Make Your Own Mug | Marlborough Art Society

Pottery is a wonderfully rewarding craft, but it can also be unpredictable. By choosing to work with clay, you’re stepping into a creative process full of variables, many of which are beyond my control.

I want to be upfront: I cannot guarantee that your piece will return to you exactly as you left it. I handle every piece with care and treat your work as if it were my own. However, in ceramics, things do go wrong; pieces can crack, glazes may run, items can warp or even explode in the kiln. Sometimes your creation won’t turn out the way you imagined, and that’s part of the process too.

By choosing to book this workshop, you acknowledge and accept these risks as part of the learning experience. I do not offer refunds, credits, or replacements for any pieces that are damaged, or don’t make it through the drying and firing process.If any issues arise, I’ll keep you informed by email and share photos where possible.

What I can promise is a welcoming and encouraging environment where you can explore, create, and have fun. This is your opportunity to connect with clay, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy the unique experience of making something by hand.

Group Booking Responsibility
Please note that the person making the booking is responsible for informing all participants about the terms and conditions, as well as the inherent variability that comes with pottery making.

Cancellation Policy:

A 10% administration fee is applies to all cancellations. This fee will be deducted from any refund issued and applies regardless of the reason for cancellation. If a class is cancelled within 7 days before the start date, a refund cannot be guaranteed unless the spot is filled.

Photos & Media:
Photos and videos taken during classes, including images of student work, may be used for promotional purposes on my website and social media channels. By enrolling, you consent to this use. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform me. You may request removal of any image at any time.

Materials Provided:
All tools and materials are included in the workshop, just bring your creativity and enthusiasm!

Collecting Your Work:
Finished pieces will be available for pickup after the drying and firing process, which takes approximately 6–8 weeks. We’ll notify you when your work is ready for collection. Additional cost for individual shipping can be arranged.

Pottery can be a little messy, so it’s best to come dressed in something comfortable that you don’t mind getting clay on. Here are a few tips:

• Clothing: Wear old clothes or casual, comfortable outfits. Clay usually washes out, but it’s best to avoid delicate fabrics or anything you’d be upset to stain.

• Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety and to keep your feet clean and dry.

• Apron: If you have an apron, bring it along, it will help protect your clothes if you're wearing something fancy 

• Jewellery & Accessories: Please remove rings, watches, and bracelets before we begin, as clay can get stuck in them. Tie back long hair so it doesn’t get in the way while you work.

• Comfort: Dress in layers so you’re comfortable throughout the session especially in winter.

The main thing is to wear something you can relax in and not worry about getting dirty. Pottery is about enjoying the creative process, so the more comfortable you are, the better your experience will be.

When working with clay, keeping your nails short makes a big difference. Long nails can unintentionally dig into the clay, leaving marks or tiny hairline cracks on the surface. While these cracks may look minor, they can weaken your piece and even cause it to break before or during the firing process in the kiln.

For the best results, I recommend trimming your nails before the workshop. This helps you shape and smooth your piece more easily and ensures it has the strength to make it safely through the drying and firing stages.

If you prefer to keep your nails long, please bring a pair of thin surgical or disposable gloves. Wearing gloves creates a barrier between your nails and the clay, reducing the risk of small cracks and keeping your pottery in better condition.

Pottery is all about enjoying the process and creating something you’ll be proud to take home. Having short nails or using gloves if your nails are long will give you the best chance of success with your piece.

Pottery is a slow, hands-on craft that takes time and patience. Once a piece is shaped, it must go through several important stages before it’s finished:

• Forming the piece – Often created on a pottery wheel/handbuilding for balanced, symmetrical shapes.

• Drying (Leather Hard to Bone Dry) – After shaping, the clay begins to dry.

  Leather hard is when the piece is firm but still slightly damp, this is the ideal stage for trimming the base, refining the shape, or adding details like handles or feet.

  Bone dry is when all moisture has completely left the clay. The piece becomes very fragile and lighter in color and must reach this stage before firing to prevent cracking or damage in the kiln. This drying process can take several days depending on thickness and conditions.

• Bisque Firing – The first firing hardens the clay, using slow heating and cooling to prepare the piece for glazing.Bisque pieces can also be painted using an underglaze.This takes about 30 hours.

• Glazing – Glaze is applied and left to dry completely, normally 24 hours.

• Glaze Firing – A second firing at higher temperatures, followed by gradual cooling to prevent cracks and strengthen the finished piece. This normally takes 48 hours

Because of this multi-step process, pottery isn’t ready to take home straight away. Depending on drying and firing schedules, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks before your finished piece is ready. Sometimes the weather plays a role too regarding the drying process.