Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can beginners join?
A. Yes, you are welcome to join; however, we do not have an instructor or staff on site. The clubhouse is intended for people who already have pottery experience or have completed pottery classes so they can continue to practice or work on their own projects.
Note: Even if your pottery experience is limited, you are welcome to join as long as you can manage your own work, from forming and glazing to maintaining equipment and materials.
Q. Do you have a beginner’s class?
A. Yes. These are available at various times throughout the year. The Club approves and helps advertise classes at the clubhouse with posters and in the monthly newsletter, BUT all arrangements/bookings need to be made directly with the tutors, not the Club. (If there is no notice in the newsletter, it means no classes are currently available.)
Q. Do you have classes for children?
A. These are available depending on the availability of teachers. See the website for classes being offered.
Q. Can we hire the premises for a social event?
A. No, the club is for members’ use only.
Q. Do you have Members/Tutors? Who could do a one-day or one-nightworkshop?
A. Generally, no, as the process of making, maybe turning, drying, bisque firing, and then glaze firing cannot all happen in one day. Classes usually run weekly for 6 weeks, covering all the main basics of pottery making.
Q. What are the benefits of becoming a member?
A. Membership gives you access to our members-only clubhouse, eligibility to purchase clay, priority to attend special workshops, and the opportunity to have a stall at our fair or a discounted entry fee for the exhibition. You’ll also receive a digital copy of our monthly newsletter with updates and event information.
After becoming a member
Q. Do I need to make a reservation before visiting the clubhouse? When can I go?
A. No reservation is required. We have a free members’ gathering on Wednesday mornings, 9 -12 noon, when a volunteer member opens the clubhouse.
However, the clubhouse is usually locked for security reasons. After completing your membership, you can purchase a key for an annual fee of $30, which allows you to access the clubhouse at any time — unless it is occupied for classes, meetings, or special events (see the calendar in our monthly newsletter). You can purchase the key when the officer is on site, usually Sat 9 – 11 am.
Keys are renewed at the beginning of each year.
Q. Since committee members are not always on site, how do I purchase clay? What types of clay are available?
A. We try to keep basic types of clay in stock for members to purchase. These and special types of clay can be ordered through us, details in the newsletter. We usually place a bulk order of around one ton of clay every one to two months, and the shipping cost is shared by adding a small fee to each item.
Clay is sold every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Members can purchase what is available on site, up to 10 bags per member per month, including any pre-ordered clay. Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer. Clay prices vary by type, and the price list is available at the information board at the clubhouse.
Q. Do you have tools and materials available?
A. Tools and materials are not provided. You are welcome to use what is available in our communal toolbox, but you will need eventually to provide your own tools and materials. Basic clay tools can be purchased from local variety or craft stores.
If you would like to use more professional tools or materials, you can order them through us from one of our suppliers.
Q. What equipment do you have?
A. We have seven electric potter’s wheels, one slab roller, three electric kilns in different sizes, one raku firing kiln, and a glaze sprayer..
There is no personal storage space, so you must take home your clay, tools, and materials. Unfinished items may be left on the Work in Progress shelves with your name and contact information, but you are expected to complete your work within a week.
Q. How often do you fire?
A. Firing frequency varies depending on the number of works, but on average, we carry out a total of 2 – 3 bisque or glaze firings per month for our social firing.
See more details about social firing at the link below:
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Social Firing Information Sheet
Send an email to cairnspottersclub1@gmail.com for more questions.