how do memberships work?

Our monthly studio memberships are available for $200/month. Check out the Memberships page for details!

Memberships include 24-hour access to our studio via a secure key-code, a dedicated 24in x 24in shelf space, clay storage and use of studio tools, equipment, glazes, underglazes, and more. Members will not fire kilns, kilns will only be fired by staff. That said, you should expect our kilns to be fired at least biweekly. We fire work on a regular basis.

*Members must be at least 18 years old, have some ceramics/pottery experience, and be comfortable operating independently in a ceramics studio. You don’t need to have taken a class at Bittersweet before to be eligible for a membership!

That said, if you don’t have pottery experience, don’t feel comfortable using the studio & equipment on your own, or you feel you need a refresher, don’t sign up for a membership just yet - consider signing up for a series class first instead!

When you sign up for a membership, we’ll reach out to schedule your orientation to go give you a tour and go over the membership agreement & studio safety.

what kind of classes will you offer?

To begin with, we will offer two kinds of classes: Try the Wheel and Intro to Pottery 6-Week Series.

The Try the Wheel class will be a single 2.5 hour session for $85 that’s perfect for beginners. Class size will be capped at 6 people so you get the guidance you need for your first attempt at the potter’s wheel. There will be about .5 hours of demonstration/instruction, 1.5 hours of guided practice, and .5 hours of cleanup. At the end you’ll get to keep a piece and have it fired and glazed!

The 6 Week Intro to Pottery Series for $425 is focused on beginners, but intermediate potters are welcome too! The class will focus on the basics of wheel throwing and also include an introduction to handbuilding. There will be one 3-hour class session per week, and students will also get up to 6 hours of studio access per week outside of class to practice. The class price includes firing up to five pieces, and students will be able to fire and keep more pieces for an additional fee.

Can I just come in and use the studio for an evening without signing up for a monthly membership or a class?

Yes! We offer Open Studio Hours for $25. We’ll list 3-hour sessions available for sign up once we’re closer to opening. You’ll get access to use the studio tools and equipment, including studio glazes. Please note, Open Studio time does not include any instruction, storage, clay, or firing fees. We’ll have clay available to purchase on-site in 2 lb chunks, or you’re welcome to bring your own clay (if you plan on having us fire it, it must be mid-range clay!). Since you may not store any work or materials, plan on finishing your pieces and leaving them to be fired for a fee, or taking them home with you!

Since our studio is small, please limit groups to 3 or fewer people. Interested in a private event/workshop? See below!

what’s the space like & what equipment is there?

Bittersweet Studios is located at 1515 N Rosa Parks Way on the ground level. The studio is 1000 sq ft with great natural light and ample lighting for nights and dark winter days. We’re still completing the build-out, but check out our Instagram for progress pictures!

The studio will be equipped with multiple work tables & a glaze station, 6 pottery wheels, a full-size slab roller, an extruder, a variety of studio glazes and underglazes, and a kitchenette. We also have various pottery tools available for use.

what about kids? Can they use the studio?

Not at this time. Our classes and memberships are open to adults ages 18 and up.

how do firings work?

Our studio fires work to cone 5/6 in electric kilns, and will have mid-range (cone 4-6) clays and studio glazes available. Kilns are fired by staff only.

We charge firing fees by weight to fire work: $2.50/lb regular rate, and $1/lb for members.

As an example, a basic mug made from a pound of clay ends up weighing about .7 lbs before its first firing (bisque) and it would be fired twice. This would cost a member $1.40 in total to fire their mug and $3.50 for an outside fire.

Yes, we do offer outside firing services for non-members! Email us at hello@bittersweetstudiospdx.com to set it up.

Do you offer private group events/workshops?

Yes! We offer private Handbuilding or Intro to the Wheel workshops - these make a great team-building event! Email us at hello@bittersweetstudiospdx.com to find out more.

What about one-on-One private lessons?

Yes, we offer one-on-one private lessons, either one-time or on an ongoing basis. Choose your area of focus, whether it’s wheel throwing, handbuilding, project-specific work, or another specialty topic - we’ll tailor the lessons based on your needs. Reach out to us at hello@bittersweetstudiospdx.com with questions!