studio practices

General Stuff: You, our members, are the core of the clayhouse community. We’re so very excited that you’re here, making and creating with us! As a small, local business just starting our second year in operation we really value your dedication and support in helping to make our studio a fun, welcoming and inclusive space for all.

As the most knowledgable and informed group of makers at the studio, we also look to you to be role models for newcomers in how to treat and respect our studio. While we have a small but mighty staff, we also greatly appreciate you all keeping a watchful eye and gently sharing wisdom you may have about our studio practices should you witness any others who may not yet know them. This includes things like how to use our reclaim station properly, where tools live, and how to correctly clean up a wheel station should you see an opportunity to do so!

If you see anything at the studio that warrants deeper concern, mention it to our staff privately so we can address it. Thank you!

Member Shelves: We’re very excited about this addition to the studio which was made possible by our new pick-up shelves up front! Please be respectful of your neighbors’ shelves by making sure none of your work extends beyond the tape lines marking your area. You’re welcome to use your shelf space for wetwork as well as clay and any tools of your own you would like to keep at the studio.

Any personal tools left out may get lost or mixed into the studio’s tools, so please make sure you clean and dry your own tools and place them on your shelf before leaving!

Reclaim: Our wheel clay reclaim is located to the right of the sink on the lower shelf. The two buckets there are meant for our wheel clays (OH 6, Idaho White & DIGI 6) ONLY. Please do not put any of our hand-building clay (Newcomb 6) in the reclaim buckets or we will need to toss that entire batch of reclaim :(

The bucket reserved for chunks of clay should always have a lid sitting on top (to prevent the clay from drying out). If you use the reclaim bucket, please be sure to replace the lid afterwards.

While we try to make sure there is always enough room for new reclaim, the buckets fill up fast! If you notice that one is getting full, please alert one of our staff members so they can swap in a new bucket. Please DO NOT overfill the buckets.

Additionally please double check that your splash pans and water buckets are free of tools and sponges before pouring anything into the reclaim buckets. We’ve found a fair share of tools in there and things like needle tools can be dangerous when reaching in with your hands.

Wheel Bats: These now live on the lower shelves between wheels. As space at the studio is limited, please try to place as many pieces on each bat as possible. When done using a bat, give them a wipe down with a damp sponge (no need to soak them in water as this will prevent them from drying quickly). You can place these in the drying rack if damp, or straight back on the shelves if they’re dry to the touch.

Standard Wheel Tools: All our standard wheel tools now conveniently live on the shelves to the right of the sink! If you use the studio tools, please wash, dry and return them to their designated spot. The drying rack area is reserved for walk-in and staff use.

Special Wheel Tools: We have some additional specialized tools at the studio reserved for member-only use (bat pins, shrinkage ruler, scale, calipers, heat gun, etc). These each live in different places and need to be returned there after use. Please ask a staff member if you would like to use one of these tools and they can show you where to find it. We kindly ask that you put all of these things back where they live when you are done working as some (ex: bat pins left on a wheel) can be dangerous for those who do not know how to use them.

Abandoned Work*: Please be aware that moving forward we will be reclaiming any abandoned work left on our communal wetwork shelves. A piece will be deemed abandoned if:

• It is left on the shelf until completely bone dry

• It has no name or date (please ask our staff if you can’t find the sticky notes! All bats with work should have your name and the date clearly visible).

*This is only relevant if you continue to use our communal wetwork shelves for overflow work (anything on your personal member shelf will not be touched!).