Frequently Asked Questions

We're open 7 days a week! Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM.

Find us at LaVale Shopping Plaza, 1313 National Hwy Ste 14, LaVale, MD 21502. We're tucked behind Oil Works and on the Dunham's side of the plaza.

Feel free to call us at 240.707.0770 or visit our contact page at Mr. Toad's Pottery Contact Us.(https://www.mrtoadspottery.com/contactus)

If you accidentally break a piece you’re painting, we understand that accidents happen. We offer a 75% discount on a replacement piece so you can continue your project. If the piece can be repaired after firing, we will do so and charge the full price for the item.

In cases where breakage results from carelessness, such as knocking items off a shelf or table, or from horseplay, we must charge a breakage fee of 50% of the item’s cost. This helps us maintain a respectful and safe environment for everyone.

To ensure a special celebration, all birthday parties with food, drinks, and presents must be booked as an in-studio party or a private event space party. Please contact us or visit our website to explore our birthday party packages a(www.mrtoadspottery.com/parties)nd book your event!

Absolutely! We recommend washing your hands before you start painting, especially if you've recently applied lotion or eaten, to ensure your pottery turns out beautifully and without any resisting.

We welcome artists of all ages, from 0 to 99+! Even the youngest guests, like babies, can participate by finger painting or making hand or footprints on pottery. It’s a beautiful way to capture how small they are today on a special piece of pottery that will last a lifetime. All skill levels are welcome, so whether you’re a seasoned artist or trying pottery for the first time, we have something for you.

Absolutely! Mr. Toad's Pottery is dedicated to being an inclusive and safe space for all artists of all backgrounds. We welcome guests of all ages, genders, races, and skill levels. Our studio is a place for everyone to explore their creativity in a supportive and friendly environment.

During our after-hours events, you’re welcome to bring your own adult beverages to enjoy. Please note that these are not permitted during normal walk-in studio hours or at family events where children are present.

To keep our studio clean and pieces food-free, outside food is not permitted. However, we offer a variety of drinks and snacks for just $1 each! Outside drinks are welcome, but please enjoy them carefully, especially around the artwork.

For the safety of our artwork and the enjoyment of all our guests, we ask that there be no horseplay, running, jumping, or dancing in the front studio. Our event studio is more flexible, as there are no pottery pieces on shelves, allowing kids to move around more freely. However, we do ask that guests remain seated and not cause distractions for others in areas where pottery is displayed.

The process of actual painting takes as long as YOU want it to! With that being said, most of our customers take about 1 to 2 hours to complete a project. Some take much longer depending on the amount of detail you want to put into your project. Alternately, our little artists take less time as their attention span is not built for sitting for hours to work on a project.

Typically in one week your pieces will be ready to be piecked-up. We glaze and fire your piece so that it is ready to be picked up on the following Friday after you paint it.

During your visit we ask which way you would like to be contacted, a call or text, when your pottery is ready for pick up. You're pottery will be done within one week and at checkout we give you a receipt with the Toadily Done Date on it! We keep your pieces for 60 days and then donate it if it is left over the 60 days. Clay Members: Your projects will be left on your shelf when they are ready to be painted or picked up.

Our pieces vary in price and we have A LOT to chose from! Our prices are all inclusive and cover the cost of the piece, paint, supplies, studio time, glazing, firing, getting it back to you within a week and sales tax. Our most popular pieces range in price from $25 to $45.

Our prices are all-inclusive, covering the cost of the piece, paints, supplies, studio time, glazing, firing, and even the sales tax. There are no hidden fees unless you opt for optional services like rush firing or custom painting.

Yes, we offer a Frequent Painter Card where every $30 spent earns you a paint splat. Fill up 12 splats for $30 off your next visit! We also have daily specials and a monthly drawing for a $30 gift card. More details are available on our Rewards (www.mrtoadspottery.com/rewards)page.

Check out our full schedule at Mr. Toad's Pottery Events.(https://www.mrtoadspottery.com/events) You can find information on our private parties, birthday packages, and special art classes there as well.

o book, visit Mr. Toad's Pottery Party Time.(https://www.mrtoadspottery.com/partytime) We offer various party options to celebrate special occasions, all bookable online.

No, we are not closed when we host special events, unless otherwise noted. Our special events do not interfere with walk in painting as we have events happening in our event space, clay or stoneware studios. Tickets are required to attend our special events.(www.mrtoadspottery.com/events)

Yes, we host school field trips and offsite events, as well as fundraising events where a portion of the proceeds goes back to your school or charity. Details are available on our website.

Our paint bar is stocked with water-based, non-toxic glazes that won't stain your clothes. Below the bar, you'll find our technique bar with cards explaining various painting methods and all the supplies you need, like stamps, stencils, and spinners.

Aside from pottery, we offer colorbook canvases, hand-drawn for easy painting, and a candle bar where you can create a Mosaic Glow Candle. Each project has its own set of materials and unique steps, which our art assistants will gladly walk you through.

No reservations needed—walk-ins are welcome! We recommend arriving at least one hour before closing if you plan to paint, to ensure you have enough time to enjoy your project.

If you arrive just before closing, you can either select your pottery and take a Pottery2go kit home to paint at no extra cost, or if you’re in the middle of your project when we're about to close, we’ll help you pack up so you can finish at home.

During the school year, weekdays are less busy, and in the summer, weekends offer a quieter atmosphere. These times are perfect if you prefer a more relaxed setting with less sensory overload.

Absolutely! Our studio remains open to walk-in painters even during events held during normal studio hours, which are usually held in separate spaces so your painting experience remains uninterrupted. For after hours events, we do require you to pre-register for the event (www.mrtoadspottery.com/events)in order to attend.

📦 Studio Use & Storage • One Shelf Per Member: Your membership includes one designated shelf (31.5” x 15”) for your clay, reclaim, tools, and works in progress. • If you require additional storage, you may upgrade to a larger shelf or rent an additional shelf (subject to availability). • All items must fit entirely within your designated shelf space. • Shelf Maintenance: Please keep your shelf tidy and labeled. Unclaimed or overflowing items may be removed after notice. 🧼 Clean-Up Expectations When using any of the following: ☑ Wheels ☑ Slab roller ☑ Work tables ☑ Wedging blocks ☑ Counters/Tables/Chairs ☑ Sinks ☑ Shared tools or studio supplies You agree to: • Leave your space cleaner than you found it • Turn off the wheel when finished • Sweep and mop the floor around your workspace • Properly wash and return all tools to their storage location • Pour slip or scraps into the appropriate reclaim buckets • Put away your works in progress and materials before leaving Failure to consistently clean up may result in restricted access to studio privileges. ⏰ Studio Access & Class Times • Members may use the studio only during open hours and when no class is actively in session. • If you'd like to attend a class, you must register in advance, even if it's included in your membership. 🔥 Kiln Use & Clay Guidelines • Only clay purchased at the studio is approved for use unless prior permission is obtained. • All outside clay must be approved by management before use, glazing, or firing. • Outside clay pieces will incur an outside firing fee, determined by: • Clay body type • Cubic inches of the piece • Type of service required (bisque or glaze firing) 🏷️ Firing Protocol Before submitting work to be fired, members must: • Tag all pieces with their name or member ID • Fill out and submit a firing ticket • Sign or stamp each piece with their initials or name for identification 👩‍🏫 Instructor Assistance This is a self-guided membership. If you request hands-on help from an instructor outside of a scheduled class, a $35/hour instruction fee will apply and must be paid the same day. 💳 Billing & Cancellation • Memberships auto-renew monthly on your start date and are charged to the card on file. • To cancel, you must provide at least 48 hours' notice prior to your renewal date. • Upon cancellation, your shelf must be cleared within 48 hours unless otherwise arranged.

🛑 Clay Studio Membership Pause Policy Effective June 7, 2025 We understand that travel, seasonal living, or life changes may require a break from the studio. To maintain fairness and organization within our clay community, the following pause policy applies to all Clay Studio Memberships: 🔁 Eligibility: • Clay Members may request to pause their membership once per calendar year for up to 90 consecutive days • Pause requests must be submitted in advance and must include an intended restart date • Pause requests are subject to studio approval and space availability upon return ⏰ Pause Duration & Expiration: • Memberships paused for longer than 90 days will be automatically canceled • Upon cancellation: • Your shelf will be released • Any grandfathered pricing or shelf upgrade benefits will be forfeited • If you return later, you must rejoin at the current membership rate and based on shelf availability 📦 Shelf Clearance Required: • All personal items must be removed from your shelf by the start of your pause period • This includes clay, reclaim buckets, tools, and works in progress • Items left behind after a pause begins may be discarded or stored at your expense 🚫 During Your Pause: • You may not: • Use open studio time • Attend member-only classes • Store any materials in the studio • Access membership discounts 📩 How to Request a Pause: Please email mrtoad@mrtoadspottery.com (mrtoad@mrtoadspottery.com)or visit the front desk to request a pause. Be sure to include: • Your full name • Desired pause start date • Expected return date Thank you for helping us keep the studio space fair, organized, and creatively inspiring for all members.