Greetings! Thanks for clicking the "ABOUT" link! My studio is a private studio. Though I offer classes and workshops, it is really an extension of my home, a place for you to feel welcome, supported, heard, and of course creative! While yes, it is a business, it is super personal and kind of “exclusive.” My classes are small, and you receive all the information and knowledge my instructors and I can provide to help you succeed. 

 

About me:

Hi! I am Jamie and welcome to my studio page!  I have been making and teaching pottery for over 20 years! I have taught at the UCONN Community School of the Arts, Farmington Valley Arts Center, and at my own studio! I have been a guest instructor (and tutor, substitute teacher) for several school districts and currently teach kids classes sponsored by the Manchester CT Youth Service Bureau! I am the creator of MYOM (Make Your Own Beer Mug) night which I have hosted at several local breweries! I love laughing, music, the smell of clay, rainy days, and cats! I have degrees in Art, English, and Communications. My studio is a home away from home where I love to create, mingle, chat or just chill out! 

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First and foremost, I want everyone to feel supported and welcome. This is really a casual, friendly studio where people make friends easily and build a community.

If you would like to check out the studio before registering, give me a call to make an appointment!

 

That said please adhere to the following if you come to class. Please read all studio rules in the terms and conditions section before purchase. 

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• NO OUTSIDE CLAY/GLAZES/or pottery made elsewhere.  

• Please follow all cleanliness guidelines that are posted in studio. Silica dust is a lung killer, There are good reasons for all the cleaning rules posted. 

• Bring your own towels and apron etc and bring HOME TO WASH BETWEEN CLASSES. Dry clay creates dust. Clay dust can be lethal. Work wet and clean wet, do not let clay dry on tools, hands, tables, towels, floors etc. Clean up dust, clay lint, clay bits immediately.

• Arrive on time, class ends on time. 

• There are no make ups for missed classes.

• If there is snow or the instructor has to cancel, arrangements will be made to make up the time.

• Manage your expectations, pottery is hard! I make every effort for you to succeed, but if you are after perfection, this is not the place for you. Things happen, pieces break, glaze fails, on and on. 

• This is an LGBTQ safe space. Please treat others with respect, and avoid discussions of politics, religion, and personal life or  health issues. The classes go by very quickly, so be sure to focus on the work. 

• Please no food. You may bring non alcoholic beverages (BYOB is for special events), please take out what you bring in. 

• There are two stairs in the studio, please advise if you need assistance. 

• If you have muscular or back problems, throwing may be a challenge for you, but you are welcome to hand build. 

• Manage your expectations, relax and follow along with the instruction. Open studio is for returning students only. 

• Dress for the weather

• Please leave the studio the way you found it, and clean all materials, tools, wheels, work areas and put everything away. 

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Please be sure to read the complete terms and conditions page before purchase. By purchasing, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the studio rules and policies. Those who do not follow the policies will be given one warning, and subsequent deviations from the studio rules will result in cancellation of your participation in classes and removal of your work, and personal belongings. No refunds or credits will be given to anyone who is asked to leave. This has never happened by the way, I simply want to ensure the studio stays a safe, positive, fun place for all who attend! 

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“That which is not slightly distorted lacks sensible appeal; from which it follows that irregularity—that is to say, the unexpected, surprise and astonishment, are an essential part and characteristic of beauty.”- Charles Baudelaire

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If you would like to check out the studio before registering, give me a call

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Why does everything take so darn long to be "finished?"

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Welcome to pottery making! Firstly the creation process is not something that can be rushed. We are always doing a delicate dance with air and water not to mention humidity! To achieve desired results, care and time must be taken when working with clay as it is a fragile, finicky medium to create with. Clay must dry SLOWLY, otherwise all manner of nightmares can happen, cracks, splits, warps, and more! After the clay is TOTALLY dry it can finally go into the kiln for the first of two firings. The first firing is the "bisque" state. Clay is fired to about 2000 degrees which takes a total of about 48 hours including the loading of the kiln, at least 2 hours, the firing at least 8 hours and the cooling before opening another 12-16 hours and then there is the unloading so... factor in sleeping and eating... give it about 2 days. After that comes the "glazing" time where I glaze all the pieces. Depending on what I am glazing and how, this might take another 2 days, and then back into the kiln the pieces go for another firing, this time to about 2200 degrees and yes, another 24 to 48 hours turn around time. 

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Why can't you just fire a few things at a time?

For maximum efficiency, the kiln should always be full when fired. 

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My pot cracked! What happened?

Well, unfortunately many many things can go awry when working with clay. Sometimes there is a structural issue during creation that doesn't rear its ugly head until firing time. Other times things go haywire inside the kiln that no one can foresee or control. Welcome to the agony of defeat! No matter, just grab a slab or ball of clay and start again. The only way to learn is by making mistakes!

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