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Charging For Studio Time


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Hey there! I'm new to the forums and new to having my own pottery studio. It has been a long time dream of mine, finally realized, and I am thrilled! You will be seeing me ask a lot of newbie questions, I'm sure.

 

Anyways - to the point - I have noticed a dramatic increase in friends dropping in for visits, hahaha. They are all very excited for me and keen to check out the new space. I have enjoyed the company and it's fun to have some "studio warming" time, getting creative and playing with friends in the new space. But soon I will need to start to consider the costs of this, such as power, clay, glaze, etc...

 

For example, I had one friend come over and use the electric wheel for 15+ hours this past weekend, and blitz through a ton of clay. I am not begrudging, it was super fun, but it inspires me to ask:

 

Do you charge for studio time? If so, how much? How did you come to this number?

 

Do you ask friends or family to donate towards the power/clay they use? How often do you let people in your studio?

 

Once I get comfortable in the space and get into my groove, I am considering holding open studio for a couple hours each Saturday. I live in a tiny rural community and know for certain that would be popular and people would utilize it. Just looking to hear your experiences on this, positive & negative : )

 

Thanks in advance!

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I have membership. Being a member allows access for the facility during the normal hours. I personally am against an hourly rate because it discourages detailed work psychologically it is hard to justify paying any amount of money an hour to do something you aren't good at yet. 

 

I priced membership by guessing about 40 people using my space on a regular basis would be good. So when I have 40 paying members, rent etc will be covered and I will have a free studio to use.

 

Firing costs are separate. I use the simplest system that I saw working in New Zealand: by the weight. $3/kg for bisque and $5/kg for glaze is a good "cost covering and a little extra" price that is within reason.

 

I have one studio clay that people can use and reclaim freely and is paid for in the bisque price. This encourages reclaiming poorly thrown pieces and allows failure.

 

 

So far, all of this has worked for me. But then, my goal is to make pottery instead of lots of money.

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Hi Roxy

 

Welcome to the forums!

 

I only have 2 people who may use my studio and I charge $50 for 5 hour lots on the wheel ( I have 3) ONLY on the days when I am there and have to do other things.  

 

They use my clays and my glazes so I know the chemistry in advance and can use coloured underglaze, oxides and engobes.

 

I have 3 different sized kilns and they may use one depending on load size. $5/kg bisque, $8/kg glaze.  Yes, I like simple maths.

 

I do this for the extra income and some company at times but my people know it's MY studio and my workload has priority and that they share it under my conditions.  Arrangements can very during my really busy periods.

 

Share with others by all means, it's a generous thing.... but never lose sight of the fact that it's YOUR studio, not a playroom for others, and that your needs there come first.

 

Enjoy your new 'dream space' and please post us some photos of your work........it's ok, we'll be gentle!

 

Irene

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I'm a professional who makes my living in the studio and do not not let others use the space-its my office-its my job site-its my-well you see my point.

I have over the years asked others to come glaze or whatever but it a limited deal to a few hours a year.

Now in our area we have an ceramic arts center-they have a fee bases system that offers classes or studio time-Its not my cup of tea so I know knowing of the costs.These places are hoping up all over the land replacing the long gone ceramic slip shops that once worked with molds and where everywhere in the country. They are for  the hobbyist and provide a social aspect of fun gatherings for all ages.

You should decide when and what to charge and when the space is yours alone-set some rules and just make it clear.

It could be another income stream for you.

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the excitement over your new studio will settle down as people become used to you using it for WORK.  it is up to you to let them know that it is your office, workshop, etc, as mark pointed out.

 

if you post a schedule for upcoming time, say a month in advance, you can leave a space on a day when people will be welcome to come in and work together.  having 3 or 4 people at once frees up the rest of the time for you. with several people in the studio,  they will realize that they are in the way of other people and without making a big deal of it, recognize that they are interrupting your work when they want to just drop in.

 

on that day, a jar on the table near the door with a note about donations for firing costs, glaze and clay might cause them to think about your expenses.

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Not to be the bearer of doom and gloom BUT

 

You might want to check with your insurance before you start charging for people to use your studio. My insurance states everything is covered EXCEPT for student teaching on the premises AKA ... Other people paying me to use my studio. It's one of the reasons I am a member at a local art center. They encourage me to teach my classes there as it helps their class roster and I don't have to get a rider or additional insurance on my private studio.

 

Just something to check into.

 

T

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The Wetumpka Art Center started studio time on a trial basis this month for $22.00.

The Shelby county art center is about $50.00. Auburn University has continuing ed. courses for $155.00 for 6 classes. Its one of those pottery, "it depends" answers!

:) You have to make it worth while, and keep in mind, no good deed goes unpunished! :)

Good luck!

Alabama

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Thanks all for your feedback.

 

I think for now, I will just stick a little jar on the counter with a sign re: donations towards power costs.

 

If I do get around to having an open studio day, I'll figure out a drop in rate, plus firing costs. Thanks for offering up your breakdowns and stuff, it helps me see what is fair.

 

I hadn't really considered lawsuits, eek. It's true, I live in Canada and people very rarely sue each other around here unless it's truly warranted. Also I live in a tiny rural mountain town and know/ will know everyone who comes into my studio. However, all trust and good nature aside, it may be wise to have a sign in sheet that is also a statement/waiver re: injuries. That way it's just clear. Also I will make sure to give people a tool & equipment orientation before they start using the studio.

 

Thanks again all!

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The biggest question is what is your long term goal.

 

So far my rent+heating+electric+other costs have been around $1500/month or $1.5/sq ft. The cost of running the wheels and people using the space is really very insignificant. Each firing costs about <$15 in electricity and I would guess ~50 kg bisque and ~25 kg glaze is loaded in a firing (8 cu ft). So even when you quadruple the rough expenses you can see it doesn't cost too much to avoid losing money on firing costs. The rent and any other overheads is your true expense.

 

Now, I have bigger goal than making money. I am working to create a community that is interested in pottery. So far my approach has worked for me: more people are joining classes and the retention rate has been high. In a year, I expect to have a very nice studio space for myself (and others) which pays for itself and provides an income for me (teaching classes, selling pots). When all I have to do is mop the floor at the end of the day, I will call this retirement.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi,

I am not a naturally good business person, as I give everything away, including my knowledge - limited, but still. I am a natural teacher, so it tends to overflow to this. But to not charge for the clay, at least, is not a good idea, especially because of the physical and monetary costs of it. You are either picking it up, which means driving, lugging, etc., or you are ordering it with very expensive shipping costs.

 

I'd charge to use the studio, and then charge for the clay. Or figure out a way to charge for the studio that will cover the clay they will use. Some people throw fast, or throw poorly, take the clay off and then get some more new clay out of the bag. Who does the work reclaiming all that clay? You. It is taking away from your time for your business.

 

JMHO, but it's from a person who gives too much away all the time, and has learned to stop doing this. 

nancy

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have mixed feelings about this situation. In part I totally get wanting to allow your friends to use the materials and space freely. On the other head, the overhead on pottery is very high. If you are loosing money from your wallet to support their firings and glazing etc. then that's where I would draw the line. I understand it may be hard to say 'well you need to pay this much per hour' etc. but I feel the longer it goes on without a structured guideline, the harder it will be to tell them later on that you are deciding to charge now. I converted my detached garage into a ceramic studio and I teach classes occasionally over the summer there and I get it. My friends have asked to do a 'wine and design' clay party but I never went for it. No one ever said 'What would the cost be?' They were clearly expecting it to be free.

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Actually the Valentine's date night gave a higher $/hr than just about anything I had done before. I centered the clay, trimmed the bowls, and glazed them. So the participants just had to shape the bowl (the fun step!) It paid well but also isn't the line of work I intend to regularly do.

 

A pottery studio has very minimal overhead costs outside of Rent. No one showing up or ten people hanging around costs (almost) the same. A little electricity and a little wear on the wheels is all that changes.

The clay is a consumer cost-- I personally charge for it with the firings. I have not seen anyone abuse this system; people do not want to be wasteful and would much rather not mess up and have to wedge another piece of clay! If everyone was paying for wet clay, how could I encourage "put it in the reclaim and start over"? Making mistakes without consequence is essential for beginners. 

And I actually think most people think firing an electric kiln costs more than it actually does.

Instead of spending my effort searching for the next batch of students, I do my best to have people sign up for class #2 !

 

 

The real problem: You need to be the one naming a price.

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