apprenticeship
Q&A
TRAVEL and daily LIFE QUESTIONS
Which airport to fly into Latvia?
There is only one :) Rix airport in capital city Riga, 70km from the studio.
How do I arrive at your place from the airport?
When arriving at RIX airport please buy a bus ticket or install mobile app Mobilly (code ticket online costs only 1.50eur) to the RIGA CITY CENTRE (13.janvara iela).
Opposite this bus stop will be the central bus station (AUTOOSTA).
Here you go to platform 6 and get a bus to BAUSKA (will cost 3.05eur either from the driver or from the station, also the inter-city bus ticket can be purchased on the Mobilly app in advance).
From Bauska we can offer car-pick up or arrange a taxi for you. It is 20min drive from BAUSKA CITY to the farm / pottery studio.
The studio is rural - closest town PILSRUNDĀLE is 5km from us.
How will I get around to do my shopping and travel?
We recommend to rent a car amongst the group of all the students. You can discuss details on the common chat to come to agreement amongst the group. Car rental is around 500eur/month, if shared amongst 3-5 people this should be very reasonable and give you great freedom to get around as well as to explore the country.
Alternatively:
There is cheap and widely available public transport around the country as well as decent taxi service.
Bus schedule from Bauska to Riga and back https://www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu-autobusi/bauskas-ao/janu-krogs/105624/102692
The nearest bus stop ( Jāņukrogs) to the Bauska is a 30-minute walk away. Bus schedule from Jāņukrogs to Bauska
https://www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu-autobusi/janu-krogs/bauskas-ao/102692/105624
Taxi service Bauska - STUDIO
+371 2 0449771 (WhatsApp him, he already knows to bring foreigners to our farm so he will know when you say “Laima Ceramics”. HE DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH! Write in the chat so he can google translate your message. Bauska is rather small town, only 2 taxi drivers there, arrange in advance via whatsapp! There is no Bolt in the town!
By car: please simply enter LAIMA CERAMICS in google and follow through with your navigation app (Waze or google maps).
What to bring along?
There is bedding and basic kitchen equipment provided as well as basic selection of ceramic tools.
Bring your:
2 pairs of slippers- 1 for bedroom 1 for studio use (!!! no outside shoes inside allowed!)
slip-in outdoor shoes (like crocs or sandals)
2 sets of aprons (we don't allow working in dirty apron due to health and safety)
any special tools for pottery (we don't provide throwing bats, modelling tools etc)
For autumn/spring term- Weather in Autumn/Spring can be rainy and windy. Latvia is 40% forests and nature tourism is one of the best things to do around. Bring appropriate clothing for the season! Wellington boots and rain jacket recommended.
your yoga matt (ceramics is hard work, everyone need to take care of their backs!), any sports equipment
Towel
Hair-dryer (if you need one)
is the ACCOMMODATION-loft a mixed gender dormitory?
We have had mostly (90% female) applicants over the years, however we do not guarantee an all-female dormitory. In case we do have male students the large (150m2) living space will be split with men on one side and females on the other side.
If privacy is a priority/concern for you we suggest to upgrade for private bedroom- see artist residency page for details about the en-suite room. (! Please reserve well in advance as it is rented out via Airbnb, so even if we have one booking we cannot cancel these reservations!)
We ask everyone to be mindful of each other, take along headphones and respect early/late quite time for peaceful and pleasant co-living. It brings us joy when people are able to make the most of this accommodation style and join together in communal lunches, do yoga etc. together.
CAN I sTAY LONGER/ARRIVE before ?
Please check with us regarding availability - additional rent is 60eur/day.
What kind of electricity plug there is in Latvia?
Latvia is a standard European plug.
POTTERY WORK QUESTIONS
HELP in the studio:
10 hours per week, depending on what is going on in the studio:
weighing clay, wedging
sponging slab-rolled work
slab-rolling plates
sanding bisque work
sanding finished work (edges and bottoms)
managing reclaim
tidy up the space, put away tools
clean the shelves, floor, occasionally windows
helping in the garden (small scale family garden)
preparing tea and snacks for the Team
cleaning the studio and all common spaces
HOW IS the 4-week programme structured?
Even though this isn't a fully guided pottery course but an apprenticeship where each student comes with rather different goals and current-skill set. We do provide a “fishbone” of structure so to speak to help you plan your time here and get the most out of your stay.
Week1:
Monday opening ceremony, studio organising guidelines, group introductions, intro to all the equipment and materials.
GROUP LESSON: MATERIALS, SLAB-ROLLING.
Tuesday/Wednesday : individual consultations throughout the day
Be gentle with yourself- it takes a while to ground and settle and get into a routine. Make sure to book one-on-one or group lessons for next week by end of the week if you feel like you will want some.
Friday Q&A session.
Week2:
Monday GROUP LESSON: KILNS, GLAZING, showcase of the available glazes.
Most active studio time for making your own work as well as opportunity for the pre-booked lessons.
This week is opportunity to reserve group glaze/teapot/raku course.
Friday Q&A session. Individual consultations throughout the day
Week3:
1-hour organising meeting.
day 15 - first bisque firing (980 C)
Plan to finish active making by day 18 - (pottery needs minimum of - 2days drying, 2days bisque kiln firing, 1 day glazing, 2 days glaze firing, 1 day packing). There is still possibility to practice on the wheel and reclaim as well as you can make small scale items that wont require such extensive 8-day finish process. Please remember to breath - it is not the last opportunity in your life to make some ceramics ;) So many things to learn and do after -day 18- without the pressure to produce and keep - use this time for learning new skills and playing!
Group lesson: glazing assistance.
day 18 - first glaze firing (1260 c)
day 20 - last bisque firing
Week4:
1-hour organising meeting.
day 22 - glaze firing
day 24 - glaze firing
day 26 - exhibition setup 9-12, 12:00 GROUP REVIEW OF WORK
packaging pots to take home (plan at least half-day for this activity)
15:00 assistance with packaging, finalising shipping costs with Oksana
20:00 goodbye party
day 27 - studio and loft clean-up (plan a full day for that)
day 28 - goodbye hugs, space available till 3pm
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How do you manage reclaim?
There are shared buckets for white/grey stoneware and 2 plaster bats for drying the reclaim.
Are there throwing bats for wheel?
No we don’t have/ don’t use a bat system for throwing. Throwing is directly on the wheel head. If you have/need bat system you might want to consider bringing them along. Wheel size is 30cm and 35cm.
Other basic tools are here but please take any specialty hand tools you might need.
How much cleaning will I do?
You are in charge to keep the studio tidy at all times and this is the main responsibility of the apprentice.
You are expected to organise your daily tasks in such a way as to allow cleanup at the end of each working day to hoover and mop the area.
When necessary, you may be asked to devote more time for proper washing and cleaning of the studio- hoovering the whole space, entrance, loft upstairs, as well as mopping the floor and cleaning the surfaces, putting the clothes, towels and aprons in the washing machine for a fresh start the next week etc.
During your personal practice: You are always required to leave your working area (wheel, glaze room, the large table as well as the entrance room with the lounge area) in perfectly clean state every time it is used. There is hoover and mop around and use it often to minimize dust and health hazards ceramic dust poses.
As this is an active working studio, open to the public there is a requirement to keep all areas nice and clean at all times.
To offer best price for you we offer this as self-catered opportunity - meaning you take care of your space and shared spaces during your stay and leave it as clean and tidy as when you arrived.
We require that shared space is kept clean and orderly during your stay. If you are unable to follow through- we reserve the right to book a cleaning service- 20eur/h cleaning fee applies.
You are expected to leave the accommodation and studio space in as good and clean conditions as when you arrive.
Reserve 1 day before leaving to take care of the facilities and give everything a deep clean.
On the last working day of your stay we will go over the facilities and let you know if anything is out of place so you don’t get to pay any additional fees when issues can be resolved on timely manner before departure. If you do not want to select the self-catered option please let us know beforehand so we can reserve cleaning service.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAID LESSONS AND GUIDANCE WE receive FOR FREE?
During the apprenticeship we carry on with our own projects and commissions as usual- which means sometimes we are rolling out plates for restaurant order, other times we are making one-of vases or tea ceremony teapots etc. As an apprentice you get to see the work process as it is.
However, when you want to influence what is happening in our creative practice- then it is time to book a paid lessons.
For example- you see that we are making just mugs and bowls for weeks and your time here is approaching the end and you really want to get some input about making a porcelain teapot. Then instead of changing our work schedule and asking to make teapots instead of mugs- you book a lesson where we will cover the subject in depth for you specifically.
Or for example you see that we are only planning to do electric firings this month and really want to experience raku firing, so you ask us to to give in-depth demo about the subject. However if there is a raku firing scheduled already- then you simply get to observe and take part in the whole process from A-Z.
Please be mindful that apprenticeship is in its own category- it is not a pottery course with daily one-on-one guidance and set structure tailored to the individual needs. Please see our course page for such options.
However we do help with setting a framework and guidance throughout your stay- so you get to move your own projects successfully from start to finish, including learning how to pack and ship your work back home- completing a pottery-making cycle.
There are questions allowed about the work happening in front of you DURING YOUR 10-HOUR VOLUNTEER TIME , but not about your personal projects- be mindful not to “steal” attention from us that the work in front of us needs. Please respect our creative process and we are always happy and open to reserve individual consultations to be able to give you undivided attention.
What additional (paid) lessons could I take?
Our most popular 1day courses are available during your stay:
In addition, these are some of the topics we can cover in individual consultations:
wheel-throwing (especially porcelain or making thinner work)
sgraffito
product photography
We also give lessons about horsemanship and communicating with horses. Feel free to enquire.
THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A “REAL” apprenticeship , is it?
A Real apprenticeship is 3+ YEARS long.
We would call this a Taster of Apprenticeship with a decent amount of “artists residency” freedom and pinch of “pottery course” structure mixed in- so it is really an awesome hybrid that has developed over the years responding to the needs of our students over the last 8 years.
We would love to develop long-term working relationships with our students, but as most who apply are coming from abroad- not so many want or are able to stay in Latvia for more than 3 months on tourism visa. In a few weeks/months we are hardly able to train a beginner in pottery to be a valuable work-force for our studio.
Therefore we offer this option- where you can be present for behind-the-scenes of running a ceramic studio while quietly working on your own projects and getting to participate just a little bit in the pottery work that we do here.
We are open to continue supporting you in your journey ahead, so feel free to express interest in long-term options after completing your “Taster” apprenticeship ;)
We don’t have any full-time job vacancies, but we can offer reduced rent for long-term resident potters.
Also please be mindful that this isn't a pottery course- there is a lot of un-structured free time where you are working in the small, private studio by yourself independently or with fellow students. So it is crucial you are open and confident to manage your own reclaim, take care of the space and reserve resources to book additional group or individual classes if you want more guidance during the 4-week program.
Will I be able to pack and fire kilns?
Yes! We will go through programming the kilns and different firing settings.
Will I be throwing pieces on the wheel for you?
No. Wheel throwing practice is upon your own initiative and self-study.
We are open to discuss option of staying longer after the apprenticeship completion and get a paid job with us but that is for serious applicants committed to live in the area 3+ years. Reach out to discuss via email.
How about glazing? Will I get pre-mixed glazes?
There is a selection of several containers with our pre-mixed MAIN STUDIO GLAZES (transparent, white, beige, black and a few more) that is most reliable and kept in larger quantities where you can dip/submerse small-medium sized work.
We generally fire to 1240-1260 C in oxidised atmosphere in electrical top-loader rhode kiln so most of our glazes are suitable for this range.
If you want to develop your own glazes there is possibility to book a spot on our glazing course during your stay.
We do not share any of the glaze recipes used for “Laima Ceramics” collections.
To streamline glazing costs we charge 50eur/per whole kiln worth (so you can use any of the pre-mixed glazes). If mixing your own it’s 30eur/kg.
Have a look at our gorgeous studio glazes for sale here!
How many people work for the studio?
There are 4 people at the core of this company
Laima - maker/designer - doing wheel-throwing, large-scale work, marketing, social-media and photography
Oksana - assistant - making slab-rolled dinnerware, glazing, kiln-loading, creative workshops, packing and customer service
Vēsma- Laima’s mum, doing all the book-keeping and finances
Krišjānis - doing graphic design, photography and woodwork
TOURISM AND FREE-TIME QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE the socialising/travel opportunities?
The studio is located 20km from the town of Bauska and only 70km from the capital Riga. You are very welcome to use your weekend for exploring the country (there is convenient and cheap public transport everywhere). The studio is located “middle of nowhere” so there is a sort of bubble feeling here where you need to make a certain effort to get out of the farm and start exploring the surroundings.
We do recommend to reserve some time to explore this beautiful, natural country.
Our top 3 favourites:
Kolka- where the open Baltic sea meets the bay
Kuldīga- the most beautiful, charming old town
Gauja National Park
*Please note, we are not a tourism agency and although we understand you will probably travel from far away- please do your own research and make sure you are confident and self-reliant enough to live abroad for a 1-month period of time. Have a look at https://www.latvia.travel/en for more details.
What other activities can I enjoy around the studio?
· There are yoga classes and swimming pool in Bauska.
· There is a sauna next to the studio.
· Walking/cycling
What amenities there are?
Shower, washing machine
Electric stove, electric oven, refrigerator
Bed linens (no towels)
Handmade tableware, blender, electric kettle
wifi
WE DON’T PROVIDE: ironing board, microwave, dish-washer, dryer, juicer, coffee-machine, toaster, towels. We supply only basic necessities in the studio and kitchen, please take along any special items you may need.
Are there any potentially dangerous animals in Latvia?
Mosquitoes in the summertime, but they don't come into the house if we keep the windows closed and they don't carry any disease.
There are ticks (that carry encephalitis and lime disease). Please always check your body (March-October) after coming in from the garden to notice any ticks while they are still crawling.
There are no other dangerous animals here.
If lucky you may see some deer, fox, badger, moose, mice and lots of birds in the countryside.
MONEY QUESTIONS
PAYMENT
Additional “Safety deposit” (200eur) is payed in cash upon arrival.
The deposit is used for firing and glazing costs that are calculated at the end of the course. Weekly clay costs and additional classes are paid in cash on each end of the week.
Any unused deposit is returned on the day of departure after inspection of facilities and deducting any additional firing and glazing costs for your pottery.
WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I MIGHT HAVE?
Food expenses in Latvia are around 300eur per month. We recommend the farmers market in Bauska for local seasonal vegetables, meat and fish. And Rimi shopping mall has everything else. There is also a small seasoning shop in Bauska. For speciality shopping, I recommend you go to Riga to larger supermarkets and slow-food markets.
The nearest shop next to Bauska Bus Station is the mini Rimi. If you arrive by car, it will be more convenient for you to shop at hypermarket Rimi.
For other items: in Bauska there are few second-hand shops and few low-quality shops, but most people go to Riga (just 1h drive from Bauska) for larger shopping.
Additional services available:
Bicycle rental- 10eur/day
Towel 10eur/month
Pick-up / Lift to Bauska 25eur
Pick-up / Lift to RIX airport 70eur
Sauna on the premises: (wood-firing, and cleaning by yourself) 50eur
WHAT TOTAL BUDGET SHOULD I RESERVE FOR a 4-week STAY IN LATVIA?
After running the apprenticeship programm for 8 years and gathering info from previous students we conclude that people have vastly different budgets and how they manage their resources, however this is our rough estimate for living costs that we suggest to reserve:
200-400eur for food expenses/month
50-300eur for transportation (rental car+petrol or public transport/taxi etc)
100-300eur for material and firing fees (very much depends on how much and what you make)
50-200eur for shipping your work back (also depends, you can also take extra luggage on your way back)
20-160eur for private lessons (usually students want to book a few extra lessons)
Minimum we suggest 400eur total.
Material costs
Stoneware and porcelain clays can be purchased directly from the studio (cash only). Please see main apprenticeship page for price breakdown. Take a look at Studio Organising Guidelines for in-depth pricing system for firing fees.
How will I transport my pieces home?
Most people take an extra baggage allowance for their return trip or can be delivered to your address with EMS or DPD courier. Price can be calculated at the end.
You are responsible for all customs and import duties that may be applicable. We are not responsible for damaged goods during delivery or any delays in delivery
After your residency, all pieces can be packed and shipped to your address.
Shipping and packing material costs can be deducted from your safety deposit.
Can you help with taking photos/ video of my work?
Yes, Krišjānis is a photographer so he can do both a lesson for you or a photoshoot for yourself and/or your pottery. The photoshoot costs are 80eur/hour.
When purchasing this course via the website, you will be asked to agree on our Terms and Conditions. Please get acquainted with them here:
Terms & ConditionS
Want more details? :P
Below is a link to our STUDIO ORGANISING GUIDELINES that we will go through upon your arrival to make sure you know every single procedure in the studio.
Congratulations for making until the end to this extensive page.
If you have more questions please reach out to us via email.
You will have opportunity to ask questions during the online interview process as well.
Warmest wishes,
Laima & co
Photography: Krišjānis Piliņš 2022