Independent Study
Already familiar with clay? Not looking for guided instruction? Then this program is for you!
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Our Independent Study Program is for individuals ages 18+ who know how to throw or hand build and are looking for a place to work. You will get your own shelf to store your work, use of studio clay, equipment, decorating materials, and access to our full glaze lineup.
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As an independent study student, you may come work any time during studio hours, even if a class is in session. Please note that both studios close periodically for events and both locations are operating on a waitlist.
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If you're interested in Independent Study at our Watertown studio, please fill out this form
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Very very very approximate wait time: 1 year
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If you're interested in Independent Study at our Belmont studio, please fill out this form
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Very very very approximate wait time: 2 years
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Belmont hours
Monday-Friday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
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Watertown hours
Monday-Friday: 10am-10pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
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We also have a work exchange program. Work exchange students cover one of the studios for an evening once a week in exchange for an on-going independent study. If you're interested in our Work Exchange program, please fill out this form
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COST:
$175 a month. There is a $75 initial sign-on fee. This includes 25lbs of clay and all firing and materials. If you do not use all of your clay allotment, it does not roll over to the next month. If you go through your clay allotment, you must pay $2 per pound. Students record their clay use in the studio ledger, which can be found at the clay weighing station. The studio has 5 clay bodies, brown, white stoneware, speckled, and porcelain and recycled clay (mix of all clays). Due to the higher cost of porcelain and charcoal clay, please record your per pound use at 1.5lbs in the ledger.
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TOOLS:
The Belmont studio offers some tools, whereas Watertown students are required to provide their own tools.
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FAQ:
Q. I know that the studio is closed for two weeks at the end of December, what happens to my independent study during this time?
A. Independent Study memberships are only charged for half the month of December.
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Q. Can I bring in my own Clay?
A. No. This is in part due to the risk of firing a clay body at the wrong temperature. More so, it is because classes/independent study etc. are priced in a way that includes a specific clay allotment. When it comes to producing a piece of pottery, the clay is a small cost in comparison to studio use, kiln firing and glaze materials.
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Q. I didn't finish my independent study clay allotment. Does it roll over? Can I store clay on my shelf?
A. No. Clay usage must be used during the month, and you cannot store extra clay on your shelf. You may recycle clay ONLY when you are present in the studio. For example, you may rewedge the same clay you used to make a pot that you are not satisfied with, but you cannot keep lumps of clay/ Ziploc/ containers of trimmings or clay on your shelf
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Q. Can I buy cone 6 glazes online and use them at the studio?
A. Yes! We now have pre-approved commercial glazes and a form students can use to request use of a commercial glaze. You can find the form at the bottom of our glaze page.
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Q. What happens if I want to cancel my independent study?
A. Notice of cancellation must be given in writing to indigofirestudio@gmail.com. Students should email the studio at least two weeks in advance of your next renewal date to notify and cancel your independent study.​ Once your Independent Study has ended you must clear your shelf and wipe it free of dust by the last day of your Independent Study or you will be charged a $25 cleaning fee. Indigo Fire Studio will not be responsible for lost work, tools or clay if this occurs.
In order to rejoin the studio, you need to join the waitlist. Once an Independent study month has started, that month is not refundable.
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Q. What if I wedged a few pounds of clay and ran out of time to throw?
A. You may put the clay back in the original bag / recycle clay bin, and next time you want to throw, you can grab the same amount of clay you marked on the ledger. It is helpful to write a note to remind yourself.
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Q. Are students allowed to make many small pots/sculptures, like beads for example?
A. While we don't have a limit on how small a pot can be, we ask that students don't put many small objects through the kiln. It's difficult to fire and keep track of many small pieces. Custom beads in small numbers are fine. We don't have bead racks so the bead must sit safely on one side that is glaze-free.
Q. Is there a limit on how large pots can be?
A. Yes, any student firing a pot that is larger than 10.5" in height or diameter must pay a $10 firing fee per pot. To pay the fee, you can find a QR code taped to the studio desk and a receipt printer. Once you pay the fee through the QR code application a receipt will automatically print. Please place this receipt in your pot when you put it on the cart to be fired. A pot larger than 10.5" that does not have a receipt will not be fired.
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Pots may not be larger than 15". We are a teaching studio and simply don't have the kiln capacity to process large pots.
Q. I can't find my pot on the shelf. Does that mean it exploded in the kiln?
A. Almost certainly not. We are not perfect, and pottery is very fragile. Pots do break periodically due to mishandling or improper firing. When this happens, we try very hard to find the maker of the pot and let them know. If we can't, we will put the broken pieces out on the shelf. In 90% of cases when students can't find their pot it is either still being fired or is hiding among the rest of the pottery.
Q. My leather hard pottery isn't where I left it on the shelves. Did someone move it?
A. If anyone were to move the pottery it would be Ned or the studio staff. We've never found a case of a student moving another student's pottery. The majority of the time that a wet/leather hard pot is lost, it is hiding on another shelf that the maker forgot about. There are many shelves here and they all look the same! Make sure to take notes about where you store your pottery and how many pots you've made.
Q. If the studio broke or damaged one of my pots, do I get compensated?
A. In this scenario, we always invite the student to remake the pot with free clay. There is not any further compensation. It's a low feeling whenever a piece of pottery is broken. It's easy to get attached to pottery, especially for folks learning. Pottery is a particularly brutal, unforgiving art and loss is unfortunately part of the process. Please know that 1) we feel bad 2) we're doing our best 3) we're always trying to improve.
Q. I did two dips of a glaze that the board doesn't specifically say is drippy. It ran on the kiln shelf, made a mess and ruined my pot. Is this my fault?
A. Mostly. This is a hard answer for students to receive. When we mix glaze, we calibrate it to a specific density that we try to maintain. As glazes get heavily used, this density changes. Some glazes can be moody and less reliable than others. There are times when glazes are significantly off and students can't reasonably glaze their piece safely. These times are very rare though.
In general students should be glazing in a way that is heavily erring on the side of caution. A 10% risk that your glaze might run off the pot is not one that you should take. There are many ways of making beautiful glaze colors and combinations that are not risky. Students should slowly test out drippier glazes and use them in bolder ways as they grow more comfortable with how the glaze behaves.
Q. How long after my independent study ends can my work remain on my shelf?
A. Your shelf must be cleared out and wiped free of dust before your independent study end date, or you will be charged a $25 cleaning fee. Indigo Fire Studio will not be responsible for lost work, tools or clay if this occurs.
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Q. I'm used to throwing all pottery on bats. Is this alright at Indigo Fire?
A. We have bats available here, although they're primarily for folks who are throwing plates or large pots that might be difficult to take of the wheel. In general, we ask that students learn to throw mugs, bowls, jars, vases etc. without a bat, unless you have your own bat system.
Q. Can I bring my hair dryer in to dry out pottery?
A. No, hair dryers are loud and blow a lot of dust around the studio. We have a quiet heat gun that is available for specific scenarios. It should not be used as a regular method to dry leather hard pots or glaze.
Q. My glazed pot didn't come out the way I expected. I'm pretty sure that it will look better if I add some more glaze and refire. Is that allowed?
A. Yes you can refire your pot for re-bisque for a fee of $5 or reglaze for a fee of $10. ​To pay the fee, you can find a QR code taped to the studio desk and a receipt printer. Once you pay the fee through the QR code application a receipt will automatically print. Please place this receipt in your pot when you put it on the cart to be fired. A pot without a receipt will not be fired.
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The studio is quiet during weekday mornings. We offer a bright and spacious space in which to work. If you would like to learn more about the Independent Study offering, come in and we'll get you a tour of the studio!
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If you have any questions, send us an email indigofirestudio@gmail.com
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or call at
Belmont phone: 617-489-2730
Watertown phone: 617-393-0051