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
HOW RECLAIM IS ORGANIZED
There are several buckets for different colour stoneware and porcelain.
Always leave 5cm free on top of bucket. It should NEVER get to the top. DO NOT add more material into the bucket.
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.
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.
To make your own glazes to use we charge per KG of dry glaze – 30eur/kg.
note 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) (our 200 liter kiln fits about 50-70 tableware items in each firing)
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.
Most participants are within the material and firing fee allowance, however if you want to produce a lot more work during your stay, consider these extra costs:
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
Glaze recipes used for “Laima Ceramics” collections are available to purchase via my E-BOOKS on the website. As the recipes are freely on display in my glaze room we simply trust that you will not be just taking pictures or notes of recipes that are on display. Please respect the 11+ years of work that has gone into developing my collections.
PLAGIARISM
Feel free to be inspired by my work here. It is okay to make copies of my work as a learning tool - but keep these pieces for your personal use ONLY and do not to advertise them on the internet or otherwise as your own design and reference @LAIMACERAMICS as the original inspiration.
The time of the anonymous craftsmen is in the past- these days we show our appreciation and respect by giving them appropriate recognition, the same way you would for an artist or designer, as studio potters are all three in one person - artists, designer and craftsman.
Clarity is safety is connection.
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. Accidents can happens for anyone. No need to feel guilty, but please do take responsibility for your own actions and rectify as needed.
MAINTENANCE
Please note- this is self-catered rental.
Please take care of this Earth by taking your recycling by yourself to closest town Bauska when you do your weekly shopping. You will get in-depth instructions by Krišjānis.
CLEANING
Clean the space after your own use.
All tools must be washed and dried and put back to their places after use.
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.
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 require everyone to communicate early and openly and allow for any concerns to be smoothed out in a 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!
Love,
Laima
