FAQs
or: WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT

  • All of your standard classes are fully booked. Will there be more?
    Yes, there will be more. In order to maintain flexibility in our schedule, we try not to plan too far ahead. New classes are announced regularly. The best way to keep up to date is to sign up for our newsletter. Our 8-week throwing classes usually run three times a year, taster sessions are held every other month.

    What can I expect at one of your courses?
    It differs slightly from course to course, but the focus is on wheel-thrown pots for use. We are functional potters, so we do not teach sculpture classes. We'll leave that to people far better qualified to do so than us!

    Who is going to teach me?
    It'll be one of us. We are both experienced potters and educators and if you want to read up on us, feel free to do so. Here are the links to our websites: Pete's and Lena's.

    What is the language of instruction?
    Classes will be taught in German and English unless stated otherwise. Please read the course description thoroughly before booking.

    Why are TON courses not suited for children?
    Our studio as well as our courses are geared towards adults. That applies to everything from work height, to clay consistency and teaching methods. We think a lot about how to turn our classes into an enjoyable experience for as many of you as possible, and cannot accommodate the needs of children and adults at the same time.

    If I miss a session, is it possible to catch up at another time?
    Maybe. While we teach several classes a week, these tend to be booked out. That means that catching up at another time often isn't possible.

    Can I book a private class with one of you? Yes, you can. Click here to find out more about private classes with us.

    My friends and I would like to book a week-long course with you. Is that possible? If you have some experience throwing, then yes. Get in touch and we’ll figure something out.

  • Where is TON studio?
    Our studio is in Zirl, Bahnhof-Umgebung 11. That's the big grey building at the end of the dead end street to the east of the railway station.

    Is your studio wheelchair accessible?
    Our studio is on the first (really the second) floor of an old railway building, and there is no lift. That means that getting upstairs in a wheelchair is very difficult. If you have limited mobility and would like to attend one of our courses, please get in touch. We will see what we can do.

  • Why are there no firings after taster sessions?
    It' a matter of time and quality. Pots cannot be taken to completion in any meaningful way in two hours.

    Is there a firing service?
    Unfortunately not. The workshop serves both as a teaching facility and a production studio for our own work. Therefore, we simply do not have capacity to fire other people's pots.

    Why does it cost extra to fire pots in your courses? Firings are energy intensive. Energy and material costs, as you know, are going up for everyone. In order to account for this in the fairest way possible, we weigh your pots after the firing and charge you accordingly. Therefore, you only pay for what you choose to fire rather than a blanket charge.

    Where can I buy your glazes? You can’t. We do not use commercially available glazes in our studio but rather mix them from scratch (from raw materials such as quartz, feldspar, whiting etc.). That means that we know exactly what goes into each one of our glazes. Of course we also know what comes out - all our glazes are lab-tested for food safety.

  • Why am I directed to another site for booking?
    When you book a course at TON, it will be led by either Lena Butschek or Peter Montgomery. Therefore, you will be directed to either Lena's or Peter's website for booking and payment, depending on who is leading the session.

    I don't have a credit card. How can I pay the course fee?
    We can send you an invoice. Just let us know which course and provide us with a billing address. You can use the contact form to get in touch with us.

    Can I join an evening course even if it's already been running for a week or two?
    Yes, you can - if there is space. If you would like to join one of our regular classes that has already started, just get in touch with us and we'll take it from there.