Hayden FAQs About Membership

Who is eligible for membership?

Adults 18 and older who…

1. took a class(es) at Bitter Root Pottery (any location is fine as long as it’s a Bitter Root)

2. have been recommended by their instructor and approved by the studio manager
   
   Please note: Just because you were approved does not mean you are guaranteed membership every month - members must follow rules and guidelines at all times to maintain membership status or we will not renew your shelf.

What are the actual steps to becoming a member?

STEP 1: Reserve online and take class. Regardless of prior clay experience, it is required that you take a class to demonstrate your ability to be approved for membership. Class serves as an introduction to our studio and how we operate to determine if monthly membership is the right fit.

STEP 2: You've taken class; you loved it and you want to be a member at Hayden Tract! Come by the studio during open hours and we will go through member orientation with you (this will take about 20-30 minutes). We will go through studio guidelines, set you up with a shelf and clay to start.

STEP 3: Once you’ve gone through orientation and received shelf assignment, you’re officially a member. Make sure you understand the Rules and Guidelines. If you have questions, just ask. Happy Potting!!

Does everyone get approved for membership?

Bitter Root’s goal is to put everyone in the most successful position possible. Sometimes, that means teachers might recommend you take more classes with us before becoming a member. Additionally, we take CDC Guidelines, safety, respect and cleanliness seriously and want all members to as well. Please note: Just because you were approved does not mean you are guaranteed membership every month - members must follow rules at all times to maintain membership status or we will not renew your shelf.

Do I have to take a class first? I already know everything.

YES! Regardless of experience, everyone must take a class to be approved for membership. This helps us get to know you a little more and show you how the studio generally works. We cannot bypass this step for anyone!

but i’m a handbuilder.

Awesome! We have lots of hand builders at Bitter Root. There’s plenty of work spaces throughout (including wheels - vessels and sculptures can absolutely be built on wheels just as you would use a banding wheel on a table!) If you don’t want to take a wheel class to be approved for membership, you’ll need to book a private handbuilding lesson instead.

What if I’ve been a member of Bitter Root before?

Email us. Once we’ve confirmed your prior membership status, we can discuss next steps on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that we may still ask you to take another class(es) so you can be up-to-speed with any studio updates and protocols (especially if you haven’t been a member for a longer period). Safety first!

Does my membership at one studio get me into all BRP locations?

No - membership is location-specific. You have full access to the studio where your shelf is located. However, if we have special events or workshops at other studios, you may take advantage of any membership discounts regardless of which location you are a member of.

Can I bring my kids in to throw with me?

Unfortunately - no, we cannot accommodate this. We love that you want to share this with your children but we kindly ask that you register them for Open Wheel class, camps, or privates. Staff can give you more information. This is in the interest of safety, organization, capacity, and making sure we know who is in the studio at all times.

Can I just share a shelf with my friend or partner?

No - One shelf per person. To maintain organization, keep our members safe, and keep the studio running smoothly, we cannot accommodate shelf-sharing.

Can I let my friend or family member use my shelf?

No - Only the person whose name is on the account may access the shelf and use the membership. One person per membership. This is in the interest of safety, organization, capacity, and making sure we know who is in the studio at all times.

What are the Member Rules and Guidelines?

They are the studio’s general policies that everyone must abide by in order to maintain their membership status. Scroll further down to read through them. (You’ll also see our “Basic Terms and Conditions” below.) BRP reserves the right to update them at any time as needed. See staff for the most current rules/guidelines.

What cone does the studio fire at? Who does the firing?

We fire electric kilns for both bisque and glaze. Bisque is fired to cone 04/05 and Glaze is fired to cone 5/6.
We do not fire outside of these ranges (no low-fire glazes or clays!!)

Staff only operate the kilns. We load and unload on a weekly basis whenever there’s a full kiln load.

Can I make pots that are bigger than 5"x5"?

Yes! you are welcome to make pots larger than 5x5 inches. Just know they potentially would incur a longer wait time to get fired as we need sufficient kiln space to fit your pot (depending on how much bigger they are). Depending on how much bigger they are, they would also take up more of your monthly firing allowance (example - a 10 inch pot would count as 2 points of your monthly firing.

How does the 15 pot monthly firing allowance work?

Staff have a master list to track everyone’s firings. This is mainly to ensure that all members have gotten their fair share of the firings every month.

Can I make more than 15 pots? What if I pay more money?

Yes you can as long as it fits on your shelf. However, we will ONLY fire up to 15 pots per month! We will NOT fire more than 15. We also do NOT take extra payment to fire more. We are not designed to be a production studio. Bitter Root is a learning studio for clay hobbyists and students to really dive in and take their time growing their skills.

What types of clay is there?

Our clay is cone 5/6 only. We do not carry or sell low-fire clays and will not fire them!
Clay is not included in the monthly membership but members can purchase cone 5/6 stonewares and porcelains at the studio.

General Pottery Store

Want more?
Shop for bats, specialty tools, and pint glazes at our General Pottery Store!

CDC Guidelines Note

Bitter Root adheres to current guidelines for LA County and asks all our students and members to be prepared to follow any protocols. As of Friday, February 25, 2022 in LA County, masks are not required indoors for vaccinated individuals. With any hobby and non-essential activity, coming to the studio and participating in class or membership is done at your own discretion. Others will be taking classes, working on their own projects in various areas of the studio. There’s plenty of wheel areas to feel comfortable and creative! All staff are also fully vaccinated and ready to welcome you to the studio. We appreciate your cooperation as we continue working to keep the studio running smoothly for everyone to enjoy safely.

BASIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Bitter Root Pottery reserves the right to refuse an individual for a new membership or to cancel an individual's existing membership at any time if that individual acts outside of the BRP Code of Conduct and Cleaning Policy and/or causes serious disruption to the safety of the studio, members, and staff.

Monthly membership is $220 per month and does not include clay. It begins on the day you sign up and will expire 30 consecutive days after that date. Memberships are renewed monthly on an automatically recurring basis according to your due date. If you do not want to renew your membership, you must alert Bitter Root staff at least 48 hours BEFORE your due date to avoid any charges. You must then clear your shelf by your expiration date. If you haven’t cleared your shelf by your expiration date, Bitter Root has the right to donate or discard all property on the shelf. (Note: With manager approval, arrangements can be made to glaze fire any remaining pots so long as the shelf is cleared by the due date. No new greenware for bisque.)

ONE MEMBERSHIP PER PERSON 18 and older. Your membership and shelf is for your use only and is valid at the one studio where you signed up. Your membership benefits, including access to the studio outside of class hours, cannot be transferred to anyone else. Family and friends who are not members should take classes with staff.

MEMBERSHIP RULES and GUIDELINES
*Updated March 2022

By becoming a member of Bitter Root, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to adhere to all terms, conditions, rules and guidelines cleanliness, and any current CDC guidelines. When members join the Bitter Root family, you become part of a community of potters and clay enthusiasts who are all contributing to the cleanliness and success of a shared, communal art studio! Staff cannot be successful in maintaining clean, functioning studio without the cooperation of our members! The collective effort of our staff and members is what has made Bitter Root stand out for 2 decades as a welcoming, safe space for anyone seeking to work with clay.

BITTER ROOT POTTERY MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADHERING TO OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND CLEANING POLICY OUTLINED BELOW

• Membership is on a month-to-month basis. Membership may be revoked if someone acts outside of the rules and guidelines or creates a disturbance that puts others and the studio at risk. 

• MEMBERSHIP ACCESS IS ONLY FOR YOU: Membership is for ages 18+ only and is valid only at the studio where your shelf is. Your membership benefits and access cannot be transferred to or shared with anyone. Members may not bring in family and friends to work on pottery. Nonmembers must take class with staff.

• CONTACTING US: Staffing can vary and you may not always get us on the phone. Please email hayden@bitterrootpottery.com and leave a contact number.

• PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Please take care of any valuable personal belongings at all times! Bitter Root is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. 

• CELL PHONES: Take your phone call outside please! Thank you!

• PARKING: Please see staff for specific parking instructions. Parking is street metered and non-metered. Do not park in BRP staff spots. Be aware there are other tenants and businesses who have their own reserved parking spots. If you park in their spots, they will tow you without warning.

• CANCELLATION/RENEWAL: Memberships are on an automatically recurring monthly basis according to your sign up date. To cancel, please alert Bitter Root staff at least 48 hours BEFORE your next due date to avoid any charges. You must clear your shelf by your due date. After 48hrs, if your shelf hasn't been  cleared, Bitter Root has the right to donate or discard all property on the shelf to make room for new members. (Note: With manager approval, arrangements can be made to glaze the remaining pots.)

• KILN AREA OFF LIMITS: DO NOT GO INTO THE KILN AREAS EVER. (Only currently employed AND trained BRP staff are allowed in the kiln area) Membership will be revoked for those who go into the kiln area. Kilns are dangerous equipment and should not be touched by anyone whom BRP does not employ, train or give express written permission. No previously employed staff may go into kiln areas.

• CLEAN UP EVERYTHING YOU USE AND TOUCH: This is a shared space - clean up after yourself! Do not leave sinks, equipment and wedging tables a mess. Gather up all your trimmings, clean your wheel and stool, sponge any spills at the glazing area, wipe down wedging tables and surfaces you used, wash all tools and brushes thoroughly, rinse sponges out, take clay chunks out of the sink.. etc

• RETURN COMMUNITY TOOLS CLEANED: Do not keep community tools on your shelf. Clean and return them. There are clay kits and a wide variety of  tools, glazes and bats for sale in the General Pottery Store! We encourage you to build your own toolbox so you have your own set of clean, nice tools.

• MONTHLY FIRING ALLOWANCE and POT SIZE: The pot allowance is 15 pieces per month. Pot size should be within 5” x 5”. If you choose to make larger pots, understand they will be counted as multiple pots within the 15 pot allowance. Please be aware that larger pots may incur a longer wait time for firing, as there has to be sufficient kiln space to accommodate them. No production! We cannot accommodate deadlines or continuous production. This is a hobbyist studio.

• SHELF SPACE: All personal belongings and pottery must fit on your shelf at all times. You may not use empty shelves, store in any other area, or move other people’s pots to accommodate your own. Members may not move to another shelf without staff approval. You risk losing your clay/tools/pots, etc if you don’t follow this guideline. 

• BISQUE FIRING: No signature = no fire. Sign each piece to ensure timely firing and return of your work. 

• GLAZE FIRING: Check in with staff before glazing for the first time. All pieces must have cookies AND be wiped on the bottom. We will not fire on stilts. No cookie = no firing.

• RE-FIRES: No re-fires! Test new glazes and combinations on test tiles and keep notes.

• SANDING: No sanding inside or near the studio at any time! Clay dust has silica particles that could be damaging to your lungs (over years at a time.)

• CONE 5-6 CLAYS/GLAZES ONLY: No low fire clays/glazes will be fired. All clay and glazes must be cone 5 or 6.

• BASIC ETIQUETTE: All members, including staff at times, are in the studio to create. They come for peace and quiet. Please be respectful of the atmosphere and keep conversations to a respectful level. If you have questions, ask the staff/teacher on duty. If it is after hours, email. Clean up after yourself so others can enjoy the studio!

• ENJOY YOURSELF; TAKE YOUR TIME: The goal of Bitter Root Pottery is to provide members with the tools to excel. Look at each piece and enjoy the process just as much as the end result. Quality will always outweigh quantity. We hope that everyone experiences the joy of creating handmade, unique pottery.

• BRP RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ADD TO THE RULES AND GUIDELINES AT ANY TIME TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND CREATIVE. We will do our best to notify all members of any changes. Please provide a working email to staff at orientation so staff can keep our members updated of studio policies as needed. (You can opt out of the general BRP marketing list but we must be able to email our current members.)