● Arrive no less than 5 minutes early and no more than 15 minutes early, unless we have an early group scheduled in which case, please arrive 30 minutes prior.
● Locate the studio daily communications log and complete the “Opening List”. This list is very important and was compiled with thoughtful deliberation. If you do not finish a task on the list, please let the person relieving you know that information so they can complete it (these should be on limited occasions). If you do not do something, do not initial that you have done it.
Lights on, adjust temperature & music on.
In summer we turn the cool air down to 72 at opening.
In winter we turn the heat up to 68 at opening.
Music is on a set schedule and should turn on and off independently. Typically keep volume between 40-45. Music should not be overwhelming; take a walk through the studio and ensure you can hear yourself think/chat with other guests over the music. Please stick to the pre-set playlists – you’re welcome to make your own and Jess will listen to it before adding to the approved playlists que.
Check party calendar for today & turn desk lamp on.
If there is a party scheduled, set up the party room with water in bowls and make sure enough brushes are in the pails.
Distribute ALL items from kitchen area; make soap water.
Includes all items in drying pails and wire basket on wall, silk screens, and all items in dish drying rack.
Make soap water by filling one side of the sink with water and a few drops of soap.
Restock bathroom & kitchen with paper towels, toilet paper & soap; Pick up trash on the bathroom & studio floor.
Be sure to observe the sink, mirror, and undercarriage of toilet and clean as needed.
Check stamps, stencils & lazy susans for tools left with paint.
You’d be surprised how many people use an item and then put it back where they found it, dirty or covered in paint.
Check tables for dirty brushes and remove.
A good indicator of dirty brushes are ones that look still wet or are even turned upside down with handles displayed instead of bristles.
While checking tables for dirty brushes, also check for “special” brushes that may have been left there by customers, i.e. fan brushes, mop brushes, teeny tiny detail brushes, brushes with marbled handles, etc.
Consolidate trash from cans and take to dumpster; take cardboard to dumpster.
Check telephone messages & return calls; delete answered messages.
If there is a message that requires more information than you know at the time, write down the message and leave for manager to return when they arrive back in studio.
Run glaze for 4 minutes and check viscosity to assure it is at 12.
If the viscosity is above 12 seconds, add 1 cup of water per second it is over. Run tank for 1 minute 30 seconds and then test again.
i. Viscosity is at 16? Add 4 cups of water.
ii. Repeat the process as necessary.
Count register for $200 using form and note if there’s a discrepancy.
Put signage outside and turn on open signs. Put out wet floor banana if it's a rainy day.
After the Opening Checklist is done, proceed to the middle of the communication log list titled “These items MUST get done today” and work through them in priority order. Typically, this list consists of glazing the previous day’s pieces, loading kilns, unloading kilns, and finishing pieces for pick up.
Once that list is completed, there will be other duties left by your manager for you to complete. The only reason these should not be completed is if we are busy helping customers.
NOTE: Because you will be working shift time by yourself, there is always time that you can do nothing, but that will be noted and your scheduled hours will change as a result of it.
● Customers come first, ALWAYS. If you are too busy with customers that you don’t get one other thing done, THAT’S OKAY. On the other hand, if you claim you were too busy with customers to get something done, but sales do not reflect a busy day, we will need to discuss appropriate time management.
● Things you cannot do during your shift: talk excessively on personal phone calls (this should be limited to emergencies only), play games on your phone or other personal device, watch videos on your phone or other personal device, listen to music on your phone or other personal device, personal text messaging or non-work related phone use out in the studio floor, do your homework, talk excessively to friends, have friends or significant others behind the counter or in the studio talking to you for extended periods, and painting personal pottery.
● Do not work ONLY while manager or owner is in the studio. I have worked many shifts here and know how long things take to do based on the volume of customers in the studio. So, we will know what you have or have not done.
● No painting of personal pottery while you are working. See the Employee Discount section for when and how you can paint your own pottery. Painting personal pottery on the clock is time theft and IS a fireable offense.
Text the manager any time a package arrives. Don’t open anything unless instructed to. Most deliveries need to be matched to a distribution sheet for check-in. Always ask first!
Complete the Closing Checklist located on the right most side of the daily communication log. This may begin an hour or more before closing, depending on studio customer volume.
1. All dishes, brushes, pallets, etc. are washed and in the drying rack.
a. Sponges should be picked up, rinsed, and squeezed out well.
2. Clean & dry the sink and kitchen area.
3. Make sure mixer is on glaze tank.
4. Stock drinks in refrigerator.
5. Put dremel battery on charger in backroom.
6. Make sure all pieces on paint rack are right side up.
7. Put away/straighten paint bottles; Wipe down paint station; Pull used bottles to front.
a. When wiping down paint station, make sure to wipe away the hardened paint droplets left by customers.
8. Push chairs up to tables; all tables have matching colored placemats & water bowls.
9. Leave notes on outstanding project for the next person on shift.
10. After everyone is out of the studio, LOCK ALL DOORS: Count register, fill out report & pull cash, leaving $200 (including change) in the drawer.
a. Staple Closing Register Count, Credit Card Machine Settlement and Register sales report all together, in that order, from bottom to top.
b. Group paperwork and receipts together and then paper clip Closing register count, etc, on top of receipts. Drop into the daily bag in the plastic tub with pulled cash sales.
c. Text Jess (251-463-7165) a picture of completed Net Total paperwork.
d. If change is needed in the register for opening, text manager.
11. In summer, turn air to 77 degrees OR in winter, turn heat to 65 degrees or off (depending on how cold it is outside).
12. Turn off lamp at desk & bathroom light off.
13. Turn off lights, flip closed sign, bring in sandwich board & lock door on way out.