Pottery & Tufting Workshop FAQs | Winchester

FAQ'S

pottery

can i bring my kids to a pottery workshop?

Yes, kids are more than welcome to join in on the fun, provided they meet our age guidelines. To ensure a safe and enjoyable creative experience for everyone, we have the following policy in place:

Minimum Age: All participants must be at least 12 years old.

Adult Supervision: Any participant under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult who is also booked and attending the workshop alongside them.

what should i wear?

Throwing and hand-building can get a bit messy! We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting a little clay on. Depending on our laundry schedule, we should have aprons in the studio however we reccommend bringing one along with you if you need one. It is also highly recommended that you tie back long hair and remove rings for the best experience on the wheel.

When will my pottery be ready to take home?

The ceramic process requires patience! Your pieces need to dry slowly before going into the kiln for 24-36h. Your finished pottery will typically be ready for collection from our Winchester studio 4 weeks after your workshop. We will send you an email as soon as they are ready to be picked up. Please double check your spam/junk folders just incase!

do i come out with a pot in an introduction to throwing class?

Yes, you absolutely will! However, you won't be able to take it home on the same day.

During the introductory session, you will likely create around 4 different pieces on the wheel, such as a small bowls, cups and dishes. At the end of the workshop, you will choose your favourite 1 or 2 pieces to keep.

Because the clay needs to dry completely before it can be bisque-fired, your creations will stay at the studio. Our team will handle the finishing touches for you, and your beautiful new pottery will be ready to collect in 4 weeks.

bookings

whats your cancellation policy?

We understand that plans can change. We offer a full refund or the option to reschedule your workshop if you notify us at least 72 hours before your scheduled session. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations made within 72 hours of the workshop. You are welcome to change the name of the booking at any time before the workshop if you can not attend. To change the booking name please email hello@designjunction.uk

How to book multiple spaces for a workshop?

Booking for a group or bringing a friend is easy! You can secure spots for multiple people in a single transaction using the Quantity feature on our booking page. Just follow these steps:

Select your workshop: Choose the "Introduction to Throwing" (or any other workshop) from our scheduling page.

Pick a date and time: Click on your preferred date on the calendar, and select the time slot that works for you.

Adjust the quantity: Before clicking "Continue," look for the Quantity drop-down menu or box (usually located right next to the time selection or just above the continue button). Change the number from "1" to the total number of people in your group.

how do i use my gift card when booking?

Redeeming your gift card is quick and easy! You can apply your unique code during the booking process by following these steps:

Choose your workshop: Select the workshop, date, and time you would like to attend on our booking calendar.

Enter your details: Fill out your contact information on the intake form.

Find the apply coupon button: Just before the payment section, look for a button that says "Redeem Coupon", "Redeem Certificate", or "Package, Gift or Coupon Code".

Apply your code: Type or paste your unique gift card code into the box, and make sure you click Apply. The total cost of your booking will automatically update. Any issues please email hello@designjunction.uk

Do you host private parties or corporate events?

Yes, we do! We love hosting private events and parties. Whether you are looking for a unique team-building activity for your company, celebrating a birthday, or organising a hen do, our pottery and tufting classes are a fantastic way to get creative and have fun together.

If you would like to arrange a private workshop or corporate event, please get in touch with us via the contact form on our website, or send us an email at email hello@designjunction.uk, to discuss your requirements, group size, and availability.

Tufting

Is there an age limit for tufting workshops?

Yes. Because tufting guns are motorized tools that have moving parts and carry a bit of weight, participants must be at least 12 years old. For safety reasons, anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by a participating adult who is also booked into the workshop.

Do I need any previous tufting or textile experience?

Not at all! Our tufting workshops are completely beginner-friendly. Our instructors will teach you how to safely thread and operate the tufting gun, guide you through the process, and help you troubleshoot along the way.

Do I need to bring my own design?

Yes, we recommend coming with a design in mind! Before you start tufting, you will project your image onto the canvas to trace it. Simple, bold designs with solid blocks of colour work best for tufting, especially for beginners. We advise avoiding highly detailed images or tiny text.

Do I get to take my rug home on the same day?

No, your masterpiece needs a little extra attention before it's ready for its new home! After you finish tufting, the back of the rug needs to be secured with a special adhesive, allowed to dry fully, and then finished with a protective backing cloth and trimmed. Our team handles this messy finishing process for you. Your rug will be ready to collect from our Winchester studio within 2-4 weeks.

What should I wear to a tufting workshop?

Comfort is key! You will be standing and moving your arms quite a bit. Please wear comfortable, flat shoes and breathable clothing. For safety around the motorised tufting guns, long hair must be tied back, and dangling jewellery or loose clothing should be avoided.

Can I eat and drink?

You are more than welcome to bring along any drinks or snacks you wish to. Many people grab a lovely takeaway coffee from our coffee shop neighbours South Down Social before the workshop. For our longer workshops, we recommend you take a short break during your class to stretch and reset.

Collections and opening hours

can i collect my pieces whenever you're open?

Sadly we are often teaching when we are open and can not facilitate collections whenever. Our set collection times are:

Tuesday and Friday: 11-2pm

Saturday and Sunday: 11-3pm

We are unable to facilitate collections in the evenings and before 10:30am. If you are unable to collect from us during our collection times, please email us at hello@designjunction.uk to arrange a collection time. If you do pop in on non collection days to collection without prior arrangement we will do our best to accommodate however we cant promise we will be able to get them out for you.

i tried to call but couldn't get through

We are sorry you couldn't get through to us on the phone. Our phone lines are open between 11-4pm, Tuesday- Sunday. We will be unable to answer the phone on Mondays, Wednesdays between 1-3pm and Sundays between 11-2pm however please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you are calling about a booking, you're welcome to send a text to 07393903003 stating the name you booked under and your query.