Terms & Conditions of Service

1. General Information

Crafted Clay offers a range of pottery, ceramics, creative, educational, and studio-based experiences, including but not limited to:

Studio sessions take place at Crafted Clay’s studio premises in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa, unless otherwise confirmed in writing.

Crafted Clay reserves the right to amend, update, remove, replace, or discontinue any service, product, experience, price, package, or offering at any time without prior notice.

2. Bookings, Payments & Confirmation

A booking is only confirmed once payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Crafted Clay.

• Clients are responsible for ensuring that the correct session, date, time, quantity, and number of participants are selected when making a booking.
• Crafted Clay is not responsible for incorrect bookings made by the client.
• Availability is limited and bookings are subject to studio capacity, staff availability, materials, and operational requirements.
• Crafted Clay may refuse, reschedule, cancel, or amend a booking where necessary due to operational, safety, staffing, capacity, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Where Crafted Clay needs to reschedule a booking, reasonable effort will be made to offer an alternative date or suitable arrangement.

3. Pricing & Additional Charges

Pricing for each session, product, service, event, or package is set out on the relevant booking page, product page, quotation, invoice, or communication issued by Crafted Clay.

• Each session includes only the items, materials, tools, guidance, and services specifically stated in the relevant session description.
• Additional pieces, larger-than-standard items, upgrades, additional clay, additional bisque items, additional firing, specialized glazes, or custom requests may incur extra charges.
• Where applicable, additional items may be weighed, measured, assessed, or quoted separately.
• Clients will be advised of additional costs where reasonably possible before proceeding.
• Crafted Clay reserves the right to correct pricing errors or amend prices at any time.

Additional charges may apply for:

• Additional participants
• Additional tables
• Exclusive studio use
• Private event setup
• Extended session time
• Dedicated staff
• Extra materials
• Extra firing requirements
• Cleaning fees
• Damage, breakages, or missing items
• Offsite or mobile event logistics
• Custom workshop requirements

4. Firing & Completion Time

Pottery and ceramic items that require glazing, drying, firing, or kiln processing are subject to normal ceramic production risks and timelines.

• Pottery and ceramic items are typically completed within approximately 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the activity, item type, drying requirements, kiln schedules, public holidays, loadshedding, maintenance, volume of work, and other operational factors.
• Completion timelines are estimates only and are not guaranteed.
• Delays may occur due to circumstances outside Crafted Clay’s control.
• Clients will be notified by email, SMS, WhatsApp, or another suitable communication method once their items are ready for collection.

Crafted Clay is not liable for inconvenience, loss, disappointment, or any other claim arising from reasonable delays in the completion of ceramic or pottery items.

5. Collection Policy

• Items not collected within 30 days may be donated, discarded, recycled, repurposed, or otherwise removed to make space in the studio.
• Crafted Clay accepts no responsibility for items left beyond the collection period.
• Crafted Clay is not liable for breakage, loss, damage, theft, or deterioration of items not collected within the collection period.
• Clients are responsible for ensuring that their contact details are correct and up to date.

If a client is unable to collect within the 30-day period, they must contact Crafted Clay before the collection deadline. Any extension is at Crafted Clay’s discretion and must be confirmed in writing.

6. Client Acknowledgement of Ceramic Risks

Ceramics, pottery, glazing, drying, and kiln firing involve natural and technical risks. While Crafted Clay takes care to guide clients and process items responsibly, not every item can be guaranteed to survive or turn out exactly as expected.

6.1 Clay & Kiln Limitations

• Air bubbles, poor joining, uneven thickness, excessive thickness, very thin sections, trapped moisture, cracks, or construction weaknesses can cause items to crack, break, warp, split, or explode during drying or firing.
• Glaze and paint results may vary due to application, kiln temperature, chemical reactions, item shape, brush technique, clay body, or kiln atmosphere.
• Colours may appear different after firing from how they looked during application.
• Handmade items may shrink, warp, lean, crack, change colour, or behave unpredictably during the ceramic process.

6.2 Client Responsibility

• Clients are responsible for following instructor guidance during construction, painting, glazing, handling, drying, and general studio activity.
• Crafted Clay is not liable for failed or damaged items resulting from improper technique, rushed work, overworking the clay, poor joining, excessive handling, failure to follow instructions, or unrealistic expectations.
• Clients accept that handmade ceramics are naturally imperfect and may not look machine-made or commercially manufactured.

6.3 Firing Risk Disclaimer

• Crafted Clay cannot guarantee that every piece will survive the firing process.
• Refunds, replacements, credits, or free sessions will not be provided for items that crack, break, warp, fail, or are lost during the normal ceramic process, unless Crafted Clay determines in its sole discretion that the issue was caused by clear studio negligence.

7. Age & Supervision Policy

• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Parents, guardians, or responsible adults remain responsible for the behaviour, safety, supervision, and conduct of children in their care at all times.
• Crafted Clay instructors and staff are responsible for facilitating the creative activity. They are not responsible for general childcare, babysitting, crowd control, feeding, toileting, behavioural supervision, or managing children outside of the activity instruction.
• Children may not run, climb, shout excessively, enter restricted areas, interfere with tools, touch other guests’ work, handle kiln equipment, or disrupt other patrons.
• Crafted Clay reserves the right to ask a parent, guardian, or responsible adult to intervene where a child’s behaviour becomes unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate.

8. Group Bookings, Events & Private Functions

Crafted Clay welcomes group bookings, children’s parties, birthday celebrations, private functions, corporate events, team-building sessions, school groups, social gatherings, and other event-style bookings, subject to studio availability, staff capacity, and prior approval.

Group bookings and events must be managed in a way that respects the studio environment, other patrons, staff, safety requirements, and the creative experience of all guests.

8.1 What Counts as a Group or Event Booking

A group or event booking includes, but is not limited to:

• Birthday parties
• Children’s parties
• Family celebrations
• Baby showers
• Kitchen teas
• Corporate events
• Team-building sessions
• School or youth group bookings
• Social gatherings
• Bookings involving decorations, snacks, party packs, cakes, gifts, photographers, videographers, branding, or additional non-participating guests

8.2 Seating & Studio Capacity

• Crafted Clay has limited seating and table capacity.
• Only paid participants are guaranteed a seat, activity space, materials, tools, and access to the booked session.
• This includes parents, guardians, siblings, friends, photographers, helpers, drivers, or any other accompanying guests who are not booked participants.

For example, where a booking is made for 10 children, Crafted Clay will prepare seating, materials, and activity space for 10 participating children only. The booking does not include seating or table space for additional adults, parents, siblings, or guests unless this has been arranged and approved in advance.

8.3 Non-Participating Guests

• Non-participating guests are allowed only at Crafted Clay’s discretion and subject to available space.
• Crafted Clay reserves the right to limit the number of non-participating guests at any time.
• Non-participating guests may be asked to wait outside the studio area, move to another available area, or leave the premises if space is limited or if their presence affects the studio experience.
• Additional adults or siblings who wish to sit and take part must book and pay as participants.

8.4 Additional Tables

• Payment for an additional table does not include exclusive use of the studio.
• Payment for an additional table does not include exclusive use of a specific area.
• Payment for an additional table does not include additional seating for non-participating guests.
• Payment for an additional table does not allow customers to convert the studio into a full party venue.
• Payment for an additional table does not include extended session time, early setup time, or late pack-down time.

The additional table is intended only as a practical surface for limited snacks, cake, party packs, gifts, or small personal items. It is not a private event area.

8.5 Exclusive Studio Use

Standard bookings do not include exclusive use of the studio.

• Exclusive studio use must be requested in advance.
• Exclusive studio use must be quoted separately.
• Exclusive studio use must be confirmed in writing by Crafted Clay.
• Exclusive studio use must be paid for in addition to any participant fees, materials, products, or activity charges.
• No client may assume exclusive use of the studio unless it has been confirmed in writing.

Exclusive use is subject to availability, date, time, group size, staff requirements, setup needs, activity type, operational requirements, and public booking demand.

Crafted Clay reserves the right to amend exclusive-use pricing, availability, terms, and conditions at any time without prior notice.

8.6 Decorations, Party Setups & External Items

Crafted Clay is a working pottery and ceramics studio. It is not automatically a private party venue unless this has been specifically booked, quoted, confirmed, and paid for.

Small, tasteful setups may be permitted if arranged and approved in advance. Customers may not take over the studio with excessive decorations, furniture, signage, balloons, backdrops, props, catering equipment, entertainment, or party installations.

The following require prior written approval:

• Balloons
• Banners
• Table décor
• Cakes and cake stands
• Backdrops
• Themed props
• Party packs
• External catering
• Photographers or videographers
• Corporate branding
• Any large or disruptive setup

The following are not permitted unless expressly approved by Crafted Clay:

• Confetti
• Glitter
• Smoke machines
• Loud speakers or amplified music
• Live entertainment
• Open flames, except birthday candles under appropriate supervision
• Large balloon arches
• Floor-standing backdrops
• Décor that blocks walkways, shelves, exits, tables, staff areas, or other guests

Crafted Clay reserves the right to refuse, reduce, move, or remove any setup that interferes with studio operations, safety, staff, other patrons, or the intended studio experience.

8.7 Food, Snacks & Drinks

• Light snacks, cakes, and party packs may be permitted for group bookings where this has been arranged in advance.
• Food and drinks must remain in the approved area.
• Food and drinks may not interfere with clay, paints, glazes, tools, pottery items, bisque items, shelves, or other guests’ work.
• Customers are responsible for cleaning up personal food items, packaging, decorations, party packs, and waste.
• Crafted Clay may charge an additional cleaning fee where a group leaves excessive mess or requires additional staff cleaning beyond normal studio use.

8.8 Session Times, Setup & Pack-Down

• All group bookings are subject to the booked session time.
• Late arrival does not guarantee an extension of the session.
• Setup, cake cutting, photos, gift opening, speeches, eating, and pack-down must take place within the allocated booking time unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Groups may not arrive early to set up unless early setup has been approved in writing.
• Groups must vacate their tables and studio area promptly at the end of the booked session.

Where a group delays the next session, disrupts operations, or exceeds its allocated time, additional charges may apply.

8.9 Conduct During Group Bookings

• Groups must behave respectfully toward staff, instructors, other patrons, studio property, and the creative environment.
• Groups may not dominate the space, play loud music, overcrowd tables, block walkways, disturb other guests, or create an environment that prevents regular patrons from enjoying their session.
• Children must be supervised at all times by the responsible adults in the group.
• Running, shouting, climbing on furniture, touching other guests’ work, entering restricted areas, handling unassigned materials, or interfering with studio shelves is not permitted.

Crafted Clay reserves the right to intervene where behaviour becomes disruptive, unsafe, disrespectful, or inappropriate. In serious cases, the group may be asked to end the session early without refund.

8.10 Changes to Group Size

• Final participant numbers must be confirmed before the booking date.
• If more participants arrive than were booked for, Crafted Clay will only accommodate them if space, materials, staff, and timing allow.
• Additional participants must be paid for before joining the session.
• If Crafted Clay cannot accommodate additional participants, they will not be permitted to join the activity.
• No additional seating will be provided for guests who were not included in the confirmed booking.

8.11 Private Functions & Custom Events

Private functions, corporate events, team-building experiences, mobile events, and larger group bookings must be requested through Crafted Clay and quoted according to the specific requirements of the event.

Custom event requirements may include:

• Private studio use
• Dedicated staff
• Offsite or mobile pottery services
• Custom workshop formats
• Special time slots
• Larger group logistics
• Additional setup or pack-down time
• Refreshments or catering arrangements
• Branding or corporate requirements

Any custom event arrangement must be confirmed in writing. Verbal discussions, assumptions, or informal messages do not override these Terms unless confirmed by Crafted Clay in writing.

9. Health & Safety

• Clients must wear clothing suitable for a working pottery and ceramics studio. Aprons may be provided where available.
• The studio may use sharp tools, clay tools, glazes, paints, chemicals, ceramic materials, shelves, fragile items, and hot equipment.
• Clients are expected to behave responsibly and follow all safety instructions given by Crafted Clay staff.
• Entry to the kiln room, staff areas, storage areas, or restricted areas is strictly prohibited unless accompanied by a staff member.
• Clients must not handle tools, materials, equipment, stock, or items that have not been assigned to them.
• Crafted Clay reserves the right to stop a client from participating if their behaviour creates a safety risk.

Clients participate at their own risk and are responsible for using reasonable care while on the premises.

10. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Refunds

• Cancellations made at least 24 hours before a session may be rescheduled or credited, subject to Crafted Clay’s approval and availability.
• No-shows are non-refundable.
• Same-day cancellations are non-refundable.
• Late arrival does not entitle the client to a refund, discount, replacement session, or extended session time.
• Refunds are not provided where a client changes their mind, fails to attend, books incorrectly, arrives late, or does not complete the session.
• Where Crafted Clay agrees to reschedule a booking, the new date and time will be subject to availability.

Special events, private functions, group bookings, promotional bookings, discounted bookings, and custom events may be subject to stricter cancellation or rescheduling terms, which will be communicated where applicable.

11. Online Courses & Digital Products

Where Crafted Clay sells online courses, digital learning materials, video content, downloadable resources, or access to online platforms, the following terms apply:

• Digital products and online courses are for personal use only unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• Clients may not copy, share, resell, distribute, reproduce, publish, upload, or commercially exploit Crafted Clay course content or materials.
• Access details must not be shared with other people.
• Due to the nature of digital products, refunds may not be provided once access has been granted, unless required by applicable law or approved by Crafted Clay.
• Crafted Clay may update, replace, remove, or amend course content at any time.

12. Products, Bisque Supply & Physical Goods

Where Crafted Clay sells physical products, bisque items, ceramic supplies, pottery materials, or related goods, the following terms apply:

• Product availability is not guaranteed and may change without notice.
• Handmade, ceramic, or bisque items may vary in shape, size, colour, texture, finish, and appearance.
• Clients are responsible for inspecting items on collection or delivery where applicable.
• Crafted Clay is not responsible for damage caused by incorrect handling, transport, painting, glazing, firing, storage, or use after the item has been collected or delivered.

13. Intellectual Property & Media Use

By attending a session or event, clients acknowledge that Crafted Clay may photograph or record the studio environment, sessions, workshops, artwork, finished pieces, and general activity for marketing, educational, social media, website, or promotional purposes.

• Clients may opt out of being photographed or recorded by notifying Crafted Clay in writing before or during the session.
• Clients retain rights to their original personal designs, where applicable.
• Crafted Clay may showcase images or videos of artwork created in the studio for promotional, educational, or portfolio purposes.
• Clients may not use Crafted Clay’s name, branding, logo, website content, course content, photography, videos, or intellectual property for commercial purposes without written permission.

Professional photography, videography, influencer content, commercial shoots, brand shoots, and promotional filming require prior written approval from Crafted Clay.

14. Personal Belongings

• Clients and guests are responsible for their own personal belongings while on the premises.
• Crafted Clay is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, misplaced, or forgotten personal items.
• Any items left behind may be discarded, donated, or removed if not collected within a reasonable period.

15. Studio Property, Damage & Breakages

• Clients must treat studio property, furniture, tools, materials, shelves, samples, stock, equipment, and other guests’ items with care.
• Clients may be charged for breakages, damage, missing items, excessive use of materials, or misuse of studio property.
• Children’s damage or misuse remains the responsibility of the parent, guardian, or responsible adult attending with them.

16. Right of Admission Reserved

Crafted Clay reserves the right to refuse entry, refuse service, remove guests, end a session early, or cancel a booking where a client or guest:

• Behaves in a disruptive, aggressive, unsafe, disrespectful, or inappropriate manner
• Fails to follow staff instructions
• Ignores safety rules
• Damages property
• Disturbs other patrons
• Arrives with unapproved additional guests or setup requirements
• Attempts to use the studio in a way that was not booked or paid for
• Breaches these Terms and Conditions

17. Liability Waiver

By participating in any Crafted Clay activity, session, workshop, event, private function, offsite experience, online course, or studio service, clients agree that:

• They understand the inherent risks involved in working with clay, glazes, paints, tools, ceramic materials, equipment, and kiln-fired items.
• They participate voluntarily and at their own risk.
• Crafted Clay, its owners, directors, staff, instructors, contractors, and employees are not liable for injury, illness, loss, theft, damage, breakage, disappointment, failed ceramic results, or damage to personal property arising from participation, attendance, studio use, or the firing process, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.
• They indemnify and hold Crafted Clay harmless from legal claims, costs, damages, or losses arising from their own conduct, negligence, breach of these Terms, failure to follow instructions, or the conduct of children or guests under their supervision.

18. Consumer Protection

Nothing in these Terms is intended to unlawfully limit any rights a client may have under applicable South African consumer protection law.

Where any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.

19. Changes to These Terms

Crafted Clay may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The updated version will be published on the Crafted Clay website and will apply from the date of publication, unless otherwise stated.

Clients are responsible for reviewing the Terms before making a booking, purchase, or attending a session.

20. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes will be handled in accordance with applicable South African consumer and civil law.

21. Contact Details

For any queries regarding these Terms and Conditions, bookings, events, collections, or studio policies, please contact Crafted Clay: