The working language of Clay Studio Leiden is English. Participants are expected to have a sufficient level of English to understand instructions, safety guidelines, and communications from staff.

Participants with pacemakers or other implanted cardiac devices should be aware that Clay Studio Leiden's pottery wheels are fitted with Direct Drive motors that operate on a strong magnet system and generate electromagnetic fields. These may interfere with pacemaker function, causing the device to stop delivering necessary pulses or to revert to an incorrect pacing mode. Shimpo, the manufacturer of our wheels, explicitly warns that this product may be harmful to persons with pacemakers and that serious injury or death could occur. Such participants are advised to consult their physician before attending and to notify Clay Studio Leiden prior to registration. Clay Studio Leiden cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects experienced by participants who have not disclosed a relevant medical condition prior to attending.

Participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. The studio environment includes extremely sharp tools, high voltage equipment, and ceramic kilns that fire to temperatures of up to 1320°C. These conditions require a level of awareness and responsibility that Clay Studio Leiden cannot guarantee for unsupervised participants under the age of 14.

Access to the Open Studio Membership requires demonstrable prior experience in ceramics and wheel throwing, acquired through a course or formal training. Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to refuse access if these requirements are not met.

Registrations must be submitted via the website. A registration is confirmed only upon written confirmation by Clay Studio Leiden and receipt of full payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing by email. Registrations are personal and non-transferable without the prior written consent of Clay Studio Leiden.

All services are subject to availability. Registrations are processed in order of receipt. In the event that a service is fully booked, the Customer may be placed on a waiting list and will be notified as soon as a place becomes available.

Following registration and payment, the Customer will receive confirmation by email. If no confirmation is received within 48 hours, the Customer is requested to contact Clay Studio Leiden via the website.

Members may book a maximum of 2 wheel sessions in advance per calendar month, meaning more than 24 hours before the session start time, for as many months ahead as their package allows. Sessions used in advance count towards the annual total. Small packages include a maximum of 12 wheel sessions per year; Medium packages a maximum of 18 wheel sessions per year; and Large packages a maximum of 24 wheel sessions per year. There is no advance booking limit on underglazing and glazing sessions. Sessions may also be booked up to 3 hours before they begin, subject to availability.

Sessions must be used up during the validity period of the membership. Membership expiration dates cannot be extended.

In the event of an extended absence, sessions from previous months are not guaranteed to remain available upon the member's return. Availability on return will depend on studio capacity. Members are encouraged to book sessions in advance and to attend the studio regularly.

Each membership includes a dedicated damp, bisque, and glaze storage box. Members are responsible for ensuring that their pieces — whether in the damp box, awaiting bisque firing, or glazed — fit within their allocated box space at all times.

Clay Studio Leiden staff reserve the right to reschedule or cancel a booking if the member's allocated storage is full and there is no space for the work that would be produced in a new session. Where possible, an alternative session type will be offered.

Members are required to leave their workspace and all used equipment clean and ready for the next user at the end of each session. Failure to do so consistently may result in an additional cleaning fee of €15 per session.

Standard Open Studio Memberships are available for 6 or 12 months. Single trial sessions and 3-month memberships are available exclusively to the following:

• Those who have never previously held an Open Studio Membership with Clay Studio Leiden; or
• Existing members who have completed the full term of their current membership and are unable to commit to a further 12-month membership due to relocation or another unforeseen circumstance, and who wish to complete their ongoing projects and have all work glaze-fired before leaving the studio.

Applications for a 3-month membership or trial session under these conditions are subject to availability and require prior approval from Clay Studio Leiden.

12-month memberships require 3 months' written notice to cancel. At the end of the membership term, Clay Studio Leiden will contact the member to discuss renewal. Any renewal is subject to availability and will be agreed upon in writing, including the applicable pricing and duration at the time of renewal.

6-month memberships do not renew automatically. Members wishing to renew should contact Clay Studio Leiden in advance.

3-month memberships and trial sessions do not renew automatically and are not renewable under standard conditions.

Upon termination of any membership, the member must ensure that no pieces remain in their damp or bisque box by the end of the membership. Clay Studio Leiden will assist the member in planning their final sessions to allow sufficient time to glaze-fire and collect all remaining work, and to prepare the storage space for the next member.

The ceramic kilns are operated exclusively by Clay Studio Leiden staff. Members may not operate the kilns. Kiln firings are scheduled as part of the standard studio process. Firing fees are built into the membership fees and clay prices.

Clay Studio Leiden accepts no liability for damage to or unexpected results in fired work. Variations in outcome are inherent to the nature of ceramics and kiln firing.

Where a member's pieces cannot be accommodated within their allocated storage, firing may be delayed until space is available. If objects are unusually large or tall, additional firing fees may apply due to the extra volume they occupy in the kiln.

Members may not use glazes purchased outside of Clay Studio Leiden without prior written approval. If an unauthorized glaze causes damage to kiln shelves, kiln accessories, or the kiln itself, the member accepts full liability for the damage and agrees to cover the cost of replacing affected kiln shelves, accessories, and parts, as well as any necessary removal or repair costs.

All rates are published on the Clay Studio Leiden website or communicated in writing. Prices are stated in euros (€) and include applicable VAT unless otherwise indicated. For active memberships, the rate agreed at the time of registration remains valid until the end of the agreed upon term.

Payment is due in advance unless otherwise agreed in writing. Registration is final only upon receipt of full payment. Accepted payment methods are listed on the website and at checkout. Bank transfers must be received within 7 days of the invoice date, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Monthly membership fees are charged on a recurring basis and will continue until the membership is cancelled in accordance with these Terms. Cancellation requires 3 months' written notice and takes effect at the end of the agreed upon term.

In the event of late payment, the Customer is in default by operation of law, without further notice being required. Statutory interest accrues from the invoice due date. Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to suspend the Customer's access to the Studio and to charge administrative costs for each payment reminder. If collection proceedings are initiated, all associated costs are borne by the Customer.

An invoice will be issued by email upon payment. Any dispute regarding the invoice must be submitted in writing within 7 days of receipt.

Consumers who purchase a service online have the right to withdraw within 14 days of purchase, in accordance with the Dutch Distance Selling Act (Wet koop op afstand), provided the service has not yet been used. By completing a booking and making payment, the Customer explicitly agrees that Clay Studio Leiden may begin providing the service immediately and acknowledges that the right of withdrawal is thereby waived once the service has commenced. For multi-session services such as courses, the right of withdrawal is waived upon attendance of the first session.

All cancellations must be submitted via the online booking system or in writing. The Customer will receive written confirmation of each cancellation.

• More than 15 days before the start date: Cancellation is free of charge. A full refund will be issued.
• Within 15 days of the start date: The full fee is due. No refund will be issued.
• No-show: The full fee is forfeited. No refund will be issued.
• Transfer: A Workshop place may be transferred to another person, subject to prior written approval by Clay Studio Leiden. The original Customer remains responsible for payment.
• Missed course lesson: Missed lessons cannot be rescheduled or made up. No refund will be issued.

• More than 24 hours before the session: Cancellation is free of charge. The session credit is returned to the membership.
• Within 24 hours of the session: The session credit is forfeited. No refund or replacement will be provided.
• Last-minute bookings: Sessions may be booked up to 3 hours before the start time, subject to availability.
• No-show: The session credit is forfeited. No refund or replacement will be provided.
• Session rollover: Unused sessions do not carry forward to a subsequent month or membership period and cannot be refunded or exchanged.
• Validity extension: Session validity cannot be extended under any circumstances.

Members are advised to cancel in advance wherever possible. Cancellations made more than 24 hours before a session allow the credit to be retained; cancellations within 24 hours result in forfeiture of that credit.

Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to cancel a Course, Workshop, or session in the event of insufficient registrations, instructor unavailability, force majeure, or other unforeseen circumstances. The Customer will be informed as soon as possible. Where rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be issued. Clay Studio Leiden may substitute an instructor without prior notice and may modify the content of Courses and Workshops. Where a change materially affects the Customer's booking, the Customer may cancel free of charge.

Where a session cannot proceed due to force majeure — including natural disasters, pandemics, or government measures — both parties will consult to find a suitable alternative. If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be issued.

The Customer is required to behave respectfully and responsibly in the Studio at all times, towards staff, other members, and the space itself. The Customer must comply with the studio's house rules, safety guidelines, and instructions from staff.

Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to remove any person who causes a disturbance during a Course, Workshop, or Open Studio session and to refuse that person future access. No refund will be issued in such cases.

The Customer is responsible for leaving their workspace and all used equipment clean and tidy at the end of each session. Where a Customer is found to be consistently failing to meet this obligation, Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to charge an additional cleaning fee of €15 per session.

The Customer must use all Studio equipment safely and in accordance with any instructions provided. Where a Customer is uncertain about the use of any equipment, they must consult a member of staff before proceeding. The Customer is responsible for their own health and safety.

Clay Studio Leiden's pottery wheels are fitted with Direct Drive motors that operate on a strong magnet system and generate electromagnetic fields. These may interfere with pacemaker function, causing the device to stop delivering necessary pulses or to revert to an incorrect pacing mode. Shimpo, the manufacturer of our wheels, explicitly warns that this product may be harmful to persons with pacemakers and that serious injury or death could occur. Such participants are advised to consult their physician before attending and to notify Clay Studio Leiden prior to registration. Clay Studio Leiden cannot be held responsible for any adverse effects experienced by participants who have not disclosed a relevant medical condition prior to attending.

The Customer may not use their own materials, tools, or equipment in the Studio without prior consultation with and approval from Clay Studio Leiden staff. Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to decline the use of materials, tools, or equipment it deems unsuitable.

The Customer is liable for any damage caused by their actions or omissions to the Studio equipment, tools, or property of other customers. Any damage must be reported to staff immediately upon discovery.

Clay Studio Leiden accepts no liability for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings left in the Studio. Customers are advised not to leave valuables unattended.

Clay Studio Leiden reserves the right to suspend or permanently revoke a Customer's access to the Studio, without refund, in the event of repeated or serious failure to meet the obligations set out in this section. This includes but is not limited to: failure to make timely payment, repeatedly leaving the workspace unclean, causing damage to Studio equipment or tools, introducing unauthorized materials that may damage the kiln or kiln accessories during firing, or behaving in a disrespectful or threatening manner towards staff or other members.

Clay Studio Leiden is liable solely for direct damage arising from a demonstrable and attributable failure in the performance of its obligations. Liability is limited in all cases to the amount paid by the Customer for the relevant service or product, unless the damage results from intent or willful recklessness on the part of Clay Studio Leiden or its management. Clay Studio Leiden accepts no liability for indirect damage, including consequential loss, lost profit, or business interruption.

Use of the Studio and its materials is entirely at the Customer's own risk. Clay Studio Leiden accepts no liability for personal injury or damage to property during Courses, Workshops, or Open Studio sessions, except where caused by the intent or willful recklessness of Clay Studio Leiden or its staff. Clay and glazes may soil or damage clothing and personal items. Protective clothing is strongly advised. No compensation is offered for soiled or damaged property.

Clay Studio Leiden accepts no liability for damage to the Customer's ceramic work, whether arising from the actions of other customers, staff, equipment failure, or the kiln firing process. Variations and unexpected results are an inherent characteristic of working with ceramics and clay.

The Customer is liable for all damage caused by their actions or omissions to the Studio equipment, tools, or property of Clay Studio Leiden or other customers, and shall indemnify Clay Studio Leiden against any third-party claims arising from their use of the Studio.