Throw Clay LA FAQs - Useful Information
General FAQs:
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When are you open?
Top of the list! We are open10:00AM to 10:00PM Monday through Friday, and 10:00AM to 9:00PM on Saturdays and 10:00AM to 8:00PM on Sundays. (We are closed New Year's Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We close at 4:00PM the day before Thanksgiving and on New Year's Eve.)
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What’s the best way to get there?
We’re located in a lively art district in Downtown Los Angeles, at the corner of Olive & Olympic. Public transportation is often the easiest way to arrive—both The Silver Streak Line and DASH by LADOT (Route D) stop within one block of Throw Clay LA. Scooters are readily available and bike racks are right out front.
If you prefer to drive, plan to arrive a few minutes early. Metered street parking is usually more affordable than nearby lots, and there is a flat-rate parking lot directly behind the studio.
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Do you offer Kids' Classes?
We are sorry to disappoint you, but the short answer is no. Our classes and 6-Week Courses are designed for adults 18 and older. Teens ages 13–17 may join a One-Time Class if they are accompanied by an adult booked in the same class.
About Classes and 6-Week Courses:
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What is the difference between throwing on the wheel and handbuilding?
Wheel throwing uses gravity and centrifugal force to create a cylinder on the potter's wheel. For beginners, the resulting form is usually a small bowl - think ice cream or salsa. Handbuilding is more free-form - we teach 3 different techniques in our 6-week courses (pinch, slab and coil). Our One-Time handbuilding events use slab techniques. We find that for beginners handbuilding gets better results in creating a functional piece.
Want to learn more? Read our Journal post, “Wheel Throwing vs. Handbuilding: What’s the Difference?”
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I took a One-Time Class. When will my pieces be ready for pick up?
It takes between 4 to 5 weeks to complete pieces made in class. We send you an email notification once they are ready to be picked up - be sure to enter your email correctly!
Kindly pick up your pottery as soon as you can. There’s no need to call or email before coming. We send a second email reminder if you haven't picked up your pieces, but please remember that you are responsible for picking up your pottery in a timely manner and checking your spam folder for Throw Clay LA notifications.
Unfortunately, any pieces remaining 15 days after we send your second email notification will be considered abandoned and donated to the kiln gods. And yes, you can pick up pottery for a friend that took the class with you. You just have to know their name.
(Here's the link to the glaze form if you forgot to fill it out in class: ONE-TIME GLAZE FORM.) -
The piece I made in my one-time class is not what I expected...
Did you know that firing shrinks pieces by about 17%? Your pot will be smaller than it was thrown or handbuilt.
In all pottery making, there is always a chance a pot runs into problems during the bisque and glaze firings (especially true for pots made by beginners.) The most common issues are cracking or a bottom too thin for the pot to have a solid base. Despite any flaws, we will glaze and fire your pieces for you. On occasion, a pot will have a more serious issue. Should this happen, we try our best to glaze and finish your piece.
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How long is a class or course? And what are your class sizes?
All One-Time Potter's Wheel classes are an hour and 45 minutes. 6-Week Courses are two hours. Our 6-Week courses have 8 students in the class. We find this to be an optimum size for learning pottery. This gives our experienced instructors the time to give each student their personal attention when needed.
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First time taking a Weekly 6-Week Course. What can I expect?
At your first class, you’ll meet your instructor, review what you’ll be learning, and get a brief tour of the studio. Then you’ll start working with clay right away. You’ll begin with simple forms and, as you gain comfort with the material, build your skills week by week. Each class builds on the previous one, helping you develop consistency, control, and confidence. By the end of the session, you’ll be comfortable preparing clay, creating forms, and completing pieces through trimming and glazing.
Many students choose to take a 6-week class more than once—repeating the process is the best way to build skills and confidence.
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Do I need to purchase any tools or materials before coming to a class or course?
No. For One-Time Classes and 6-Week Courses, the studio provides the clay, glazes and tools you'll need.
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I’m slammed at work. If I miss a week, am I allowed to make it up?
If you need to miss the first week of a course, it may be best to reschedule you for an upcoming session so you don’t miss out on learning the basics about the studio - but we do ask 5 days' notice if you plan on any changes.
For our Potter's Wheel Basics course let us know 1-2 weeks in advance if you will miss one of your classes. We allow one makeup class per student each 6-week session, depending on an available wheel. If you need to miss a second week during the session, speak with your teacher about ways to cover what you have missed.
Our Handbuilding and Refine & Explore 6-week courses are taught once per week. These classes do not offer the option for a make up. If you need to miss a second week during the session, speak with your instructor about ways to cover what you missed.
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What clothes should I wear? Will getting clay or glazes out of my clothing be possible? What about jewelry and long nails?
Wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit of clay on. The clay we use in class washes out easily. There are aprons you may use in the studio, but you are also welcome to bring your own apron or towel and store it on your shelf if you are taking a course. Our large garage door window is open most of the time, so dress according to the weather. Leave your favorite shirt at home if you’re glazing - some can stain. Most clays wash out in a normal wash cycle. Some darker clays and glazes may stain some clothes.
For safety, remove any jewelry from your hands and wrists. Long hair should be tied back. Hair ties are available in case you forget yours. Trimming your nails will make your time on the potter’s wheel a lot easier. Closed-toed shoes are recommended.
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At the end of a 6-week course what can I expect to have accomplished?
We want you to be comfortable understanding how to progress through our courses. Beginners can expect to create 5-8 simple forms such as small bowls or mugs. Continuing/Intermediate potters work on more complicated forms and techniques. Talk to us regarding ideas you may have. As your skills develop, you’ll be able to move on to more complex forms.
By the end of your first 6-week class, you’ll understand the basics and be able to complete pieces from start to finish. Learning to throw a centered cylinder takes time and practice, so many students choose to take another 6-week Potter's Wheel Basics course to continue building consistency and confidence in the studio.
As your skills develop, you can explore more specialized classes to expand your techniques, experiment with different clay bodies and glazing approaches, and continue developing your creative style. We also offer handbuilding classes for those interested in working without the wheel.
Completed course work must be picked up from Throw Clay LA no later than 4 weeks after a student’s final class. Throw Clay LA is not responsible for any work left after 4 weeks. In order to make room on our shelves, we will need to discard any work remaining after that time.
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What’s Next?
Many people choose to take two 6-Week Introduction to Potter's Wheel courses before moving on. Once you’ve accomplished throwing centered cylinders and bowls, or taken Pinch, Slab Sculpt! or Sculpting in Coils, you may transition to a membership or take one of the courses in Refine & Explore for experienced potters.
Why repeat courses?
Mastering the basics takes practice. Working closely with your instructor ensures you’re learning something new each week. There is value in the class dynamic and its creative community. Sharing the learning process with others creates a collaborative environment that will help you improve your technique more quickly.
Consider becoming a member:
If you feel ready to work independently, consider becoming a member. Throw Clay LA is a welcoming creative community where you can continue learning and growing alongside fellow potters. Check out our Membership Page for more information.
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In a One-Time Wheel or Handbuilding Class what can I expect to take home with me?
Each person has the opportunity to make two pottery pieces during a One-Time Potter's Wheel Class. Our Big Mugs class is your chance to handbuild your own unique mug. At the end of class, you'll choose your glaze colors. Your pieces need to dry slowly before the first firing, then we'll glaze and fire them for you. Finished pottery is generally ready for pickup in 4–5 weeks, and we'll email you when it's ready.
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Are the pieces I made dishwasher/microwave/food safe?
Yes. All of our clays and glazes used in our One-Time classes and 6-week courses are food safe and can be used in the microwave, oven and dishwasher.
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What is the studio cancellation policy?
For our One-Time Classes, any cancellations or changes need to be made at least 3 days before the class you registered for. Within 3 days, there are no refunds, but if we are able to rebook your spot in class, we are happy to reschedule you for a later date. The more notice we are given, the more likely we are to rebook your spot.
For our 6-Week Courses, you may cancel at any point up to 5 days prior to the start of your session for a refund (less the transaction fee). If you need to cancel within 5 days of the start of your 6-Week Course, there are no refunds, but we can reschedule you for the following session if we are able to rebook your spot before the first class starts. No refunds or rescheduling after the start of a session.
For Private Events our cancellation policy is as follows:
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10 days’ notice required ahead of event for refund or reschedule.
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5-9 days ahead of event - 50% refund, no option to reschedule.
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No refunds or rescheduling with less than 5 days’ notice.
Throw Clay LA FAQs for Members:
For more information not included in Throw Clay LA FAQs, members should check their email titled "Welcome to Throw Clay LA - Your Member Handbook".
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How much do you charge for firing my pieces?
Member firing fees are based on the size of the piece and are weighed when the piece is kiln-ready for glaze firing:
$1 per pound for pieces under 14"
$2 per pound for pieces 14"–30"
$3 per pound for pieces over 30"
Bisque firing is included. We are currently not accepting outside firing.
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What clay and pottery tools can I purchase at Throw Clay LA?
Members purchase all clay used in the studio from Throw Clay LA. We offer a variety of clay types, with bags ranging from $23–$37 depending on type and weight. Members provide their own pottery tools, and we have a selection of basic pottery tools available for purchase at the studio.
Because different clay bodies require different firing temperatures and glaze formulas, outside clay may not be used in the studio. Our clays and glazes are selected to work with our kilns.
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My best friend just popped into town. Can I bring them along?
Due to safety and class curriculum structure, we can't make allowances for guests to attend unless they are also taking a class. You are always welcome to sign up for a One-time Pottery class together.
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Can I bring my four-footed friend?
We love animals, but because studio work is fragile and is moved throughout the studio frequently, we can't have an open-to-all-animals policy. Exceptions may be made for trained service animals. Please contact us if you'd like to discuss your needs.
Don't see your question here? Email us through the link below and we'll get right back to you.