Terms & Conditions – Sophie’s Ceramics

By booking with Sophie’s Ceramics, attending a session or using our services, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions.

Bookings & Studio Sessions

• We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee your spot. Walk-ins are welcome but are subject to table availability.

• Online bookings can be made through our booking portal. You can also book by email, telephone or social media message.

• Daytime painting sessions are allocated for 2 hours. Evening adult-only sessions are allocated for 3 hours.

• For groups of 6 or more, we may request payment of the £3 studio fee in advance.

• Children’s birthday parties, adult birthday parties, baby showers, hen dos, office parties and team building sessions can be booked through our Special Occasions section. Full payment may be required in advance.

• Opening hours may vary during holidays, private events or special occasions.

Pricing

• A £3 studio fee per painter covers the use of paints, glazes, tools and kiln firing.

• Each pottery item is individually priced and customers may choose from the range available in the studio on the day.

• Custom artwork and baby print finishing completed by the Sophie’s Ceramics team is charged depending on time and materials used.

• Artwork fees are charged at £20 per hour, with a minimum £5 charge and maximum £20 charge for standard artwork.

• Full payment is required once your session has finished.

• Sophie’s Ceramics reserves the right to alter prices at any time due to supplier or material cost changes.

Materials & Firing

• Only pottery purchased from Sophie’s Ceramics may be painted and fired in our kilns.

• Customers must only use paints and glazes supplied by Sophie’s Ceramics.

• We reserve the right to refuse firing of any item painted with outside materials or deemed unsafe for firing.

Pottery Collection & Storage

• We aim to glaze and fire pottery within 10–14 days.

• Pottery requiring Sophie’s Ceramics artwork may take between 2–4 weeks depending on our artwork queue.

• Customers will be contacted via text message once pottery is ready for collection.

• While we always aim to complete pottery as quickly as possible, we cannot guarantee pottery for an exact collection date due to kiln space, firing issues, supplier delays or staff illness.

• Pottery should be collected within 12 weeks of notification. After this time, pottery may be considered abandoned and may be disposed of or used as display pieces.

Cancellations

• We ask for at least 72 hours notice to reschedule bookings.

• Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another date with sufficient notice.

• Bookings cancelled with less than 48 hours notice may lose their deposit entirely.

• Our booking system will send reminders and booking confirmations automatically.

• Refunds in exceptional circumstances remain at the discretion of management.

• Sophie’s Ceramics reserves the right to cancel or reschedule bookings due to staff illness, adverse weather, emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Baby Prints

• We take great care when helping to create baby handprints, footprints and paw prints.

• We recommend darker colours for prints, as lighter colours may not show clearly once fired.

• We cannot guarantee perfect prints due to movement, time constraints and the nature of the process.

• In many cases, customers choose for the Sophie’s Ceramics team to complete personalised artwork, which is chargeable.

• We will confirm all names, spellings and wording before artwork is completed. Once approved, Sophie’s Ceramics cannot accept responsibility for spelling or wording errors.

• Sophie’s Ceramics artwork is completed in our own signature style and font.

Pottery Defects & Kiln Disclaimer

• All pottery items are handmade and slight imperfections may naturally occur.

• While we always strive for the best firing results, some issues are outside of our control.

• Problems can occur due to heavy paint application, greasy fingerprints, excessive pencil use, residue left on pottery or hidden imperfections within the pottery itself.

• Kiln-related issues may include firing cracks, crazing, pinholes, shivering, crawling or kiln dust.

• Some issues may be repairable or refirable, while others may worsen if refired.

• Crazing can naturally occur over time with earthenware pottery and Sophie’s Ceramics cannot guarantee against this once pottery has been collected.

Stilting & Dry Footing Disclaimer

• Sophie’s Ceramics may use stilting or dry footing techniques during firing to prevent glaze sticking to kiln shelves.

• Stilting can leave small pinhole marks or stilt scars on the base of pottery.

• Dry footing involves removing glaze from the bottom of pottery to allow safe firing.

• We reserve the right to choose the safest firing method depending on the item and glaze.

• Minor imperfections caused through these methods are considered part of the ceramic process and do not qualify for compensation.

Resolving Issues

• Sophie’s Ceramics will always do its best to resolve any pottery issues fairly and professionally.

• Depending on the situation, we may offer a repaint, voucher, partial refund or alternative solution.

• Full refunds may not be offered where issues are outside of our control.

• Personalised items are non-refundable.

• Refunds, where approved, will only be processed once items have been returned.

Children & Supervision

• Children under 16 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

• Our insurance does not cover younger children being left unattended within the studio.

Studio Guidelines

• Customers are asked to treat the studio, equipment and staff with respect.

• Sophie’s Ceramics reserves the right to charge for deliberate or careless damage caused to studio property.

• Rude, aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour towards staff or customers will not be tolerated and may result in refusal of service or removal from the studio.

Accessibility

• Accessibility information for each studio can be found within the Locations section of our website.

• Please contact us before your booking if you have accessibility concerns and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Sophie’s Ceramics & Dogs

• Friendly dogs and assistance dogs are welcome within the studio.

• Water bowls and plenty of fusses are available where appropriate.

Breakages & Accidents

• If pottery is accidentally broken during your session, customers may be asked to pay the retail value of the item.

Paints & Glazes

• We use specialist non-toxic earthenware paints and glazes suitable for all ages.

• Safety data sheets are available upon request.

• While we have never experienced staining issues with our products, Sophie’s Ceramics accepts no responsibility for paint spillages or damage to clothing and personal belongings.

Photos & Social Media

• Customers are welcome to take photographs of their own pottery.

• Please ask permission before photographing other customers or children.

• Sophie’s Ceramics may occasionally take photographs or videos within the studio for promotional purposes. Please inform a member of staff if you do not wish to appear.

Gift Vouchers

• Gift vouchers are valid for 6 months unless otherwise stated.

• Lost, expired or damaged vouchers cannot be replaced.

• Gift vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Delivery & Postage

• We offer postage for customers unable to collect their pottery.

• Postage costs vary depending on parcel size and weight.

• Pottery is usually posted using Royal Mail Tracked or Parcel Force for larger items.

• We aim to post pottery within 2–3 weeks depending on our posting queue.

• All pottery is carefully packaged to reduce the risk of damage during transit.

• Tracking information will be provided where possible.

• Any damage in transit must be reported within 48 hours with photographs of both the pottery and packaging.

• Sophie’s Ceramics will work with delivery providers to investigate lost or damaged parcels.

• Returned parcels may require additional postage payment before being resent.

Pottery Care Tips

• Pottery painted at Sophie’s Ceramics is hand wash only.

• We do not recommend placing pottery in dishwashers or microwaves.

• Pottery should not be left soaking in water.

• Earthenware pottery is porous by nature and careful handling will help prolong its lifespan.

• Once pottery has left the studio, Sophie’s Ceramics cannot accept responsibility for accidental breakages.

Limitation of Liability

• Customers attend and participate in studio activities at their own risk.

• Sophie’s Ceramics is not responsible for injuries, damages or losses caused through misuse of studio facilities.

Data Protection

• Personal information is only used for booking, collection and customer communication purposes.

• Sophie’s Ceramics will never sell or share customer data with third parties.

Legal Information

• These Terms & Conditions are governed by English law.

• If any part of these Terms & Conditions becomes invalid, the remaining sections will continue to apply.

Contact Us

Email: theteam@sophiesceramics.co.uk
Phone: 01258 268485
Address: 8 Barnack Walk, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AL
Website: https://www.sophiesceramics.co.uk
Instagram: @sophiesceramics

Sophie’s Ceramics reserves the right to update or amend these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice.