.
Please let us know if your child is exhibiting any symptoms of which we should be aware.
To protect all children enrolled, your child must stay at home if he/she exhibits any of the following symptoms:
• Temperature of 101 or higher degrees.
• Diarrhea (after the third loose stool within 24 hr. period).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Any undiagnosed rash.
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
• Pediculosis (head lice).
• Severe coughing, causing the child to become red or blue in the face or make a whooping sound.
• Rapid or difficult breathing.
• Exposed, open skin lesions. Must be scabbed over and covered with a bandage.
• Unusual dark urine and/or gray or white stool.
• Any other unusual sign or symptom of illness.
If your child develops any of the above symptoms while at class or camp, we will isolate him/her and contact you and it is MANDATORY for your child to be picked up as soon as possible. Once you are contacted by the Studio, you will be expected to follow the proper protocols for the symptoms your child displays. This may include not returning the next week of class or the next day of camp if the sickness is ongoing or bringing in a doctor’s note.
• If your child wakes up with a fever or is sent home with a fever, they may not return to the Studio the following day for camp (ex. Sent home Monday, can return on Wednesday) and until they are symptom free without the use of fever reducing medicine.
Contagious Diseases
If a child contracts a contagious disease, the studio must be notified via phone call or email immediately. After any serious or communicative illness, parents are required to bring a re-admittance note from the child’s physician indicating that the child is ready for normal activity. Children with bacterial infections must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before returning to the Studio. No child may be given any medication at the Studio unless the parent gives written permission. Medication must be sent from home.
Injuries
Precautions are taken to avoid accidents, and safety measures are in place. It is the policy of the Studio to notify parents of any injury, except for minor scrapes and bruises. We will adhere to the procedure outlines on your child’s Emergency Contact on the registration form and Hold Harmless form; therefore, it is your responsibility to update this form as required during each registration period.
Masks are optional starting September 1st
Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Feel free email us at studiotmceramics@gmail.com