The Clay Stables Studio – Safety and Etiquette
General
- The Clay Stables is run by Mansfield & District Potters an Incorporated Association and operate under the Rules of Association.
- MAD Potters is committed to the 11 standards of the Child Safe legislation & Code of Conduct for the protection of children. We have also adopted the principles of the Privacy Act.
- The Clay Stables a community operated studio available for members. Operating session hours are subject to change but generally each session is 3 hours and is overseen by a Studio Host. Members accessing the studio work at their own pace in a self-managed way. A Studio Host should have enough experience to be able to help and guide others.
- The Clay Stables is only available to members who are 18 years and older.
The Clay Stables
- The Clay Stables studio session hours are located on our website and are subject to change.
- Everyone who attends The Clay Stables must check in at the front desk.
- New attendees must agree to these rules as part of their induction.
- Everyone who wants to access The Clay Stables must have taken at least one ceramics class at the studio or have prior approval.
- Shoes covering the whole feet are to be worn whilst in the studio.
- Students not to touch other member’s work but to ask tutor to assist if necessary
- No running in the studio – be aware of other people around.
- Treat the people, studio, and equipment with care and respect and kindness.
- Help each other out and be nice; please do not offer criticism unless it is asked for.
- Be considerate of others work, do not touch, move or bump work that does not belong to you.
- Keep conversations quiet out of respect for others for all to enjoy the space to work and concentrate.
- Be aware of potential hazards in the studio. Staying attentive is important for your own safety as well as all others who use the space.
- If you are injured, inform an assistant immediately.
Glazing - The Clay Stables has some stoneware glazes for members to use. As the studio develops our supplies will grow, but members may need to purchase their own glazes, underglazes etc. Only known glazes that are identified and approved by the host will be fired.
- After glazing, wipe down glaze buckets and mop or sponge spills on the floor. Close bucket lids tightly and return under the glazing counter. Rinse all materials (pouring cups, bowls, brushes, stirrers, etc.) used and return to the proper storage area.
- Do not cross contaminate glazes; if a glaze is accidentally poured in another glaze, let an assistant/host know.
- Keep bottom ¼” of each piece glaze free, make sure to wipe any glaze off bottom with clean sponge.
Firing
- MAD Potters fires to bisque 1000 and 1280 (stoneware). Only clay and glazes provided by the The Clay Stable can be used in the pottery studio. Works made with outside clay will not be fired.
- No foreign objects allowed to be fired in clay without permission of the studio coordinator
- Pre-payment before firing – the studio host will assist with weighing your work for payment. Work will be weighed and charged at $10 per kilo before firing.
- Remove your fired work from the kiln room as soon as you can. The bisqueware and glaze shelves can get over filled very fast. You will be responsible for keeping track of your own work.
- The studio is not responsible for pieces that break during the firing process or get thrown out if abandoned for more than 30 days.
- Regular studio purges occur at least 4 times per year, everything must be taken home during a purge.
- Abandoned, dried out or not labelled pieces will be discarded after 30 days.
- We do not have the facilities to accommodate production work (in this case the definition of production is high-volume work ). More than 25 mug sized pieces per month is considered production and is not allowed.
- No more than 10 pieces are allowed to be made and or glazed during a single open studio session.
- Cookies under all pots to be fired. No cookie – no firing.
- Cost of shelf replacement if damaged by carelessness – eg glazes running onto shelf (1/2 shelf, full shelf – POA)
Slab Roller & Tools
- After using slab roller, wash off both sides of canvas and return the canvas to storage bin located underneath the slab roller.
- Return all tools belonging to the The Clay Stables to their respective storage area.
- Supplies belonging to The Clay Stables such as tools and ware boards are not to leave the studio.
- Make sure to label all of your personal tools with a marker.
Bench & Shelf space
- Be fair in your use of table surfaces and storage areas. Consolidate and share space with others.
- By arrangement and dependent on available storage space there may be space for a member to store their things at the studio.
Club Clay for free use by Members
The Clay Stables has a pugmill to reclaim and de-air clay. This clay is free to use for members. Please keep all clay covered in plastic to avoid drying out.
Kilns & Wheels
- When entering the kiln room, be aware of the kilns and if they are firing. Never look into the spy-hole of a kiln when it is firing.
- Do not open any kiln until the temperature on the controller reads 100degrees or less. Only members who have been authorised by MAD Potters in kiln operation are permitted to open and operate the MAD Potters kilns.
- Do not touch the outside of a kiln as surface may be very hot and can burn skin.
- Never rest anything on the lid of the kiln.
- Gloves are available to use whilst emptying the kiln when the pots are hot. It’s a good idea to crack the kiln when less than 100degrees to allow hot air to escape and to allow the pots to cool down and therefore easier and safer to unload.
- Pottery wheels should never be left on and unattended. Make sure wheels are turned off after each use.
- Tie back hair when using pottery wheels.
- Place pedal, cord, and stool on top of wheel, mop down floor around your wheel with sponge and mop.
- Booking a wheel is a requirement and can be done from our website. We use Trybooking for this process.
Clay dust is a health problem, so we aim to minimise this by the following methods:
- Clay dust can be a hazard if not kept in check. It is vital for your health and the health of everyone in the studio that you understand how to keep the amount of clay dust down. Never shake out a sheet of plastic or canvas, towels or aprons.
- Keep your shelves clean from clay dust and bits.
- Keeping the floor clean of fallen clay is one of the most effective ways to keep it down.
- No food or drink is to be consumed within the working studio. Water Bottles which have a fitted lid are acceptable
- Bring an old, clean towel to wipe hands and wipe down equipment at the end of each session
- Clean and dry all equipment; use outside hose and return to where stored
- No clay is to go down the sink. After wheel work (sloppy clay) and after handbuilding (remnants) can be placed in slop bin to be reclaimed. Water buckets to be used for cleaning of equipment. The dirty water will be emptied onto garden areas outside under the direction of the tutor or host
- Bring a clean apron to cover your clothes which can be cleaned after each session – students to take home towels and aprons for cleaning.
- Cleaning a piece must be done outside by damp sanding over a bucket of water to catch any dry dust particles.
- Wash down the worktop with soapy clean water.
- Mop the studio after each session – no sweeping or vacuuming to avoid clay dust particles becoming airborne.
- When making up glazes and slips using dry ingredients, use a regulation mask to inhibit dust particles being breathed in. Do not prepare glazes in a group unless everyone is wearing a mask. Store the marked raw materials in closed cupboard and clean down all workstations and vacuum and mop floor after preparation session.
Closing procedures for Studio Host.
- Check all taps are fully turned off.
- Check that wheels are turned off.
- Check that the back door is secured closed.
- Check that all equipment is in their proper places, and tables are wiped and glazes are covered.
- Turn off lights and lock the door.
- Double check that front door is locked and key back in ‘key safe’.
OH&S document must be signed after conclusion of induction by attendees and tutors to leave for filing by secretary.
If you notice anything as hazardous in the studio, bring it to the attention of your instructor or the Clay Stables Host.
Any questions, concerns, ideas, clarifications, etc. should be taken directly to the MAD Potters secretary at secretay@madpotters.org.au