Question 1

What is The Clay Hole?

Accepted Answer

The Clay Hole is a new community and art studio that I built in Draper, Utah. Its focus will be pottery classes and workshops for other art forms. We launch in March!I built The Clay Hole with two goals in mind... First, I wanted to make the most kickass community pottery studio that ever existed. I think it's safe to say my team and I did just that. Second, I wanted our main focus to be on community, even above the pottery and art. I wanted a place where anyone could come find new friends, a second family, or even... Dare I say it... Love? In this social media driven world, and with community tricky to find, and dating getting more tedious, and friendships getting more difficult to make... I wanted to create a gathering place where you can come find your people and your people can come find you. It takes spending 200+ hours with someone, after all, to become true, good real friends with someone. The Clay Hole is so much more than a studio. Besides its massive community work tables and vast amounts of pottery wheels, it also has cozy areas you can plop on the couch with friends to chat, play games, or just vibe all by yourself should you need to escape for a moment.

Question 2

Where is The Clay Hole located?

Accepted Answer

We are in a nearly 10k square foot building here in Draper, Utah, right on the frontage road near IKEA. That means it'll be easy to get to from just about any direction! The address is:12896 S Pony Express Rd, Suite #100Draper, UT 84020Feel free to park in any open reserved Clay Hole parking spot or any unmarked parking spot.

Question 3

Who is Dan Pearce anyway?

Accepted Answer

I have one of the biggest pottery followings online (more than 2.7 million subscribers over three social media platforms). My team and I make social media reels about pottery and share them. Feel free to look me up on Insta, TikTok, or Facebook (@theclayhole) I have been making and selling pottery online for about three years and running a very small version of this business in a very small (but loaded) studio for three years as well. Before I was a potter, I had a popular blog called Single Dad Laughing with millions of followers.  More than anything, I'm a lover of humans and the human experience. Truth is, I have been fortunate in life and don't need this business, but something has called out to me for a very long time to create the vessel that would bring so many people together in such an amazing way. It's my final hurrah before retirement, and I can't think of a better way to hit the twilight years running...

Question 4

What makes The Clay Hole special enough to spend that kind of money?

Accepted Answer

Hmmm... Let's see... Our prices are actually AWESOME compared to many other studios and for what you get! Such as...Thousands (and I mean thousands) of pottery toolsMore than 500 different commercial glazes for you to useMore than 50 different molds and forms for you to useAccess to pottery wheels and the instructors who can teach youAccess to all sorts of epic pottery equipment (such as slab rollers)Huge communities where you find your people and your people find youGame tables and dozens of gamesLounge areasBig fluffy, leather sofasVending machinesYour own private pottery shelfOptional workshopsFirst dibs on workshop spots for other artforms (an entire section of our business will be non-pottery art workshops in a different part of the studio)Raku workshops (probably the most fun and most adrenaline inducing pottery)CommunityFriendsGame nightsPartiesAnd so, so, so much more...Heck, if things go to plan, we'll even have a room with a couple tattoo artists working every nightThere is so much more than that. We could go on and on, but maybe just join and come see it for yourself!Here's a reel we made showcasing some of the things we have at the studio that aren't common to have at all, let alone all in the same place:

Question 5

Is one month enough to get finished pieces through the pottery process?

Accepted Answer

The easy and difficult answer is... Sometimes. Pottery is a process, and some things take much longer than others to get from beginning to end. Some pottery projects can go on your shelf uncovered and be dry in 48 hours, others take a month or more to slowly dry.  Each piece has to go through two kiln firings, and it's just not something that usually is done in a couple weeks. Kilns get fired when there is enough work on the tables to fully load a kiln. Sometimes this is multiple kiln runs in a week, sometimes it's once or twice a month. As you get better and better at making ceramics, you'll move your pieces through more quickly. Quite honestly, though, you're probably going to want to plan on at least two months to see finished work come out of the final kiln. The goal of The Clay Hole is not to attract people who only want to try it only a few times. Our hope is to find people who want to dedicate themselves to it at least weekly and really learn ceramics longer term. That being said, we know for many of our members they want to try it before they know if they'll love it, so we don't lock anyone into any contracts or commitments. If a month is all you want, that's okay too! Talk to an instructor at the beginning and make sure you're working on something that can be sped up a bit.

Question 6

What is the minimum age limit?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age limit is 18, and 14 if it's a teenager attending alongside a parent or guardian (who is also a member).We have a lot of fun in these classes. In the evening classes, people often bring alcohol, snacks, whatever. Not a lot of language filters. If that’s your scene, and you don't mind your teenager being in that scene with you, then you're welcome to enroll with them and enjoy learning pottery together! Our daytime classes are more reserved and alcohol is prohibited.

Question 7

Do I have to sign a waiver or agreement to be a member?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all members must sign The Clay Hole's release of claims and membership agreement before they can attend their first day of classes. Refusal to sign the agreement will result in immediate termination of student membership without refund. All students must also initial every line item on the glaze checklist and sign the glaze agreement form before they may have access to any glazes. This is to keep the integrity of our nearly $100,000 worth of 500+ commercial glazes in place.You can view and sign the agreement hereYou can view and sign the glaze agreement here

Question 8

How do I get a discount on my first month of membership?

Accepted Answer

We are so confident you'll love being at The Clay Hole that we currently are offering 30% off your first month of membership at The Clay Hole, so long as you join us starting next month! Use the code NEWMEMBER30 when checking out to automatically apply the discount. Please note that if you do not use the code, you cannot be refunded for it after the fact.

Question 9

How do classes and memberships work?

Accepted Answer

Since community and everyone making new friends is my number one goal as I build The Clay Hole, I decided to offer only monthly pottery memberships. No one-time date nights. No signing-up for a quick pot painting. No in and out and forget about it.Pottery is a process that takes weeks to take a piece from the starting line to the finish line. There is so much to learn and do to make a finished piece of pottery.There are also a thousand directions you can take your pottery, and for that reason, we don't have actual "classes." We have open studio time with excellent instructors ready to help you learn whatever it is you need to bring your vision to completion.At The Clay Hole, you pay by the month. You can cancel your membership at any time.You come in to whichever classes or open studio times you like during the month (total classes depend on you membership). Most people like to come the same night each week so that they can truly get to know their fellow students/members. But there's also no wrong way to do it!

Question 10

I'm a beginner. Do I need to have previous pottery experience?

Accepted Answer

The majority of our members come to The Clay Hole with little to no pottery experience.  Beginners aren't just welcome, they're encouraged to join!

Question 11

Can I bring my own clay or glaze?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely no outside clay is allowed to be brought into The Clay Hole. Pottery is more complex than people realize, and the truth is that having the wrong clay or glaze can greatly damage our kiln, our kiln shelves, or the surrounding pottery inside of the kiln. For this reason we have a zero tolerance policy for bringing in outside clay.Members can, however, bring outside glaze IF it is a glaze we already carry at higher membership levels. If we don't carry it already, it is forbidden.

Question 12

Are clay and firings included with my membership?

Accepted Answer

Clay and firings are not included in any membership. Clay must be purchased through the studio, and your discount gets bigger with each higher membership level. Click here to see the clays we offer and their prices Firings are based on the size of your piece, and are factored at $0.05 per cubic inch (glaze firings only - bisque firings are free). Click here to visit the kiln firing calculator

Question 13

I have my own kiln at home. Can I take my pieces home to fire them there?

Accepted Answer

That's okay BUT ONLY IF... You take them home bone dry and do all the firings yourself. You may not get them fired by us in the free bisque firing and then skip paying for the glaze firing.

Question 14

What are open studio classes?

Accepted Answer

We don’t have structured classes, per se. We have open studio time, which is where you come work on anything you like. It’s your journey, your choice. We also have x4 instructors in every class who are there to help you learn whatever kind of pottery that calls to you.

Question 15

Is this a good place for advanced potters or potters who already have built up their skill levels?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Advanced potters will be in pottery heaven, walking through our nearly 10k square foot facility, having access to our more than 500 glazes, 100 underglazes, thousands of tools, hundreds of molds, and so much more.

Question 16

Is this a good place for beginner potters?

Accepted Answer

You bet. The Clay Hole is designed to help you whether you’re seasoned or a beginner. Our instructors will guide you every step of the way.

Question 17

Do you have any date night or one-night classes?

Accepted Answer

Nope! We only offer monthly memberships. The Clay Hole was designed from the ground up to be  community oriented and truly get you through the full pottery process, which takes weeks for any given piece. Because of that, we only offer full time memberships.

Question 18

Do you have slab rollers and/or clay extruders?

Accepted Answer

We have large slab rollers that are accessible to all membership levels so that you can make precision pieces on our hundreds of different molds. We also have handheld extruders that are available to purple and black level members, and we have a wall extruder that is available to black level members only.

Question 19

This all seems like it could be overwhelming or too much. How do I navigate something so fully loaded and complex, especially as a beginner?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is, learn one thing at a time! You don’t need to know what everything is or what it does. You don’t need to know anything about our different glazes or clays. You just need to show up, and our team will be here to walk you through the whole process of clay from beginning to end.This studio is fully loaded, that’s true. But it has also been masterfully thought-out to make your life as a potter truly enjoyable. If you ever get stuck or need guidance, that’s what our instructors are there for!

Question 20

What cone(s) do you bisque and glaze fire to, and what are your typical firing schedules/holds?

Accepted Answer

We bisque to cone 05 and glaze to cone 5 with a 12 minute hold.

Question 21

Which clay bodies do you stock (stoneware/porcelain; grog/no grog)?

Accepted Answer

We keep multiple stoneware and other clay bodies (with and without grog) and a smooth porcelain for the advanced folks. You can purchase: B-Mix, M-Mix with Grog, B-Mix with specks, Half & Half, Cone 6 Porcelain, Speckled Buff, 52 Buff, and Berlin Gray clays.

Question 22

Do you allow slip-casting or plaster work? Any special rules to prevent contamination?

Accepted Answer

No, sorry, we do not allow slip casting or plaster work at The Clay Hole. You’re welcome to do it at home and bring your finished slab molds with you.

Question 23

Are oxides, mason stains, washes, and engobes available? Any usage limits or PPE requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we’ll walk you through safe handling. A mask and gloves are required when mixing powders. Mason stains are optional and cost extra. Access to oxides, minerals, stains, washes, and bicarbonates depend on your membership level.

Question 24

Can I spray glaze or use an airbrush here?

Accepted Answer

No, sorry. Only studio owners and paid employees are allowed to airbrush their pottery in our glaze spray booth.

Question 25

Are lusters, overglaze, overglaze decals, china paints, and metallics allowed? How are those firings handled?

Accepted Answer

We allow them with approval. Specialty firings are scheduled separately, and you will have to pay for an entire kiln rental.

Question 26

Do you offer test tile firings or personal kiln-load rentals for advanced testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can reserve test tiles anytime, and full kiln rentals of our small test tile kiln are available for $25 per firing.

Question 27

What’s the re-fire policy (touch-ups, pinholes, under-maturity, cold spots)?

Accepted Answer

We’re happy to re-fire as needed. You will need to pay the same firing fee again. Just mark your piece clearly so we know it’s a re-fire.

Question 28

Are sanding/grinding/Dremel tools allowed on fired work? Wet-work only rules for silica?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but wet-sanding only. No dry sanding fired work — ever.

Question 29

Do you support reduction/soda/wood firings off-site or special firings on occasion?

Accepted Answer

We don’t fire reduction or soda here, but we sometimes partner with other studios for those special runs.

Question 30

Can I mix or bring in my own glaze recipes? (If no, can I request specific commercial glazes to be stocked?)

Accepted Answer

Talk to the studio owner about this one. You can always request a specific commercial glaze to be stocked, we just might or might not take you up on your suggestion.

Question 31

May I use underglaze transfers, silkscreens, stencils, or adhesives?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — just keep the materials food-safe and compatible with cone 6 firings.

Question 32

Do I need to RSVP or book a wheel/table, or is everything first-come, first-served?

Accepted Answer

First-come, first-served. Come up to 15 minutes early if you want your favorite wheel or spot on the table.

Question 33

Is there a real-time way to check wheel availability or class busyness before I drive over?

Accepted Answer

No, we have no way to check in and see how busy a class is.

Question 34

Do you have a holiday/closure calendar? How are weather closures or emergency closures handled?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Holiday hours are posted online. Just go to our main menu, under “schedule and events.” Weather and emergency closures will be sent out via email, so make sure your best email is provided and subscribed.

Question 35

How do you communicate studio updates? Typical response times?

Accepted Answer

We use email for both small and big announcements. Anything extremely urgent we will send a text out to all members.

Question 36

What’s the policy for lost & found items or abandoned work on shelves?

Accepted Answer

We keep found items for 14 days. Unclaimed pots after a 14 day deadline are cleared to make space. We discard them or give them away to other students. Each pot, when pulled from a kiln, will receive a pick-up deadline card. Make sure you pick up your pieces or we will get rid of them!

Question 37

How long will you hold finished work before it’s donated/discarded?

Accepted Answer

We hold finished work for about 14 days — pick up your pieces quickly to avoid heartbreak.

Question 38

Do you reclaim studio clay? Where do scraps and slop go? Can I take reclaim home?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not reclaim clay on site. We have large barrels where people discard their dry clay. We encourage all of our members to take clay freely from these barrels and go home and reclaim it themselves (just YouTube the process).

Question 39

What’s the sink policy (no clay down drains), and where do I wash tools vs. buckets?

Accepted Answer

We have one sink that is for hands and tools (the all-purpose sink). The other two sinks are clay sinks. After throwing on the pottery wheel, tip out just the top water through a sieve into the clay sinks and rest your sludge bucket on the provided carts. We will let them dry and then toss the clay and beat the dried clay out of the buckets.

Question 40

Is food allowed at tables? BYOB details (IDs, containers, areas where drinks are/aren’t OK).

Accepted Answer

Snacks and simple meals are fine at the lounge tables, not near wet work. BYOB is okay— keep it classy.

Question 41

Music and headphones etiquette—who controls the vibe?

Accepted Answer

Headphones are great. We have speakers installed throughout the studio that will always be playing a diverse and eclectic playlist.

Question 42

Will my face/work ever appear in The Clay Hole’s social media? How do I opt out?

Accepted Answer

Maybe — we love sharing member work. Let us know if you’d rather stay camera-free and we will do our best, but there are no guarantees.

Question 43

What’s the etiquette for helping clean common areas if I arrived late/left early?

Accepted Answer

Always pitch in, even if you were late. A quick wipe-down or tool rinse goes a long way. All members are required to clean part of the studio and their own personal work space.

Question 44

Can my kids or guests hang out in the lounge while I’m in class? (Non-participant minors policy.)

Accepted Answer

No — it’s an active studio and not safe for unsupervised guests.

Question 45

How often do you load kilns? Is there a posted kiln calendar or text alert when loads come out?

Accepted Answer

Kilns are loaded constantly — usually several times a week. It fully depends on how fast our members fill up the drop-off tables!

Question 46

Where do I place greenware vs. bisque vs. glaze-ready pieces so they end up in the right firing?

Accepted Answer

Each stage has a clearly marked shelf — bone dry drop-off, bisqueware pick-up, glazeware drop-off, and final piece pick-up. Ask if you’re unsure.

Question 47

Is there a maximum number of pieces I can put into the firing queue per week?

Accepted Answer

Not usually, unless space is tight. Be considerate of others and talk to staff if you’re firing a big batch.

Question 48

Do you guarantee results? (Kiln variability, color shifts, warpage—expectation-setting.)

Accepted Answer

Nope — kilns have their moods. We’ll help troubleshoot, but pottery is always a bit of an adventure.

Question 49

Are certain glazes not recommended for food surfaces or inside drinkware? Any “no-go” combos?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we’ll flag anything that isn’t food-safe or that can craze or leach. The bottles will feature a big “not food safe” label on them if they aren’t food safe.

Question 50

Is my piece microwave/oven/dishwasher safe? (Thermal shock and care instructions.)

Accepted Answer

Most stoneware is microwave and dishwasher safe. Oven use is trickier — slow heat-up only.

Question 51

How do I request a specific shelf/placement (e.g., away from elements), or is placement at the tech’s discretion?

Accepted Answer

Ask nicely, and we’ll try to accommodate, but placement is ultimately up to the tech for safety and efficiency.

Question 52

Do you photograph kiln openings or finished work for members to reference later?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes — follow our Instagram or Facebook for peeks, but photographing every load isn’t something we do.

Question 53

Is there a contract? Can I cancel any time?

Accepted Answer

At this time, we do not require a contract with membership! While we hate to see you go, we understand life takes us in all sorts of directions and if you need to cancel, that's a-okay. We hope you'll join us again real soon! All members who wish to cancel MUST do so by midnight on the 24th of each month. We do not ever cancel your membership for you so please don't message us for that. Sending a text or an email about canceling does not get the job done. You do have to do it yourself.  Canceling is easy. Simply login to the member portal and with a few clicks of a button you'll be good to go! For more information on canceling, go here

Question 54

How do I update my credit card/payment method?

Accepted Answer

Simply login to your account. It's fairly self-explanatory after that. To login, visit this link

Question 55

Do you offer drop-ins or punch passes if I don't want to buy a full membership?

Accepted Answer

Nope. Our goal is to build community and friendships here, and so our business model involves coming to consistent classes every month and getting to really know your group of amazing, awesome people.  Feel free to come to lots of different nights to see which group you vibe with best!

Question 56

How much are monthly memberships?

Accepted Answer

Monthly memberships depend on which level you'd like to purchase and how much flexibility you want with classes. These are the prices when you come to the same class every week:Green level memberships are $145/moYellow level memberships are $170/moPurple level memberships are $200/moBlack level memberships are $275/moContact us if you have interest in unlimited membership or production pottery membership.It's so worth it...At The Clay Hole, you're paying for access to a giant state-of-the-art 9,500+ square foot studio, thousands of tools, more than 500 glazes, and a gathering place like no other. We don't try to compete on price with other studios because there is no other studio like The Clay Hole, and nowhere else will you find anything that gives you literally just about everything...I've invested more than half a million dollars into this studio, and you're going to see why membership here is worth every penny and then some.The membership prices and signup page is here: https://theclayhole.com/products/monthly-pottery-membership-at-the-clay-hole-new

Question 57

What are the differences in membership levels?

Accepted Answer

Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your practice, our memberships offer the flexibility and resources to support your pottery journey. Join our vibrant community and find the plan that fits your creative lifestyle.STEP 1: Choose Your Desired FlexibilitySelect the class schedule that aligns with your routine:Choose your classes: Total classes per month will depend on your membership levelOpen studio times: No instructors will be present. Every Saturday and Sunday morning at 10AM.All memberships renew monthly on the 25th. Cancel any time before then to pause the following month.STEP 2: Pick Your Class Days/TimesOur classes are designed to fit various schedules:Evening Classes: Monday to Friday, 6:30 PM – 10:00 PMDaytime Class: Monday, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PMPlease note: Classes are not held on certain holidays. We'll notify you in advance.STEP 3: Choose How Much Access You Want at The Clay Hole🟩 Green Level – StarterIdeal for beginners or those bringing their own tools.Access to pottery wheels and community worktablesUse of our basic glazesSmall personal shelf (24" x 12" x 8")PRICING:x4 classes per month: $145/month🟨 Yellow Level – EnhancedFor those seeking more tools and flexibility.All Green Level benefitsAccess to hundreds of additional tools and dozens of premium glazesLarger personal shelf (24" x 12" x 12")One bonus/make-up class per month$2 discount per bag of clayPRICING:x5 classes per month: $170/month🟪 Purple Level – PremiumDesigned for dedicated artists desiring extensive resources.All Yellow Level benefitsAccess to thousands more high-end tools and hundreds more exclusive glazes and underglazesMuch larger personal shelf (36" x 16" x 14")Two bonus/make-up classes per monthDiscounts on events and workshops$4 discount per bag of clayPRICING:x6 classes per month: $200/month⬛️ Black Level – EliteFor serious artists seeking maximum access.All Purple Level benefits (including two bonus/make-up days)Access to the most exclusive tools and highest end glazes available to membersLargest personal shelf (48" x 16" x 16")Private studio access during non-class hours (up to 4 hours/week)Additional discounts on events and workshops$6 discount per bag of clayPRICING:x8 classes per month: $275/monthNote: Black Level memberships are limited. Please check availability before signing up.STEP 4: Choose the appropriate membership from the drop-down menu aboveNow that you've dialed in how you want to roll, go to the drop-down above and choose the appropriate option. After you check-out, we will text you all the details you need to get started with us here at The Clay Hole!📌 A Few Extra Things to KnowYou can always upgrade your membership mid-month or the following month, and you can always downgrade your membership next month.Clay is available starting at $28 for a 25 lb bag (before membership discounts)Kiln firings are priced at $0.05 per cubic inchAll members will be required to sign the online waiver before they can participate at The Clay Hole.Memberships renew automatically on the 25th. You can cancel any time by the 24th to avoid being charged for the next month. There are no contracts, just deadlines to cancel.There are no refunds on memberships for any reason at any time, including for missed cancelation deadlines.We reserve the right to cancel any membership at any time should our studio rules not be kept or problems arise.

Question 58

Do you have an unlimited option that lets me come as often as I want and whenever I want?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and the price will depend on how much you make. Contact us if you're interested in an unlimited pass or a production potter pass.

Question 59

Can I switch membership levels after I sign-up?

Accepted Answer

You bet. You can always upgrade immediately or downgrade starting the following month. If it's mid-month and you want to upgrade, talk to an instructor and they'll help you get switched over early. At the time of launching, I've been running a smaller version of this business for the past three years and have never had a student downgrade. In fact, I never had a student stay at green level for more than a month, and 90% of my students have upgraded to Purple level within their first year. That's just how worth it the higher packages are.

Question 60

How do I cancel my membership?

Accepted Answer

Canceling your membership is easy. It must be done by the 24th of the month (at 11:59 PM) and it must be done by you (texting or telling us verbally doesn't count). Simply go here for more info and to cancelLife get busy and do you plan on coming back? Pausing your membership instead is SO much better. Go here for information on that

Question 61

What if I forget to cancel my membership by the 24th?

Accepted Answer

We do not give refunds for members who forget to cancel their memberships (for any reason). This is because each month, a chain of events takes place as soon as that date rolls over, including shelf assignments and management, class/lesson planning, reach-out, and more.

Question 62

Can I pause my membership instead of canceling?

Accepted Answer

Definitely. In fact, we recommend it, and here's why...You keep your rewards program in place (the months you're on pause don't count). You keep your shelf. You keep your unused classes that you're already paid for. And you keep your spot in the studio so that you don't have to go to the end of the waiting list. There is a small monthly fee that has to be paid in advance to pause, and this is the option most members take. Go here to put your membership on pause

Question 63

What if I fall on hard times and can't pay for a month or two?

Accepted Answer

I get it. Sometimes life kicks us all in the butt.  If that ever happens, I'm happy to do a trade for a month or two for your monthly membership fee if I have work you can do. That might include helping me clean or organize the studio, or come help me glaze one of my personal collections, etc.  I only have so much I can trade, so please only ask for this if you're truly in need. I also can't guarantee that I'll always have an open trade to offer.

Question 64

I forgot to cancel my membership in time. Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Sorry, any membership that isn’t canceled by the 24th cannot be refunded. We hope you’ll enjoy another month of pottery since you already paid for it!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Clay Hole is located at 12896 S Pony Express Rd, Suite 100, Draper, UT 84020