FAQs

Classes

Do I need to bring anything?

I provide everything you need, both materials and tools, but if you have your own tools and would like to use them, you are welcome to bring them along. Just make sure anything you bring is labelled.

If there is something you would particularly like to make, bring along your ideas, be it photos of other people’s work, or your own sketches.

What should I wear?

Working with clay can be very messy! Please bring an apron, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!

Do I need to bring any tools?

If you have your own tools and would like to use them, you are welcome to bring them along. Just make sure anything you bring is labelled.

Will there be refreshments?

I offer drinks – tea, coffee, fresh mint tea, water, etc. in the middle of the class.

Will I be able to take my work home straight away?

It takes a few weeks to complete a piece.

Each piece needs to be totally dry before its first (bisque) firing, which generally takes at least a week, depending on (amongst other things) the weather, thickness of the clay, and type of clay used.

Normally, you will then decorate the piece before its final (glaze) firing.

You are then welcome to take your work home.

Can someone else pick up my work for me?

Yes

Can you post my work to me?

Ceramic pieces are by nature fragile, so it’s best not to send them.

Are there any additional charges?

Most materials are included.

I do charge for a few of the more expensive materials, e.g. porcelain and lustres at cost price.

What if I’m ill on my class day, or I miss a class?

I always try to facilitate students attending other classes if they are ill on their class day or miss a class for some other reason, although I do encourage students to attend their normal class wherever possible. Fill-in classes need to be agreed upon on an ad hoc basis and depend on there being spaces in any other of my weekly classes. I ask for any missed classes to be caught up during the same term but will be as flexible as possible in extenuating circumstances.

Are your classes suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, absolutely. Most of my students were beginners when they first joined my classes. For complete beginners, I start by teaching you some basic techniques to get you started. These include coiling, pinching, slab work, slip casting, decorative techniques, and making and applying glazes.

Following on from this I am here to help with whatever it is you’d like to make. Ceramics is a huge area with so many possibilities, it is impossible for anybody to have all the skills. I have lots of books and of course, the internet is a huge source of reference. If I don’t know the answer, I/we will find it somewhere!

I am an advanced potter, are your classes suitable?

Yes. My students have a variety of levels of experience. Some need a lot of help, whilst others prefer to simply use the studio space to work in without my help. You may be an advanced potter in some techniques, but there is always plenty more to be learned if you so choose.

Can children attend?

My classes are intended for adults. However, I do run one-off sessions which are open to children as well as adults.

Is there a plan for each term?

Other than for beginners, to whom I offer a 6-week introduction to the basics, the weekly classes are freeform.

Generally, each student is working on something different, and everybody works at their own pace. I am happy to set projects for students if they wish, and will demonstrate techniques to the class when appropriate. Workshops and taster classes are more structured to ensure we cover everything in the time available.

What techniques do you teach?

I teach hand-building which includes pinching, coiling, slab building, extruding, press moulding, slip casting, mould making, decorative techniques, and glazing.

I have a wheel for students to use on a first come first served basis but do not teach throwing.

How long are the classes?

Weekly classes are 3 hours each week. Students are expected to do their own tidying up during the session, so need to allow time for this towards the end of the class.

Workshops and taster sessions are generally 2.5 hours.

How much do classes cost?

My classes generally tie in with school term times in half-termly blocks. I ask for payment in advance a block at a time and charge £45 per class.

When are classes run?

I currently teach classes on Wednesday mornings, 9.30am-12.30pm; Wednesday evenings, 6-9pm; and Friday mornings, 10am-1pm.

Do you offer drop-in sessions?

These are possible by arrangement and are charged at the same rate as my classes.

How do I keep a record of what materials I have used for my pieces?

I encourage students to keep notes about each piece for a number of reasons. It is important to know what materials have been used to ensure the piece is fired at the correct temperature. Also, should students wish to replicate a piece of work they will need to know the materials and techniques used. It is amazing how easy it is to forget exactly which underglaze pigment you used, or which clay or glaze, etc. I suggest the use of one of the pottery apps available, e.g. Pottery Log, to record as many details as possible, but equally, some may prefer to keep written notes.

What happens to my work between sessions?

At the end of each session, it is important to make sure your work is kept so that it is in the best condition to be carried on with during the following session. This might involve e.g. spraying it with water and covering it with plastic to keep it damp, or placing a weight on top of it to stop it from warping. Each student has their own storage space for their pieces. For larger pieces there are spaces around the studio where these can be stored.

Will everything I make be fired?

With the environment in mind, I prefer not to fire pieces unless students are completely happy with them. Many pieces students make are experimental and the clay used can be recycled at any stage pre-firing. Better to make mistakes on something you’re not going to keep, than end up with a piece you don’t want.

The Studio

Where is the studio?

The studio is in my home on Girdwood Road, Southfields, London SW18 5QT. There is on-street parking nearby except for 1.30pm-2.30pm on weekdays. Southfields tube (District Line) is an 8-10 minute walk away.

What equipment do you have?

The studio is very well equipped with 2 large workbenches, a sink with running water, a slab roller, wall mounted extruder, a Shimpo Whisper wheel, glaze spraying facilities (for outdoor use only), many plaster slump, hump, sprig and casting moulds, glaze making materials and equipment, plaster mould making materials and facilities, a huge variety of underglazes and stains, clays, and a huge number of tools. I have lots of books and ceramics magazines for you to refer to for ideas and to learn new techniques from. I also have a broad knowledge of work made by other ceramicists which I can show students.

My kiln is a top-loading electric 195-litre Rohde kiln.

I also have an outdoor kiln for sawdust smoke firings.

Do you offer a firing service?

I will fire students’ work made elsewhere as long as it is clear what clay and glazes have been used. This is done entirely at the student’s risk.

Is making ceramics bad for the environment?

Inevitably, ceramics as a hobby has an impact on the environment since it involves the use of mined materials and high temperatures. I do everything I can to reduce this impact.

I never fire my kiln unless it is full which may mean students have to wait a little longer for their work to be fired.

I encourage students only to fire pieces they are totally happy with. Clay can be recycled at any point up until it is fired.

I recycle all clay in the studio, including making my own casting slip.

Wherever possible, pieces are single-fired, either by raw glazing or using techniques which require only one firing (e.g. unglazed pieces).

I keep the firing temperature as low as possible to reduce the environmental impact.

What temperature do you fire up to?

I normally bisque fire to 1000C.

My earthenware glaze firing is 1060C.

My stoneware glaze firing is cone 6 (i.e. 1223C).

I do occasionally fire to other temperatures, mainly for porcelain, decal or lustre firings.

I have safety concerns.

It is dangerous to breathe in clay dust, as over a sustained period this can result in silicosis. By taking necessary precautions this risk can be minimised. These include ensuring that any clay dust is collected in water and regular wet sponging down of workspaces. I wash down the surfaces and mop the floor between every class. It is important to wear a mask whenever handling any dry materials including when making up and applying glazes.

Buying Ceramics

Where do you deliver to?

Due to their fragile nature, ceramics are not easy to send, so I prefer buyers to take their purchases away with them, but of course, this is not always possible.

Smaller pieces can be packaged and sent by post/courier. The cost of doing so depends on the size/shape of the piece and the packaging required which I charge at the cost price.

The costs for me to deliver larger pieces, pieces which need to be installed (e.g. garden sculptural pieces), or pieces not suitable to be sent by post/courier are agreed on a piece-by-piece basis depending on distance, size, installation time, etc.

Do you accept commissions?

I love commissions, so am always happy to discuss them! To find out more information, please take a look at the commissions section on my Sculptures & Commissions page. You can either email me at commissions@cathygreenceramics.com or fill in the form on my contact page.

Do you accept orders for ceramic pieces from cafés and restaurants?

I would be pleased to consider any requests. To find out more information, please take a look at the commissions section on my Sculptures & Commissions page. You can either email me at commissions@cathygreenceramics.com or fill in the form on my contact page.