Each instructor will be slightly different in how they approach the six week series. However the basic layout is as follows:

Week 1: Throwing demo, practice time available between classes
Week 2: Trimming demo and throwing, practice time available
Week 3: Trimming and throwing, practice time available
Week 4: Trimming and throwing, practice time for trimming only
Week 5: Trimming and glaze demo, all greenware must be in kiln room at the end of week 5 class
Week 6: Glazing, all bisqueware must be glazed and in the kiln room at the end of week 6 class
Students will pick up their final pieces 3-5 days after their class ends.

*Continuing Wheel curriculum changes every session. There will be no basic demonstrations of throwing and trimming. Each week a new skill to advance your throwing and trimming techniques will be covered.

The first two sessions are the most difficult to miss, especially if you are new to the studio/pottery wheel. Week 4 and are also tricky, but arrangements can be made if we know in advance.

This is just an example of the making schedule for the hand-building classes. Everything is subject to change.

For our 6-week hand-building series the projects will change weekly between the many hand-building methods. Sculpture, coiling, pinch, and slab. Projects change from session to session and as you progress your projects may become more technical and advanced.

Week 1-4 Creating each week with different projects presented. The instructor is there to guide student on design and how they want to use the new skills presented each class.

Practice time is available for purchase between classes. 2 hour maximum per week.

Week 5- Glaze demo, finishing, all projects must be on the kiln shelves by the end of class. There is no more creating new projects after this class.

Week 6- Final Glazing

Students will pickup their final pieces within a week of their class finishing.

After their first class, students are allowed to sign up for a maximum of two hours each week. A week is defined as the time between your class. Example: If I am in the 6:30 pm Tuesday class, I have until 6:30 pm the next Tuesday to use my practice hours.

Students will receive a follow up email 24 hours after each class that contains the link to sign up for practice time. This link does not change, so it can be saved and used every time.

Practice time is $10/hour between weeks 1 and 4 to cover the cost of clay, reclaim labor, and studio time.

Practice time can be used to throw or to trim your pots. Class clay will be available to you during this time. This time is meant for you to explore and work on your skills without instruction. All students are expected to be self-sufficient and clean up after themselves. The staff is there to answer any questions you may have, but they are not able to instruct.

There is no ability to sign up for more than two hours of practice time.

In your confirmation and reminder email you will receive a link to our “student handbook”. It has all the information you need for signing up for practice time.

12 hours prior to your first class you will be automatically emailed a link from KilnFire, our software system, to open your user account for the studio.

No. The studio cannot accommodate mass production. Students should expect to keep anywhere from 1-12 items through the 4 weeks. This is what the studio can handle in terms of space in the kiln and space in the studio. You should not be overflowing your shelves and need to trim and move your items through the process before producing more. Focus on the process and not the production throughout your time. Keep things that you are going to keep for years, not minutes.

No. The limit is 2 hours per week. A week is defined as the time between two classes. You cannot do all of your practice hours in week 3.

If you are making up time due to a missed class, please see the FAQ about missing class.

In the event of missing a class whether for illness or travel, please tell your instructor and email info@ballardclay.com so that Rebecca can help coordinate your make-up options.

Missing class will happen for a lot of folks. I do not suggest signing up if you knowingly have to miss more than one class. I do not suggest missing the first two weeks if you are new to the studio, without the base of navigating the studio the transition is more difficult for both the instructor and the student. Even if you have taken classes in another studio, our systems for setting yourself up and cleaning up will be different.

For Hand-building the project based nature of it means that missing a class in the first four weeks means you are missing a particular skill. The instructor will do their best to present it and you can use open studio time to make up the class without instruction. Missing week 1 means missing the introduction to navigating the studio and makes it more difficult.

The most common offer is for individual practice time in the studio, which must be made up before creating is finished for your class (week 4 on wheel and 5 for hand-building).

The link will show all available times. If a time you want is not available it means it is sold out or we have a class/event in the studio. Please show up on time and leave on time. You can email if you think it is blocked off by mistake, but do not show up without an appointment.

The times available are determined by other classes and workshops happening in the studio. Times are chosen to not overwhelm the studio space or staff.

You can!

In your confirmation email you should see a few options at the bottom of the page.

The best thing would be to reschedule to another available time that works for you. However, if you must cancel please write us at info@ballardclay.com for a refund or a credit for practice time.

Canceling an appointment will not automatically refund the fees. We can refund or credit you for any unused practice time.

Cancel 7+ days prior to the first class= Full refund, less 10% processing

Cancel fewer than 7 days prior to the first class = 50% refund

Cancel less than 48 hours prior to the first class = No refund

Please always email us if you have a special circumstance. Often we can resell a class within days of it starting. If we can, we will refund you less 10% processing.

In cases of illness during classes we do our best to help you make up class time.

Basic tools are provided by the studio. If you have tools that you love you are welcome to bring them. Please label everything with you name and we do not have additional storage space, so plan on carrying them with you.

Aprons are not really necessary for hand-building classes, but are “nice to have”. Wheel classes they are definitely good to have, but you can also just dress ready to be covered in clay.

The Walking Apron is our favorite but there are others like the Claypron at lower price points. Something that covers your thighs is recommended, but not necessary. Any apron will do.