Feats of Clay

I went here with some friends and girlfriend to do a cute little double date. You have to have prior experience/​training to use the wheel, and if you say you do, they will ask you questions and watch you like the Gestapo in Nazi Germany. You have to clean up after your done, and they’re not shy about that either; they continually reminded us the entire time. It’s a private studio (I didn’t know that going into it) so I understand the whole «you’re on your own, we’re not gonna help you» thing, but at the same time the whole ordeal costs us over $ 100 for only one hour and they wouldn’t even put any of our pottery in the oven, so we left with nothing.
The only reason I’m giving this two stars rather than one is because I misunderstood the kind of place this is. If you are an experienced potter that is willing to pay a decent amount of money to rent out some equipment, this might be the place for you. However, if you wanna have a good time doing some casual pottery, you’d probably have better luck somewhere else.

This place is amazing. if you like creative and functional pottery. I was looking for plates and walked away with so much more, and really affordable. The people working there clearly enjoyed what they where doing and I was able to watch them making pottery while I was shopping. I’m really tempted to take one of their classes. They offered me spice tea and we laughed the whole time I was in the store. I left with the plates that I wanted and feeling like I had made new friends.

What a frustrating place, and I can’t tell if it’s because I just expected better.
I love the look of the store. So much beautiful pottery around and some of the work is terrifically well done and average-​priced. My entire complaint is with the service.
I special ordered a piece and discussed the design with the owner, Judy. She wrote my requests and information down in a notebook, took my deposit and said it would be 2 weeks. I called her 2 weeks later and she said she had lost my requests about how to make the piece. I explained that she had written it down and guided her (over the phone) to her own notebook so that she could retrieve the instructions. She thanked me and told me it would be another 2 weeks.
I called after those 2 weeks (one full month after I had ordered the piece). She said the piece wasn’t ready yet and, because she was going on vacation the following week, wouldn’t get a chance to be finished for 2 more weeks. She seemed to think it was no big deal and didn’t apologize or acknowledge her mistake. After speaking with her about my disappointment in having a 2-​week turnaround time turn into 6 weeks, she apologized and (after me badgering) gave me a $ 5 discount on the piece.
All of this wouldn’t have to be a big deal if there were someone running the company who actually had accountability. I wonder if I hadn’t called if she would have ever contacted me about the piece at all. The work done there is pretty terrific but it’s carried out in such a relaxed manner that the experience is disappointing.

I went to Feats of Clay for the first and last time recently. I found several things I wanted including something on the half off table outside and confirmed with an employee that a particular item was indeed half price. As I was about to pay for my items, another employee (the owner perhaps) hung up from the phone call she’d been on and interjected that she couldn’t possibly sell the item for that amount. I nicely commented that it was on the table outside and the half off amount was affordable and she snatched the item away and exclaimed, «Well, $ 40 is affordable!» Perhaps to some people it is and perhaps for some purposes it is, but not to me and not for the purpose I had for the item.
I found the woman’s response to be rude at best. I won’t shop there next time I’m in Austin.

I have a thing for functional art. I mean, you can’t just lounge around my house… you have to earn your keep!
Still working on that concept with the cat…
…anyway. Feats of Clay has great functional pieces! I kinda went hog wild the first time I walked in here. It’s so CHEAP [for pottery]. I bought salt and pepper shakers, mugs, bowls, vases… and I didn’t break $ 100! Crazy. Granted, a lot of the pieces are done by amateurs — probably people who take classes there, but they’re still well done. Simple, functional, and well-​crafted. And you can still definitely find professional pieces (look for Judy’s shelf). I like it much more than the ornately carved, sparkled-​glazed, overpriced pieces at Clayways — although you can tell Clayways’ pieces are all done by more experienced potters.
If you’re looking for functional, local art from friendly, knowledgeable people, this is your place! Classes are the cheapest rates I’ve heard of in this town, so I’m sure it’s great for learning how to work clay, as well!

Feats of Clay gets the cool name award.
Very chill working studio slash retail space on Burnet Rd. For unique home décor with a dash of local flavor, Feats has both functional clay pieces (dishes, ash trays, kitchen needs) and genuine art. Reasonable prices and a wonderful mix of artists’ work on display.
This store fully utilizes its space. While the front portion of the building is dedicated to the finished product, walk a bit further to find broad tables and supplies… pottery in the making. An added bonus are the classes offered by the store’s pros. Take a six-​week course as a beginner or an intermediate ($ 165). An ideal group outing as well.
Great Fun at Feats.