FAQ

Clay and tools are NOT included in most of our classes.  We do include a basic tool kit in our Intro to Wheel and Intro to Handbuilding classes ONLY for new students along with about 20lbs of reclaimed studio clay to get you started.  Your class description will state if clay and/or tools are included.  We offer a variety of clay bodies to choose from in our retail shop.

Our class sessions are typically 8 weeks long but we sometimes offer shorter sessions, especially during the summer.  The class schedule will have the dates and length of the session when you sign up.  All classes meet at the same time, one day a week for two hours. Days and times vary depending on the class.

Yes.  We offer a variety of classes for all levels.  See the current class schedule for updated listings and prices.  Most of our classes are eight weeks long but could be shorter, especially in the summer. The price of your class will be determined by the length of the session and whether or not your particular class requires special materials.  Unlimited practice time, a shelf for storage, use of studio glazes, and a class allotment for firing pieces all the way through the process are included during your class session.

Nope, just make sure you pick an entry level course. Intro to clay, wheel, handbuilding, sculpture, or glass.  The class level will be stated in the class title.

Take a beginning class or jump into one of our open wheel sessions. Our staff can talk you through the options and help you decide what will be the best fit.

Short answer: forever. Even veteran potters and MFA ceramic artists are constantly learning new information and techniques about clay. HOWEVER, we can teach you the basics in as few as two hours. Are the pots going to be masterpieces? No, but hopefully you have fun making it! The best way to learn pottery, is to take an 8 week class (and then keep taking classes until you’re amazing!).

Check craigslist, or find one used! We sell new wheels, but since “cheap” is a relative term, we can’t say we sell cheap wheels. We are distributors for multiple wheel companies, one of which is sure to have a wheel within your budget and fits your needs. Call us for more information!

Yes, Queen City Clay recommends our certified electrician (see below) for Kiln repairs, and has a team of wheel repair technicians as well.

No. But we always recommend you give Becky Gieger a call at (513) 616-9112. She’s an amazing electrician who specializes in kilns, and has worked very closely with us for years.

Queen City Clay does not repair pottery. Individual artists who work in our studio may choose to take repair commissions. These repairs often get very pricey since it’s an hourly rate for repair and the cost of materials. Typically, repairs are simple enough for you to do yourself. All you’ll need is a two-part epoxy from a hardware store (we recommend PC-7 or PC-11), some toothpicks to mix and apply the epoxy, and some patience.

Queen City Clay does not take commissions, but an individual artist who works at the studio may! We have many professional artists who call Queen City Clay home, and they’re always interested to hear about potential jobs. Call the shop and let us know the details and we’ll do our best to match you to a professional artist.

If you know the firing temperature of the clay/glazes, we can absolutely fire your pieces for you! Our firing rates are $2/lb for cone 04-5, and $4/lb for cone 9/10 firings.

No! Clay’s sold at craft stores are (98% of the time) polymer clays. These can be fired in a toaster oven, but be sure to read directions on any clay that you buy. Even at a super low fire temperature, a kiln still reaches over 1000 degrees F.

Flower pots cannot stay outside over the winter. Most flower pots are made from earthenware which lets moisture pass through it. When the water freezes, the ice will break the pot apart

Birdbaths are usually fine to stay outside but there are a few things you need to check. Keep in mind that when water freezes, it expands. If your birdbath holds water that freezes, is there a rim or overhang that won’t let the ice expand? If so, your birdbath will be destroyed by the ice. If you know who made the bird bath, check to make sure they used clay and glaze that were fired to at least cone 6.

Very likely, it was because the dryness of the pot and the dryness of the handle were at different stages. When clay dries, it shrinks. So when you try to attach a handle that is 10% dry to a pot that is 40% dry, they still have different amounts of shrinking to do, causing cracking.

Most cracks on the bottom of a pot are due to excess water and a lack of compression. Spend time compressing with every pot you make!

Sometimes, but unless you know the glaze and/or firing temperature of the tile, we cannot fire them in our kilns.

You can glaze everything but the point where the pot touches the kiln shelf. If you’re doing low-fire work, you can glaze the bottoms and stilt in the kiln to prevent damage to the kiln shelf.

When you are in a class or renting space from us, studio glazes are a possibility. If you are just bringing in work to fire, studio glazes are off limits.

Yes and no. As far as the chemical make-up of the glazes are concerned, yes our glazes are food safe. However, this is entirely dependent upon firing the glaze to its full maturity, as well as how the glaze interacts with your specific clay body (pinholes, crazing, and cracking all technically deem glaze non-food safe).

Any commercial glaze (glaze manufactured by a company), will have a food safe label on it if it is, in fact, food safe.

Yep.

Visit our retail section.

A cone is a way to measure the temperature in your kiln. Many older kilns will have a kiln sitter, which requires a cone to be placed inside the mechanism and will bend when the cone reaches temperature, it will shut off your kiln. Most newer kilns are run by a computer system and a thermocouple. This essentially takes away the need for a cone. However, many potters choose to still place a cone in their kiln to just double check the accuracy of the kiln computer. You can learn more about cones and appropriate firing temperatures here: https://www.ortonceramic.com/en/Pyrometric%20Cones/

We’ve moved to Norwood!  Our address is 2760 Highland Ave, Norwood OH 45212.  Make sure you have the correct zip code in your navigation app!  We are not the only Highland  Avenue in Cincinnati. You’ll find us in the huge white building right across the street from Cohen Recycling. Signage on the building will direct you to our main parking lot.