Ceramics Shop Policies

Shop Captains

• Christian Bradley West
• Bonnie Black

Vector Space Ceramics Shop Policies

These policies and studio notifications will be available in the Ceramics studio in a three-ring binder.

Ceramics Studio authorization requirements

• Members and visitors who have not already done so must sign the Vector Space liability waiver before entering and using the Ceramics Studio.
• Before using studio equipment, members and visitors must be authorized to do so by a Ceramics Studio Shop Captain, to ensure they know how to properly and safely handle the equipment. Names and contact data for the Shop Captains can be found on this Wiki and will be posted in the studio, as well as on Slack.
• Minors: see Members with Minors policy.
• The VS Ceramic Studio will fire CONE 6 (^6) CLAY AND GLAZES ONLY, due to the possibility of damage to the kiln. No clay of any kind may be brought into the studio without explicit permission from the Shop Captains; documentation of the kind and provenance of the clay may be required. Permission to use unidentified or non-Cone 6 clay in the Ceramics Studio will be given only after consultation and authorization by the Shop Captain.

Materials and equipment use and storage

• Clay: All clay brought in (with prior permission) to the studio must be very clearly labeled with the owner’s name, the clay name/number and its cone designation written on the clay bag or other container. (Example: BMIX5, Cone 6, JudithK.) It should be stored in the member’s tote or taken home.
• Equipment: All Ceramics Studio equipment is to remain in the studio area. Small tools, books, stamps and other decorating items must be cleaned and returned to their original location after each use.
• Personal items and tools: Members shall store all personal materials, tools, and equipment in their own totes or lockers; such items must be clearly marked with the owner’s name or initials. Visitors shall take these items with them when they leave. Since Vector Space is a community resource, materials and tools that have no label are subject to be used by all users of the studio.
• Glazes, chemicals, stains, and underglazes: These materials are for general use unless labeled as personal property. Since they are expensive and their use is difficult to quantify, it is suggested that users might periodically make small donations of money or replacement materials so we can keep a variety of such materials in stock. Please use the donation page on the website, with a note of 'ceramics', to pay for material usage.
• Donations of articles: Vector Space appreciates all donations, but since space is limited, donated articles should not be brought into the studio until a Shop Captain has approved the item.

Project storage and ownership

• Greenware, bisqued ware, glazed ware and completed projects shall be labeled, dated and stored appropriately. (See Procedures.)
• Since shelf space is limited, finished projects, “abandoned” projects, and any unlabeled item must be claimed and removed from the studio area within two weeks of the date of completion or abandonment. (A date will be put on unlabeled articles found in the studio by a Shop Captain.)
• After the two-week period, unclaimed articles are subject to be claimed or removed by Vector Space. If proper labeling by the creator/owner is present, VS will attempt to contact the owner of the project/item before removal.

Safety

• Clay and glazes may contain minerals and toxic elements that are harmful if inhaled, ingested, or introduced through the skin. Studio users shall use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and, if needed, shall request training when handling clay and glazes, as well as when involved with heat (kilns, heat guns, blowtorches), flames (blowtorches, raku kiln, reduction cans, barrel firings, etc.), sharp tools and large equipment.
• Cleaning clay and glazes off surfaces should usually be done with water to avoid mineral dust in the studio air. (See Procedures.)

Firing

• NO ONE may load or activate kilns or use any flammable materials without support from a Shop Captain.
• Projects will be fired only if: 1) they are bone dry, 2) they are properly labeled and 3) the bottom of the piece is free of glaze. PIECES NOT MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE FIRED.
• Check with a Shop Captain for firing schedules.

Cleanliness

• For reasons of health, safety and appearance, all studio users shall participate in keeping all studio areas clean EACH AND EVERY TIME they are used. a Shop Captain may establish a duty roster to accomplish this if users do not routinely comply with this rule.
• No tools, materials or projects may be left out (i.e., on tables, wheels, counters, etc.) in the studio after their owner has left the studio. Exceptions can be made with prior approval.
• The sinks in the studio areas are for use with ceramics projects use only. If you see someone from another shop using CS sinks, please inform them that they should use the general duty sink.

Community

• Be community-minded: Vector Space constantly strives to ensure that the Makerspace is a caring, creative and supportive community. If you need help with anything, please feel free to seek advice from other VS members or the Shop Captains; we are happy to provide support when needed. You can also post your question in the #Ceramics channel on Slack where someone will be happy to help you with whatever you need.
• Be sensitive: When asking for guidance, please be sensitive to others’ time and availability. If someone is in the middle of a project, it might be important to wait until they are not deeply concentrating on their work before you try to get their attention.
• Be respectful: Studio users shall be respectful of others’ projects and equipment. If something has a name or initials on it, do not use it without the owner’s permission.
• Be alert: Ceramic studio users are expected to know and comply with the Vector Space Member Agreement. If you feel unsafe, or uncomfortable, or believe that someone has violated the agreement, please inform a staff person or Shop Captain immediately. Please do not approach the person who has allegedly committed a violation nor comment on the conduct in public or in a public platform (such as Slack). Vector Space takes all reports of harassment and other violations very seriously and will quickly investigate the matter with the goal of resolving it to everyone’s satisfaction.

If you have any questions and/or concerns about anything regarding the studio’s policies, contact a Vector Space Ceramics Shop Captain and they will help you.

Contact information

Ceramics Shop Captain: Christian Bradley West

Co-Captain: Bonnie Black

Vector Space Ceramics Shop Procedures

This is a general guide about how we believe the studio can best be used efficiently, safely and fairly by everyone. If you are in doubt about anything, or think we should change or add something, please let us know!

Materials and equipment

• Cone 6 clay is available for purchase in the ceramics studio as well as from a few local suppliers - ask a Shop Captain for guidance about clay before buying it.
• Clay, paints, glazes and glaze chemicals belonging to VS (i.e. that do not have a personal ID marked on them) If it appears that a material is running low, or if you have a request for a particular material, please inform a Shop Captain as soon as possible so it can be restocked or obtained.
• Stamps, molds, tools, equipment and storage materials in the studio that are marked “VS” are for all members and workshop participants to use freely. If there is a different personal ID mark on an item, please ask the owner before using. If you don’t know who the item belongs to, take a photo and post on #ceramics.
• Please wipe down the wedging table and its cutting wire (and other wire cutters), as well as work tables, immediately after use. Hard, dried bits of clay left on those surfaces can get into other peoples’ fresh clay and create problems for slabbing or throwing.

Wheel use

• Wheels are used on a first-come, first-served basis, unless otherwise labeled. If the wheel you want to use is by appointment only, use the schedule posted in the studio to reserve it.
• Vector Space provides a limited amount of wheel bats; please bring your own, mark them with your ID or leave them on the shelf above the wheels if it’s OK for everyone else to use them.
• After using a pottery wheel, clean the wheel, splash pan, chair and surrounding areas. Remove bat pins if necessary; store them together w/the hex wrench in the red plastic cup on the supply shelf. Wipe off the foot pedal and raise it to the wheel table.
• After trimming, throw all clay scraps into the “reclaimed clay” garbage can beside the sink; leave the wheel and splash pan clean of dried clay residue.
• Make sure to turn off the wheel “OFF” before leaving.

Pottery works-in-progress

• General Storage: Store work in progress on the appropriate shelves. (Look for signage.)
• Greenware: The studio supplies wood boards, plastic sheets and paper sheets for storing greenware. Do not put wet greenware directly on wood. Ask a Shop Captain how to cover your greenware to avoid premature drying. Attach a clothes peg with your initials on it to each project so all pieces are identified at all times. VS cannot take responsibility for unidentified projects.
• After trimming leather-hard pieces, be sure to write your name or initials on the foot of the piece. All work must be easy to identify so nothing gets lost.
• When greenware is ready to fire (bone dry) move it to the appropriate shelf. (If you don’t a Shop Captain may move it for you.)
• After items have been bisque-fired, they will be unloaded onto the shelf identified as pieces to be glazed.

Glazing

• Bisqueware for glazing must be waxed and/or or cleared of all glaze on the bottom of the piece (to about 1/8th inch above the foot) so that no glaze material can touch the kiln shelf. Work that is not free of glaze on the bottom will not be fired. Special care must be taken with “flowing” and “running” glazes. Check with a CSC about this.
• When placing glazed pieces ready for firing on the designated metal shelving unit, allow appropriate spacing. Avoid touching/bumping other glazed ware with your hands or your glazed piece; raw glaze is fragile and can pop off when disturbed.
• If any glaze has melted from a fired piece onto a kiln shelf, the owner of the ceramic piece shall be responsible for removing the glaze from the shelf. See a Shop Captain for instructions about this. Chisels, hammers and grinding materials/equipment belonging to VS and used for this purpose should be used within the woodworking shop, not brought to the ceramic studio.
• Specific glaze colors and custom glazes may be created upon request. If you want a particular color to be mixed and/or wish to participate in the creation of a glaze, ask a Shop Captain to arrange for a time to do this. If certain chemicals need to be purchased consult with a Shop Captain about the budget for those items.

Safety

• Clay and glazes contain minerals and toxic elements that are harmful if inhaled, ingested or introduced through the skin. Therefore:
  • Use a particle mask when scraping, sanding, brushing or sweeping dry clay.
  • Use a particle mask and nitrile gloves when measuring/mixing dry and wet glaze materials.
  • When glazing ceramics ware, rinse hands and wipe up spillage frequently.
  • Avoid raising clay/glaze dust into the air: mopping floors is preferable to sweeping; wiping surfaces with a wet sponge is preferable to brushing.
• Always use eye protection when chiseling or grinding glazed surfaces
• Use caution when placing and retrieving items from high shelves.
• Keep extension cords, tools, and other objects out of walk-through areas to prevent falls. If it is necessary to run cables across the floor, ask a Shop Captain to arrange for the cables to be covered with tape or wood panels.
• Lift heavy objects properly (bent knees, straight back) or ask for help.
• To avoid cuts, be cautious when using metal ribs, trimming tools and needle tools.
• Injuries: there is a first aid kit in the Ceramics Studio. In the event of a serious injury, notify a Shop Captain and/or a VS staff person immediately to ensure proper medical procedures. If the injury was due to equipment malfunction, falling object or other facility problem, please notify a Shop Captain or VS staff immediately so we can remedy the cause and prevent further injury.
• If you are ever in a situation where you feel unsafe or have concerns about the conduct of another member or visitor, contact a Shop Captain and/or VS staff immediately and they will help you resolve the problem.

Studio cleanliness and maintenance

• Users should plan in advance to have enough time to thoroughly clean the areas in which they have been working before they have to leave the area.
• Please make sure to clean and store tools/equipment away appropriately; wipe down all areas you have used; mop up or wet wipe up clay splashed on floor, walls or mirrors; wash splash pans, sponges, molds, etc.; empty reclaimable clay into the garbage cans provided for that purpose; seal off air entry areas on the pug mill.
• No work in progress or tools are to be left on work surfaces overnight except when requested and authorized.
• Tubs in sink should be emptied into large trashcan when they are full to prevent clay from entering the pipes. Shop Captains will empty trash can when it is full.
• ALL users are expected to contribute to keeping general areas (floors, equipment, table surfaces, shelving, etc.) clean and orderly. This is YOUR creative space. Let’s keep it nice!

Firing

• Shop Captains will be the only one to operate the kiln.
• When you have items ready for firing, place them on the designated metal shelving.
• Inform a Shop Captain if you need the piece fired by a specific date so we will know a firing needs to be scheduled. *Generally, if no specific date is requested, firing will occur when there are enough pieces to fill the kiln. We will try to keep a firing schedule posted in the studio.

In case of damage…

• If you accidentally damage another member’s tool or project, notify them immediately. If you don’t know who it belongs to, post a picture of the item in the #ceramics slack channel.
• If equipment is damaged or unusable, please notify a Shop Captain right away, directly or via the #ceramics channel on Slack.

If you have any questions and/or concerns about anything regarding the studio’s procedures, contact the Vector Space Ceramics Studio Captain or a Co-captain and they will help you.

Equipment

• Slab roller
• Extruder (Still deciding if we need this)
• Pottery wheels
• Digital kiln
• Large assortment of "shaping" materials for hand building:
  • Slump molds, hump molds
  • Forms for trays, bowls, plates, platters
  • Variety of Cookie cutters
• Large assortment of decorating materials
  • Sprig molds
  • Texture and pattern rollers
  • Stamps
  • Brushes
• Glazing materials:
  • Commercial glazes
  • In-house glazes
  • Glazing tools
• Stocked Supplies
  • See "consumables"

Consumables

• Clays (variety of commercially prepared clay bodies)
• Glazes (variety of commercially prepared glazes, glaze powders and VS custom glazes)
• Underglazes: variety of colors, small jars