FAQ
How do I find your studio?
We are located inside the DesignWorx building in The Cargo District of Wilmington, NC. You can enter the building through our 16th St entrance with the large garage door or our 17th St entrance (through The Fuzzy Needle). We are in the green unit at the end of the hall with all of the plants and pottery wheels.
Where can I park when I visit?
There is free parking in the gravel lots beside Alcove Beer Garden and Cheesesmith, as well as along Queen Street and 17th Street. Please do NOT park in the Carpet Smart lot or Family Dollar lot next to the DesignWorx building as we do not own either lots. It's a short lovely stroll through the neighborhood with local coffee, food, and shops along the way :)
Do I have to physically be in Wilmington, NC to take a class?
Yes, for now. However, I am working on online lessons that you can purchase. Stay tuned!
If I'm visiting from out of town, will you ship my pottery once it's finished?
Yes, absolutely! Once you receive your pickup email, please reply back with your shipping address, name(s) on the pottery created, and pictures of your creations. Shipping is usually anywhere from $10-$25 in the United States. Once a shipping quote is provided, you will be asked to pay either through Venmo or email invoice.
I'm visiting from out of town--where should I stay?
We highly recommend the Airbnbs from Brick and Barley. Each one is tastefully curated, and they love supporting local businesses. You can learn more about their accommodations here.
Help! Your classes are sold out! Will you have more?
Yes! Classes are released one month at a time to keep things fair for everyone hoping to participate in some. All upcoming classes will release approximately one week before their corresponding month. Please subscribe to our email newsletter to get notified of new class releases (and receive exclusive discounts).
Do you have a waitlist for classes?
My Shopify theme currently does not have a waitlist function, so I do not have a waitlist system at this time. Any potential last-minute openings (if any) will be posted on my social media. If you weren't able to make it into a class, no worries! We'll have more the next month :)
Do you offer private classes?
Yes! We offer a limited number of private group classes for groups of 2-10 (wheel-throwing) / 4-30 (hand-building) / 4-20 (painting). Most of our availability for wheel classes is during weekdays before 6pm and very occasionally on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, whereas hand-building and painting are more flexible due to our class schedules. For more information, please see our Private Classes page and email us for availability.
Do you offer classes for corporate events, team-building activities, retirement events, bachelorette parties, or other similar workshops for larger groups?
Yes! We would be delighted to lead a workshop catered to your group. Ticket prices are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the number of people participating. We can either host the workshop at the studio, or we can come to your organization for a small travel fee. Please visit our Private Classes page and email us at bookwormpotteryco@gmail.com for more information.
What are your Date Night classes like?
Our Pottery Wheel Date Night classes are fun experiences for up to 5 couples at a time! Tickets include space for 2 people for $125. Each person gets their own wheel to work on and the opportunity to make up to 2 pieces each while being guided by a skilled instructor. At the end of the class, you'll receive a polaroid picture of you and your partner to commemorate the occasion. This is a wonderful experience for those just looking to dip their toes into pottery or have a lovely night out with their partner, sibling, parent, or friend. We typically offer Date Nights every Friday and Saturday. You can sign up here.
Do you offer refunds or exchanges?
All sales are final. We do not offer refunds or exchanges, nor are classes or studio time able to be refunded, prorated, or exchanged if you cannot attend after purchasing your ticket (treat this like you would a nonrefundable concert ticket). You may, however, regift or resell your ticket(s). If there is an extenuating circumstance like a death in the family, please reach out before your class to see what we can do.
Do you offer open studio time for people just wanting to play with clay?
Yes! We offer monthly Independent Studio Time memberships for folks who have completed a 6-week or 8-week wheel course with us at Bookworm Pottery & Co. This helps get you acquainted with the studio rules and gives us the chance to get to know you before letting you work independently in the studio.
Why isn't there always pottery on your site?
I am currently a one-woman pottery-making show, so with handling all social media, studio management, product creation, and more, it's challenging to have stock ready at all times. Each piece is also made by hand, which is a slow process. I regularly update my Instagram and Facebook with announcements regarding online updates and upcoming markets, so please consider following me @bookwormpottery.
What happens if my package is lost or damaged in transit?
Unfortunately, what happens to your purchase after we have passed it along to the post office is out of our hands. Any claims should be made between you and the postal carrier. However, if your purchase arrives damaged due to the shipping carrier, please email us no later than 3 days after you have received your package and include pictures of the damage so we can discuss any potential replacements.
What are your processing times?
Your order will be processed within 2-7 business days before shipment. If it has not been processed in that time, please follow up at bookwormpotteryco@gmail.com.
How do I care for my new Bookworm Pottery piece(s)?
All Bookworm Pottery pieces are microwave, dishwasher, and food safe, unless otherwise noted in the product description. For maximum life, it is recommended to hand-wash your pieces and to refrain from introducing extreme changes in temperature to reduce thermal shock.
Do you attend in-person events outside of the studio?
Yes! All events that we will be attending will be announced on the home page and on my Instagram.
Do you take commissions, customs, or wholesale orders?
I currently am not accepting any new custom or wholesale orders. Check back here or on my Instagram page for updates!
Are you currently hiring?
We are not currently hiring. Any open positions will be posted on my social media if/when they open. However, you may inquire about internships for school credit!