This page covers key information about studio life but doesn’t include access to calendars.
Aprons
Current and new members must use their own apron while at the studio.
Clay dust is a potential health hazard. Silicosis is a potter’s disease which must be guarded against by avoiding all forms of dust, especially free silica. Clean aprons are a simple control to minimise risk.
The safest material for pottery aprons is terylene. A cotton apron is okay but you must wash it after every use. Please be aware that dirty aprons are a dust hazard to you, other studio users and the team.
Suppliers
You can also find aprons at the pottery suppliers listed below.
Book - Studio Support
All members can access community sessions. Session will be hosted by one tutor whose specialism will vary.
COMMUNITY SESSIONS - THROWING AND HANDBUILIDNG
Get help with technical problems, discuss ideas and developmental possibilities. Use these surgeries to access guidance, instruction, inspiration and peer support.
COMMUNITY SESSIONS - GLAZE SURGERIES
Get help with glaze application. You must utilise these sessions if you do not know how to glaze, have limited experience, lack confidence, or you have a Community Membership. To glaze outside of these sessions you’ll need to be a (fully) self-sufficient glazer with a Studio Membership.
Orientation for new members
Before your first studio session you must complete an orientation. You'll be allocated storage (where appropriate) and familiarised with studio processes and basic equipment. Please allow 15 mins for the orientation. Book into a community session at the same time.
Book - Wheels
Wheel can be booked by appointment.
Wheels, tools and stools must be left clean, disinfected with D10 and then rinsed, and 'reset' within your booking times: e.g. a wheel booked 12-3pm must be spotless, and set-up for the next person at 3pm.
Each wheel is allocated a set of tools/buckets (see Throwing - Reset Kit List below). Please ensure a full set of clean and dried tools is left on each wheel when you have finished.
Throwing - Reset Kit List
One 2.5 litre bucket with one throwing sponge, ⅓ full of fresh water
One 10 litre large washing bucket with a large wipedown sponge, ½ full of fresh water
Blue Mudtool rib #4
Red Mudtool rib #0
Wooden tile lifter thingy
Mounted needle
Sponge on a stick
Cutting wire
Throwing batt with square aperture, propped (see handbook).
Clean microfibre cloth
If any of these tools are missing when you arrive - please inform a member of the team.
Book - Workbenches
Workbenches can be booked by appointment.
Benches, tools and stools must be left clean, disinfected with D10 and then rinsed, and 'reset' within your booking times: e.g. a bench booked 12-3pm must be spotless, and set-up for the next person at 3pm.
Handbuilding and Glazing
Please wash and dry all tools. Return them to the tools store.
Ensure metal kidneys, rasps and wooden tools are bone dry before storing them. If unsure, please lay them out on the designated ware truck to dry. Please wipe (rather than plunge) whirlers and rolling mats.
Opening Times
Monday 13:00-21:00
Tuesday 13:00-21:00
Wednesday 13:00-21:00
Thursday 13:00-21:00
Friday CLOSED
Saturday 10:00-17:00
Sunday 10:00-17:00
Studio Life
Safety
Clay dust is a potential health hazard. Silicosis is a potter’s disease which must be guarded against by avoiding all forms of dust, especially free silica. It’s important to follow a few simple controls to minimise risk:
You must
Wipe down all tools and surfaces with a damp cloth and mop floors frequently.
Wear an apron, shirt or clothes that you wash at the end of each session.
Separate contaminated cloths and clothes from standard laundry.
Never sweep or brush surfaces.
Never use a domestic vacuum cleaner to clear debris. Vacuum cleaners must be H rated.
Never grind or rasp white hard or bone dry clay.
Never allow debris to accumulate. Do not allow waste to drop onto the floor.
Storing work in progress
Always collect scraps of clay together as you go. Form scraps in to a compacted mass. Wet clay can be recycled easily.
Use a poly box, and/or wrap securely in soft plastic to suspend the condition of the clay - i.e. to keep it damp.
Tiny crumby debris can go in the bin.
Firing Work*
One of the best things about working with clay is that it can be recycled over and over again. Please bear in mind that choosing to fire something will mean that pot is going to be sticking around for a few billion years before it becomes clay again. If something isn’t quite right at the dry stage - we’d always encourage you to recycle that clay and take what you have learned into making a new improved version!
Kiln Dimensions
Shelves for the Rohde Kiln are 54cm in diameter and it has a 65cm deep pack area. Large pieces must be discussed with the team in advance.
Testing and Experimentation
Where pieces are not made with Sunken Studio house clay you must make tests tiles of the clay you have used. These will be fired before any pieces. You cannot store or dispose unsupported clay at the studio.
If you plan to experiment with slips and glazes you must make small tests before firing any finished pieces. You cannot store raw materials at the studio. All containers must be clearly labelled and you cannot store or dispose unsupported slips or glazes at the studio.
Do not include combustible materials and/or foreign objects in your clay.
Labelling
All pieces must be marked with your personal ID stamp. Use one stamp only. We use two stamps to quickly identify class pots. You can make stamps with a coil of leather hard clay and then fire it, or buy custom stamps online. Stamp It is an online, stamp company. We recommend the specialist clay stamps.
AIR
Ensure hollow forms have been pierced to allow air to escape.
You must use prepared clay. Prepared clay is wedged and kneaded and contains no air or foreign objects.
Firing Schedule
Bisque (1000°C): all kiln-ready work must be on the designated trolley, and bone dry, by 20:00 the evening before a planned firing.
Cone 9/10 glaze firings (stoneware): all kiln-ready work must be on the designated trolley by 20:00 the evening before a planned firing.
*Please note: kiln space is subject to availability. We do not fire partial loads and cannot guarantee space. If you are working towards a deadline please plan 4-8 weeks ahead.
Disposal of work
Members must regularly remove all fired work from the studio. Work cannot be disposed at the studio.
What are Cones?
Pyrometric cones (cones) are a calibrated visual device that measure the amount of heat work delivered to ceramic products during the firing process to validate thermal processing.
Cones help determine what’s influencing the maturation of clay and glazes. They reflect time, temperature and atmosphere in a kiln. They’re useful in determining when a firing is complete, if the kiln provided enough heat, if there was a temperature difference in the kiln or if a problem occurred during the firing.
Heating Rate
Typically, the faster the product or cone is heated, the higher the temperature required to mature the product or bend the cone by the same amount.
See below for further guidance on cones.
House clay and glazes
Studio clay is B17c from Valentine Clays.
Supported clay and glazes are prepared and managed for you by the team at Sunken Studio. We recycle the house clay for you and undertake extensive research into clay and glazes.
Supported clay and glazes undergo compatibility tests for fit and durability. We are well placed to advise you on colour, surface, glaze application and behaviours. If you are interested in using your own clay and glazes you must complete your own tests and cannot store or dispose clay or glazes at the studio.
If you are using your own clay please ensure your clay can withstand Cone 9/10.
Studio Closures
We’re closed on all bank holidays and for the weekend they follow or precede. We also close for two weeks over the Christmas period.
