FAQs for Studio Hudson

​

I. For First-Timers & Beginners

​

1. Do I need any prior experience to take a class? No experience is necessary for our beginner workshops! Our classes are designed to be fun and accessible for all skill levels.

2. What should I wear to a pottery class? Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting a little bit dirty. We provide aprons, but it's best to be prepared for some mess.

3. Should I trim my nails before class? Long nails can make wheel throwing more challenging as they can dig into the clay. We recommend trimming them, but it is not required.

4. What's the difference between wheel throwing and hand-building? Wheel throwing involves using a potter's wheel to create symmetrical pieces like bowls and cups. Hand-building is a more sculptural approach where you use your hands and simple tools to create pieces without a wheel.

5. Can I bring a friend to watch but not participate? Due to limited space and to ensure the best experience for our students, we can only accommodate paid participants in our workshops.

6. What if I don't like how my piece turned out? Part of the beauty of pottery is its unpredictability! We encourage you to embrace the imperfections and the unique character of your handmade piece. We do not offer refunds based on artistic results.

7. Is working with clay messy? It can be, but that's part of the fun! The clay we use easily washes off skin and clothing. We provide aprons and have a cleanup area.

​

II. Our Offerings: Classes, Courses & Workshops

​

1. How long is a typical one-time workshop? Our workshops generally run for about 2, which includes instruction and cleanup time.

2. How much does a one-time workshop cost? Pricing for our workshops can be found on our website when you view the class schedule. The fee is all-inclusive.

3. How many pieces can I make in a workshop? The class fee typically includes the finishing (firing and glazing) of up to two pieces. Please check the specific class description for exact details.

4. Do you offer classes specifically for kids or families? Yes, our drop-in workshops are designed for kids and families to create together. 

5. What is the age limit for your adult classes? Our adult classes are typically for ages 16 and up.

6. Do you have special date night or couples' classes? Yes, we frequently offer weekend night workshops which are perfect for couples looking for a unique experience. Check our home page for upcoming dates.

7. What is a multi-week course? Our multi-week courses are designed for students who want to develop their skills more deeply, covering a range of techniques from start to finish over several weeks.

8. How much does a multi-week course cost? Pricing varies depending on the length and focus of the course. All details are listed on our website under the course descriptions.

9. Are materials for multi-week courses included in the price? Yes, the course fee includes a bag of clay, use of all studio tools and glazes, and firing for the pieces you make during class time.

10. I'm an experienced potter. Can I skip the beginner classes? If you have previous experience, please contact us to discuss which of our intermediate courses or workshops might be the best fit for you.

11. Do you have a waitlist for sold-out classes? Yes. If a class is full, you can add your name to the waitlist. You will be notified automatically if a spot opens up.

​

III. Private Events: Parties & Corporate Outings

​

1. Do you host private parties and events? Yes, we love hosting private events! They are a great option for birthdays, bachelorette parties, team-building, ladies night, and other celebrations.

2. What is the minimum/maximum number of people for a private party? We typically require a minimum of 5 participants for a private event and can host up to 15 people. Please contact us to discuss your specific group's needs.

3. How much does a private party or corporate event cost? Pricing is typically $390 for up to 6 people, with an additional $65 per person, up to 15 total. Please contact us for an accurate quote.

4. Is there a deposit required to book a private party? Yes, a deposit is required to secure your date and time. 

5. Do you offer discounts for large groups or non-profits? We may offer discounts for non-profit organizations or larger corporate groups. Please reach out to discuss your event with us.

6. How far in advance do I need to book a private event? We recommend booking at least 3-6 weeks in advance to ensure instructor and studio availability, especially for weekend dates.

7. Can we bring our own food, drinks, and decorations? Yes! For private parties, you are welcome to bring your own food, drinks (BYOB for guests 21+), and light decorations.

8. Can we play our own music at our party? Absolutely! We can help you connect a device to our sound system to play your own playlist.

9. Can I request a specific instructor for my event? You can certainly request an instructor, and we will do our best to accommodate based on their availability.

​

IV. The Pottery Process: From Clay to Kiln

​

1. Will I take my piece home the same day? No. The pottery process involves multiple stages including drying, two separate kiln firings, and glazing, which takes several weeks.

2. Why does it take 3-4 weeks to get my finished piece back? This timeline accounts for a slow and thorough drying process (about 1 week), the first firing (bisque), glazing, and the final firing (glaze). We process hundreds of pieces a week, and this ensures each one is handled with care.

3. Can I sign my piece? Yes! We encourage you to carve your initials or a small mark on the bottom of your piece before it dries.

4. What is a "bisque firing," and what cone do you fire to? This is the first firing, which turns fragile clay into a hard, porous state. We bisque fire to Cone 6.

5. What is a "glaze firing," and what cone do you fire to? This is the final firing that melts the glaze to a glassy, durable state. We glaze fire our stoneware to Cone 6.

6. What specific type of clay do you use? We primarily use a durable, mid-fire stoneware clay that is great for beginners and results in strong, long-lasting pieces.

7. Are your kilns electric or gas? Our studio is equipped with an electric kiln, which provide consistent and reliable results.

8. Do I glaze my own piece? In our one-time workshops, you will choose your glaze color, and our expert staff will carefully glaze the piece for you to ensure the best result. Multi-week course students will learn to glaze their own work.

9. What kind of glazes do you offer? We offer a curated selection of beautiful and reliable studio glazes in a variety of colors and finishes.

10. Are your glazes food-safe? Yes, all of our studio glazes are lead-free, non-toxic, and completely food-safe once fired, unless there are noticeable cracks.

11. What happens if my piece breaks in the kiln? While we take the utmost care, cracks and kiln accidents are an inherent risk of pottery. We cannot offer refunds for pieces that don't survive, but such instances are rare.

12. Can I bring my own clay or glazes to use in the studio? For quality control and to protect our kilns, we do not permit outside clay or glazes to be used in the studio.

13. Do you offer a community firing service for work made at home? At this time, we do not have the capacity to offer firing services for work made outside of our classes.

​

V. Booking, Policies & Pricing

​

1. How do I sign up for a class? The best way to see our schedule and book a class is directly through our website. Our classes tend to fill up quickly!

2. What is your cancellation policy for a single workshop? We require at least 24 hours' notice for a full refund or to reschedule. Cancellations within 24 hours of the class time are non-refundable.

3. What is the rescheduling policy for a private party? The deposit for a private party is non-refundable, but we can reschedule your event with at least 14 days' notice.

4. What happens if Studio Hudson has to cancel a class? In the rare event that we need to cancel a class, you will be notified immediately and offered a full refund or the option to reschedule.

5. What happens if I miss a class in a multi-week course? Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up sessions or refunds for missed classes in a course due to the structured nature of the curriculum.

6. Can I get a prorated refund if I know I'll miss a class in a course? Yes!

7. Do you sell gift cards? Yes, gift cards are available for purchase on our website and make a wonderful gift!

8. How do I redeem a gift card? You can enter your gift card code during the checkout process when booking a class online.

9. What if I want to keep more pieces than what's included in the fee? If time allows and you create additional pieces you love, you can choose to have them fired and glazed for a small additional fee per piece ($10 per piece).

10. Do you offer studio memberships? Memberships may be offered in the future for experienced potters. Please sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on future offerings.

11. Can I come in for open studio time? Currently, open studio time is reserved as a perk for students enrolled in our multi-week courses. We do not offer drop-in studio time.

12. What does "open studio time" for course students include? This is uninstructed time for current students to practice and work on their projects. Clay must be purchased separately for use during open studio.

13. Is an instructor present during open studio hours? A studio monitor is present to ensure safety, but direct instruction is not provided during open studio hours.

​

VI. Your Finished Pieces: Pickup & Care

​

1. How will I know when my pottery is ready for pickup? We will send an email notification to the person who booked the workshop as soon as the pieces are ready for pickup.

2. What are your pickup hours? Our pickup hours will be listed in the notification email you receive and are typically during our regular business hours.

3. How long will you hold finished pieces? We will hold finished pieces for 3 months after you receive the pickup notification. Due to our limited space, pieces left longer than that may be donated.

4. Can a friend pick up my piece for me? Absolutely! Just have them give us your full name and the date of your workshop when they come in.

5. I'm from out of town. Can you ship my piece or hold it longer? We can ship your piece for an additional fee to cover postage and careful packing materials. If you need us to hold a piece longer, please contact us to make arrangements.

6. Is my finished pottery microwave and dishwasher-safe? Yes, your finished stoneware pieces are durable and safe for both the microwave and dishwasher, although handwashing is always recommended for handmade items to ensure longevity.

7. My piece has a small crack. Can it be fixed? Unfortunately, once a piece has been glaze-fired, cracks cannot be repaired. These are often an unavoidable part of the handmade process.

8. I received a pickup email, but my friend from the same class didn't. Why? Pieces move through the kiln process at different rates. It's common for work from the same class to be ready on different days. Please wait for your specific notification.

9. What happens if I forget which glaze color I chose? Don't worry, we record your glaze choice with your pieces. Your finished piece will be a lovely surprise!

​

VII. The Studio: Location, Safety & More

​

1. Where are you located and where can I park? We are located in Hudson, MA. There is ample street parking available near the studio, as well as several public lots within a short walking distance. See our parking tab on the site footer. 

2. Is the studio wheelchair accessible? Please contact us directly to discuss accessibility needs, and we will do our absolute best to accommodate you.

3. Can I bring my pet to the studio? For health and safety reasons, we only permit certified service animals in the studio.

4. Is working with clay and glazes safe? Yes. All the materials we use are non-toxic and perfectly safe to handle when used as directed.

5. What do you do about clay dust in the studio? We practice thorough daily cleaning, including wet mopping and wiping surfaces, to minimize airborne clay dust and maintain a healthy environment.

6. Is clay safe for sensitive skin? Clay can be drying to the skin. You are welcome to wear thin, disposable gloves if you have particularly sensitive skin.

7. Do you sell pottery made by local artists? Yes, we often feature a selection of work from our instructors and other local artists for sale in the studio.

8. Do you sell clay or tools? We do not sell raw materials or tools at this time. All materials are provided for use during our classes.

9. What are your general studio safety rules? We ask that all guests walk carefully, keep bags and personal items out of walkways, and follow all instructor guidance to ensure a safe and fun environment for everyone.

10. Do you have a lost and found? Yes. If you believe you've left an item behind, please contact us. We hold items for 30 days.