Do you offer classes?

Yes! We have beginner friendly up to intermediate classes in both hand building and wheel throwing. Classes are structured as a once per week 5 week program in either the morning or evening. Price includes clay and a beginners tool kit with everything you will need for class. Check out the schedule to find one that fits for you!

Do you offer Memberships?

We do offer memberships at both our Blue Clay Studio located at 2500 Blue Clay Road Wilmington, NC and our Seaside Studio located at 1641 Seaside Road Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

Requirements for joining as a member are that you must be currently enrolled in or previously taken a class here at Fat Cat. This is to ensure all members understand the flow and rules of our space. Membership gives artists access to the space and a storage shelf to keep tools and works in progress. There is no long-term contract for memberships, members are billed $120.00 - $180.00 monthly.

How do you become a member?

Inquiring members must come to the studio to apply. We require a short application and tour to go over best studio practices here at Fat Cat. After completing the application and pending approval you will pay the $10 one-time fee for your personal key card which gives you access to the space.

Do you have to be a member to use the studio?

Not necessarily! For artists who have visited our studio or have equivalent experience we offer hourly studio use. The hourly use is not guided and does not include instruction, tools, clay or storage. The hourly rate is $15/hr per person. This rate gives you access to numerous worktables, throwing wheels, slab roller, extruder, kick wheel, textures and forms, and dipping glazes. This studio access does not include storage, so all work in progress must be taken home when you leave.

What are your firing services?

If you are working from home you may bring your pieces in to be fired here. Firing fees are charged in two ways, either up front for $50/25lbs or per piece measured individually. In order to drop your pieces off with us you must come in during drop-off and pick-up hours. The hours to drop-off and pick-up are THURSDAYS 11:00am-4:30pm, and SATURDAY 11:00am-3:00pm

How long does it take for the pieces I dropped off to be fired?

Our estimated turn around time for firings is currently 2-3 weeks.

Can you rent the studio for parties or events?

At this time we do not offer special event rentals. However, if you would like to book a large private class or workshop please send us an email to see if we are able to accommodate the size of your group.

If I make pottery outside of the studio can I bring it in to be fired?

Yes, we love our at home potters! If you work from home you can bring your pieces in to be fired for both bisque and glaze firings. Our kilns fire bisqueware to cone 04 and glaze to cone 5. If you bought your clay with us you likely paid your firing fees upfront. If not, we will measure your pieces upon drop off for around $.30 per square inch. For example a mug would cost around $3.50 for bisque and $3.50 for glaze firing.

What cone do you fire to?

Our bisque firing is cone 04 and our glaze firing is cone 5.

I have left over clay from a different studio, can I use that here?

In order to bring outside clay into our kilns we will need to know what cone the clay is. If the cone temperature does not match our studio use than we cannot fire your clay. Our studio fires to cone 5.

Can I come in to paint pottery?

Unfortunately not. We do not offer paint your own pottery services at our studio at this time.

Do you have pottery for sale that is ready to paint?

We do not have pieces for sale that are ready to paint. Our studio offers classes to make your very own pieces to paint!

Do you repair pottery?

We do not have pottery repair services. Our best suggestion for minor chips or cracks is E6000 at home epoxy. The piece will no longer be food safe after this repair.

Do you have open studio hours?

Our studio offers an hourly studio use during normal business hours. At $15/hr per person experienced potters can use our facility. This use does not include clay, tools, storage or instruction.

How do I sign up for classes?

You can sign up for classes in person at the studio or over the phone.

How does firing work if I buy clay through you?

We offer upfront payment to fire your entire order of clay. This price includes both bisque and glaze firings for a total of $50.00 per 25lbs of clay. This is the most cost effective way to fire your pieces with us.

Do you have low fire glazes?

We carry Stroke and Coat from Mayco which is a low fire glaze. Additionally, we carry underglazes from Amaco and Spectrum which can be used on low fire clay.

Can I bring my kids?

At this time our studio is adults only (18+). We are primarily a professional workspace for artists and do not currently offer kids classes.

What is the difference between Hand Building and Throwing?

Hand building and throwing are the two main ways to work with clay. Hand building does not use a pottery wheel and most work is done on a table top. Throwing uses a pottery wheel. In our throwing class you will spend most of your time working on the wheel and in our hand building class you will spend your time working at our table top work stations.

Do you sell supplies?

Yes, we have a large selection of pottery tools and supplies! We carry Mayco, Amaco, Spectrum, Laguna and Georgies brands for glaze, underglaze, stains, and more! In tools we carry Kemper, Xiem, Mudtools, Garrity, MKM, GR Forms, Orton Cones, and Kiln posts. We can special order specific quantities and other equipment upon request.

Do you sell wheels and kilns?

Yes! We can special order kilns from Skutt, Laguna and L&L, and wheels from Shimpo and Laguna. We can order other large equipment as well such as slab rollers, extruders, spray booths, etc.

What clay brand do you sell?

We carry Standard Clay Co. brand clay and Laguna Clay. Standard Clay Co. clays that we currently keep in stock include: 240, 240g, 112, 308, 266g, 630, 420, 551, 239, and 105. In Laguna Clays we keep in stock: WC401, WC408, WC437, WC438, WC608, WC843, WC953.

What’s the smallest amount of clay I can buy?

Our smallest available size is 25lbs.

Do you ship?

We do not offer online sales or shipping at this time.

What are your hours?

Sunday CLOSED

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Wednesday 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Thursday 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Friday 9:30AM - 3:00PM

Saturday 9:30AM - 3:00PM