Choplet

I really liked this experience, especially after some pretty crappy experiences at other places around town. I’ve had a few teachers at Choplet, and they definitely vary in teaching style.
In general the studio is really accommodating and really bends over backwards to accommodate my crazy schedule. Also Nadeige, the studio owner, is really sweet.
The only downsides are if you don’t stay on top of registration it can be hard to get a spot (a testament to the fact it’s super popular).
Anyway I’m staying w Choplet :-)

I took a group class here and it was so bad that my friend and I stopped after 2 classes. The place is really small, and cramped… its like taking a pottery class in a crowded subway car. Also, the instructors are pretty indifferent on how well you are getting the techniques. The friends that remained in the class said that by the end they never learned how to properly make a bowl that wasn’t wobbly.

I was a studio potter here for a few months. My main problem (aside from the crowds, disorganization and dust, which are in any pottery studio in this area) is that I couldn’t find my work, either bisqued or glazed. I finally stopped coming because there isn’t really a point to making things and having them disappear week after week – although eventually some would turn up random places, I lost quite a few things.
There should be a system for putting bisqueware on the shelves by date. It’s just too packed to be usable in there with weeks at a time piled up.

Loved loved my first beginner class on wheel throwing! Now interested in registering for an 8 week class to master them skills :) Bonus: cute little gallery when you enter the studio

Disclaimer: This was my first pottery spinning class ever.
Came here on a Friday night for Choplet’s Sip & Spin Class ready to tackle the half-​finished bottle of wine I brought and the pottery wheel. Before we started, our teacher gave us a quick tour of the studio. It’s a small place with 2 rooms for pottery spinning, 1 room for hand building pottery, and a basement with the kilns and room for all the finished or waiting-​to-​be-​fired pottery.
Once we got to our individual wheels, our teacher started with the basics of how to throw and center your clay on the wheel as well as a bunch of other stuff I don’t know the actual terms of. He gave us the freedom to play around with the clay ourselves rather than just having to listen to his instructions, he was very hands on if you needed any assistance, and he was super supportive of clay creations that were both good and, let’s face it, fugly. 2 hours felt like enough time but I also couldv’e done this for hours more.
I’m pretty into crafts, and after this class, I think I’m hooked. I’m already looking into trying this some more. The Sip & Spin Class doesn’t come with color glazing, which was a bummer as some of the examples in the basement had some beautiful colors and patterns, but I guess that’s something to work towards in the future.

This review is for the studio potter use, not the classes.
Pros:
–the studio potter option is $ 150 a month, which is the cheapest in the area (next cheapest I have found is La Mano at $ 175 but the work area there is tiny and they only have two clays).
–the space is great for working. You can find times where you will be all alone in a room making stuff with no one bothering you, and that is wonderful.
–they have five kinds of clay and an okay assortment of glazes
–the crowd there is not what you get at Supermud (viz. rude old ladies who can’t stop talking loud), rather Brooklany types, mostly quiet, much legitimate art going on
–the staff are responsive to communication by email/​phone
–you can fire your own clay for an extra fee (not so at La Mano).
Cons:
–stuff disappears during firing
–the administration is pretty exacting about you following their rules for payment and whatnot, but will not hesitate to not refund you for stuff
–my shelf was robbed the first week I was there and all my molds stolen
–the website claims they have 7 clays and 50 glazes, which is not true
–there are no reduction kilns for use (the only one I have found nearby is at NJ ceramics academy, and the studio there is outrageously expensive and also mostly unavailable, but their glazes seem amazing)
–there are no tools for you to use so you have to carry them if you work at home.
Summary: NYC is not the best place to make ceramic art. Unfortunately. This is the best option I have found and it’s not great.

I’ve been a studio potter at Choplet for about six months. I love that there is an option to use the open studio without having to sign up for a class. (I haven’t taken a class at Choplet so can’t speak to the teaching.)
The studio is kept relatively tidy (difficult in a pottery studio!), the wheels always work, there is a separate room for hand building, many molds to use, and many glazes. The glazes sometimes run out and aren’t immediately re-​mixed, but with so many choices, this isn’t usually a problem for me. They make up for it by firing on a pretty regular schedule — I never wait more than a week for a piece from when it’s placed on the shelf to when I get it back from bisque or glaze-​firing.
The facility is not huge, but I’ve never seen it so crowded that I wasn’t able to work. The warmer months the back yard is a great place to work.

I took a group class there in which we were able to bring out own wine. The teacher, Sabri, was super patient with all us newbies. He taught us of enough of the basics thoroughly and we all made at least one bowl. One of us even made four! I made one wonky one, that only my mom would love, and a decent one. I picked up my bowls a few days later (maybe a week) and I felt really proud to have a couple of things I made myself.
I recommend taking a class there and bring your own inspiration! :)

I’m a former customer of WCC. I highly recommend caution here. The owner was very biased towards extracting money from me at the tail end of our contract. The lease states I had to give 30 days notice, but that usually leases were month to month starting on the first. I notified the owner on the 6^th and she held me unrelentingly to another month until she had a new renter that wanted to start earlier. Thus if you miss by one day she will demand 60 days notice on a tiny lease because that how she «usually» does it. Pyrrhic victory at best. I’m not really sure why any customer facing business would be so aggressive for so little money ($ 220/​month). Seems like there are a few other former customers here with similar wallet lightening experiences. Granted, I’m from the Midwest where you can generally assume smaller businesses want you to be happy with your experience and will at least split the middle on gray areas.
Also there’s a random non-​compete clause in the lease without a term. Probably not enforceable, but it’s clear they know the value of their service provided is pretty low if they’re trying to prevent competition.
On that note, the WCC facility is what you make of it. A few wheels, kilns that you pay for per firing and a spray booth. Kilns were frequently booked months out. Otherwise, if you’re a professional and you can cope with possibly not firing for months it’s probably an ok deal if you don’t want to rent a private studio space elsewhere and get your own kiln you can actually use. So that leaves WCC in at awkward market position; Not for professionals unless you can book your firings months out, not for amateurs like me.
One star for leaving me with a bad taste.

I’m not a fan of this place. I took a class that was really not that instructive at all and unless you just want to hang out with some people on Grand Street and pay over $ 300 to do it, I’d say find a better place. The teacher kept saying «What do you think you should do?» when asked a direct question which made me batty. I also think they have expanded too fast, because they can’t keep to a firing schedule. It actually cost me additional money (on top of the $ 300+ to hang out) to finish my work when it was ready for bisque firing according to their schedule. It is a beautiful space, but if you want to be able to learn some skills in a functional environment, this is not the place.

First time taking a pottery class and I loved it! My boyfriend went with me and we made really cool things that we were able to take home with us. Damien was our instructor for the night and he starts off with a general overview of how to start creating things then comes around individually and helps each person.
The owner seems like a really nice lady and took us last minute on a Saturday night. I really recommend everyone try this place!

Awesome fun! They took me last minute for a introductory Saturday class. I got to keep what I made too! The instructor (Damien?) was very helpful and reminded me of Leonard from The Big Bang Theory which was a plus.
This place has me very interested in pursing ceramics as a hobby. I’m a first timer.
Don’t pay attention to the 1 star reviews by conceited FIT rejects. This place is on the money and very helpful for a new student.

I have a bit of experience with ceramics and wanted to find a studio that was flexible. Classes here are pretty unstructured, which is good if you are willing to ask questions but perhaps tricky if you are brand new. That said, all the instructors are open… Let them know your interests and they help you find your way.
Compared to my studio in Chicago the space is obviously smaller and I wish I had more, but for the price it’s very reasonable. I spent a year shopping around for a studio, choplet’s instructors, price and structure really fit the bill for me.

I love Choplet! I live in the neighborhood, and one day, while I walked by the studio, Nadeige was standing outside. I had been wanting a new and different creative outlet in my life, and the gorgeous ceramic work in the windows of the gallery caught my eye. Nadeige noticed me looking and said hello. I asked her if she offered classes, and was relieved when she turned out to be friendly and helpful. I signed up for the next available session.
That was two years ago this Summer… and in that short time, I’ve gone from a total beginner with zero experience to selling my first collection of ceramics at a holiday craft fair in Soho this past December. Needless to say, I am more than satisfied with my experience at Choplet. Nadeige has created a welcoming and supportive environment in which to work, and all of the instructors I have come in contact with are talented and helpful, although my main instructor has been Bobby. He’s great, our class feels like a family, and I always stay after the official end of class until the studio closes for the night. I recommend people take advantage of the open studio hours. You get out of it what you put in.
As word gets around the city about how great this place is (and how inexpensive the firing fees are — which are clearly stated on their site, emails, flyers, and during the sign-​up process), classes have become very popular, and each session books up fast. The great thing about signing up for a class (even if you don’t need instruction) is that only people in that class are allowed to work in the studio during that time slot. You don’t have to participate in the lesson if you don’t want to. I like that there are no assignments and that everyone works at his/​her own pace and does his/​her own thing, but if you want individualized instruction, a teacher is right there to demonstrate and help. I also find it very inspiring to be in classes/​open hours with members who have more skill and experience than I do. It has made my work better!
The studio gets crowded during peak open hours and before the holidays (what’s better than handmade gifts?), but I suspect that is true of every other ceramics studio of this sort. It has never prevented me from returning for yet another session! So, I wait the thirty extra seconds at the sink to wash my tools, and think about what I’m going to make next… and I have become an expert at stacking my pieces on my shelf (I have not yet taken advantage of the option to pay a little extra for an additional shelf). My experience at Choplet has inspired me to ramp up production! I am very happy with my decision to sign up for that first class :)

I started classes at Choplet 3 months ago. After my first 2 months session, I knew it won’t be easy to stop. This studio is fantastic. Despite its small size, the place is cozy and the atmosphere is relax. Staff members are all great and helpful when needed. Nadeige, the owner, is very dynamic and nice. Registering to a class gives you free access during daily open studio hours, which is great to go practice. I am spending a lot of time there lately and feel lucky to have found this gem!

It’s way too small. Once, I threw up after a class there bc there was so much dirt/​dust/​glaze/​ceramics etc particles in the air. It’s a filthy, small space and it’s hard to be think creatively when one cannot move an elbow without bumping a neighbor. It’s so pricey that the owners could definitely afford an upgrade.

My ex was nice enough to gift me Choplet pottery classes. My experience was positive. Nadeige, the owner is very sweet and offers helpful hints if you ask. Cosmo, the studio dog is as adorable as they come; he is a mastiff (I think) and is just a love bug.
My instructor KEITH (yes, he warrants caps) was awesome. He did demos at the beginning of each class, and then allowed you to ask questions. If you wanted to work on his project of the day — fine, if not, he was there to help you with something else. He’s very knowledgeable about ceramics, and was previously an engineer (I think something to do with toys).
Here’s where this review takes a turn. Keith is one of the hottest men you will run into. I love pottery and have practiced on and off since high school, but knowing I was going to his class put a lot of extra pep in my step. I can remember skipping to class on more than one occasion. My ex knew something was up; she wanted to visit. I knew once she saw that hunk of man, my cover would be blown. One day she stopped by and BUSTED was I. There was nothing inappropriate going on, just my IQ tanking to 2 and drool falling out of my mouth. I tried my best to play it cool in there, but I’m not sure I did such a great job. Once Keith «Ghosted» me, because I wasn’t getting something he was trying to teach me on the wheel. Um, Keith is a yogi (also teaches or taught at Yoga Works) and he is fit as a freakin’ fiddle, his face is GORGEOUS, his hair is in perfect tendrils. He looks like a Greek God, so when he came up from behind, I had to go stiff as a board, lest I melt into his arms (like that clay) in front of my whole ceramics class. In the end, I remembered nothing of what he tried to teach me in that moment. One day, Nadiege’s husband showed me an album with Keith dressed up as Santa at a previous Christmas party… Um Keith only had on briefs and a Santa hat… Ridiculous!
So what I’m telling you is if you want to learn to make pottery or have fun with clay, this is a great place to do it. If you want to be made a fool of by an insanely hot man, this is the place to do it.
I hope Keith doesn’t know who I am, because this is surely embarrassing.
Do plan to pay extra for firing and kiln fees.
They offer lots of open studio hours in addition to your scheduled class time.

I am a total beginner at ceramics and am at the tail end of my first session at Choplet and I absolutely love the place. People are respectful, quiet, helpful and my instructor has been very clear and patient with me. The prices for the classes seem very fair considering that I can go other times during the week during open studio to work on my projects, practice on the wheel, glaze and see what other people are up to. They were very upfront with me about the additional fees for the tools (cheap – $ 15) and firing fees, which from what I gather is common – some people make a lot of things. Big things! For the entire semester, I haven’t yet spent my $ 20 in firing fees, despite making a lot of things. They have glazes, tools, workspaces, shelf spaces but most importantly, a very peaceful atmosphere to get inspired. My 9 year old daughter loves it as well – the children’s class is great.

This place is frustrating. I regret signing up for a class with them.
Besides being on the pricier side of pottery classes around, they don’t tell you after you’ve already signed up (apparently non-​refundably) that there’s extra fees– you have to buy tools from them and put in a deposit for kiln firings. As a novice potter, how was I supposed to know that there’s an additional $ 40 I’m supposed to shell out at the beginning of the class for such things? Or do they just think that $ 40 is small beans to all their students?
The other classes I’ve taken offer tools for students to borrow, which should be a basic requirement for offering a class. Not being up front on hidden costs = shady. Bogus.
They told me that for me to cancel the class, I need to ask my friends and fill the spot or someone else has to sign up in my place. Then, I can receive a voucher for another class with them. If they’re getting the money from another student, why aren’t they giving me a refund? Shady shady shady.
Also, they don’t always seem to pick up the phone when they say they are open.
p. s. the other review on Unilocal is obv written by a person who is affiliated with them — «I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed Choplet on Unilocal yet consider I’ve been a studio potter there for months now!!» … pathetic.

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed Choplet on Unilocal yet consider I’ve been a studio potter there for months now!
Really Choplet is all about the people. Run by Nadeige, who is like my ceramics therapist, and supported by her awesome staff, it’s a great place to go if you want to do mold making, wheel throwing, or handbuilding. The people are fun and lately there’s been a «salon» going to keep the clay talk goin with a lil food and drinks on the side.
Be warned it’s not the biggest studio you’ll ever see but it really doesn’t matter much and creates a warm and cozy environment.