Some Important Information

At The Northern Pottery, we make your health and safety a priority by providing essential guidelines and resources to ensure a safe and enjoyable creative experience for everyone.

What to bring and wear in the Studio

Pottery is a hands-on, creative experience, so be prepared to get your hands a little dirty! You’ll be working with wet clay, washing your hands regularly, and possibly using liquid glazes. Here’s how to come prepared:

We’ve Got You Covered

Our studio provides aprons, towels, gloves, masks, and all the tools you’ll need. You’re welcome to use our supplies or bring your favourites if you prefer.

Dress for Comfort and Function

Think of what you’d wear for a day of gardening – comfortable, easy-to-wash clothes are best. Pants are recommended for convenience and safety, and layers can help you stay comfortable as you warm up during the session.

While your outfit should be relaxed, avoid anything with loose sleeves or hems that could catch on equipment. For your safety, closed-toed shoes are a must, and many potters have a dedicated pair of "studio shoes" for added protection.

Tidy Hair, Minimal Jewellery

Long hair can get in the way as you work, so tying it back or wearing a headband is highly recommended. Jewellery like bracelets, bangles, or large rings can interfere with the clay, so it’s best to leave them at home.

Pottery Hands and Nails

Working with clay requires your hands and fingertips to shape and mould. While long nails are possible, they can make this trickier. If your skin is sensitive, bring along some hand cream for after the session.

Staying Clean

Clay clean-up is part of the pottery process, and we take extra care to manage studio wastewater responsibly. Please use our pre-wash buckets to rinse your hands and tools before using the settling sink, which helps us protect the environment.

Feeling Unwell?

If you’re under the weather, we ask that you stay home to keep everyone safe and healthy.

And don’t forget – tea, coffee, and biscuits are always available to keep you energised while you play with clay!

Studio Safety: Managing Dust

Clay dust can be a health hazard, as it contains silica particles that, over time, can pose risks if not managed carefully. At The Northern Pottery, we’re committed to maintaining a clean and safe studio environment, and we ask for your help in keeping it that way.

Keep It Clean

If it’s white, it needs a wipe! Always use a damp sponge or wet cloth to clean surfaces as you work.
Avoid sweeping floors—use a wet mop to capture dust instead.
Wash aprons in a bucket before putting them in the regular wash to minimise dust transfer.

Safe Working Practices

Avoid sanding, carving, or scraping dry clay whenever possible. If you need to work on dry pieces, do so over moist newspaper or a shallow bowl of water to capture dust.
Always wear a dust mask rated P2 or higher when working with dry clay.

Dedicated Studio Gear

Wear studio-only shoes and clothing to minimise dust transfer outside the workspace.
Replace plastic coverings regularly and wipe surfaces after each session.

By following these simple steps, we can keep the studio safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for helping us create a clean and healthy space to work in!