Driftwood Ceramics

Tried to arrange a class for a group. Instead of answering questions the owner would always come back with a question when the answer was in what I had previously said. "When can we do a class?" Her "any time but at most nights we have classes". "So Tuesday 4-6?" Her, "we have class". Well "most nights" is not EVERY night. A friend in the group I was arranging for, actually had taken classes and asked the instructor that she had if she was available. She was. So I emailed owner again and asked "can we have this day at this time? Your instructor said she's available ". Her "so you wan Lajoy as your instructor?" We'll dig that's just what i emailed you about. So I gave up and let my friend who had taken classes there deal with it. I can't deal with stupid. When she finally got the date and time settled I asked how to pay. Instead of just giving me the Venmo (driftwoodceramics) she had to ask for my Venmo so she could send a "request". Why couldn't she just say send the payment to @driftwoodceramics? It was just not easy dealing with McKenzie at all. Wouldn't do it again and definitely wouldn't send any friends there. Now our instructor Lajoy was awesome. She went slow and step by step. She helped individuals who needed it and she appreciated our twisted sense of humor. Thanks for making the actual experience a joy! I'm definitely there if she ever gets her own place. Meanwhile I'll look for another place to try to further my skills.

I would not recommend taking a class here. It's a high price for very little opportunity to create. The couple of classes I did take started late, ended early, and involved a lot of listening to the instructor talk about her personal issues. And anytime I called with an inquiry, I received a response days later or no response at all (in fact, still waiting on one from last year)!I have since found a much nicer studio in Crossroads that offers a friendlier, more creative vibe and there are also classes with KCCC which would be a better bargain with more invested instructors. Don't waste your time - go elsewhere!

Found Driftwood when I wanted to learn wheel-thrown pottery. Took several month-long classes, and loved every bit of it. McKenzie is a wonderful teacher, and so patient during the whole experience. Lately, I've loved their single classes, whether it be for ornaments, decorating mugs, or any of the fun options available. Highly recommend this place!

They have incredible classes!, a super fun atmosphere and it was a great way to be creative and find/make time for me.

Such a fun evening hanging with friends at Driftwood Ceramics!! McKenzie was fabulous at teaching the Pots and Pints class. We had a group of 3 with one on one teaching behind the pottery wheel and ended with a beautiful handmade bowl that will later be glazed and fired. All classes are BYOB. There are 6 wheels available but McKenzie said she can accommodate up to 18 in a class. Great for a work outing, social event, or date night. They offer various classes as well. Couldn't say better things about Driftwood. We're already planning our next trip back!!

I was excited to find a place to take throwing classes. Someone knew I was looking for a studio and sent me a link to Driftwood Ceramics Facebook page to help me find one. Super excited, I signed up and paid online for the Nov monthly class. In late Oct I contacted them because I had to travel for work in Nov during two of the classes and asked if I could join a class in Dec. I received a response that I could but it would have to be on Monday instead. I responded with "yes, I'll take it!" Definitely still excited to learn. I arrive a little early at the studio on the scheduled class night and was warmly greeted by the instructor. My name was not on the list. So I explained I had made arrangements. And showed him the communication. He said, "I hope you did it with Mckenzie." I told him I didn't know who it was with because it was on messenger. McKenzie came over and stated I'd have to sign up for a different class, if I'd be allowed to join a class in the future. I was a little dumbfounded and definitely confused.She asked if she had responded to my message. She said that messages get lost through Facebook. I opened up Facebook and showed her the communication. She blurted out she was going to refund my class and I'd need to leave. I remember saying "What?" and "Why?" a lot through out the whole thing. I was in shock. I was kicked out of class before it ever started. Was the class full? Was it that I was wearing a black coat and that is not allowed? Did I arrive too early? Did I park in the wrong spot? Do they think I was a no-show in Nov and are firing me as a student? ... but wait, I paid them. All scenarios running through my mind.I asked if there were not enough wheels available and that is why this was happening. The instructor had mentioned he did not mind using another wheel to her. My question was not really acknowledged. McKenzie responded that she "had apologized" and was refunding the class. I was some what relieved she "thought" she had apologized. I thanked her for that. Next thing she is saying that she is uncomfortable and I needed to leave. (In my mind I am asking "What?" again.) But, I promptly made an exit.I promise I was not rude in any way. I was not defensive, I simply showed that I had paid and the communications and was trying to figure out what was happening and why it was happening.Here are some recommendations for improvement:1 - Stay focused on your customers. The experience is about them, not you. There are many customer service resources available for free. There are even conflict resolution resources. Though this situation was not a conflict. I suspect you were looking for one. 2 - If Facebook and Messenger are too difficult to use, remove your business from them. This happened to be the way I came across your business and therefore I continued communicating through that method.3 - Take lessons on how to treat your customers from your instructor. He was welcoming, and willing to resolve the situation; taking responsibility without placing blame. 4 - Hire someone else to do the administration work such as scheduling, online communications, etc. It is not everyone's forte to be customer facing. Step out if the way and let your business flourish.

My friend and I were looking for a pottery studio with open classes catering to a more advanced audience as we both have some formal pottery classes under our belt. Driftwood was one of the few in kc (even with 2 months advance notice) that had opening for such classes. We excitedly booked and paid for our classes and were eager to get started. Off the bat we loved our teacher Erin! She taught us some new skills we were able to take with us. It also stoked the flame for us to get back into making art / pottery. However, during class we did 3 pieces each which we felt wasn't much much considering the cost of the classes. AND After 1 month we still had NO FINISHED PIECES! The wait times to fire here seem to be some 3 weeks out! The last class we "learned to glaze" and glazed one of our pieces but were told we would need to return in 6 weeks then 8 weeks to finish all of our pieces... Which would be fine, but I am moving and was not told this information up front which very much frustrated me. I also saw 2 different people come in while we were in class looking for pieces that the owner couldn't even find.. I cannot imagine their frustration! Long story short I paid an arm and a leg for a class that didn't even get me a single finished piece. Pretty disappointing!

I have taken multiple classes at Driftwood and every time it was a great experience to be able to learn coming in with no experience my first session on the wheel, to be able to have the space to learn, create and try something new! I could not reccomend more sigining up for a class or a date night or some activity with Driftwood!

Driftwood Ceramics is absolutely the best place to take a pottery class! They have something for everyone, whether you want a fun evening with friends, a private event (hello bachelorette party), or want to take a month-long class. A group of my friends have taken the beginner wheel class and are thrilled to start our intermediate wheel class next.