STUDIO organising GUIDELINES
(PRINTABLE MATERIALS UPON ARRIVAL)
RESPECT THE SPACE
We spend much of our time here at the studio. It is both our home and livelihood. The mental space and energy we foster here support our ability to be successful and love what we do.
We ask that you respect the space both mental, emotional, spiritual and physical.
CLAY MATERIALS
For throwing on the wheel we have available:
Witgert WM2502 - white stoneware (most easy)
Witgert WMS 2502 - white stoneware with speckles (medium difficulty)
Sibelco TZ70 betongrau 2002 - warm grey (medium difficulty)
A116sf02 0,2/25% Anthrazit - grey stoneware (medium difficulty)
Audrey Blackman porcelain (high difficulty)
For handbuilding only:
Sibelco W 4015 - heavy grog
For RAKU (1100 C)
raku body
You are allowed to have ONE open bag at any one time. If you started white stoneware and want to try grey now- finish the bag completely then start another one.
We do not sell you another bag of material until you can show an empty previous bag.
For materials and firing fees we accept cash only- keep note of your materials used and make payment on the end of each calendar week (Friday).
HOW RECLAIM IS ORGANIZED
There are several buckets for different colour stoneware and porcelain.
Buckets are shared. We do not have space for more than 8 buckets under the counter.
If you are all using white stoneware- agree amongst yourselves how to split that up, but the bucket will get full in a few days so you can rotate through easily.
Always leave 5cm free on top of bucket. It should NEVER get to the top. DO NOT add more material into the bucket.
WE REQUIRE that thrown pieces that you do not want to keep to DO NOT go a full reclaim cycle- INSTEAD – let them air-dry just a little bit and then wedge them up.
If you don't manage your reclaim on timely manner, it will be done by my team instead and you will loose your leftover materials.
SHELVES
Shelves by the pottery wheel are reserved for freshly thrown pieces ONLY! As soon as work is trimmed it has to be moved to the deep shelf at the back for drying.
Stack the dry pieces and organise on timely manner, don’t hold on to pieces you are not sure about- reclaim them to free up space in the shelves.
GLAZING
All glazes in the glaze room are available to use.
Let us know if you need particular glaze more of- it can be mixed for you or by you only if you have had an intro into glaze lab.
We charge per KG of dry glaze – 20-30eur/kg (special effect glazes (metallic, volcanic, crystalline) cost more, please inquire)
If you select a glaze recipe that is not regularly used by us- you will be charged for the amount mixed, not just by what you use.
Plan accordingly- you can pour and cover a large piece with just 300g of glaze, but if you want to dip a mug you may require 2.5kg of glaze (dry amount).
We don’t want “unpopular” glaze leftovers so don’t encourage to mix more than what you need. Glaze is toxic waste so cannot be discarded easily- it has to be used up completely.
To glaze a whole (200liters) worth of kiln using our pre-mixed glazes (not mixing your own)- calculate 50eur/per kiln load (unless you are buying specific amounts of glaze for personal use).
FIRING
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 only.
Full glaze fire (200liters) (1260 C) 90eur +50eur(for 2-2.5kg pre-mixed glaze) = 140eur
Full biscuit fire (200liters) (980 C) 80eur
Kiln shelf damage:
broken shelf- 45eur
glaze drips - 5eur per small size (mug/bowl) that attaches itself to shelf
for example 3 molten pieces on shelf 5x3=15eur for removal and repair of shelf
GLAZE RECIPES
We do not share any of the glaze recipes used for “Laima Ceramics” collections (past or present). Always ASK before taking any notes or pictures of recipes that are on display in my glaze room to make sure whether the glaze recipe is available for further use or is kept for our own use ONLY.
PLAGIARISM
Feel free to be inspired by our work here. Be mindful that even though, we allow to use all the materials and glazes and their combinations- it is very easy to create close copies.
If so- reference LAIMA CERAMICS as the original design/glaze inspiration/resource.
You can use our moulds and templates for slab-rolled tableware.
It is okay to make copies as learning tool - but keep them for your personal use and be mindful not to advertise them on internet or otherwise as your own design.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We hope you are happy and proud to be here!
If you are sharing any images of pottery found here, interiors etc- be mindful to tag @laimaceramics as the location or author (if applicable).
The time of the anonymous craftsmen is in the past- these days we show our appreciation for craftsmen by giving them appropriate recognition, the same way you would for an artist. Please check in with us to see if there are more links to be made in the great spiderweb of inter-connections. Almost everything here is handmade by local artisans. If you love the reclaimed wood coffee table from @NaiveWood where you are having your breakfast tea- just ask us for their tag and you can express that new-found-appreciation to your circle of friends.
Sharing is caring :)
CLEANING
Studio space has to be vacuumed and mopped every work day. If you use the studio also on weekends then also on weekends.
Shared spaces- entrance, staircase, gallery – has to be vacuumed and mopped ONCE per week- FRIDAY, or in case of special circumstances - additionally.
All tools must be washed and dried and put back to their places immediately after use.
COMMUNITY SPACE CLEANING DAY
Every Friday is our community cleaning day. Then you all come together and tidy up and clean your own space. We organise this so it is easier for you all to join in.
Divide up the jobs as you like amongst yourself, but remember to include bathroom, shower, kitchen, community space, tea corners etc. This is your shared space but we require that you all participate to maintain it neat and tidy for yourselves. Everyone joins is and maybe cleaning is actually FUN ;)
Final day cleaning - day (or two) before leaving reserve the whole day (8hours) for deep clean of the studio, loft and small studio. Everyone joins in to leave this place in top-notch condition.
LESSONS
You are welcome to book one-on-one lesson for whichever topic you like. Reserve time slot 1 week in advance.
Individual class - 50eur/hour
Group class (2-6 people) - 40eur/hour/per person.
Individual class - we recommend this for some detailed wheel-throwing guidance and mentoring regarding developing your style etc.
Group lessons - we recommend to organise this for demo on the wheel for particular objects, for glazing demo and guidance, for theory classes regarding choosing equipment, setting up your studio, website and social media, etc.
If you know how to dip and glaze and are happy to use our pre-mixed glazes you wont need a glazing lesson, however if you want to delve deeper into the land of glazes, we recommend to reserve minimum of 3 hours for group or individual class.
I can cover:
basic theory about glaze chemistry, glaze families, suitability
how to find resources in the books/online - what to look out for
special effect glaze categories and nuances
application technique demonstration (best if you have some bisque fired work to use in the demo) - dipping, pouring, spraying, brushing, layering
details about raw-glazing
working with coloured slips and sgraffito technique
We can also organise hand-building class with guest tutor Matilde who specialise in woodfiring local earthenware and is very gifted and detail-oriented teacher. Let me know if that resonates with you.
TOOLS and EQUIPMENT
If you want additional tools or equipment- look into local hardware store (KURSI next to rimi) or order through
https://keramikams.lt (LITHUANIA)
they deliver within 24hours to the door. Check full delivery address on our website (Ursteni…).
Remember you are fully responsible for all the items you use during your stay. If anything gets broken let us know on the day (!) so its value can be deducted from your safety deposit.
MAINTENANCE
Please note- this is self-catered rental- we offer you well equipped accommodation and studio- but it is also your job to maintain it.
Take care of drains (kitchen and shower and washing machine) daily to avoid any issues arising, if they do- try to deal by yourself, if nothing works- let us know and we will see how to help.
Take your recycling by yourself to closest town Bauska when you do your weekly shopping. You will get in-depth instructions by Krišjānis.
STUDIO SPACE ATMOSPHERE
We enjoy and maintain a quite, relaxed yet productive studio environment. We often have some meditative music, chants or classical music in the background.
We don't allow heated/overly emotional discussions on any topic in the pottery studio -please take it outside or to the kitchen.
Feel free to work with headphones.
Studio space is dedicated for focused creativity, not a party place.
BIG Nos
- Don’t use books with dirty hands by the wheel
- Don’t take more than 1 book / per person upstairs from the library. All glaze books stay downstairs so they can be accessible to everyone, as they are in active use.
- No smoking, alcohol inside the studio.
SAFE SPACE
It is most important that the space is kept safe, that communication flows freely between everyone present. If any issues or concerns arrises I invite everyone to communicate early and allow for any concerns to be smoothed out and any bothering questions to be answered in timely and peaceful manner.
CREATIVE SANCTUARY
I invite you to take care of this place and let it nurture you in response. Find the gift of reciprocity available to us through every interaction.
It is our divine right to create a heavenly reality here on Earth, a Sanctuary where creativity can flourish.
By deciding to join me here - you are supporting and actively participating in helping me further nurture and develop this little corner of Earth that we hold as our Creative Sanctuary.
Thank you for your cooperation!