Can kids take pottery classes at Glass & Stone?

We are now accepting students age 12 and up for our regular pottery classes, provided minors are accompanied on their first month’s classes by a parent or responsible adult. The adult does not have to be a registered student or studio member, although of course they’re welcome to register as well. Students may continue independently after the first class provided both parent and instructor agree they’re ready to do so.

Why age 12?

The age limit for our general pottery classes is determined by our insurance coverage.

What’s “House Blend Stoneware”?

House Blend Stoneware is a light, buff-colored stoneware clay produced by our friends at Clay Art Center and continuously recycled here at Glass & Stone Pottery Studio. You’ll find it in the Clay and Glazing room behind the main studio, in the tall clay chest by the Studio Room door.

House Blend Stoneware is freely available for all students and studio members to use for throwing or hand building, as well as being the clay all Beginner students will use in their first classes. As the clay is used, flopped pots, slop, and other waste clay goes into the marked Recycle slop buckets for recycling. When a finished, bone-dry piece is ready to fire, we record the weight of the clay in the piece as it’s loaded and deduct that amount from your House Blend account balance.

So, when you buy a bag of House Blend Stoneware, you’re not buying a bag of clay; you’re buying 25 pounds of clay fired in the bisque kiln. We’ll keep a running tab of how much you have available and let you know when your available credit drops below five pounds.

What clay bodies are available other than House Blend?

We have bagged clay available in Low, Mid, and High fire ranges. Specific types and varieties will vary by availability and popularity, but we’re committed to offering porcelain, light and dark stoneware, and specialty clay bodies for upcoming workshops such as terra cotta or Raku clay bodies. Special orders of both clay and glaze are available on request. Most bagged clay is available for $40 per 25 pounds, although bagged clay is only offered by the bag and may not be recycled unless the student or member chooses to hand-wedge their reclaimable clay.

Why does clay cost so much more through you than through Clay Art Center or Seattle Pottery Supply?

When you buy clay through Glass & Stone Pottery Studio, you’re not just buying clay; you’re also buying the tools, glazes, and kiln time used to turn that clay into your finished pieces. Rather than charging individually for the components and services involved, we choose to simplify the process by charging a single fixed rate that covers all those elements across the board.

Can I bring in my own clay or glaze and fire it at Glass & Stone Pottery Studio?

Yes, with some caveats. First, outside clay or glaze must be commercially available and clearly identifiable - that is, we need to be able to see what it is and where it came from so we can determine any safety requirements and ensure it can be used in our equipment without posing a risk to our potters or their work. Second, we reserve the right to charge additional fees for the use of custom clay or glaze, particularly if special accommodations or equipment adjustments will be required.

If you have something you want to use or try, come talk to us about it. There’s almost certainly a way to make it happen.