Welcome to the Dongzhu Pottery Q&A. We have put together the most common set of useful information in relation to our studio, please reach out with any unanswered questions. 

STUDIO INFORMATION

Where are you located? We have 5 locations!

1925 Monroe St, Madison, WI
372 Junction Rd, Madison, WI
6661 University, Middleton, WI
116 S Bristol St, Sun Prairie, WI
1031 N Edge Trail, Verona, WI

What are your open hours?

We will be open for your listed or arranged class time!  As a member and class based studio, our public hours are limited. CHECK OUR HOURS.

CLASS INFORMATION

Do I need to bring anything to class?

We will have everything you need for class at the studio. We do recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

What is your cancellation policy?

Full refund if canceled 15 days before class. 50% refund if cancellation is 10 days prior to first class. No refund after this 10 day period. FULL REFUNDS WILL BE SUBJECT 5% FEE.

I can’t make it to one of the classes in my 5-week session.  Can I make it up?

If you can’t make it to one of your classes, please send us an email or let your instructor know directly.

You can come in 30 mins before and/or stay 30 mins after your regularly scheduled class to make up some of the missed time, catch up on demos and have any questions answered.  Your instructor will already be there, so no need to schedule something special! 

Sorry, we do not allow students to drop into classes scheduled on different days than your class session.

I took a class at one of your studios.  When can I come in to pick up my work?

Pieces from 5-week sessions will be ready in approx. 4 weeks after glazing.  Glazed work is on the shelves at the back of the studio by the kilns. Pick up hours.

PRIVATE LESSONS

I took a private lesson at one of your studios.  When can I come in to pick up my work?

Pottery takes patience and time!  After your private lesson, we will trim, glaze and fire your pottery.  Pieces will be finished in approx. 4 weeks, we will email you when ready for pick up.

Pieces will be wrapped, bagged, labeled and on the shelves at the front of each studio.

HANDBUILDING KITS

I purchased a handbuilding kit.  When can I pick it up?

We offer handbuilding kits at both of our studios.  They are made per order, so please be patient while we get your kit together!

Kit pick up and work drop off will be done at the same studio.  Hours are listed below:

Monroe St. - Tuesdays, 11am-2pm

University Ave - Thursdays, 3-6pm

Any tips with the handbuilding kit?

Your kit comes with 10lbs of clay, simple tools, basic underglazes for decorating, and slip to help join clay pieces together.

  • For the best chances of firing and transportation success, do not make things that are too wide, too thin or too thick as they can be fragile or problematic to fire.  We recommend keeping all wall thickness to approx. ¼” thick and make pieces smaller than 9” across.

  • Slip is a mixture of clay and water that acts like glue.  To attach one piece of wet clay to another piece of wet clay, scratch the surfaces, add some slip and press together to get a secure connection.  Bone dry clay pieces cannot be attached.

  • The underglazes included in your kit act like paint and you can use the color wheel principle to mix the colors and shades that you want.  They can also be watered down with a few drops of water to make them easier to paint.  Underglazes can be applied to leatherhard or bone dry clay.  Paint 2-3 coats.

  • Basic techniques and handbuilding projects are here.  Youtube also has lots of tutorials!

We will apply a clear glaze at the studio to ensure that your pieces are food safe and water tight once finished.

When do I drop off my pieces?

Pieces can be dropped off at the same studio that you picked up the kit.  See hours above.

You can drop off some or all of your projects, your choice!  Work can be leatherhard to bone dry.

When will my pieces be finished?

Once you drop off your pieces at the studio, we will bisque fire, clear glaze and glaze fire your work.  Finished pieces will be ready for pick up in approx. 4 weeks.  You can pick up your pieces during our public hours:

Monroe St. - Tuesdays, 11am-2pm

University Ave. - Thursdays, 3-6pm