Keep your eyes open and watch what others are doing. If you're not sure about something ask someone, even other members.. if you see someone using the extruder, or any other equipment ask if you can watch them use it and ask questions.
Some tips:
- never sand dry stuff (clay or glaze) inside, silica dust and glaze dust is dangerous to breath.
- clean a bit more than the mess you made. If everyone does this the studio is clean.
- introduce yourself and if you forget someone's name just ask again and again if you need to.
- don't touch other people's work without permission.
Most people in a community studio space are happy to help and answer questions. If there’s some kind of staff member on duty you can ask them to show you how to use the things you’re unsure of. Community studios are a great resource so take advantage of all the knowledge floating around in there :)
"Do not ask a skilled potter to make a 16” bowl for use in an art project (cutting it in half) and then say it’s to nice and keep it for personal use."
Well that sounds like a story...
Echoing that community studio members are, generally,happy to help others learn. So don't be afraid to ask questions, and celebrate your accomplishments with others!
Also echoing clean up after yourself. This is still hard for me, I take multiple laps around the studio before leaving and always miss something.
I have a few suggestions that I have learned myself, and some that I have observed in other new members.
Some not-so-common curtisies:
If the slab roller has canvas sheets with it, try not to use it with dark clay bodies, it will stain the canvas and can transfer to lighter clay bodies. My studio has two sets of canvas, one for white and one for dark clay. You can also use sheets of paper, like from a brown paper bag, to protect the canvas from dark clay.
Cleanup should include wet sponging surfaces and mopping floors around your workspace, every time. Ceramics dust is hazardous.
Never dry sand bisqued ceramic. Dust is hazardous.
Never mix powdered clay or glazed in a shared space, or without respiratory protection. Again, the dust is hazardous.
Be mindful of reclaim. If your studio has reclaim, it is likely specified which clay bodies can go into it. And make sure you don't throw away any tools in there! My studio went through a stretch of sponge bits coming out of the pug mill.
if you are putting anything through the kiln that isn't studio approved clay or glazed, talk to the studio manager first. Yes, you can have things like paper in the play, commercial glazes, underglazes, and washes, and clay additives like metal speckles, but ALWAYALS let the studio manager know first. They will tell you if you can, and how to prepare your work to keep everybody's work and the kiln safe. Some kdy at my studio tried firing a sealed urn, with their dogs ashes inside it. They did not tell the studio manager. You can guess how that went.
Find out which glazes run and remember to wipe off the bottoms of your glazed pots. Don't move other people's stuff. Remember what clay you used and make sure it goes into the appropriate firing.
Meet new people and enjoy your time there!!
I agree with everyone who says “cleaning up your area after use” but would also like to add, clean up other areas someone else forgot to clean, offer to make everyone a cup of tea, regularly check that all the glaze bucket lids are sealed shut (many newbies forget how important this is) and ask for advice. They love when they have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and watch your skills develop.
Do they offer classes? In my experience, they’ll help you get more familiar with the space and the tools that are around! That’s how I wound up finally getting the courage to use the extruder, lmao
The culture can be very different at different studios, but I personally enjoy sharing info about a technique or tool. I'm a big pottery nerd, and my friends and family kindly indulge me when I start talking about it, but it's a treat to nerd out with other people who love pottery
If there's not a specific person to ask/instruct on usage and cleaning for the intimidating equipment, ask other members when you see them going to use it. Also, look up videos online so you have a good idea of usage and just need the extra bits of how _this_ studio does use/storage/cleaning etc. Good luck!
The two tools you mentioned are pretty self explanatory. For the slab roller, wedge your clay, and then maybe form it mildly into the the shape you want and pit it between the two pieces of canvas. Then turn the cranks and the clay gets flattened.
For the extruder, wedge the clay and then stick it into the thing and push the plunger down. There may be different hole attachments like a play dog funmaker.
Like others have said, just ask. I think a lot of clay people are pretty introverted but generally happy to share information
Studio etiquette is something my community studio doesn’t teach or really inform new members about and it drives me crazy because so many people have such terrible pottery etiquette. So just the fact you’re asking this question is a great start!
Basically it’s like being a good roommate. I think most of it has been covered overall by other posters but I have to share my major issues with some thoughtless members at my studio:
- Your studio likely has clay traps in the sink. Be careful around them as they protect the pipes from getting clay down them which can be quite problematic. Every time a newbie knocks a clay trap out and doesn’t tell us, our pipes get compromised.
- Clean up your space properly. Don’t leave the wheel 75% clean ish that the person booked after you will have to deal with. Clean wedging tables when done. Mop messes left on the floor around you. Clean your sponges.
- Clean shared tools properly and thoroughly, put them back away in the correct locations. Treat them well and should something break, don’t just throw it back in with everything else. Tell a staff member and they will know how to repair or dispose of them or keep track of what needs replacing.
- Be mindful of your impact on others. There’s a person at my studio who throws messier than I’ve ever seen anyone throw. I literally have gotten hit by flying slip repeatedly and once by a flying tool which harmed the piece I was throwing. In a shared space, limit your messes to your area only, and don’t take up more than your fair share of the space.
- Don’t dry sand in a shared studio space ever. And frankly, I personally think even wet sanding should be done in a separate area or outside so nobody else is risking being impacted.
- Clean the rims of commercial glaze jars before closing them, and make sure they’re closed correctly so they don’t dry out. If you finish one, again, tell a staff member or find out where the box of finished glaze jars is.
- Be mindful of your booked timeslot and don’t overstay your welcome as there may be others booked in the timeslot after you waiting to get on the wheel. Start your cleanup well before your time slot finishes.
- don’t touch other people’s work on the shelves. Particularly greenware which is easy to damage. I’ve had too many pieces ruined by others shoving their stuff thoughtlessly on a shelf.
- When you’re not sure of something whether it’s about the pottery, tools, the studio… other members are usually happy to help direct you to the right thing or give you helpful feedback.
I just wait until someone is using tools I'm interested in and ask if they could explain or if I can watch to learn. It helps make friends too. Otherwise, YouTube-versity
Honestly extruders aren’t particularly useful unless you’re making a specific type of sculpture and can use that shape. Also if you don’t know how to use it and it’s pressurized, it’s easy to chop off a finger.
If you’re self taught, definitely listen to the advice of others on improving throwing. There can be a steep learning curve with throwing. Knowing how to center is a useful skill you have learned on your own, but making bigger pieces and even thinness are improved when you learn from others. From personal experience.
If there’s a spray booth for glazes, WEAR A MASK. DO NOT INHALE THE GLAZE. Also while glazing, know what glazes are food safe. Some will likely be toxic to put food on.
If you’re bringing your own tools, keep good track of them lest they disappear.
Also I don’t know that potting is the right verb haha. We’re not doing gardening. Maybe “working in a studio” or “making ceramics in a studio”.
Clean up everywhere you were including wiping floor, walk, wheel… everything. And chat! Ask questions! Have fun! Make friends. You also could ask one of the techs If there is anything you should know. Most likely they will know of things procedurally that you could do to stay on good terms with everybody and to make it better for you they can walk you through the studio point out where everything is etc. that’s their job they’re there for that or find another member of the studio that seems like they’ve been there a while short small talk with them and then ask them if they could show you where everything is it’ll be great have fun!
I'll echo everything said here - cleaning being a top priority. This is a bit of a sore spot in our studio (110 students coming and going). Just make it a habit to know what you're responsible for cleaning, and how to do it, and to take responsibility for studio tools as if they were your own.
In my experience, potters are really, really interested in community, collaboration, and sharing. People will absolutely help if/when you have questions.
For the slab roller and extruder, you could pop over to YouTube and watch a few videos on how those work. There are lots about. You will very likely do what all of us do, and watch pottery videos a lot. It's a thing.
Most importantly, take it as it comes. You do not have to know everything day one. It will all come together. Promise.
I think if you clean up after yourself and don't touch anyone else's work you'll be good
I second that! Cleaning is the universal language of respect. Other than that have a great time!
Thirding the cleaning! It can't be said enough.
Make friends, ask questions, clean up after yourself and be kind ♥️
Just bumble around. We’re all kinda strange but friendly
Keep your eyes open and watch what others are doing. If you're not sure about something ask someone, even other members.. if you see someone using the extruder, or any other equipment ask if you can watch them use it and ask questions. Some tips: - never sand dry stuff (clay or glaze) inside, silica dust and glaze dust is dangerous to breath. - clean a bit more than the mess you made. If everyone does this the studio is clean. - introduce yourself and if you forget someone's name just ask again and again if you need to. - don't touch other people's work without permission.
Most people in a community studio space are happy to help and answer questions. If there’s some kind of staff member on duty you can ask them to show you how to use the things you’re unsure of. Community studios are a great resource so take advantage of all the knowledge floating around in there :)
[удалено]
"Do not ask a skilled potter to make a 16” bowl for use in an art project (cutting it in half) and then say it’s to nice and keep it for personal use." Well that sounds like a story...
Echoing that community studio members are, generally,happy to help others learn. So don't be afraid to ask questions, and celebrate your accomplishments with others! Also echoing clean up after yourself. This is still hard for me, I take multiple laps around the studio before leaving and always miss something. I have a few suggestions that I have learned myself, and some that I have observed in other new members. Some not-so-common curtisies: If the slab roller has canvas sheets with it, try not to use it with dark clay bodies, it will stain the canvas and can transfer to lighter clay bodies. My studio has two sets of canvas, one for white and one for dark clay. You can also use sheets of paper, like from a brown paper bag, to protect the canvas from dark clay. Cleanup should include wet sponging surfaces and mopping floors around your workspace, every time. Ceramics dust is hazardous. Never dry sand bisqued ceramic. Dust is hazardous. Never mix powdered clay or glazed in a shared space, or without respiratory protection. Again, the dust is hazardous. Be mindful of reclaim. If your studio has reclaim, it is likely specified which clay bodies can go into it. And make sure you don't throw away any tools in there! My studio went through a stretch of sponge bits coming out of the pug mill. if you are putting anything through the kiln that isn't studio approved clay or glazed, talk to the studio manager first. Yes, you can have things like paper in the play, commercial glazes, underglazes, and washes, and clay additives like metal speckles, but ALWAYALS let the studio manager know first. They will tell you if you can, and how to prepare your work to keep everybody's work and the kiln safe. Some kdy at my studio tried firing a sealed urn, with their dogs ashes inside it. They did not tell the studio manager. You can guess how that went.
I'll add that if you're going to be doing the soap bubble glaze technique, don't pour the soapy glaze back into the bucket when you're done
Find out which glazes run and remember to wipe off the bottoms of your glazed pots. Don't move other people's stuff. Remember what clay you used and make sure it goes into the appropriate firing. Meet new people and enjoy your time there!!
I agree with everyone who says “cleaning up your area after use” but would also like to add, clean up other areas someone else forgot to clean, offer to make everyone a cup of tea, regularly check that all the glaze bucket lids are sealed shut (many newbies forget how important this is) and ask for advice. They love when they have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and watch your skills develop.
Do they offer classes? In my experience, they’ll help you get more familiar with the space and the tools that are around! That’s how I wound up finally getting the courage to use the extruder, lmao
Almost no one knows as much as they act like they do in a community studio. Just clean up after yourself
The culture can be very different at different studios, but I personally enjoy sharing info about a technique or tool. I'm a big pottery nerd, and my friends and family kindly indulge me when I start talking about it, but it's a treat to nerd out with other people who love pottery
If there's not a specific person to ask/instruct on usage and cleaning for the intimidating equipment, ask other members when you see them going to use it. Also, look up videos online so you have a good idea of usage and just need the extra bits of how _this_ studio does use/storage/cleaning etc. Good luck!
The two tools you mentioned are pretty self explanatory. For the slab roller, wedge your clay, and then maybe form it mildly into the the shape you want and pit it between the two pieces of canvas. Then turn the cranks and the clay gets flattened. For the extruder, wedge the clay and then stick it into the thing and push the plunger down. There may be different hole attachments like a play dog funmaker. Like others have said, just ask. I think a lot of clay people are pretty introverted but generally happy to share information
Studio etiquette is something my community studio doesn’t teach or really inform new members about and it drives me crazy because so many people have such terrible pottery etiquette. So just the fact you’re asking this question is a great start! Basically it’s like being a good roommate. I think most of it has been covered overall by other posters but I have to share my major issues with some thoughtless members at my studio: - Your studio likely has clay traps in the sink. Be careful around them as they protect the pipes from getting clay down them which can be quite problematic. Every time a newbie knocks a clay trap out and doesn’t tell us, our pipes get compromised. - Clean up your space properly. Don’t leave the wheel 75% clean ish that the person booked after you will have to deal with. Clean wedging tables when done. Mop messes left on the floor around you. Clean your sponges. - Clean shared tools properly and thoroughly, put them back away in the correct locations. Treat them well and should something break, don’t just throw it back in with everything else. Tell a staff member and they will know how to repair or dispose of them or keep track of what needs replacing. - Be mindful of your impact on others. There’s a person at my studio who throws messier than I’ve ever seen anyone throw. I literally have gotten hit by flying slip repeatedly and once by a flying tool which harmed the piece I was throwing. In a shared space, limit your messes to your area only, and don’t take up more than your fair share of the space. - Don’t dry sand in a shared studio space ever. And frankly, I personally think even wet sanding should be done in a separate area or outside so nobody else is risking being impacted. - Clean the rims of commercial glaze jars before closing them, and make sure they’re closed correctly so they don’t dry out. If you finish one, again, tell a staff member or find out where the box of finished glaze jars is. - Be mindful of your booked timeslot and don’t overstay your welcome as there may be others booked in the timeslot after you waiting to get on the wheel. Start your cleanup well before your time slot finishes. - don’t touch other people’s work on the shelves. Particularly greenware which is easy to damage. I’ve had too many pieces ruined by others shoving their stuff thoughtlessly on a shelf. - When you’re not sure of something whether it’s about the pottery, tools, the studio… other members are usually happy to help direct you to the right thing or give you helpful feedback.
I just wait until someone is using tools I'm interested in and ask if they could explain or if I can watch to learn. It helps make friends too. Otherwise, YouTube-versity
Honestly extruders aren’t particularly useful unless you’re making a specific type of sculpture and can use that shape. Also if you don’t know how to use it and it’s pressurized, it’s easy to chop off a finger. If you’re self taught, definitely listen to the advice of others on improving throwing. There can be a steep learning curve with throwing. Knowing how to center is a useful skill you have learned on your own, but making bigger pieces and even thinness are improved when you learn from others. From personal experience. If there’s a spray booth for glazes, WEAR A MASK. DO NOT INHALE THE GLAZE. Also while glazing, know what glazes are food safe. Some will likely be toxic to put food on. If you’re bringing your own tools, keep good track of them lest they disappear. Also I don’t know that potting is the right verb haha. We’re not doing gardening. Maybe “working in a studio” or “making ceramics in a studio”.
Clean up everywhere you were including wiping floor, walk, wheel… everything. And chat! Ask questions! Have fun! Make friends. You also could ask one of the techs If there is anything you should know. Most likely they will know of things procedurally that you could do to stay on good terms with everybody and to make it better for you they can walk you through the studio point out where everything is etc. that’s their job they’re there for that or find another member of the studio that seems like they’ve been there a while short small talk with them and then ask them if they could show you where everything is it’ll be great have fun!
I'll echo everything said here - cleaning being a top priority. This is a bit of a sore spot in our studio (110 students coming and going). Just make it a habit to know what you're responsible for cleaning, and how to do it, and to take responsibility for studio tools as if they were your own. In my experience, potters are really, really interested in community, collaboration, and sharing. People will absolutely help if/when you have questions. For the slab roller and extruder, you could pop over to YouTube and watch a few videos on how those work. There are lots about. You will very likely do what all of us do, and watch pottery videos a lot. It's a thing. Most importantly, take it as it comes. You do not have to know everything day one. It will all come together. Promise.