Frequently asked questions

Membership

• I want to join! Where do I get started?

  Fill out our membership application form to get started. Applications are reviewed in the order that they are received. Priority is given to students who have taken multiple courses at NAPS.
• I'm new to ceramics, is membership the best way to get started?

  Great question! Our classes are the best way to get started in pottery. Memberships are only open to those who have previous experience with ceramics and can work independently. We offer one-off classes so you can try things out, as well as longer 4 or 6 week classes.
• What cone do you fire to?

  We are a Cone 6 studio. We offer several clay bodies for purchase and we do not allow outside clay. Our clay bodies are B-Mix, B-Mix with Grog, Speckled Buff, Dragon Fruit, Smooth Red, Hawaiian Red, Santa Fe, Miller #16 Porcelain, LC4 Sculpture, and Dark Horse.
• Can I bring my own clay?

  Unfortunately, to protect everyone's pieces and our equipment, we do not allow outside clay. If there is a specific clay you'd like to work with that we don't currently supply, reach out to the NAPS team to discuss.
• What does membership include?

  Access to the studio during member hours, a dedicated member shelf, extra shelving for clay storage, 17 Shimpo Whisper wheels, handbuilding and wedging tables, over 100 studio glazes, every studio tool including the slab roller, complimentary firing, firing and glaze note tracking, studio clay for purchase, free member programming and events, studio sales, and discounts on classes and public events. See the full list.
• Do you have a minimum term commitment?

  Yes. Our current minimum term commitment is 4 months. Memberships roll over on a monthly basis from that point on, and can be cancelled no earlier than 30 days in advance.
• Can I really use any glazes and tools?

  Absolutely. Part of the "Not Another" in our name is that we're doing things a little bit differently to another studio you may have tried. Ceramics can be an expensive hobby and we don't want you to have to buy additional glazes, underglazes, or tools, unless you want your own dedicated sets, so we provide a range of these for you to experiment and explore your creativity.
• Do you offer outside firing?

  Occasionally, but this is rare due to our schedule. We highly recommend reaching out to our friends at Sooki Studio or Ceramics Department, who offer this service, or you can reach out to us for additional recommendations. Please note: we do not offer firing or glaze memberships.

Classes

• It's my first class, what should I wear?

  Wear anything you feel comfortable in. If you like to wear dresses or skirts and you're taking a wheel class, we recommend longer options, as you'll be straddling the wheel. Closed toe shoes are highly recommended.
• Will I get dirty?

  For handbuilding, you can expect muddy hands and you may get some on your clothes. For wheel throwing, even the pros tend to get a bit messy. It will all wash off, but darker clays can stain, so don't wear anything you're very attached to, just in case.
• What will my first piece look like?

  Real talk: your first piece may not be the masterpiece you envision, and it will also be smaller than you expect, because clay shrinks. For some of us veterans, our 500th piece isn't what we imagined either. Our goals for you in a one-off class are to have fun, learn about ceramics, and pick up a finished keepsake that will remind you of your first pottery experience.
• When can I get my piece?

  It takes between 3 and 4 weeks for pieces to be ready for collection. We need your piece to dry, and then it goes through two 24 hour processes before it is finished. Clay is a great teacher in patience.
• I can't make my class anymore. Can I reschedule?

  We understand that things come up. You can cancel any class or workshop up to one week in advance for a refund, minus a 10% processing fee, by emailing us. Alternatively we can move you to another upcoming class or issue a credit note for the full amount.
  
  After that time has passed, no refund, credit, or switch is possible for 4 or 6 week courses. For one-off classes we offer the ability to reschedule or get a class credit up to 48 hours in advance by emailing the studio, so we can release your spot to another student. After that period we do not allow reschedules or refunds. We do not offer make up classes for multi-week courses.
• I have long nails, can I still do pottery?

  Absolutely. Long nails may make it trickier to pick up certain techniques at the start, but they're an asset in other ways too. Our founder refused to cut hers down and they don't negatively impact her work at all.
• Do you do corporate events, birthdays, and similar?

  We love curating special occasions, whether it's for your family, friends, or clients. We are a small studio and often booked out months in advance, so email us as early as you can.
• Parking?

  Street parking, both paid and free, is available around the studio, and there is a public lot behind the studio offering 2 hour and all-day paid parking. Please note: the spots directly behind our studio are tenant and staff parking only. See the parking map.

Last updated: March 2026