GENERAL
To Sign up for a class. Visit https://www.clayat.com/classes
We’re nestled in a neighborhood strip mall located in between Clairemont & Linda Vista.
Type this address into your GPS: 3562 Mount Acadia Blvd. San Diego CA, 92111
Finding parking should be a hassle-free experience, as there is a parking lot located right in front of the studio. While there is construction going on next door, it shouldn't interfere with the availability of parking spots. So, feel free to park in the designated lot and enjoy your pottery class without worrying about parking issues.
We welcome beginners and offer several options to get started. If you've never tried pottery before and just want to dip your toes in, we recommend our one-time pottery class. It's a great way to see if pottery is something you enjoy. If you find that you love working on the pottery wheel, we highly recommend our 5-week beginner pottery course for a more comprehensive introduction to the craft.
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Clothing: As pottery can be a messy activity, it's recommended to wear comfortable, casual clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. Additionally, it's important to wear closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from any fallen or dropped objects in the studio. To prevent any interference with the pottery-making process, please tie long hair back and remove any long jewelry.
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Nails: To ensure the best possible outcome for your pottery pieces, it's recommended that you trim your nails short before class. Long nails can interfere with the throwing process and affect the final product.
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Materials: Feel free to bring your own apron to class if you have one. However, if you don't, we offer the option to purchase a cloth pottery apron specially designed by Clayat. This apron will help protect your clothing from any clay/debris and is available for purchase at the studio.
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Hydration: Pottery can be a physically demanding activity, so it's important for you to stay hydrated & take breaks when they are needed. We highly encourage you to bring a water bottle to class.
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Openness: It's essential to approach your pottery experience with an open mind & a willingness to learn. Pottery making can be a challenging process, and it's important to remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning experience. So, don't be afraid to take risks, ask questions, and experiment with new techniques. With time and practice, you'll develop your skills and create unique, beautiful pottery.
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We take 6-8 Students per class or course.
At Clayat Pottery Studio, we provide two clay options for you to choose from. The first option is the darker Speckled Buff clay, and the second option is the simpler white-based clay called Dover White. Both types of clay are supplied by the Laguna Clay Company and feel similar when using the potter's wheel. All pieces get fired at Cone 5 temperature.
Using a potter's wheel can be challenging at first, but with practice and patience, it can become a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The difficulty of using a potter's wheel largely depends on each person's skill level, technique, and familiarity with the equipment.
As a beginner, it may take some time to develop the necessary motor skills and coordination to center the clay and create a symmetrical shape. However, with time and practice, one can learn to control the wheel speed, apply pressure in the right places, and create various shapes and forms.
In summary, while it may require some effort and practice to get the hang of it, the potter's wheel is not inherently difficult to use, and with dedication, anyone can learn to use it skillfully.
The firing and preparation process of your pieces typically takes approximately two weeks. However, the timeline can vary depending on the workload at the time and the dryness of the pieces. It's essential to note that all pieces must dry completely before firing to ensure the best quality.
FAQS
TERMS AND POLICIES
We strongly suggest attending all scheduled classes. Each class includes a demonstration, and it's crucial not to miss out on any steps in the process of creating your pottery. Please keep in mind that we are unable to provide individual or private demonstrations for any missed classes.
In regards to missed classes, we do not offer refunds, but we do permit one make-up session during our open studio time. It's important to keep in mind that this session will not provide the same level of hands-on guidance as the regular classes.
Multi-Week Courses:
If you notify us at least 7 days prior to the class start date, we will issue a refund. A 15% refund transaction fee will apply for all course cancellations.
Intro Classes:
If you notify us 72 hours prior to the start of the class, we will issue a refund. A 10% refund transaction fee will apply for all booking cancellations.
Missed classes will not be refunded.
Please review our refund policy for more information: https://www.clayat.com/refund-policy
If you find that you're unable to finish glazing your pottery pieces during the last class, don't worry - our instructors and staff are here to help! We're more than happy to complete the glazing process for you, so long as you let us know your preferred colors and glaze style. Please feel free to communicate with us and we'll ensure that your pieces are finished to your liking.
At our studio, we provide a 5-week pottery course for children that teaches the fundamentals of using a pottery wheel for throwing and trimming. If preferred, kids can also learn hand-building techniques. During these classes, parents are not required to be present.
Additionally, kids can also participate in our one-time classes if their parents are also enrolled in the session.
If you have pieces that you would like to have fired and you require a more personalized approach, we are happy to offer you our kiln firing service. To inquire about this service, simply send us a message through our kiln firing page. Our team will be happy to assist you in answering any questions you may have and to discuss the details of your request. We strive to provide a personalized and high-quality service to all of our customers and look forward to helping you with your firing needs.
Certainly! I do have my own pottery pieces available for purchase both online and in-store. If you're interested in buying any of my work, please feel free to check out the website or visit in-person.
Our hours of operation varies throughout the week. We will always have someone in our studio during class sessions and open studio hours. However, if you are looking to tour our studio, you can walk in during open studio hours ONLY or contact us at hello@clayat.com to book your tour. We will not be able to accept walk-ins when our classes are in session.
Clay contains a significant amount of water and other volatile organic compounds that are trapped within its structure. When clay is fired, the heat causes the water and other compounds to evaporate and escape from the clay structure, leaving behind a solid, ceramic material. As the water and organic compounds leave the clay, the material becomes denser and shrinks in size. The degree of shrinkage depends on several factors, including the type of clay, the firing temperature, and the length of the firing process. The shrinkage is also affected by the physical structure of the clay, with some types of clay shrinking more than others. It's essential to take into account the amount of shrinkage when designing and creating ceramic objects to ensure that they end up being the right size and shape. The clay we provide in the studio shrinks about 12-14% of its original size.
Yes, getting dark colored clay or glazes on your clothes can potentially cause stains. Clay and glaze are made up of minerals and other materials that can be difficult to remove from fabric. The stains can be particularly challenging to remove if they have been left to dry or have been fired onto the fabric.
It's a good idea to wear old clothing or a protective apron when working with clay and glaze to minimize the risk of stains. If you do get clay or glaze on your clothes, it's best to treat the stains as soon as possible by rinsing the affected area with water and then pre-treating the stain with a stain remover before washing the garment.
In order to help us manage the laundry load and reduce our environmental impact, we kindly request that you bring your own apron when you come to our pottery studio. Please note that we do not provide disposable aprons as part of our eco-friendly policy. Thank you for helping us to create a sustainable studio environment.
Although pets are allowed to enter, we suggest refraining from bringing them to the studio during your classes due to potential distractions and high activity levels. Additionally, the studio may get dirty, and we wish to prevent clay particles from adhering to their fur.
If you're interested in booking a private group event or party, we'd be happy to accommodate you. Simply send us a message through our group/events page to inquire and receive additional details on how to reserve your spot. It's important to note that our classes tend to fill up quickly, so we recommend booking several weeks in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled open session, please contact us at hello@clayat.com 4 hours before your session begins so that you can recieve your credit back. We will not be able to credit you back if your inquiry is not sent in within that timely manner.