Refund Policy

🌿 Refunds, Cancellations & Studio Care Policy Heart & Hearth Pottery Heart & Hearth Pottery is a small, intentional studio rooted in craft, care, and presence. We work with real materials, real heat, real preparation, and real people. When you register for a class, workshop, or event, you are reserving time, space, materials, and instructor attention inside a shared creative environment. This policy exists to protect that container so the studio can remain safe, sustainable, and well-held for everyone. 🌾 The Nature of This Studio Heart & Hearth Pottery is an experiential, process-based studio, not a production facility. Participation does not guarantee a finished product. Artistic outcomes vary. Learning, experimentation, and presence are the offering. Classes, workshops, events, and studio access are services, not product sales. Dissatisfaction with results, appearance, or outcomes does not constitute grounds for refunds, credits, or compensation. For the purposes of this policy, “class,” “series,” “workshop,” “event,” and “studio time” refer to scheduled, instructor-led offerings unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing by the studio. 🕯 Refunds & Cancellations — The 72-Hour Window Because instructors are scheduled, materials are prepared, and studio time is held intentionally: All cancellation or refund requests must be submitted in writing via email at least 72 hours (3 calendar days) before the scheduled start time to be eligible for consideration. Requests made within 72 hours of the start time are not eligible for a full refund. Refunds are not guaranteed and are issued at the studio’s discretion. Discretion is exercised based on operational feasibility, safety considerations, and compliance with studio policies. Any accommodation offered is a one-time courtesy, not an obligation, and does not establish precedent or expectation of future services. Approved refunds, if any, are limited to amounts actually received by the studio and exclude all non-recoverable processing or platform fees. 🌙 One-Day Classes, Workshops & Special Events One-day offerings require advance staffing and preparation. Cancellations made more than 72 hours in advance may be eligible for a partial refund, reduced by non-recoverable fees. Cancellations made within 72 hours may receive up to a 50% refund, at the studio’s discretion. No-shows are not refundable. Attendance level, participation, or early departure does not alter refund eligibility. 🔥 Multi-Week Classes & Series Multi-week classes are designed as complete learning arcs. Once the first class session has begun, the series is non-refundable, regardless of attendance. Attendance at the first session confirms participation in the full series. Missed sessions are not refundable, transferable, or deferrable. 🌀 Attendance, Responsibility & Communication Participants are responsible for managing their own attendance and communication. The studio is not responsible for tracking attendance, reaching out to participants who miss classes, or following up regarding missed sessions. If a participant misses a class, it is their responsibility to communicate proactively and in writing if they wish to inquire about options. Continued participation, non-response, or lack of objection constitutes acceptance of these policies and booking terms. The studio does not chase adults. 🌿 Studio Time Associated With Classes If studio time is offered in connection with a class: Studio time is earned only through attendance at the corresponding instructional session. Studio time may be used only during the same calendar week as the attended class. Studio time is not available during weeks in which the participant does not attend. Studio time does not accrue, roll over, transfer, or apply to other offerings. Studio time is supervised and instructional in nature and does not permit unattended or unsupervised access. Studio time exists solely to support learning connected to scheduled instruction and has no independent availability. Studio time may be offered or withheld at the studio’s discretion and is not guaranteed unless explicitly stated in writing. 🧱 Work Completion & Missed Sessions Completion of work is the responsibility of the participant. If trimming, glazing, or finishing sessions are missed, the studio is not obligated to complete those steps. Instructor support includes guidance and demonstration, not physical labor performed on behalf of absent participants. Requests to return and finish work must be submitted in writing and are evaluated case-by-case. Such accommodations do not establish precedent. 🏺 Materials, Firing & Kiln Safety Fired work is not guaranteed to survive bisque or glaze firing. Cracking, warping, glaze defects, explosions, and firing loss are normal risks of ceramics. Firing loss does not imply negligence and is not grounds for refunds or credits. Approved Materials Only Only clay purchased directly from Heart & Hearth Pottery may be fired. Work made from unknown or unapproved materials will not be fired. Participants are responsible for compliance regardless of supervision. If unapproved materials cause kiln damage, the participant is financially responsible for all resulting repair, replacement, downtime, and associated costs. All firing and material decisions are final for purposes of studio administration. 🌸 Work Pickup, Storage & Shipping Work must be picked up within 30 days of the final class session or notification of completion, whichever comes first. Pickup hours are Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. Pickup outside these hours requires prior written coordination via email. Storage & Abandoned Work Work left beyond 30 days may incur storage fees and/or be reclaimed, recycled, or discarded. Work not retrieved within the stated timeframe is considered abandoned. Disposal occurs only after reasonable opportunity for retrieval as defined herein. Shipping Shipping is available upon written request and full advance payment. All shipping costs and risks are the responsibility of the participant. 🌿 Release of Work to Others Work will be released only to the participant of record unless prior written authorization via email is provided. Once released to an authorized third party, responsibility transfers to the participant. 🔒 Supervision & Safety No unsupervised studio access is permitted for non-members. Improper or unsafe equipment use results in immediate loss of access. ✉️ Communication Standards All administrative requests must be submitted by email. Requests are reviewed Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm. Excessive, disruptive, or aggressive communication may result in termination of services. 🕊 Conduct, Termination & Future Bookings Heart & Hearth Pottery is a shared, intentional space rooted in respect, presence, and safety. Aggressive, hostile, or disruptive behavior or communication may result in immediate termination without refund. Payment does not guarantee continued access if conduct violates studio standards. Termination decisions are based on behavior and operational impact, not the content of feedback. The studio reserves the right to refuse future service to any individual previously terminated for conduct. 🌱 Minors & Youth Classes Parents or guardians are responsible for all communication on behalf of minors. Parents are financially responsible for damage caused by their child. Unsafe or disruptive behavior may result in removal from class. 🌧 Force Majeure Classes may be rescheduled due to weather, emergencies, or circumstances beyond the studio’s control. Rescheduling does not constitute cancellation or refund eligibility. 📸 Media Photography or recording may occur in the studio. The studio is not responsible for media captured or shared by third parties. 🧾 Payment Disputes Initiating a chargeback without following the studio’s written process may result in termination of services and refusal of future bookings. 🧺 Retail Sales (Clay, Tools, Gift Cards) Retail purchases are separate from instructional services. Gift cards are non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash, except where required by law. Gift cards do not expire but may be subject to studio policy changes. Clay and retail items are final sale once opened or used. Unopened retail items may be eligible for exchange at the studio’s discretion. Processing and transaction fees are non-refundable. Retail purchases are not eligible for refunds due to scheduling conflicts, dissatisfaction, or change of mind. Retail items purchased for use in the studio remain subject to all studio safety, firing, and material policies. 📜 Final Authority Failure to read or understand policies does not exempt participants. Continued participation constitutes acceptance. The policy in effect at time of purchase governs the transaction. Total studio liability, if any, shall not exceed the amount paid for the specific service. Governed by California law, venue in Los Angeles County. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. All determinations are final for purposes of studio administration.