PRICING

BRP Members - Class+Firing = $90
*Hayden and Beverly/Baroque Members

BRP Members - Firing-only = $40
*Firing-only option is only open to BRP members who took the last luster class with Sandy and have been approved.
BRP Members - email us for the approval and code to book this option

Non-BRP Members = $120

BEFORE BUYING A TICKET
Read all the information on this page, including the student waiver. By purchasing a class at Bitter Root, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all the terms & conditions including no refunds/reschedules and firing allotment. Click below to purchase your ticket. There are no refunds or reschedules. We cannot change your booking once it is made.

Students must bring finished glazed work to class. We’ll be following a specific firing schedule, luster type and pot allotment so please read thoroughly all the information on this page! If you do not read everything, you will not be prepared for class.

ESSENCE - Students should purchase Essence mineral. This is to clean your brushes. This will also be available for purchase at the North General Store.

BRUSHES - Students should bring fine tipped brushes or a gold luster pen. Once you use a brush for luster, it should be set aside for luster only!

LUSTER - Students should purchase their own metallic luster that fires to cone 018/019. We’ve stocked the North store with approved metallic luster from Duncan to purchase. Please only stick to the luster we’ve recommended as we’re firing specifically to cone 018/019 only. All other lusters or extra materials that are not compatible with cone 018/019 will NOT be fired! 

QTIPS AND SMALL, CLEAN RAG - These are for detail work and to clean lines or mistakes as you work. We also need this to clean brushes.

FINISHED GLAZE-FIRED PIECES!! No Green or bisqeware ware. Students should bring pieces that have already gone through the glaze firing. This is a third firing after bisque and glaze - only FINISHED GLAZE-FIRED PIECES will work. Pieces with glossy surfaces work best with luster. Steer away from raw clay or rough matte finishes.

YOUR IMAGINATION :) We suggest researching gold luster work to get inspired and excited! It’s going to be a great class!

GENERAL FAQS

Where do I purchase metallic luster and Essence to clean my brushes? How do I know I’m getting the right one?

Purchase approved luster and Essence at the North General Pottery Store. You can purchase prior to the class or the day of the pop-up.

Participants are responsible for bringing their own pots, decals and/or metallic luster compatible to cone 019 / 018 along with a selection of fine tipped brushes or a gold luster pen. Duncan Luster and Essence along with a selection of overglaze decals will be available for purchase in the North store. Additional ceramic overglaze decals can be found online from a number of vendors. 

Can I fire something else at a different cone temperature?

NO! This is a cone specific class for the specific lusters and decals described above. Only metallic lusters and overglaze decals that fire to cone 018/019 specifically may be used.

Can I share luster with someone else?

You can if you trust the person you are sharing with! We recommend getting your own jar of luster to keep it as clean and uncontaminated as possible.

What kind of brushes should I have? Can’t I just use the studio brushes to paint on my luster?

Definitely do not use the studio brushes!! Studio brushes are community-shared and are meant only for glaze or underglaze (Not luster or wax). ALSO, if you put luster (or wax) on the studio brushes, you’ll contaminate them and the next person to use the brush could ruin their pieces without knowing. Please get a thin, quality, soft-bristle brush. You can purchase a nice brush from the North General Pottery Store or Blick Art Supply store.

My piece is bisqued and I’m ready to glaze it! Can I bring it to the Luster Class?

No! This is a third firing that can only happen on pieces that have completed the glaze firing. No greenware or bisqueware.

How come I need to bring pottery with glossy surface? Why can’t I put luster on my unglazed pieces or super matte glazed pieces?

Luster works best on glossy surfaces to bring out the rich, vibrancy of the traditional metallic luster look. Please bring pieces with glossy surfaces or you will be pretty disappointed! Luster on unglazed surfaces or matte finishes, tend to be dull and lack vibrancy.

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Attendance, Refunds, Reschedules

We do not offer refunds or reschedules for missed bookings - all sales are final. We cannot change a reservation once it is made and the teacher is scheduled. Everyone in your group must SHOW UP ON TIME!! Showing up promptly, allows the private to start and end on time without interruptions. If you are late, the class will still end at the listed time.

Cell Phone Policy

Please respect your instructor and the others in the studio - put your phones on vibrate or lower the volume. Take all phone calls outside if needed. We encourage everyone to put their phones away completely and be fully engaged in the class to get the most out of it!

Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get your pictures and videos

What to Wear

Come dressed comfortably (face-coverings required regardless of vaccination status), with long hair tied back and nice jewelry and watches removed (they won’t get hurt but it is a pain to clean the clay off!). The clay will wash out and we do provide clean aprons, but wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on.

Parking

Parking is street 2 hours metered parking so pay attention to the signs. There are also valets located around the surrounding neighborhood. After 6pm and on the weekends, there is parking available in our back lot.

Student Waiver

ATTENTION BITTER ROOT POTTERY STUDENTS:

Please allow 6-8 weeks for you pottery to complete the firing process. Staff will contact you when everyone’s pottery in your group is ready to be picked up. From the time of your contact, you have 30 days to come pick up your pottery. After 30 days, your work may not be available for pick-up as we need to clear room for new student work.

OCCASIONALLY, PIECES DO NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRING PROCESS DUE TO AIR BUBBLES, CONSTRUCTION ISSUES, ETC. OCCASIONALLY, FIRINGS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED AND GLAZES MAY COME OUT DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTED. STAFF CANNOT CONTROL THE RESULTS OF. FIRING ONCE A POT IS IN THE KILN. THIS IS SIMPLY THE NATURE OF THE IMPERFECT CERAMIC PROCESS. COMPLETED PIECES ARE NOT GUARANTEED.

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED IF YOUR PIECE DOES NOT MAKE IT.

You are coming to Bitter Root Pottery for the whole experience of working in a ceramics studio with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor! Our instructors have been working for years in this discipline to learn its many nuances and to get to the skills they have today. These skills cannot be imparted in one 2 hour session. So while you may have ideas of making a perfect bowl, we encourage you to put those expectations down and focus on enjoying the entire experience of working with clay and engaging with the creative process so in-depth.