Terms & conditions of membership

1. Membership is for a minimum term of two months. Members are required to pay their membership fee £250 pcm one month in advance with one month's deposit. Memberships must be paid by bank transfer on the 1st of each month by standing order. To cancel your membership email info@ceramicsclasseslondon.com giving one calendar month's notice. Your deposit will be used for your final month's membership. Membership fees must be paid in accordance with these terms and conditions whether or not the member uses the studio's facilities. Members must clear their shelf within one week of the cancellation date. If the shelf is not cleared then unfortunately we will have to dispose of the contents as we do not have the storage space.

2. Kiln temperature firings are: 1000 degrees and 1220-48 degrees. Any accidental damage caused to equipment will be charged to the member responsible so it is in the members best interest to ensure only stoneware clay is used and stoneware glazes must be fired on a clay disc in case of glaze melting onto shelves. Special temperatures require a kiln hire.

3. Members can access the studio for up to and only 20 hours per week. Weekly hours less than 20 per week are not carried over. Bookings are made via the members calendar 1 hour in advance. Ceramics Classes London reserves the right to block out hours for members to access the studio when classes operate to ensure that social distancing protocols are in place/If there is a large group booking members will be notified that the studio is closed or there is no availability of wheels via email or the studios WhatsApp group. The booking system may be closed for that period.

4. Members are responsible for opening and closing the studio and making sure the key is back in the master lock. Members must turn off lights, wheels and heaters (at the wall switch) before leaving.

5. Ceramics Classes London are not responsible for personal belongings or any work getting damaged, lost or stolen. It is inevitable that in a communal studio there will occasionally be work that gets damaged, lost or stolen. 

6. Ceramics Classes London will be closed for 2 weeks over the Christmas period and for 2 weeks during August each year - exact dates to be advised annually. Members can access the studio during these periods but no staff will be available to assist and the kilns will not be available to fire work.

The Company reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to close the studio for additional periods to carry out essential maintenance work.

7. Members must use their own tools, it is advisable to label tools in case they get mixed up with class tools. Instruments and tools needed: Heatgun, dremel, blender, fabrics, bowls and any other instruments. Please be advised that you take responsibility for damage you cause to any studio equipment or classes tools that you use. Therefore it is advised you use your own equipment or else need to replace any broken item or pay for it. 

8. Bring a friend policy – members are permitted to bring friends to the studio for a maximum 4hours at a cost of £40 per person, per session. Payment must be made in advance of the visit by emailing info@ceramicsclasseslondon.com to send an invoice for the session. The friend must work collaboratively with the member and under supervision. Under no circumstances may the friend be left alone in the studio without the member present. Your friend must use your clay and keep one or two pieces that can be fired. If they want to do any more work, an additional charge of £5 per pot. Members are allowed to bring their friends to glaze and trim but only under their supervision. They are not allowed to come by themselves to glaze or work alone as the member is responsible for any damage their friends might cause in the studio. 

9. Membership includes kiln firings, within reason and use of glazes, within reason. Work must not exceed 50 cm in height or width. Large work may take three-four weeks for bisque if it is dry enough and the same for glaze due to size and space in the shared kiln firing. Cups and bowls can be stacked in bisque but a limited amount of work depending on size can be glaze-fired per week to allow others to share in the communal firings. 

10. Work created must fit on the members shelf and be stored there when in progress please do not leave work on the table or on drying shelves it must be placed onto the firing shelf. If your work exceeds the maximum height of 50cm a kiln hire is required.

11. Members get a 50% discount on all classes and 20% off kiln hire. Only Ceramics Classes London staff will load and unload the kilns. Members can request kiln hire by emailing info@ceramicsclasseslondon.com

12. Members must clean up after themselves to avoid health and safety issues in the studio. Clay contains silica and it is harmful to breathe in clay dust as this causes silicosis. Glaze ingredients are toxic so the glaze area must be kept clean so dry chemicals are not breathed in. Food and drink must not be consumed around glazes.

13. Members who want to mix their own glazes must do this at home and bring in the glazes ready mixed in water and stored in airtight containers on their shelves. Mixing powdered glazes is hazardous to other members and is not permitted in the studio. 

Chromium Oxide is not permitted in loose form as it disperses into the kiln atmosphere leaching into the brick work of the kiln and settles into tin glazes leaving green spots.  

14. Sanding of clay or fired clay must be over a bowl of water or outside the studio to avoid particles from being dispersed into the air and members must wear a mask so it is not breathed in. Clay deposits can only be washed in the sink and not in the toilets as the clay settles into a sink trap in the studio. 

15. Storage of clay can be stored on the mezzanine in Hammersmith or the garden area in Barnes. Members must write their name on it. A maximum of 2 bags of clay per member.

Members must not go into the storerooms and help themselves to clay and tools. Clay and tools can be purchased from the company and if you would like to purchase anything please ask Zoe or a member of staff.

16. Hot food and alcohol are not permitted inside the studio. Members should listen to their music on headphones, try to keep the noise level down and refrain from using foul language that may cause offense to others.

17. Smoking and vaping are only permitted outside the studio and members must clean and empty ashtrays. The classes and member’s uncollected work is stored outside the studio for one month. Members must not use uncollected work as an ashtray; it is likely the work may be collected.

Ceramics Classes London reserves the right to modify this policy at any time. Changes will take effect immediately.