Wheel at Home: Frequently Asked Questions
How does it work?
If you’re interested in our wheel at home package, please submit an enquiry form from our web site. We will let you know if your preferred dates are available. We also send a hire contract for you to read. Payments for the hire can be made by cash, credit or debit cards or by bank transfer. Sorry we do not accept cheques. Equipment will be reserved and your booking confirmed on receipt of payment of the hire charge. We are unable to reserve dates without a payment having been made.
Will I have to pay a security deposit?
Yes, we ask for a £200 security deposit to be paid by bank transfer which must be paid no later than 24 hours before the hire period begins. We do not accept debit or credit cards for security deposits.
A request for the security deposit, with our payment details, will be emailed to you along with your booking confirmation. At the end of the hire period the deposit is refunded back to your account. Deductions are only made in exceptional circumstances such as the the event of loss, or damage to equipment.
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What about the pots I make?
Clear Glazing and firing of 4 pots is included in the wheel at home package.
If you would like any additional thrown pots to be fired we can do this at a charge of £5 per pot.
Please bring your pots along to the studio when you return the wheel.
If you would prefer more time to let them dry, or to work on them - that’s fine. Please bring them along to the studio at an agreed time when they’re ready. Pots are best transported before they are fully bone dry as they become very brittle and more fragile. Please pack and transport carefully.
The pots will be fired twice in the kiln, firstly to “bisque” then, when cooled, will be coated in a layer of lead free clear glaze and fired a second time to around 1200°C (stoneware). The pottery will have a clear glossy finish and be durable for use.
Can I have colour on my pots?
The Wheel at Home Package includes the use of our standard studio clear glaze. If you wish to add colour to your pots, you can use the coloured clay slips available to purchase separately from our web site. These can be applied to damp clay pots before being returned to our studio. The clear glaze is then applied over the top to give a bright glossy finish.
What if I need to cancel my booking?
Wheel at home bookings can be cancelled at anytime prior to the collection of the wheel. The hire payment and security deposit (if paid) will be refunded.
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Is this package suitable for a total beginner?
If you are a total beginner and are approaching this as a bit of fun, we have included step by step instructions and tips to get you started. Producing good quality pots on a potter's wheel is not easy and takes a lot of practice. Some people pick it up more quickly than others. Clearly, those who've had some previous experience and have been shown the basics are likely to get better results (but you never know!)
Always read the manual for safety before use. There are also lots of free videos on youtube to give you hints.
Is VAT included in your prices?
We are small business and currently not VAT registered so there is no VAT due on our sales.
Is your equipment PAT tested for electrical safety?
Yes, all our equipment is regularly PAT tested for electrical safety and is formally inspected before each hire. However, anyone hiring the equipment must use it only in acordance with the manual to ensure it remains safe throughout the hire period. By hiring the equipment you agree to use it at your own risk and we can not be held responsible for damage or injury to yourself when using this equipment.
Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes, we have public liability insurance up to £1,000,000. A copy of our public liability insurance certificate is available on request & can be emailed to you.
Is the hire equipment insured?
No, it is the responsibility of the hirer to take out insurance if they so wish. We will happily provide a full valuation on request. You do not have to insure the equipment but you are responsible for the full replacement value until it is returned to us. (approx £450)
Why can I only hire if I live within 25 miles?
We have decided on this for our own security. But if you are not much further away we might consider bending our own rules.
What are your opening hours?
We are open by appointment only for workshops and classes and occasional sale days that will be advertised on the home page when these events occur. If you need to contact us, the best way to do so is through the contact form on this site or by email: info@fancyfrogpottery.co.uk. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
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When can I get my finished pots?
Finished pots are typically ready in approximately 6 weeks. This allows time for the clay to fully dry before firings, and to fit in with our firing schedule. We will let you know when your pots are ready to pick up.
Finished pots cannot be stored indefinitely so please pick up your finished pots as soon as you are able to.
What if I run out of Clay?
This Package is designed primarily as a leisure activity for novice potters to experience the fun of wheel throwing and not for the production of vast amounts of finished pots. One 12.5Kg bag of clay is included in the Wheel at Home package. As a rough guide for competent wheel throwers, this amount of clay should be sufficient to produce approximately 10-15 breakfast bowls.
Please bear in mind, there is little waste with this activity as clay ‘flops’ can be recycled by kneading to use again. However, if you feel that you need more clay, this can be purchased from us. Please contact us for current prices.
Can I use my own clay?
You are welcome to use your own clay to practice throwing on our equipment at home. However, we will only fire pots produced from clay we supply. (This is so we can be confident that our firing temperature and glaze used is safe and appropriate)
Will you fire my other clay creations?
For practical reasons, we are currently only firing wheel thrown work produced as part of the Wheel at Home Package.
Can I just hire the Wheel without tools, clay and firing?
This package is aimed at novice potters with no existing equipment or supplies so includes everything required. If you just want to hire a wheel on it's own then we are happy to discuss this.