Policies

Clean your workspace and tools before leaving
Return shared tools to their proper location
Keep walkways clear of personal belongings
Leave the space ready for the next person

Do not touch or move another person’s work. Ceramics can be fragile and easily damaged while drying. If something must be moved, ask staff.

All work must be signed before being placed on studio shelves.

Unsigned work will be recycled.

The studio is not responsible for pieces that are not signed.

Studio clay only is permitted in the studio and kilns.
Outside clay, glazes, or materials are not allowed unless explicitly approved by staff.

Only studio clay may be used in the studio. Outside clay bodies are not permitted because they may fire at different temperatures and can damage kilns or shelves.

A set amount of clay is included with class registration. Additional clay may be purchased from the studio if needed.

Glaze must be applied carefully and responsibly.

Please:

Keep the bottoms of pieces clean and glaze-free
Wipe the base before placing work on firing shelves
Follow glaze application instructions provided in class

Improper glazing can damage kiln equipment.

If glaze drips cause a piece to stick to a kiln cookie, a $15 cookie replacement fee will be charged.

If glaze damage extends to a kiln shelf, additional cleaning or replacement fees may apply. Shelves are expensive! Please be careful.

Only studio staff operate and load kilns. Students may not touch, load/unload kilns, move kiln furniture, or adjust kiln settings.

Work will be fired when space is available. The studio cannot guarantee successful firing results. Firing is a chemical and physical process with natural risk.

The studio is not responsible for:

cracking
warping
glaze defects
breakage during firing

By submitting work for firing, you accept the risks associated with ceramics.

Air pockets can cause pieces to explode in the kiln and damage other work and equipment.

Students are expected to:

wedge clay properly
compress joints
avoid trapping air inside enclosed forms

If you’re unsure how to build something safely, ask staff.

Drying shelves are shared space. Store only active work in the studio.

Finished pieces must be picked up within 30 days. Pieces left beyond 30 days may be discarded.

Be respectful, keep noise reasonable, and share tools and space. Harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. We do not talk about politics or religion in the studio.

By signing up, you agree that photos or videos of you and your work may be used for promotional purposes.

To keep the studio safe and functional for everyone, all members and students are expected to clean their workspace and tools after use.

Clay and glaze materials can damage plumbing and create hazardous dust if not handled properly. Please follow the guidelines below.

Always wet clean studio surfaces.

Dry sweeping or dry wiping can release silica dust, which is harmful when inhaled.

Approved cleaning methods include:

Wet sponges
Wet cloths
Damp mopping

Do not dry sweep clay dust.

Clay scraps and clay slurry must be cleaned in the designated clay sink
Do not rinse clay covered tools, buckets, or hands in the glaze sink or bathroom

Large clay scraps should go in the reclaim bucket, not down any drain

Glaze tools, containers, and glaze-related water must be cleaned in the designated glaze sink
Do not rinse glaze covered tools, buckets, or hands in the clay sink or bathroom
Wipe glaze spills immediately

Hands must be rinsed in the correct sink before washing with soap in the bathroom.

If you have clay on your hands: rinse in the clay sink first
If you have glaze on your hands: rinse in the glaze sink first
After rinsing, wash your hands thoroughly with soap in the bathroom

Do not wash clay or glaze residue directly in the bathroom sink.

Always work in a safe and responsible manner.

Please:

Follow all instructions given by instructors or staff
Use studio equipment only as intended
Ask for assistance if you are unsure how to use a tool or piece of equipment
Keep walkways clear of bags, clay, and tools
Clean spills immediately to prevent slipping hazards

Running, roughhousing, or unsafe behavior is not permitted in the studio.

Proper clothing helps prevent accidents.

Recommended:

Closed-toe shoes
Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
Hair tied back if long

Avoid:

Open-toed shoes
Loose sleeves near tools or equipment
Jewelry that may catch on tools or equipment

Clay contains silica, which can be harmful if inhaled as dust.

To reduce dust exposure:

Always use wet cleaning methods
Never dry sweep clay dust
Clean spills immediately after they happen
Keep work areas clean and damp wiped

Use tools carefully and only for their intended purpose.

Handle sharp trimming tools carefully
Store tools safely when not in use
Do not leave sharp tools hidden in clay or under towels
Report broken or damaged tools to staff

Ceramic glazes and raw materials contain chemical compounds.

Please:

Avoid inhaling glaze dust
Clean glaze spills immediately
Wash hands thoroughly after glazing
Follow all glaze area cleaning procedures

Food and drink are not permitted in the glazing area.

A closed thermos or water bottle may be kept at the handbuilding tables only.

Studio equipment must be used responsibly.

Do not attempt to repair or modify equipment.

If equipment is malfunctioning, notify staff immediately.

Students or members may be responsible for repair or replacement costs if equipment or studio property is damaged due to misuse.

Participation in pottery classes and studio activities involves inherent risks, including but not limited to:

Cuts or injury from tools
Burns from hot equipment
Exposure to clay dust or ceramic materials
Physical strain from working with clay or equipment

By participating in studio activities, students and members acknowledge these risks and agree to participate at their own risk.

The studio, its instructors, and staff are not responsible for injuries, accidents, or damage to personal property occurring during studio use, except where required by law.

Participants agree to follow all studio policies and safety procedures while using the space.

Workshops include single-day or multi-day workshops.

Cancellation policy:

More than 72 hours before the first day of the workshop
→ Full refund
Between 24–72 hours before the workshop
→ 50% refund
Within 24 hours of the workshop
→ No refund

Workshop registrations may be transferred to another person.

Rescheduling is not available.

Multi-week classes reserve a seat for the entire course.

Cancellation policy:

More than 72 hours before the first class
→ Full refund
Within 72 hours before the first class or before the second class
→ 50% refund
After the second class
→ No refunds

If you miss a class in a multi-week course:

You may request to attend another class time to make up the session
Makeup classes are dependent on availability

Missed classes cannot be guaranteed to be rescheduled.

If the studio must cancel a class or workshop, participants will receive either:

A partial refund, or
The option to reschedule to another session

Clay is provided as part of class registration.

Students may purchase additional clay from the studio if needed.

Outside clay is not permitted in the studio.

Outside glaze must be food safe and approved by the studio before use. Studio approval does not remove your liability for keeping the kiln safe, cookie and shelf replacement fees will still apply in the case they are impacted.

This ensures compatibility with studio firing temperatures and kiln safety.

Firing and glazing costs are included in class fees.

Ceramic firing involves extremely high temperatures and natural material variation.

While we take every precaution, the studio cannot guarantee successful firing results.

Pieces may crack, warp, or break during:

drying
bisque firing
glaze firing

The studio is not responsible for damage occurring during drying and firing.

All work is fired on kiln cookies to protect kiln shelves from glaze drips.

If a piece sticks to a cookie due to improper glazing, a $15 replacement fee will be charged.

If glaze damage extends beyond the cookie and damages a kiln shelf or kiln, the customer may incur an additional cleaning or replacement fee.

Finished pieces must be picked up within 30 days of completion.

Work left beyond 30 days will be discarded.

The studio does not send pickup reminders.

Studio equipment must be used responsibly.

Students or members may be responsible for repair or replacement costs if equipment or tools are damaged due to misuse.

Gift cards:

Do not expire
Are non-refundable
May be used toward classes, workshops, or studio purchases

We accept returns on physical products within 30 days of purchase.

To be eligible for a return:

The item must be unused and undamaged
The item must be returned in its original packaging
Proof of purchase is required

Returns will be issued as a refund to the original payment method.

For online orders, customers are responsible for return shipping costs. Original shipping fees are non-refundable. Customers may also return purchases in person at the studio to avoid return shipping costs.

Once the item is received and inspected, a refund will be issued to the original payment method.

To initiate a return, you can contact use our contact form on the Contact page in the menu at the top of the page.

Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. Please contact us within 48 hours of delivery.

To process a replacement or refund we require:

Photos of the damaged item
Photos of the shipping packaging
You may be required to return the item in its original packaging, shipping label to be purchased by 4 Pottery

Customers may choose either:

A replacement item
A refund

Certain types of items cannot be returned, like 3D digital files and custom products (such as special orders or personalized items). Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.