Bklyn Clay

What Bklyn Clay does

Bklyn Clay operates two state-of-the-art ceramics studios in New York City — a 5,260 sq ft flagship at 535 Carlton Avenue in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn (44 wheels, 210 members) and a 3,800 sq ft studio at 288 West Street in Tribeca, Manhattan (28 wheels, 50 members) — combining 72 pottery wheels, ceramic 3D printing, full-color decal printing, multiple kilns (cone 06 bisque, cone 6 glaze), and supporting equipment (slab roller, extruder, spray booth, photo booth). The company is built around an integrated stack of studio access, structured education, and craft retail rather than a software platform.

The business operates a multi-revenue-stream model spanning: (1) semester-long 12-week classes at $825 covering handbuilding and wheel throwing across beginner through advanced levels for adults, teens, and children; (2) 24/7/365 memberships at $300/month (private shelf) or $600/month (semi-private workspace) with a 3-month minimum; (3) TryDay Night one-time classes at $85; (4) private lessons from $200 (one person) to $1,250+ for group events up to 24 people; (5) firing services at 4–8 cents per cubic inch plus kiln rentals from $80–$1,100; (6) workshops including online formats; and (7) retail of clay, glazes, tools, apparel, gift certificates, and the proprietary BKLYN CLAY Made product line (Saturn Dinnerware, No-Spill Mugs, tumblers, lamps, and the Vase/Bong artist collaboration series). Customer segments include individual ceramics learners, youth students, 260 recurring studio members, private/corporate groups, outside ceramic artists using firing services, and community outreach participants via nonprofit partnerships with RHAP and A Safe Space. Operations are supported by an integrated tech layer (Sawyer scheduling, Squarespace e-commerce, proprietary fire.bklynclay.com firing portal) and a 30+ instructor teaching roster led by five founder/directors (Jennifer Waverek, Laura Vogel, Anders Hamilton, Gustav Hamilton, Sarah Allwine).

Name

Bklyn Clay

Legal name

BKLYN CLAY

Website

https://bklynclay.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bklyn Clay operates two New York City ceramics studios offering classes, workshops, 24/7 memberships, firing services, and retail, serving 260+ members and hundreds of annual students across Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Semester-Long Classes: 12-week semester classes teaching ceramics skills at various levels (beginner through advanced) for handbuilding and wheel throwing. Primary revenue driver for student acquisition.
2. Class Fees: Semester-long classes cost $825 for 12 weeks. Additional fees include basic tool kit ($15) and firing fees of 4 cents per cubic inch per firing.
3. Studio Memberships: Monthly memberships providing 24/7 studio access. Shelf membership at $300/month or semi-private workspace at $600/month. Includes access to all equipment, clay, and glazes. Requires 3-month minimum commitment. Current waitlist of 15-18 months for Prospect Heights.
4. Private Lessons: 2-hour private lessons for 1-5 people. Pricing ranges from $200 (1 person) to $500 (5 people). Also available for groups of 6+ as private events starting at $1,250.
5. One-Time Classes: TryDay Night classes at $85 per person. 2-hour wheel throwing introduction classes offered Friday and Saturday nights at both studios.
6. Firing Services: Kiln rental and outside firing services. Members pay 4 cents per cubic inch; non-members pay 8 cents per cubic inch. Kiln rentals range from $80-$550 depending on kiln size and member status.
7. Product Sales (Shop): E-commerce sales of clay (Laguna, Standard, Sio-2), glazes (Amaco, Mayco, Wizard), tools, brushes, apparel, and BKLYN CLAY Made merchandise including dinnerware, mugs, tumblers, lamps, and decorative pieces.
8. Glazing Appointments: 3-hour appointments for students and members to glaze bisque-fired work using studio glazes. No cost for the appointment itself; firing fees apply separately.
9. Gift Certificates: Digital gift certificates available in various denominations ($25-$600) or for specific experiences (TryDay Night, Private Lessons, Semester-Long Classes).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bklyn Clay operates two physical ceramics studios in New York City (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn and Tribeca, Manhattan) totaling 9,060 sq ft and 72 pottery wheels. The studio offers semester-long (12-week) ceramics classes, TryDay Night introductory classes, workshops, and private lessons for individuals and groups. 24/7 studio memberships provide access to professional equipment including wheels, slab rollers, extruders, ceramic 3D printers, and full-color decal printers. The company also sells proprietary handmade ceramic products under the BKLYN CLAY Made label, offers kiln firing and rental services, and operates an e-commerce shop for clay, glazes, tools, and apparel.

Product overview

BKLYN CLAY is a ceramics studio with two locations in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn and Tribeca, Manhattan, offering a comprehensive range of services across five core areas: (1) BKLYN CLAY Made — a proprietary line of handmade ceramic products including Saturn Dinnerware, No-Spill Mugs, Tumblers, Crater Cups, lamps, incense holders, and the Vase/Bong Project artist series; (2) Educational programs including Semester-Long Classes, TryDay Night Classes, Private Lessons & Events, and Workshops for all skill levels; (3) Studio Memberships providing 24/7 access with various workspace options; (4) Firing Services including Outside Firing, Glazing Appointments, and Kiln Rentals; and (5) A retail shop selling clay, glazes, underglazes, tools, decals, apparel, and gift certificates. The company operates as a service and retail business rather than a technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BKLYN CLAY Made: Line of ceramic pieces and dinnerware designed and handmade by the BKLYN CLAY team, including Saturn Dinnerware, No-Spill Mugs, Tumblers, Crater Cups, and other ceramic home goods.

Products and services

• Semester-Long Classes Twelve-week structured ceramics courses covering handbuilding, wheel throwing, and specialized techniques at beginner through advanced levels for adults, teens, and children. Classes cost $825 per semester with additional $15 basic tool kit fee. Includes open studio access and 3 make-up classes per semester.
• TryDay Night Classes One-time two-hour wheel throwing introductory classes offered Friday and Saturday nights at both Brooklyn and Manhattan studios for $85 per person, with beer and wine available. Targeted at first-time learners.
• Private Lessons and Private Events Two-hour private ceramic lessons and group events for 1-24 people at both studio locations. Pricing ranges from $200 for one person to $500 for 5 people, with group events of 6+ starting at $1,250 (up to 12 people) or $2,500 (up to 24 people). Includes beer and wine.
• Workshops Specialized short-format in-person and online workshops including Pots for Plants, Narrative Glaze Inlay, Wallflowers Intermediate, Make a Mug Handbuilding, Nerikomi Online, Intro to Mold-Making for Slip Casting, Luster Kit and Tutorial, and Painting with Underglaze Online Workshop.
• Studio Memberships 24/7/365 studio access memberships offering Traditional Membership with private shelf (4ft x 18in x 18in) at $300/month or semi-private adjustable-height workspace at $600/month. Includes access to all equipment (wheels, slab roller, extruder, ceramic 3D printer, decal printer, spray booth), clay, and glazes. Requires 3-month minimum commitment.
• Outside Firing Services Firing services for ceramic artists from outside the studio. Rates are 4 cents per cubic inch for members/students and 8 cents per cubic inch for non-members, including bisque firing to cone 06 and glaze firing to cone 6. Materials must be pre-approved for cone 6 firing.
• Kiln Rentals Individual kiln rental options including Small Barrel Kiln (members $80/outside $160), Medium Barrel Kiln ($220/$440), Oval Kiln ($325/$650), and Fredrickson Front Loader Kiln ($550/$1,100), with sizes ranging from 2,827 to 38,238 cubic inches.
• Glazing Appointments Three-hour appointments for glazing and submitting bisque-fired work for glaze firing, available at both studio locations. No cost for the appointment itself; firing fees apply separately. Work pickup within 7-10 days.
• BKLYN CLAY Made Product Line Proprietary line of ceramic pieces and dinnerware designed and handmade by the BKLYN CLAY team, including Saturn Dinnerware, No-Spill Mugs, Tumblers, Crater Cups, Three Legged Lamps, Astor Place Umbrella Holders, Strike and Burn Incense Holders, and Banorah. Special orders accepted via email.
• Gift Certificates Digital and physical gift certificates available in various denominations ranging from $25 to $600, plus preset packages for specific experiences including TryDay Night classes, Private Lessons, and Semester-Long Classes. Non-refundable.
• Clay (Retail) Retail clay sales including Laguna Moist Stoneware, Laguna Moist Clay (Cone 10), Laguna Moist Porcelain, Porcelain Slip, and Stoneware Slip. Available for same-day pickup at both Brooklyn and Manhattan studios (no shipping). Specialty clays at additional cost. 25lbs to bulk orders.
• Glazes and Underglazes Ceramic glazes and underglazes from Amaco (Celadon, Satin Matte, High Fire, Shino, Potter's Choice), Mayco (Stroke and Coat, Jungle Gems, Stoneware Crystal Glazes), and Wizard Glazes, sold in various bottle sizes.
• Custom Ceramic Decals Custom decal printing service on 8.25 x 10.75 inch sheets with full-color capability. $25 per sheet for members/students; $35 per sheet for outside submissions. Average turnaround 5-7 days. Includes underglaze, decal, and overglaze application options.
• Tools and Supplies Ceramic tools, brushes, Garrity Tools, materials, and kits available for purchase both in-store and online.
• Apparel Branded apparel and merchandise including The Cammi Climaco 24/7 Hooded Sweatshirt and BKLYN CLAY jewelry items.
• Handbuilding from Home Bundle At-home ceramics kit including instructional video, half bag of white stoneware clay (12.5 lbs), toolkit, notebook, beer or wine, and firing and glazing of two finished pieces.
• Crack Repair Kit Kits for repairing ceramic cracks and breakages using the Japanese Kintsugi process.
• Luster Kit and Tutorial Ceramic luster application kit with online tutorial for adding decorative accents to fired pieces.
• Vase/Bong Project Limited edition ongoing artist collaboration project featuring slipcast bongs decorated by various artists using decals, underglaze, tinted casting slip, or relief techniques.
• Online Workshops (Nerikomi, Mold-Making, Underglaze) Online workshop kits and video tutorials including Nerikomi Online (taught by Dustin Barzell with five concentrated Nerikomi clay balls), Intro to Mold-Making for Slip Casting (fundamentals of independent production), and Painting with Underglaze Online (taught by Sarah Allwine using AMACO Velvet Underglazes).
• Instructional Videos Online video tutorials for studio equipment and ceramic techniques accessible via the BKLYN CLAY website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12-week semester format provides measurable skill progression from beginner to advanced levels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• RHAP (Red Hook Art Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with Red Hook Art Project, a nonprofit providing free visual art, music, and academic instruction to children in Red Hook, Brooklyn. BKLYN CLAY hosts a free semester-long kids ceramics class on an ongoing basis. Fundraising through Fractured Atlas aims to expand by sponsoring additional seats in semester-long classes, one-time classes, and workshops.
• A Safe SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with A Safe Space, a nonprofit creating accessible wellness and mental health experiences for BIPOC communities. BKLYN CLAY provides a free quarterly private ceramics class. Organization focuses on breaking stigma around mental health through community building and self-care experiences.
• Fractured AtlassupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Fiscal sponsor for BKLYN CLAY's community outreach fundraising. Tax-deductible donations through Fractured Atlas platform go directly toward covering costs of additional classes, workshops, and one-time experiences for RHAP and A Safe Space participants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greenwich House Pottery: Historic Manhattan ceramics studio offering classes, workshops, and studio memberships. Comparable as a competing NYC ceramics education provider with comparable breadth of programming and target market of serious adult ceramic artists and learners.
• Clayworks NYC: NYC ceramics studio offering classes, memberships, and studio access. Directly comparable to Bklyn Clay as a competitor in the Manhattan/Brooklyn ceramics studio market with similar service offerings and target customer base.
• Choplet Ceramic Studio: Brooklyn-based ceramics studio offering classes, workshops, memberships, and firing services. Directly comparable to Bklyn Clay as a competitor in the NYC ceramics studio market with similar product offerings (classes, memberships, retail) and target customer base of urban creative adults.
• Mudville Studios: Brooklyn ceramics studio offering wheel throwing and handbuilding classes, workshops, and studio access. Directly competes with Bklyn Clay in the Brooklyn ceramics education market with comparable pricing models and target demographics.

Others

• Laguna Clay Company: Major supplier of pottery clays and ceramic materials sold through the Bklyn Clay retail shop. Relevant as a key materials supplier whose pricing and availability directly affect studio operations and retail margins.
• Skutt Kilns: Leading manufacturer of ceramic kilns and equipment. Relevant as a key equipment supplier used by Bklyn Clay's studios; their product roadmap and pricing directly impacts BKLYN CLAY's capex and operating economics.

Emerging players

• The Clay Studio: Philadelphia-based nonprofit ceramics center offering classes, exhibitions, and studio access. Comparable ceramics education and community programming model though operating in a different geography and with nonprofit rather than for-profit structure.

Broad incumbents

• Color Me Mine: National paint-your-own ceramics franchise with multiple locations. Comparable business model in terms of ceramics-based consumer experiences, though more focused on casual paint-your-own rather than serious wheel-throwing instruction like Bklyn Clay.
• The Painted Pot: Multi-location paint-your-own pottery studio chain. Comparable as a ceramics-based experiential retail business targeting similar casual consumer segments, though with less focus on technical ceramics education than Bklyn Clay.

Regional players

• As You Wish Pottery: Paint-your-own pottery studio concept with multiple U.S. locations. Comparable ceramics studio business model targeting similar consumer demographics, though primarily operating in markets outside of NYC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bklynclay
• Xx.com/bklynclay
• Facebookfacebook.com/bklynclay
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bklyn-clay

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bklyn Clay