Frequently Asked Questions

Our ceramics are fired at a mid-range temperature of Cone 7 which is 2,262°F to ensure maximum strength and durability.

The lead time for placing an order depends on the availability of the item. Most items are in stock and can be shipped within 2-3 business days. For custom orders, we will provide you with an estimated timeline after discussing your order with you.

We mix all the glazes here at the studio. They are stable, food safe and lead/zinc free.

Yes! We are thrilled you are interested in taking a class. The classes are limited to 4 students so you get one on one time in every class. Kelsey loves teaching and releases a new class schedule every year in January. Click here for the current class schedule.

You can use Kayak to help you! They have some great suggestions for planning your entire trip and are worth checking out. But here are my personal recommendations... Starting with food! Nine Mile West is the best for slightly casual dinning. Everything on the menu is fantastic. I usually get the Back a Yard Bowl with Vegan Brats but you can't go wrong. Finest Deli has an amazing lunch menu. The Shroom Chopped Cheese is out of this world fantastic! The UJ is best for casual outdoor dinning. They have the best mimosas in town and hands down the best tater tots! Jargon is wonderful slightly more upscale dining experience I love the grilled carrots! West End Bakery is amazing for all types of pastries and light bites. I like to sit outside and people watch. They also have pretty good coffee. Izzy's Coffee is the best coffee on the west side! Their espresso is so smooth and creamy delicious.

The Plays in Mud gallery at 735C Haywood Rd in West Asheville is open for walk-in visits Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 6pm. On other days we're happy to arrange a visit by appointment — just call 828-225-4063. Note that we're generally not in until noon most days.

Yes — parking is located behind the studio off Dunwell. We offer 3-hour validated parking for all visitors. Just come in and ask for the code, or call ahead and we'll have it ready for you.

Adult pottery classes are limited to 6 students so every student gets personalized attention and hands-on guidance throughout the session. Summer kids camp classes are limited to 4 students.

For 4-week classes everything is provided — clay, tools, glazes, and firings are all included. For 6-week and 8-week classes students will need to purchase a tool kit before the first class. We offer two curated kits: the Basic Kit at $50 and the Basic Plus Kit at $75 which includes the basic kit plus some useful upgrades. Tool kits can be purchased through Plays in Mud.

At Plays in Mud we rely on four must-have tools for every class. The wire cut-off tool by Dirty Girls, the needle tool by Xiem, a basic yellow sponge, and a metal rib — lovingly referred to in our studio as the Tool of Death. These four tools will carry you through almost every stage of making.

Our studio clay is Miller 65 (also known as WC-609), a Laguna Clay product we purchase through The Village Potters Clay Center here in Asheville. We also source tools through The Village Potters and Clay-King. It's important to us to support local and trusted suppliers in the ceramics community.

You can purchase Plays in Mud pottery in person at our West Asheville gallery located at 735C Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806, online through our shop at playsinmud.com, or through a network of galleries across the country that carry our work. Visit our Find a Store page for the full list with links to each gallery.

Yes — custom orders are one of my favorite things to do. We offer a free 30-minute consultation either in person at the studio or by phone to discuss your vision. Deposits are tiered based on order value: $25 for orders up to $250, $50 for orders up to $500, and $100 for all orders over $500. Timelines are open-ended — every custom piece is made with intention and care, not rushed. To get started reach out through our contact page or call 828-225-4063.

Gift certificates are coming soon! They will be available in increments of $25 up to $1,000 and can be used toward classes or pottery purchases. Check back soon or contact us to be notified when they launch.

When Kelsey enrolled in her first pottery class — Ceramics 101 — her father Lyle looked at her and said "you're going to go play in the mud." It was the early days of email, and she created an email address: playsinmud. The name stuck, and the rest is history.

Handbuilding is the art of assembling pieces of clay together by hand. At Plays in Mud we typically use a slab roller to roll/press clay into thin, even sheets. Those sheets are then cut and assembled into vessels, mugs, plates, bowls, and other forms. It's an approachable, forgiving, and a wonderful way to start working with clay.

Wheel throwing uses the pottery wheel as a tool to create vessels and forms — most typically round pieces, because the wheel makes round objects. The finishing of wheel-thrown pieces often incorporates handbuilding skills as well. It takes practice but is deeply satisfying once it clicks.

Yes — we want you to be happy and feel good about supporting local. Online and in-person purchases can be returned within 30 days of purchase. Items must be received in one piece and undamaged. The buyer is responsible for return postage. Plays in Mud will cover postage on any replacement item.

Very likely yes. Jasper and Korva are two tiny dogs with very big personalities. Jasper is the greeter — he'll say a quick hello and then let you get on with your day. Korva is quiet until she has something to say, and when she does, she says it. At 12 lbs and 6 lbs respectively, together they make about a bit and a pup of a dog. They're a beloved part of the Plays in Mud experience.

A few pottery rules and truths that will serve you well: The wheel must always be on when you touch the clay — the only time it's off and you're touching clay is when you're completely done. Water is not your best friend in handbuilding — it's your mortal enemy. Use it sparingly. In wheel throwing, water is your lubricant and your ally. Use it generously. When attaching handles, let gravity be your friend. We don't worry about it until it needs to be worried about. There are all ways three touches. Never ever rush! Know when to stop and stop touching! The rest you'll learn when you get here.

Our studio is equipped with Shimpo VL Lite pottery wheels for wheel throwing, a Shimpo slab roller for handbuilding, and L&L kilns for firing. All of our equipment was purchased through Clay-King.com, one of our trusted suppliers in the ceramics community.