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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our studio is a full-time professional potters studio and a very small business. Because we work hard to provide great classes, stock our shop, and keep our studio running smoothly, we just don’t have time to sit by the phone or computer. We do our best to respond to your questions as soon as possible during business hours, but in the meantime, hopefully you can find answers to your questions here.

Q: When will my pottery from my beginner class be done?

A: Approximately 10-12 weeks from the date of your class (this does not include studio closures for summer/winter break or holidays). We know you’re excited to see how they’ve turned out - so are we! But there is no need to check up on your pieces. When they are complete, we will contact you via email to arrange a pickup. We kindly ask for your patience, as it takes time for pots to go through the entire firing process from each class. We teach over 400 classes per month, which means over a thousand pots per month need to go through the kilns twice before they're finished. If we get a chance to email updates, we will.

Definition of “Approximately” taken by Dictionary.com

APPROXIMATELY adverb 1. about; roughly; more or less

Q: I didn’t receive my pick up email! And no it’s not in my SPAM folder because I checked!

A: At Mud Queen, our attempt to contact you to let you know that your pots are ready is via email from our Mud Queen gmail account. Over the last couple of years we have had many students tell us they found our email in their junk folder or spam folder. We don’t know why that happens. If you haven’t heard from us when you were expecting to, please check your junk or spam folders. If you don’t find an email in your junk or spam folders, please don’t call us liars. It serves us no purpose to be dishonest with you. We want you to get the pots you made as badly as you want to get them. Once we click “send” we have no control over the emails floating around in the “where-evers”. Remember, there are actual humans running this small business and we have families, homes and lives outside of this small business. Calling us names and trying to bully us into getting what you want when you want just doesn’t work. Please be kind. We are always happy to answer questions and help you better understand the clay process in our studio. We’re not ignoring you, but we don’t know you have questions unless you ask.

Q: What is your refund/cancellation policy?

A: Mud Queen Pottery will not refund missed, cancelled, or rescheduled classes less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled class time. If you don’t show up to your class, you are considered a "no-show" and will not be refunded. If you have signed up for an 8-week class, once your first class has been taken, you are no longer eligible for a refund if you cancel your session. Preparing for classes costs us time and materials, and saving a space that doesn’t get filled takes away from someone else waiting to take a class.

Outside of the 48 hour timeframe, classes may only be rescheduled free of charge once. We will not refund a class once it has been taken or missed.

Q: Will my pots be exactly as I expect when I get them back?

A: Please keep in mind: the professional pots you see in our studio take years of practice, education and experience. It is unlikely that your pieces will look exactly as you picture them. Trimming, glazing and firing processes are all performed by individuals on the Mud Queen Pottery staff and, therefore, results may vary. We do our best to achieve the ideas you have, but cannot guarantee that what you get back will look like what you imagined. We offer our Introductory and Mug Classes to show you a small part of the pottery process. Our hope for you is that you enjoy the experience and have a better understanding of the process after your class!

Q: I don’t like the pots that I made. Can I remake them in another class for free or exchange them for a pot in the shop?

A: No. When you purchased a class, you purchased a lesson, experience, and resources to learn. You did not purchase two pots. We understand everyone wants to take home two pieces they love as souvenirs from their experience, but we cannot guarantee that. After spending only about one hour working with clay, please do not expect perfection. Glaze runs, specks, or other purely aesthetic “issues” do not warrant a pot redo. If on the off chance your pots did not survive the firing process, we may remake them for you as a courtesy.

Q: Do you fire pieces made outside of your studio?

A: Mud Queen Pottery does not offer outside firing, meaning we do not accept pieces made outside of our studio. We have this policy in place to protect our kilns and to prioritize current student and studio member work. Firing clay that we aren’t able to identify can and will cause us costly incidents and possibly ruin our kilns.

Q: Can you fix my broken pottery?

A: Unfortunately no, we cannot. If your broken pottery was something that you bought from us, you are welcome to browse our shop for a new piece. Other than provide glue for your broken piece, there is nothing we can do to save it.

Q: Do you do commission work?

A: We do not take commissions at this time.

Q: Do you offer kids’ classes?

A: Occasionally we offer children’s classes. When we do, we will advertise availability on our social media accounts and emails. We always welcome scout troops to earn their pottery badges, please contact us to schedule for your troop. We no longer offer Clay Camps for children during the summer.

Q: Do you offer private classes?

A: Please email us for information on private one on one classes. If you’re interested in having a private group night, you may schedule a Wine & Wheel event! Find more info here.

Q: What is the minimum age to take an Intro class?

A: Our classes are for ages 16+. Students under 16 are able to take a class as long as a parent or guardian pays for and takes the class with them.

Q: What kind of kilns do you use?

A: Mud Queen Pottery has four electric kilns. We fire to cone 6.

Q: Is there parking?

A: Yes! We own the lot right next to our retail space, which we have reserved exclusively for students and patrons of our studio. If there is no room in our lot, street parking in Linglestown is always free. Students may park in the back behind the barn

Q: How do I register for a one-time class?

A: You can register for our introductory class directly from our class shop page.

Q: My question isn’t answered here. What now?

A: Click here to fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.