1 Entry and Etiquette

Members are asked to preregister with your hours via our member portal and when you arrive check in at the front desk. You can do this up to the minute before the start time. 

We have some events that use the entire classroom, you will notice that there may be up to an evening a week that is not available, members are welcome to book the glaze station table and work in back if this is the case, but must be wary of not interrupting the classroom event. (ei, if there is a Tarot and Clay workshop to arrive before it starts and not interrupt the meditation).  Additionally, sometimes we will close open clay to the public, but leave it open to our members that can be sensitive to the etiquette of the studio if it is an event that would allow so. Check the monthly studio calendar to see what is happening in the classroom. 

While we encourage a peaceful and meditative atmosphere, we aim to strike a balance that fosters a serene environment without feeling overly stifled. Please refrain from engaging in loud or disruptive conversations, as we value the tranquil nature of our space. However, there's no need to whisper during regular conversations. Our studio serves as a place for introspection and creative expression in proximity to others. Kindly note that during our workshops, there may be increased activity and the carrying of instructors' voices. Additionally, we kindly request that you refrain from giving unsolicited advice to others. 

Please do not wear perfume to the space do to allergies.

2 SAFE SPACE

At our studio, we strive to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual feels valued and respected. We encourage all members to approach their interactions with mindfulness, acknowledging their own perspectives and privileges, and refraining from any entitled behavior. Our commitment to learning and growth is anchored in mutual respect and understanding. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any form of disrespectful conduct, discrimination, or micro-aggressions. We reserve the right to uphold the safe space we strive to create. 

No phone conversations allowed in classroom. If you need to make a brief phone call do so in the back workshop, and if there is a workshop taking place you may want to go into the hall. 

Please keep music in headphones unless doors to classroom are closed and you check that the music isn’t bothering others working in the space. This is subject to change. 

3 CLAY

We have 3 clay bodies available in house at approximately $25/ per bag. Please purchase these at the front checkout. 

For safety of our kilns and student/member work, clays bought elsewhere are not allowed unless cleared by management and any reclaim needs to be kept on members' shelves. 

Membership includes 2 squares of glaze firing per month. 

We do not count the bisqueware. Put your pieces on the bisquerack “at the end of the snake’s tale” to be fired by staff. Do not not place things on the bisque rack until they are bone dry and ready to be fired. Make sure your unique member mark is on each piece, this is very important. After they are fired they will be sorted by our staff member onto your shelf when done. When you are ready to glaze, please put your glaze pieces into the squared space and put your name card in the slot in front of each square. We will account for any extra squares at the end of the month, if you go over 2 squares and bill your card on file for $12.00 per square. 

4 CLEANING YOUR AREA

Please leave work stations better than you found them. Always use a clean sponge or mop to wipe down all surfaces and areas you worked on. Wipe down the wedging table, wheel, and splash pans thoroughly after use.

5 RECLAIM and TRIMMING

We have two areas  for reclaim- Wet and Dry

Wet: anything wetter than slip can go into the wet bucket

Dry: Anything that holds its form should be broken into pieces and go into the Dry Bucket

Please do not put any fired pieces (bisqued or glazed) and swept trimming from the floor in the trimming buckets– those belong in the garbage as we cannot recycle them!

To maintain a clean and safe environment, we ask that you refrain from dry trimming as it can create excessive clay dust. If necessary, please sweep clay trimmings off the floor while they are still damp and dispose of them in the garbage. In the event that the trimmings become dry, lightly spray them with the provided sprayers before sweeping. 

6 SANDING & DUST

Please refrain from any dry sanding activities. When sanding is necessary, we require all sanding to be done wet, over a basin of water, and with the use of a mask. As ceramics is a lifelong passion for many of us in the studio, we prioritize minimizing dust inhalation to ensure the long-term health of our lungs. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. 

7 WATER AND CLEAN UP

It is much more efficient to clean up at your station using a rag or sponge to remove clay residue from your tools and hands, utilizing the reclaim water in the sink bins. If needed, rinse quickly with clean water from the faucet. Please ensure that water is not left running unnecessarily. 

Please be sure to not pour clay down the sink. Any slushy water should go into our wet-reclaim bin. Any water that has been contaminated with clay needs to be poured into the left side of the clay sink. Rinse anything with clay on the left side of the sink. The final rinse can be done on the right side.

8 GLAZING

Outside glazes are prohibited unless approved in writing by a staff member! Please speak with us about using a glaze from a reputable brand: you will need to complete a test of it. Speak with the manager regarding this option.

If you have a glaze request please let us know - Our glazes are subject to change with the availability of materials and we usually add or change up a glaze approximately quarterly. 

 Please do not alter glazes! If there is a problem with consistency, please tell one of the staff.

Members are responsible for understanding how thick a glaze needs to be, wiping back the glaze to the appropriate height, Member work that runs and destroys kiln shelf or work is subject to fines up to the cost and labor of damaged items. 

Please make sure that you have gone through a glaze orientation before booking your first glaze hours. If you are new to glazing, we’ll have you come in when you're doing student work.

Each membership comes with a half-shelf for storage. Please ensure that you have put your signature on your shelf: this indicates where your sorted work will be placed. Each of your fired pieces need to have your member mark on them.

9 NO PRODUCTION POTTERY

As a small studio, we are unable to accommodate production pottery in our memberships. We aim to ensure equal opportunities for all students and members to have their pieces included in our firings. If you start firing 2 kilns per month, a discussion with management will need to take place.

10 TOOLS & ITEMS

Please clean community tools thoroughly and put them back where they belong.

For personal tools, please make sure they are labeled with your name on it and stored on your shelf. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Do not touch other members’ work or tools without direct permission from that person. Permission granted on one day does not confirm permission at another time.

There are three private workspace areas that are off limits to members. These areas are clearly marked - please follow rules, or you risk forfeiting your membership and losing access to the studio entirely.

11 GUESTS & VISITORS

Kindly note that our priority at Dame Errant is to maintain a peaceful environment conducive to the creative process. While we appreciate visitors, it is often a disruptive energy to have onlookers walking through a creative space and therefore visitors are not allowed outside of a quick tour. The best approach is to invite curious friends and family to attend an open clay sphere session where they can create alongside you in the classroom. 

Guest passes for open clay sphere session: Members can use their 30% off code on up to two guest passes per month, be sure to register them under your name. 

12 FOOD

Do not store any food on your shelves. There is no eating in the glaze area. We understand emergency snacks may be needed. Please be considerate of pungent foods, as we have an aspect of aromatherapy in our classroom. 

13 KILN, VAULT, Resident artists

For the safety of everyone, only staff members are permitted to access the kiln area and vault. 

Additionally we have three semi private workspaces that belong to our resident artists- These are completely off limits. 

14 SAFETY FIRST

For your safety, please refrain from using any equipment you haven't used before without first asking one of our staff members to provide guidance. Although we expect members to be self guided, please don’t hesitate to ask if you are unaware about a piece of equipment. 

15 MEMBERSHIP CANCELATION

If members want to cancel their membership, they are responsible for doing so before the monthly auto charge. No exceptions. Members are responsible for clearing out their shelf space by the end of their membership. 

These rules are subject to adjustment and change without notice.