We’re excited to offer CCSA members access to over 36 classes at this year’s convention, along with eight additional pre-convention classes on Friday, September 5th. Pre-con classes are available for an additional fee of $75 per session. Attendees who register for both the morning and afternoon sessions will receive a complimentary lunch.
New this year, we’re offering two special classes on Thursday as part of our “A Day of Clay” event. You can add on these sessions for $85 each, or both for $150.
Throughout the convention, attendees will learn from industry experts, connect with peers, and stay current with trends and developments.
Our convention classes are divided into two tracks: Business and Biz-nique.
Business Classes focus on helping you grow your studio, with sessions on marketing, HR, operations, and social media.
Biz-nique Classes dive into creative techniques, marketing ideas, and tips for hosting successful events.
Planning for Convention Registration? We recommend filling out our Class Selection Worksheet. ahead of time to pre-select the classes you and your staff plan to attend. Tentative - Subject to Change.
Have you thought about introducing clay in your studio but need help getting started with the basics of what you need, and how to implement, train staff, designate space, and firing practices? This workshop will help you discover how you can introduce a clay option with little space needed, a small investment of as little as a few hundred dollars, and tools you can use to train staff and get customers excited. You will also learn about clay bodies, basic and advanced tools, pricing, workshops, walk-in customers, and how to make slabs, coils, pinch pots, and other clay basics. Each participant will get a small block of clay to play around with and get a feel for some basics. Most of this workshop is focused on the business side of clay and how to make money.
Are you looking for clay techniques for walk-in customers or to teach as workshops? We have an afternoon filled with nothing but clay techniques from a variety of instructors, each with a different specialty, from simple hand-building to using forms, working with a wheel, adding textures, and discovering tools you didn't know could be used for clay. You’ll walk away with lots of creative ideas and techniques you can take back to your studio and implement. Attendees will break into small groups for hands-on experience working with clay, round-robin style so everyone gets to work with each instructor. It is recommended you take the morning precon, Introducing Clay in Your Studio, or have basic knowledge of clay and firing practices in a studio setting. Instructors will not have time to cover the basics—this is all about clay projects.
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Saddle up for a one-of-a-kind creative experience in our Clay Cowboy boot workshop!
This hands-on class—suitable for all abilities—is designed for anyone who wants to spend some time playing with our 3D-printed cutter sets and some clay to make something magical. We’ll guide you through the whole process and have all the tools on hand to make it super easy to create your own clay cowboy boot. We’ll also cover everything you need to know about the logistics of running this as a workshop in your own studio.
We’ll also be using the same cutter set to make a second creation: a Christmas elf boot! So you’ll leave the session with two clay masterpieces, PLUS you get your very own cutter set to take with you so you can make these over and again in your own studio.
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
This hands-on class is ideal for those who have never used a pottery wheel but would like to try it! This class will have 20 students working 2 to a wheel with a teacher and an assistant to provide personal support so you can learn the fundamentals of throwing on the wheel. We’ll start with a demo and then go step-by-step as first group 1, and then group 2 takes their own turn on the wheel. Come with a willingness to learn by doing, observing, and asking questions and leave with an exciting new skill to take into your studio! Be prepared to get your hands dirty. We will provide disposable aprons, but we advise wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy!
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Back by popular demand and expanded to go deeper, this class is your next step toward building studio systems that give you clarity, control, and confidence. In this extended three-hour workshop, we’ll revisit and refine the three foundational tools introduced last year: the Pottery Pricing Calculator, Cash Drawer Count Sheet, and Paint Inventory Tracker — all designed to make the day-to-day smoother and more insightful.
But this time, we’re elevating things with a brand-new addition: KPI Dashboard Lite, a plug-and-play visual dashboard designed to help you track where your revenue is coming from, where your money is going, and what matters most in the financial health of your studio. Whether you're looking to monitor walk-in versus party sales, payroll-to-sales ratios, or fixed versus fluctuating expenses, this tool provides the big-picture clarity we all crave—without the overwhelm.
We’ll also take a behind-the-scenes look at how the tools work, with a simplified guide called “How the Sheet Thinks”—a quick-reference breakdown of the logic and structure behind key formulas. You won’t leave a spreadsheet expert (and that’s not the goal!), but you will feel more confident understanding how your tools are working for you—and where to go next if you want to build on them.
What you’ll leave with:
A refined Pottery Pricing Calculator
A ready-to-use Cash Drawer Tracker
A streamlined Paint Inventory Tracker
A KPI Dashboard Lite base tool to build on
A “How the Sheet Thinks” reference guide to deepen your understanding
Requirements: Bring a laptop with Excel or Google Sheets access and internet connectivity. You’ll also need your current pottery pricing, ideally segmented into the categories shared prior to class. All tools will be distributed via a shared Google Drive link.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets, laptop with internet access
Honest note: You don’t need to be an Excel wizard to benefit from this workshop. If you’re looking for smarter systems, better decision-making tools, and a way to reduce the guesswork in your business, this class was built for you—by someone who’s in the studio trenches just like you.
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Lasso your focus and map out a clear vision for the next 12 months to design your best year ever. This workshop helps studio owners step into their CEO role and pinpoint exactly where to direct their time, attention, and resources. Learn how to:
Set realistic and strategic profit goals.
Identify what’s working and where to make adjustments.
Determine where a CEO should be spending their time.
Walk away with your top five business goals, all on a single-page plan.
Together we’ll workshop how to determine where your studio is headed and how to set specific and realistic business goals that will help you with your profit and life-style goals.
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Ready to take your stoneware game to the next level? In this advanced class, we’re skipping the basics and diving headfirst into the wild world of fluxes, runny glazes, engobes, and non-food-safe glazes—the things that make stoneware exciting (and sometimes unpredictable).
With over 35 years of combined PYOP experience, Crista Toler (Mayco) and Bre Hamberger (Chesapeake) will be your expert guides, helping you navigate the next level of stoneware in your studio! Expect pro tips, real talk, and maybe even a few “oops” moments—we’re working with runny glazes, after all!
Important: This class is for experienced stoneware humans only. If you still have to check the difference between Cone 06 and Cone 6, this class is not for you. No basics, no hand-holding—just serious stoneware magic.
Join us for a deep dive and let’s push the limits of what stoneware can do!
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Looking to boost your bottom line with some lucrative mobile sales that are worthwhile AND help to expose your studio to repeat business that expands your customer walk-in trade? Then you need this—three hours of an all-inclusive and super-immersive dive into identifying, marketing, and executing big, juicy group offsite-event sales outside your studio! No covering traveling to a single classroom at your local school here—we’re talking about booking that entire grade level or, better yet, landing an evening event for the whole student body to participate in, like a holiday party night for families! This workshop will be the ticket to the happy dance (care for a Texas two-step?) for your business to explore and roll out this year. The holidays are coming ... no better time to be armed and ready to go after bigger gigs that can land you some great income, especially on slower weekdays.
Marketing to schools, churches, parks and recreation sites, and corporate locations will be covered, as well as the new trends in offsites at bars, restaurants, wineries, and distilleries. Even studios with larger seating capacity that currently host successful in-house themed events can benefit from going out and becoming a noted community partner bringing the arts into larger capacity locations for maximum benefit. Multiple revenue streams for your brick-and-mortar can insulate your studio from hiccups along the road and provide great flexibility in providing dependable income on slower weekdays or seasons. It's all about how you market and acquire offsite clients to fill YOUR calendar!
Taught by two seasoned veterans of PYOP who have mastered their mobile capabilities and now execute large offsite events year-round in their metro area with their staff. Their expertise will include identifying and marketing to potential event customers, along with all the details of how to nurture those relationships with superior salesmanship and how to "speak the speak" on giving total comfort and faith to your clients that you will provide an outstanding experience for them to enjoy. Multiple marketing approaches will be included, as well as the information you need to prepare your studio for an organized, efficient, and enjoyable program for producing large group events offsite. Learn how to efficiently set up your event space and how to execute that session for a seamless experience by attendees that will get you invited back over and over! This is a high energy, fast-paced romp of great information with details and the dynamic duo will be providing great images and inspiration.
Class attendees will be granted access to graphics file sharing for immediate marketing flyers/emails and support documents, along with key sources of helpful supplies and accessories. Snapping pics throughout the class is highly encouraged, and a mock setup of a typical event room will be in place. Sample handouts will be provided in class for instant gratification and inspiration to get your studio started straightaway on the path to outreach in your community when you get home to get a jump on booking this fun and rewarding style of work.
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
This hands-on class is ideal for those who have never used a pottery wheel but would like to try it! This class will have 20 students working 2 to a wheel with a teacher and an assistant to provide personal support so you can learn the fundamentals of throwing on the wheel. We’ll start with a demo and then go step-by-step as first group 1, and then group 2 takes their own turn on the wheel. Come with a willingness to learn by doing, observing, and asking questions and leave with an exciting new skill to take into your studio! Be prepared to get your hands dirty. We will provide disposable aprons, but we advise wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy!
Pre-Con (Additional Cost of $75)
Stop throwing marketing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. Instead, we’ll build a strategic marketing roadmap that aligns with revenue goals, brand identity, and bandwidth.
Develop a clear, customized 12-month marketing plan using Wendy’s proven Retailer’s Marketing Framework.
Focus on strategy that supports revenue and profit—not just content creation.
Eliminate marketing overwhelm and ensure every effort moves the needle.
It’s a powerful change making session. Attendees will leave with a 12-month strategic marketing plan on one page that feels good, and they can bring back to their studios and implement.
NOTE: This class is not about content planning, social media, or dancing on TikTok. This session will teach the STRATEGY that supports your revenue and profit goals.
We know customer service is key, and getting your staff to feel the same way can sometimes seem daunting. However, elevating your customer service can reap great benefits for your studio. In this class, we’ll discuss how to create a staff that goes above and beyond, going from customer service to hospitality.
Julia is obsessed with great customer service and believes that in our industry striving for hospitality is what sets us apart. We can give our customers an amazing experience each and every time they visit us, and our staff will lead the way.
This class will give you a three-staff-meeting plan to getting your employees excited about being the best. You can get this started as soon as you get home from Convention, and your fourth quarter (Christmas and Holiday season) will benefit! We’re going to discuss policies, procedures, and preferences, and how important it is to know what the expectations for your shop are.
We’ll also talk about how to recover when things don’t go as planned, how to respond to reviews—both negative and positive—and simple things you can do in your shop to make a better customer service experience.
Customer service should never be an afterthought, and we’re going to put it right at the top of your mind, so that it becomes second-nature, and you become known for your great staff.
Let’s get wild! Join us for a super-fun, hands-on technique class where you’ll create an epic tiger design on our on-trend Bento Box Plate! This class is all about mixing bold creativity with trendy techniques to give your art (and your studio) a fresh, modern twist. No matter your skill level, you’re in for an awesome time!
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Watercolor magic: Learn cool tricks like tinting, layering, and shading to make your tiger pop with vibrant colors.
Hot color combos: Play with trendy color palettes that’ll make your design stand out and scream stylish.
Roar-worthy details: Nail those tiger vibes—from piercing eyes to fierce fur patterns, we’ll show you how to capture it all.
Brush like a pro: Get the hang of brush techniques to add textures and patterns that bring your masterpiece to life.
Trendsetter tips: Chat about the hottest design trends and how to use them to keep your studio looking fresh and fun.
Bring your imagination, your love for art, and maybe a little tiger energy. Let’s make something rawr-some together!
In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn the foundations of hand lettering using markers—no fancy tools or prior experience needed. We’ll break down how to build letters from the ground up, practice creating thick and thin strokes using pressure, and explore basic techniques to help you develop your own style. You’ll leave with essential skills, fun practice prompts, and the confidence to keep going. Come play with letters and build a solid foundation for lettering on ceramics.
This class will introduce you to the magic behind Magic Shakers—unique wheel-thrown salt and pepper shakers that first became popular during the ’70s. Debi created a way to make a slab-built version, similar to construction for a slab-built mug but Debi takes that a step further, demonstrating how to stamp designs and build the shakers. You will have time to complete one shaker during class.
Debi will provide patterns and all necessary tools. During class, participants will be using clay cutters from De La Design. She’ll also discuss glazing ideas, although the actual painting will be the responsibility of participants outside of class.
Basic knowledge of slab building is helpful, and the step-by-step instructions will help give you, your staff, and your customers the confidence to create a usable finished product. We’ll also look at examples of different ways to decorate these to make a more personalized experience for your customer base. These unique designs are not only functional but they’re a fun conversation starter that will bring customers back to make more!
Looking for a project that’s both stunning and stress-free? This colorful ornament plate is the perfect fit! In this session, Liz will guide you through a playful and approachable technique that’s ideal for kids’ workshops or adult nights out. You'll learn how to use clay carbon (NCR) paper to easily transfer whimsical ornament shapes, then bring them to life with a bold watercolor-style underglaze wash. Finish with a loose, artistic outline that makes every piece pop—no precision required!
This class is all about versatility and fun. Whether you're new to this technique or just want a project anyone can succeed with, you’ll leave inspired and ready to offer a workshop that sells itself. No drawing skills necessary!
What does it take to create an amazing team? How do you build the bridges necessary to ensure everyone is truly connecting while also closing the gaps of miscommunication? In this session, we’ll explore the key strategies for fostering strong, effective relationships in both personal and professional settings.
This session walks studio owners through their business from a customer’s perspective—both potential new customers and regular repeat clients—uncovering opportunities to expand the brand’s visibility, improve customer workshop experience, increase sales, and boost repeat business.
This class is designed for studios with limited clay experience who are looking to get started with it. Building with coils can be versatile and vary in complexity based on the size of the mold, size of the coils, and intricacy of the design. Coils can be rolled by hand or made using a handheld extruder. Using a plaster hump mold, we’ll be making a coil bowl. The outside of the bowl will be smoothed for durability, while an intricate interior coil design remains. This project is great as a trinket or snack dish and is perfect for a girls’ night or a birthday party. This class will help those new to clay to gain a familiarity and foundation for adding clay to their studio!
Step into the Customer Service Corral, where we wrangle tricky customer moments with confidence, clarity, and a little Southern charm. In this session, we’ll explore a practical framework that empowers your staff to confidently handle customer complaints, surprises, and curveballs—without having to call in the cavalry (you) every time.
You’ll learn how to train your team to assess situations quickly, make decisions within studio values, and delight guests even when something goes wrong. We’ll cover real examples and role-play tough scenarios. Whether you're a solo owner or lead a team of 20, you’ll leave with actionable tools to build a confident, trusted staff who create smooth experiences for your guests and peace of mind for you.
Saddle up—it’s time to trade in firefighting for a calm, confident ride.
Fused glass is a beautiful and versatile medium, but in many studios it tends to take a back seat—seen as hard to scale, tricky for kids, time-consuming to teach, or something only a few brave customers try. If that sounds familiar, this session will help you rethink your approach to fused glass by simplifying your systems, sharing practical solutions, and revealing fresh ways to help customers say yes to trying it. You may even surprise yourself by uncovering new revenue from those who are already in your studio—kids, families, and customers who need just the right invitation to try glass.
This session focuses on two high-potential income streams: family-friendly glass classes and offsite fused glass events. You’ll participate in a mock offsite workshop and create a fused glass Texas Bluebonnet nightlight, experiencing firsthand how simple setup, instruction, and packing systems keep events smooth and profitable.
Michelle will share the systems, teaching methods, and class structures that turned her studio’s glass program into flexible and successful revenue streams. The class will focus on how to teach, staff, and run simplified projects for kids and offsite events. You’ll also get access to a Google Drive folder with all the materials shown in class, including customizable templates, signage, setup guides, and project instructions for the mock offsite and family-style fused glass classes demonstrated during the session.
Whether you’re already offering fused glass or looking for ways to grow it without adding complexity, this session will help you rethink what’s possible and walk away with examples of ready-to-use systems, customizable materials, and strategies to adapt in your own studio.
What you’ll learn:
How to simplify your fused glass process to boost profit and staff confidence
Two proven income streams: kids and family classes and offsite events
Setup, teaching, and packing systems that make glass easier to manage
If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on clay class to explore new project ideas while getting your fingers messy, this is the class for you! The session will begin with a demo by GR Jeff, followed by participants creating two to three small clay projects using GR Pottery Forms Wallies. Debi from DelaDesigns will also be on hand to assist and incorporate her custom cutters into the projects.
All necessary tools will be provided. We highly recommend this class for studios looking to incorporate clay into their offerings. No previous experience is needed—just bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn something new!
Our goal is for you to leave with effective clay project ideas that create a fun studio atmosphere, engage your customers, and result in memorable keepsakes—all in a manageable and productive way.
Hope to see you in class!
Have you ever wondered what a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, a craft beer, and a fulfilling relationship have in common? In this engaging session, we'll explore the art and science behind brewing these three essential elements of life.
Join us as we break down the intricate processes, patience required, and key ingredients that contribute to an exceptional final product. From the initial grind to the final sip, we’ll compare the time, effort, and attention to detail needed to create something truly remarkable.
Through thought-provoking discussions and interactive activities, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the similarities and differences between brewing coffee, beer, and relationships. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with a newfound understanding of the importance of patience, intention, and quality ingredients in all aspects of life.
Take the mystery out of kiln management with third-generation kiln manufacturer Jim Skutt, Board Chair of Skutt Ceramic Products. This engaging and practical session will give you a rare inside look at kiln care, firing best practices, and troubleshooting—straight from the top. Jim brings decades of experience, stories, and lessons learned from working with artists, educators, and manufacturers around the world. With warmth and humor, he walks you through real-world kiln scenarios and foundational tips to keep your equipment—and your business—running smoothly.
What makes this class unique? It's not just technical—it's relational. Jim’s approach blends easy-to-follow technical guidance with insights from a family-owned company that has supported generations of ceramic artists and studios.
You’ll learn how to:
Perform an essential pre-firing checklist for safety and success
Load your kiln to reduce hot/cold spots
Understand firing reactions and how speed impacts results
Implement preventative maintenance that extends the life of your kiln
Troubleshoot common problems using built-in diagnostic tools
Use KilnLink® for smarter kiln monitoring
Studio owners, educators, and anyone responsible for firing kilns—especially those looking to deepen their understanding without an engineering degree—will benefit from this class. Basic familiarity with kiln operation is helpful but not required. You’ll walk away with confidence in your kiln knowledge, a checklist you’ll actually want to use, and the kind of pro tips only a Skutt could share.
Knock out a sample for your next Chappell Roan night with this vase inspired by the song “Good Luck, Babe!” Paint a trendy design while learning to glaze like Ammie—maximum visual texture and smooth black outlines. Plus, you'll get your hands on a new vase design from Ammie Y'all and Bisque Imports!
Join the husband-and-wife duo behind 24hr Pottery—pioneers of the first fully scalable, member-based pottery studio model in the country—as they step out from their six thriving locations for the first time to share the framework that’s changing the way studios operate.
In this powerful session, Jon and Chelsea will dive into how they turned their passion for clay and community into a recurring-revenue powerhouse—fueling self-care, creativity, and connection in today’s experience-driven world. With a focus on innovation, automation, and accessibility, they’ll walk you through how to implement a 24/7 membership model that keeps your kilns firing and your members inspired.
Whether you're looking to boost income, build community, or reimagine your studio’s future by adding PYOP and wet clay memberships, this presentation will give you the tools and mindset to make it happen. Discover why membership-based access isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of pottery. Attendance is limited to current studio owners or aspiring entrepreneurs.
What you’ll learn:
The Membership Model facts: How to design/or refine your pottery membership model
Tech and access: Tools, software, and strategies for automation and security
Community as currency: How memberships increase engagement, retention, and word-of-mouth
Revenue you can count on: Unlocking recurring income while reducing burnout. Close the customer loop by adding wet clay to your PYOP customer’s journey.
Lessons from the front lines: Real stories and data from six successful studios
If you’ve ever dreamed of creating more impact, income, and independence in your pottery studio—this is the session for you.
Paint Your Pet has always been one of Michele’s most popular—and profitable—classes. In this hands-on session, she’ll teach you exactly how shemade it a sell-out success, and how you can bring it to your own studio, even if you’ve never painted a pet before.
She’ll walk you step-by-step through her approachable acrylic painting method as everyone creates their own pet portrait in class. You’ll leave with more than just a finished painting—you’ll also get a one-time license to teach this class in your studio, along with access to Michele’s exclusive video tutorial showing how to pre-draw each pet with chalk for students—a game-changer that helps every customer feel successful may mean you can charge more for the event.
Michele created this class for studio owners who want to confidently offer a new experience without the stress of creating it from scratch. Due to time constraints she will be providing a pre drawn canvas of a dog or cat.
In this an exciting mixed-media workshop, we'll explore the dynamic fusion of mosaic, ceramic, and resin art as we learn to combine these three materials into a unique, textured, vibrant work of art. Whether you're new to these mediums or have some experience, you'll gain hands-on knowledge in designing mosaic patterns, transferring them to ceramics surfaces, and using resin to bring your vision to life.
Come ready to play and experiment and leave with a one-of-a-kind masterpiece—perfect for marketing in your own studio or simply enjoying for yourself! Sponsored by Bisque Imports, this class features the Boho Mosaic coaster kit used in an innovative new way. You'll create four ceramic mosaic tiles, each finished with a glossy resin topcoat. Thanks to our unique pouring method, your project will be ready to take home at the end of the class. With a touch of paint and cork backing the next morning , it's fully finished and display ready! Whether you're a beginner or seasoned maker, you'll leave this class inspired, informed, and holding a beautiful handmade creation.
The project takes about 1.15 hours, with time at the end for a relaxed Q&A to share ideas, ask questions, or get extra tips. To keep this safe, please wear an old long-sleeve shirt to protect your skin and clothing during class. If you have sensitivity to nitrile gloves, let us know ahead of time and we'll provide an alternative that works for you.
Running a business is hard enough without tripping over HR landmines. In this lively session, HR expert Robin Griffin brings 30+ years of experience to the table to help you confidently handle the people side of your business. From hiring right (the first time) to navigating tricky terminations and disciplinary issues, you’ll learn how to protect your business, support your staff, and stay compliant. We’ll dig into real-world HR essentials shop owners need to know—like why handbooks matter (and what must be in them), ADA considerations for both employees and customers, and how to fairly compensate staff when taking them on the road to events and conferences. You’ll also walk away with practical tips for performance management, risk reduction, and keeping your workplace drama-free—all while minimizing legal fees and avoiding costly missteps.Whether you’re managing a team of two or twenty-two thousand, this session will give you tools, templates, and peace of mind.
Crisis isn’t a matter of if—it’s when. In this session, strategic communications expert and PR practitioner Kristin U. Cole will guide you through proactive steps to prepare your studio for the unexpected. You’ll learn how to identify potential risks, develop a response plan, and communicate effectively when the pressure is on. With the right preparation, you can protect your reputation and preserve the trust you’ve worked so hard to earn with your customers.
Create a meaningful and artful Prayer Candle Vase—a statement piece that blends creativity, positivity, and intention. Manifesting, setting intention, and positive thinking are more than trends—they’re part of a growing global movement toward intentional living. With the word "manifest" named Cambridge Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year and the energy healing market projected to grow over 26% annually, consumers are actively seeking creative experiences that align with mindfulness and emotional expression.
In this enlightening workshop, Kathy will provide inspiration through examples of finished pieces and offer a variety of her silkscreen designs that reflect pop culture, empowerment, love, celebration, and remembrance. As she guides you through this, you’ll explore your personal intention while learning a new ceramic decorating technique that you can pass on to your customers.
This vase actually holds a standard-size prayer candle, but if you’re not into manifesting or setting intention with a candle, this piece totally rocks as a classic flower vase that can be customized to any personality or celebration! Whether for Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, a memorial tribute, or your personal manifestation altar, this piece radiates with positive vibes! By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with:
A custom ceramic vase ready to display
New silkscreening techniques you can use in future projects
A renewed sense of purpose and creative confidence
Come with an open heart, leave with a glowing creation. Let’s make art with meaning!
Running a studio is an art—but managing the finances is the framework that holds everything together. In this beginner-level class, we’ll demystify the financial numbers for PYOP studio owners using real-world language and practical tools.
You’ll learn how to confidently prepare, read, and use your numbers, not just record them. We’ll cover the basics of a Chart of Accounts, how to set it up properly in QuickBooks, and why using the right categories matter more than you think. Through a live walkthrough of a sample PYOP studio, you'll see exactly how your Chart of Accounts becomes a roadmap for smarter decision-making.
You’ll also receive a sample PYOP studio Chart of Accounts, templates to take home, and tips to help you move from guessing to growing with clarity.
No prior financial background required! Let’s take the fear out of finances—and turn your numbers into one of your strongest studio assets.
Join us for a fun hands-on workshop where you’ll learn the art of transforming a pre-cast ceramic snowman into a unique, handcrafted masterpiece. You’ll explore essential carving techniques, including shaping, detailing, and adding textures, to bring your snowman to life. Our expert instructor will provide step-by-step guidance on using carving tools safely and effectively, as well as tips for personalizing your creation with decorative elements. All materials are provided: a slip-cast snowman blank, carving tools, aprons, reference guides, and a cozy, creative atmosphere. No prior experience is needed—just bring your holiday spirit and imagination! By the end of the class, you’ll have a charming snowman ready for glazing and firing, perfect as a seasonal decoration or heartfelt gift.
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing that can get a little messy, and bring an optional sketch or design idea for personalization!
Yee-haw! Our 2025 CCSA class is on trend and the perfect project for your next class or event. Our Pink Bows and Cowboy Boots project is easy to do, and—bonus—as part of the class we'll teach you a fun and easy way to free hand lettering! It will look so good, your customers will know it's "not your first rodeo!"
At the Atlanta Gift Show in January 2025, our Gare design team saw a new trend emerge—pink bows and cowboy boots. Since then, we've seen this popular trend quickly gaining traction and wanted to bring it with us to CCSA!
For the business portion of the class, Tammy's excited to share her three-step recipe for creating and planning a successful event. By using her process, studios will be able to execute events that will sell seats, create a buzz, have people signing up for the next class, and increase revenue.
Giddy up and sign up!
Using examples of businesses (with permission), we’ll learn about a modern-day customer digital journey to your studio, website fundamentals, booking, and checkout experience—all the customer digital touch points (pre-visit, during the visit, post-visit, and retention).
Looking to grow your studio's offerings and boost revenue with a meaningful, in-demand product? Join us for this info-packed class designed specifically for studio owners who want to successfully introduce clay handprint keepsakes into their business, taught by a fellow studio owner who's been there, done that, made all the handprints (and mistakes too)!
Whether you're brand new to clay or looking to streamline an existing process, this class will walk you through everything you need to confidently add clay prints to your lineup—from the first squish of a baby hand to the beautifully painted final product. We’ll cover:
The planning process: How to integrate clay handprints into your existing studio flow, train your staff, build a waitlist, plan events that fill your calendar, and prep your customers for the best clay impressions appointment possible.
Clay prints A–Z: Learn the full process, from selecting the right clay and capturing clean prints (even from wiggly little ones!), to firing, custom painting, glazing, and finishing.
Tools of the trade: What materials and tools you’ll need to get started without overbuying or overcomplicating.
Age-specific tips: Techniques for getting the best results from infants, toddlers, big kids, and even grown-ups.
Marketing and sales materials: How to design order forms and marketing materials that streamline your process, boost sales, and make things easy for both your team and your customers.
Off-site events: Want to take your clay prints on the road? Learn how to prep and run successful off-site events at schools, daycares, boutiques, and beyond.
You’ll leave this class with a clear action plan, proven strategies, and the confidence to start offering these heirloom-quality keepsakes to your customers. This class is perfect for studio owners and managers who are ready to expand their offerings, increase revenue, and create keepsakes that bring families back year after year. Note: Video demonstrations for techniques will be used for teaching purposes and a hands-on demonstration of the clay process will be done at the end of class.
Are you ready to generate more income without adding more walk-in hours or overbooking your calendar? In this idea-packed session, artist and entrepreneur Kathy Cano-Murillo will show you how to unlock new ways to grow your business reach.
Today’s consumers crave experiences, customization, and convenience, but with an unpredictable economy, they are more thoughtful with purchases. That means new marketing ideas are crucial to stay relevant and abundant. The DIY crafts and creative goods market is still booming, with the US craft and hobby segment projected to reach over $62 billion by 2025. There’s never been a better time to diversify your studio's income streams.
Kathy will share tried-and-true methods she uses in her own creative business. You’ll learn fresh, low-lift ideas to diversify your studio income—think unique product offerings, repeat revenue opportunities, clever collaborations, and creative upgrades and events that boost each customer's spend and satisfaction. These strategies are designed to help you tap into current trends, deepen community engagement, and keep your studio thriving year-round. You’ll leave this workshop with a powerful action list tailored to your studio, plus Kathy’s exclusive worksheet to help you brainstorm, plot, and prioritize your next steps.
Whether you're a seasoned studio owner or just looking for new ways to stay relevant and profitable, this session is designed to energize your mindset and get your studio working smarter—not harder.
So you want to add stoneware to your studio? Great! But before you start ordering mugs and buying stoneware glazes, you need the know-how—and that’s exactly what this class is all about.
Join Crista Toler (Mayco) and Bre Hamberger (Chesapeake) as they take you on a fast-paced, no-nonsense ride through everything you need to know to successfully introduce stoneware to your studio. We’re talking glazes, firing schedules, best practices, and potential pitfalls—all packed into just 90 minutes of pure information overload.
Heads up: There will be NO PAINTING. This is 100% lecture-style, so bring a notebook and something to write with—trust us, you’ll need it. It’s going to be a wild ride, but by the end, you’ll have the tools and confidence to start offering stoneware like a pro.
New to stoneware? This is the class you NEED.
Ready to add walk-in clay building to your studio offerings but not sure where to start? This class is your step-by-step guide to creating a successful, approachable, and profitable walk-in clay experience that guests can enjoy without prior experience or appointments.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to design projects that are fun, functional, and beginner-friendly. We’ll cover how to manage drying and firing schedules, simplify tool access, price effectively, and set up a self-guided or staff-assisted workflow that won’t overwhelm your team. You’ll also get tips on display samples, signage, and how to upsell finishing options like glazing, painting, or clear-coating.
Perfect for paint-your-own-pottery studios, community centers, or maker spaces looking to expand their clay offerings or start clay offerings and invite more creativity through the door—no wheel required!
What you'll lLearn:
How to set up a clean and efficient clay station for walk-in guests
Best hand-building projects for beginners (mugs, pinch pots, trays, and more)
Managing tools, templates, and stamps to empower creativity without chaos
Clay type selection and moisture control
How to price and package the walk-in clay experience
Drying, storing, and firing logistics made simple
Teaching staff how to guide without micromanaging
Adding value through decorative finishes, glazes, and studio branding
This class is perfect for studio owners, managers, and instructors looking to introduce or refine a walk-in clay building experience that is approachable, scalable, and fun for all ages.
If you’re thinking about doing smaller off-site events, this class will help you decide if doing smaller events or parties away from your studio, or as a mobile studio, is the right choice for you. You’ll get clear information about what to take with you, and how to teach them. Vicki will share her experience as owner of both a brick-and-mortar studio and a mobile studio. You will get visuals as to what you should take when you’re on the go, how to set up and clean up, and suggestions on pricing. Vicki will lead the class in painting a mug in the way she would do with an off-site class.
This class brings you the practical expertise of four Square POS users who have developed systems tailored to the unique needs of our creative studios. Together, we'll share how to manage advanced inventory, streamline checkout processes, and explore how to utilize reports to guide business decisions.
We'll focus on studio-tested workflows to support daily operations and long-term growth. There will also be time for Q&A to address specific challenges and ideas from the audience.
Stoneware has become the #2 money maker for Jacqui’s studio. The key is how to position/sell it, how to help customers achieve success with it, and how to hook them to buy more. This class will cover these three elements, resulting in your ability to bring stoneware into your studio (or more effectively sell it if you have it already and are not hitting it out of the park), market it, make money with it, and manage to do all of this without over-investing in inventory and supplies. We will also share some of our customers' favorite recipes!
Learn how to create an amazing event from start to finish! From choosing the perfect theme to setting prices, taking registrations, and creating an atmosphere people can’t wait to be part of, we’ll show you how to make it all happen. Whether it’s your first event or your tenth, get the tools, tips, and inspiration to make it truly unforgettable. Don’t just plan an event—create an experience!
Today's workforce looks—and learns—very differently from 20 years ago. How do different generations learn workplace norms? Studio owners and managers may find themselves frustrated by team members who don't seem to understand what “professionalism” means in a studio environment. But the truth is this: they aren't unwilling—they often just haven't been shown the way in terms they recognize or relate to.
This class was built to help owners and managers bridge the generational differences with staffing and developing high-performing teams. We'll talk about how social and professional norms have shifted, why younger team members may struggle to meet unspoken expectations, and how to reframe training or mentoring to set clear, attainable standards for studio professionalism today.
We will discuss how different generations learn workplace norms and how to teach (not just expect) studio etiquette, communication, and professionalism. Let’s turn frustration into mentorship and build a stronger, more confident team across generational boundaries, reduce turnover and frustration, train with purpose, and create a studio culture where expectations are clear and success is achievable.
This class will be practical and actionable, with techniques you can use right away to strengthen connection with different generations on your studio team. Let's move beyond frustration and build stronger, more connected teams—no matter what generation you're leading.
This class will introduce you to the magic behind Magic Shakers—unique wheel-thrown salt and pepper shakers that first became popular during the ’70s. Debi created a way to make a slab-built version, similar to construction for a slab-built mug but Debi takes that a step further, demonstrating how to stamp designs and build the shakers. You will have time to complete one shaker during class.
Debi will provide patterns and all necessary tools. During class, participants will be using clay cutters from De La Design. She’ll also discuss glazing ideas, although the actual painting will be the responsibility of participants outside of class.
Basic knowledge of slab building is helpful, and the step-by-step instructions will help give you, your staff, and your customers the confidence to create a usable finished product. We’ll also look at examples of different ways to decorate these to make a more personalized experience for your customer base. These unique designs are not only functional but they’re a fun conversation starter that will bring customers back to make more!
Join our panel of industry leaders as we discuss and show samples of glaze-related challenges you may see in your studio. We’ll explore issues like:
The differences between crazing, crawling, and shivering, including what causes these and whether they can be fixed or prevented
The best way to keep those writer bottles working
·Is it an oolite or something else in my dipping glaze?
Why did my item split during firing and how can I prevent that from happening again?
Our panel will be watching out on Chatter to see what other hot topics come up prior to convention. We will also allow time for questions.
This class is designed for studio owners who want to boost their online presence, without the burnout of trying to keep up with the ever-changing algorithms. You'll learn easy, sustainable systems for capturing content, delegating to staff, automating your posts, and even making platforms like Pinterest work for you long after you've logged off. Whether you're starting from scratch or just looking to streamline, this session will leave you with a ready-to-implement plan that saves time and builds real engagement—with minimal effort from you.