Ceramics Policy

From Asmbly Wiki


Introduction

Asmbly Policies outlined in the Member Handbook, HERE apply to ALL shop areas including Ceramics. However Ceramics has some additional policies specific to the studio that are outlined below.

Check out the essential rules on How to Be Excellent, HERE

Ceramics Safety & Information (CSI) is the required free class you must take before access to the studio with membership is granted.  We are all caretakers of the shared space, so the cleanliness and maintenance is up to you!

Usage Areas

Refer the Equipment-Specific time limits HERE

Tools

You must reserve time for each tool you plan to use in Skedda. It is your responsibility to CHECK SKEDDA to make sure the tool is not booked. Allow for clean up time within your booked time, NOT after. Members booked in Ceramics at the same time should work together to clean and coordinate space use.

  • Pottery Wheels: 5 machines available: Max booking is 5 hours of time
    • When your time ends, check Skedda.
    • If it is not booked you can rebook the Wheel in Skedda up to 5 more hours
  • Extruder:  1 tool available: Comes with the extruder table next to it, max booking is 3 hours of time
    • When your time ends, check Skedda.
    • If it is not booked you can rebook the Extruder in Skedda up to 3 more hours
  • Slab Roller: 1 tool available: Max booking is 3 hours of time
    • When your time ends, check Skedda.
    • If it is not booked you can rebook the Slab Roller in Skedda up to 3 more hours
    • NOTE: If you are making a lot of slabs, it is recommended you Book a Table with the note, “Using Slab Roller” as a User in the studio to give you somewhere besides your shelf  to put the slabs.

Studio User

You must book yourself as a User if you plan on sitting at a Handbuilding Table, regardless of tool booking. You must also reserve time for each tool you plan to use on Skedda (see above). It is your responsibility to CHECK SKEDDA to make sure the tool is not booked. Allow for clean up time within your booked time, NOT after. Members booked in Ceramics at the same time should work together to clean and coordinate space use.

  • Handbuilding Tables: 8 Users can Book up to 5 hours of time between 2 tables (4 Users/table)
    • It is not a specific table spot, just that you plan on using some table space
    • When your time ends, check Skedda.
    • If it is not booked you can rebook yourself as a User in Skedda up to 5 more hours
  • Glaze Area: 2 Users can Book up to 5 hours at a time in the Glaze area
    • NOTE: If you are glazing a large amount of items, please book a User table space in addition to the glaze area and put a note on the Table booking you will be, “Using Table for Glazing”, and on the Glaze booking that you will be, “Using a table”
    • When your time ends, check Skedda.
    • If it is not booked you can rebook the Table  in Skedda up to 5 more hours

Community Tools/Areas

  • Please clean all tools you use from the communal tools and return to their storage location.
  • Place brown paper on handbuilding tables if applying glaze
    • Glaze should be kept from contaminating the canvas table surfaces

Safety

  • Ceramic Dust: Silica dust is going to be present in the studio
    • It is highly recommended you wear a mask while in the studio for prolonged and repetitive periods; especially while cleaning up!
    • Use your own personal discretion
    • NEVER make another person feel bad for wearing a mask.
  • NEVER use a broom, WATER is the best way to safely clean up clay.
  • If there is dry clay on the canvas topped tables, wet it with water to remove
    • Do NOT scrape dry clay, it will kick up unnecessary dust
  • NO FOOD in the Studio, you risk eating glaze accidentally (Closed beverage containers OK)
  • We have a Blue Ox Air filtration system to be installed soon to help cut back on particulates in the air

Studio Shelves

Member’s Shelves are clearly labeled with their allotted shelf size, and name.

  • Do NOT touch anything on any member’s shelf that is not yours
    • Look with your eyes, not your hands
    • Do not be the one who breaks a member’s piece accidentally

Steward Shelves are clearly labeled

These are for the Ceramic stewards who volunteer 8-16 hours within Ceramics each month

  • Do NOT touch anything on the Steward Shelves
    • Look with your eyes, not your hands
    • Do not be the one who breaks a Steward’s piece accidentally

Class Shelves are clearly labeled with the Class name and date

  • Do NOT touch anything on any class shelf that is not yours
    • Look with your eyes, not your hands
    • Do not be the one who breaks a member’s piece accidentally
  • Kiln Operators will be responsible for moving Class pieces to the Greenware shelf
    • They will monitor moisture levels to ensure kiln safety
    • They will notify they students of the status of their pieces and pick up time limits

Kilns/Kiln Room

The Kiln Room is a hot and potentially dangerous room. As such it is an authorized access room; the Kiln Operators, and the Ceramic Lead, are the ONLY people allowed to be in the Kiln room

  • If you see anyone in the room that is not a Kiln Operator with a clear name tag stating such, it is a Policy violation
  • Under NO circumstances are you allowed to touch, turn on/off, or move the kilns & kiln furniture
  • NEVER touch the kilns if not authorized
  • NEVER operate or change the setting of the Kiln Vents if not authorized

Kiln Shelves

Members are responsible for moving their OWN pieces to the Greenware and Glaze Shelves when ready.

Kiln Operators and Stewards will NOT pick out pieces from member’s shelves to fill the Kiln.

All pieces will be Bisque fired to Cone 05-04 and Glaze fired to Cone 6 in oxidation. There is currently no limit to the amount of work you can have fired.

All pieces must have a maker’s mark on the piece somewhere. The Kiln Operators and Ceramic Lead have the right to delay a piece being fired if it is not ready, or deemed a risk. Communication will be provided to the owner in this instance.

Kiln Shelves are clearly labeled with the type of firing:

  • Greenware: BONE DRY pieces ready to be fired for the 1st time
    • Pieces may sit here a bit depending on the Kiln firing schedule or the Kiln Operator's discretion on moisture levels
  • Bisque Fire: Pieces that have come out of their first firing and are in the Bisque state
    • Pieces will sit on the Bisque Shelf for 2 weeks total
    • After the two weeks the piece will be removed and disposed of
    • MEMBERS: you have 21 hours/day  to move your piece to your shelf or to take home, so get it moved!
    • STUDENTS: we have Open hours with a Steward on Duty they can come by to retrieve their piece
      • Mondays: 4-8
      • Wednesdays: 4-8
      • Saturdays: 12-4
  • Glaze Fire: Bisque fired, Glazed pieces ready to be fired for the final time
    • Pieces may sit here a bit depending on the Kiln firing schedule, and the Kiln Operator's discretion on glaze moisture levels/application/adherence
  • Ready to Pick Up(Pick Up Shelf): Pieces that have come out of final firing and are Glazed and ready
    • Pieces will sit on the Pick Up for 2 weeks total
    • After the two weeks the piece will be removed and disposed of
    • MEMBERS: you have 21 hours/day to move your piece to your shelf or to take home, so get it moved!
    • STUDENTS: we have Open hours with a Steward on Duty they can come by to retrieve their piece
      • Mondays: 4-8
      • Wednesdays: 4-8
      • Saturdays: 12-4
  • ALL pieces not picked up in their allotted time WILL be disposed of!!!

Clay & Glazes

Clays Provided in Studio

These clays are currently on sale for use in the Studio:

  1. Cinco Blanco: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p11/Cinco_Blanco.html#/
  2. Buffalo Wallow: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p12/Buffalo_Wallow.html#/
  • Purchase Clay at the Square ReaderKiosk in studio or [./Https://checkout.square.site/buy/2QBIDIDW5NY4BUHSYKAVY4OG Online Square Store]
  • Place provided receipt sticker on your bag/box of purchased clay and write your name on the sticker
    • This is visual proof of your purchase so there is no confusion once the clay is on your shelf.

Clays at Armadillo Clay Approved for Purchase

Armadillo Clay is a locally owned and operated store that has over 40 years of experience in Clay and its related tools. They are super nice and helpful and we are excited to be collaborating with them!

These Midfire Clays are approved for usage and firing at Asmbly and available to purchase at Armadillo Clay.

  1. Buffalo Wallow w/ Grog, $21.00/25lb bag
  2. Cinco Rojo, $20.00/25lb bag
  3. Cinco Rojo w/ Grog, $21.00/25lb bag

NOTE: Clay brought in must be labelled with the sticker and sharpie found at the Clay Station at Asmbly BEFORE being stored on your shelf!!

Glazes Provided in Studio

All glazes provided are lead free and Food Safe.

Lay down brown paper provided to avoid getting glaze on the clay tables or drying boards.

Clean up glaze brushes and bowls provide for community use when finished.

Like the beautiful ancient glazes they are modeled after, the AMACO Celadon glazes are glossy, transparent, and pool beautifully to add vivid accents to textured and carved surfaces. These playful celadons come in many colors and are 100% mixable - great for finding that perfect color!

These Mid-fire Glazes are currently available in studio for Members & Classes to use:
  1. Snow: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p620/Snow_%28C-10%29.html#/
  2. Obsidian: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p617/Obsidian_%28C-1%29.html#/
  3. Marigold: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p643/Marigold_%28C-60%29.html#/
  4. Sky: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p624/Sky_%28C-21%29.html#/
  5. Cobalt: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p623/Cobalt_%28C-20%29.html#/
  6. Snapdragon: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/p639/Snapdragon_%28C-54%29.html#/

Glazes at Armadillo Clay Approved for Purchase

These Midfire Glazes are approved for usage and firing at Asmbly, and available to purchase at Armadillo Clay.

  1. Amaco Celadons, $21.00: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/c37/Amaco_Celadons.html#/
  2. Amaco Satin Matte, $21.00: https://www.armadilloclay.com/store/c39/Amaco_Satin_Matte.html#/

NOTE: Glazes brought in must be labelled with the sticker and sharpie found at the Clay Station at Asmbly BEFORE being stored on your shelf!!

Usage Violations

  • Usage of unapproved clay & glazes will be recorded and not allowed
    • It may result in damage to your or other’s pieces
    • It could result in Kiln damage
  • Repeated reported violations will result in not being allowed to put pieces in the kiln firings AND/OR prohibition from the studio
  • There will be a testing and approval process created in the future for other clay bodies and glazes, but currently there are no exceptions

Discipline/Violations Policy

Asmbly Discipline Policy can be found HERE

Note: The people enforcing Asmbly policies are volunteers and it's not the most fun job. Failure to comply when approached about a policy violation is very serious. Show your fellow members kindness and respect when receiving redirection. Maintaining a cooperative community space at Asmbly is very important to us and ignoring the redirection of an appointed leader in the space is a serious violation.

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