by CCSA Admin | Feb 11, 2021 | Blog
From The Paint Your Own Pottery staff: We were asked by Redfin to share insight into decorating your new home with pottery. Enjoy the blog and all of the wonderful ideas!
How to Decorate With Ceramics and Bring Your Interior to the Next Level
February 10, 2021 by Julia Weaver
Dating back thousands of years, pottery has always been a popular form of artistic expression in ancient and modern societies. This art form not only creates vessels for holding liquids or serving food, but it also doubles as decoration -an increasingly popular choice for styling your space.
Decorating your home with handmade creations that tell a story and bring personality into your space means so much more. Coming in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, it can be hard to know where to even begin decorating with pottery. We’ve asked artists, from Philadelphia, PA all the way to Sacramento, CA, to share their best piece of advice on how you can easily decorate with ceramics and bring your interior to the next level.
Consider the space you’re working with
Do you need a single item or a group of items? Think about how your new piece could reflect your own style. Are you a calm, methodical, quiet being? Or, are you an adventurous, colourful, wild being? Look online and choose a reputable ceramicist that really loves each piece, feel a connection. Search for videos of the process of making pottery so you can really get to know the passion that comes from making. Once you’ve chosen your piece, remember to measure. Sometimes your vase or bowl can be a lot larger or smaller than you anticipated. I hope you enjoy your piece of pottery as much as I enjoy making it for you. – Karen Easter Ceramics
Have decoration that lasts generations
Pottery is one of the longest-lasting and greatest long-term storage of value in art’s history. This is because of the material’s unique ability to last through long periods of time. Additionally, since ceramics are oftentimes more affordable, this is a great opportunity to add something to your collection that will age well and become more valuable with each generation. – HomeMade
Learn from the artists and create your own pieces
Make your new house feel like home by displaying hand-painted decor and dinnerware. Visit your local pottery studio to create functional, personalized pieces. It’s a fun and relaxing activity – and all supplies and creative assistance are included. – Paint Your Own Pottery
Think outside the box
Begin decorating your home with handmade ceramics by finding unique objects that are not traditionally made with clay. End tables, lampshades, stools, cat toys – these can all be made out of clay and there are makers that do it. You will surprise and impress others when they find out that more than your planters are made with ceramics. – Mouse Ceramic Studio
Ceramics tell a story about your home
Including hand-crafted ceramics is one way to add texture, character, and a story to your home’s decor. We strive to bring beauty and life to everyday tasks through timeless handcrafted creations that are modern, feminine, and refined in detail. Our aesthetic is classic at its core but purposefully ever-evolving. Elevate your space by including a signature wavy bowl on a kitchen island or coffee table, a ring dish on a bathroom vanity or next to a kitchen sink, or one of our match strikers next to your favorite candle in a guest room. – Susan Gordon Pottery
Find a piece that you connect with
Look for ceramic pieces that sing to you, those that resonate, those that are not easy to digest. You know when you have found one of these precious pieces when you continually trace its lines with your eye, when you turn it around and around in your hand, when you make a place for it to live with you. – Summer Hollow Pottery
Consider function, use, and placement
Do you want decorative or functional pieces? If functional, do you want to use the pieces every day or will they be for special occasions? How do you want to display them? On a coffee table, in a sculpture nook, or in a display cabinet? The type of clay that pieces are made from can drive your choices. For instance, stoneware is more durable than earthenware. Raku vases, while beautiful, would not function as a flower vase because the clay is porous. – Kaleidoscope Pottery
Get creative as you display the art
Regarding ceramics, I swear by white vintage stoneware with time patina. I really like to stack them on top of each other when I can, to give them height and perspective, whether pots, plates or tureens. – Brocante Ma Jolie
Begin collecting purposeful pieces
Handmade ceramics offer a unique opportunity to decorate the home with objects that are not only beautiful, but purposeful. A large platter can be enjoyed every day adorning the wall, instead of occupying valuable cupboard space between uses. A charming pitcher on the counter comes in handy for watering plants, pets, and people. – Good Earth Pottery
Accessorize with mugs
A mug can be jewelry for your home and a unique container of warmth. There is something intimate and personal about them. They are quiet witnesses of our everyday rituals and can be used as portals to nourish and connect with our senses. – From Fran
Support local artists while decorating your home
Adding handmade ceramics to your home is a unique way to elevate your space while supporting your favorite artists. When visiting galleries you can find inspired designs featuring an array of colors, shapes, and styles sure to complement your space. From modern to farmhouse, boho to minimalist, handmade pottery can add atmosphere, texture, and life to your home. – The ClayGround
Find an artist that can custom commission the perfect piece for your home
Color, shape, form, texture, you name it!! Anything from an abstract, decorative glazed bowl as a centerpiece for your coffee table, to a planter for your flowers or herbs in your backyard. From a full place setting of plates, bowls, and serving dishes for your formal dining room table, to wine glasses to fill for your guests at your housewarming party, or the perfect statement piece of wall decor for your family to admire every day. I’ll not only provide you with a gorgeous piece of ceramic pottery to decorate your home, but can give you a one-of-a-kind piece for that special space in your home. – ENF Ceramics
Treasure your pieces for years to come
Ceramics are a wonderful way to bring art into the everyday, and while pieces from big box stores come and go as we move homes and redecorate, I’d recommend searching for truly one of a kind pieces that you’ll treasure for years to come at a local or national clay-centered gallery, many of which are now online. From a serving tray displayed proudly on the kitchen table to decorative planters and vases to liven up your indoor foliage, choosing distinctive ceramic pieces and supporting your local potters will ground your decor and home in the warmth of the handmade, as well as supporting your local arts community. – Shiny Apple Studio
Add pieces with multi-purpose
With the way the world has been going we are spending a lot of our time in our homes, because of this homeowners are becoming more intentional with the items they place in their spaces. The new trend is adding elements in your home with multi-purpose. For example, decorative essential oil diffusers that purify the air but also add an attractive aesthetic to your home. Adding plants is a great way to let nature indoors. Bright and airy colors help make spaces feel bigger. When choosing decor keep in mind how the products benefit your well-being. Your home is your personal retreat. Retreat, relax, and rejuvenate and let your home help heal you during these difficult times. – Karama
by CCSA Admin | Jan 19, 2021 | Blog
The benefits of spending time with family and friends is such a critical component of a full, meaningful life.
The past year has been challenging, on so many fronts. We’ve been spending a lot (A LOT) of time with the people in our households. Interestingly, that is probably the best reason why we should be planning activities either out of the house or special events in the house.
As we continue to have social limitations, it’s so easy to operate on autopilot because, well, it’s easy. But did you know that making special time for unique activities (like painting pottery!) with your family benefits everyone on many levels? What can an afternoon of painting pottery do for your family? Here are some of the top benefits:
Improves Mental Health. Interacting with a close social network—especially face-to-face communication, as opposed to digital—significantly reduces the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and other mental illness. Being physically present with loved ones creates a strong emotional support to buoy you up through life’s challenges.
Helps children perform well academically. On average, kids who spend more time with their parents tend to do better in school. They learn communication skills and the importance of education. When needed, assisting with assignments or new concepts reinforces the fact that their success is important to you. Even just asking about their day and what they’re learning will show your children how much you care.
Lowers risk of behavioral problems. Children who spend more time with their families have shown less risk of behavioral issues, such as violence and substance abuse. When they receive positive attention for positive behaviors, it increases their desire to continue those healthy patterns. Doing activities together also provides an outlet for pent-up emotions that could otherwise lead to unhealthy decisions. If a child (or teenager) feels comfortable bringing problems to you for a listening ear and advice, they will be better equipped to cope with problems and make positive choices.
Boosts self-confidence. Spending time with family builds confidence for all of its members. Parents can teach children to build self-esteem through specific skills such as problem solving and communication. They can also model the ability to love oneself without degrading others. For parents and children, confidence grows simply with the knowledge that they are valued and appreciated by their loved ones.
Helps kids learn future parenting skills. The memories you create together will instill in children a desire to foster that same loving atmosphere in their own future homes. Through your example, your kids learn important caregiving skills that they can use one day. They may even practice now by copying your behaviors when they interact with siblings.
Teaches effective conflict resolution. Being part of a family is fun, but it can be difficult, too. When conflicts arise, you can’t just walk away for good. You’re in this together, so you have to work together to solve the issues that come up. Family time teaches interpersonal communication skills including healthy, constructive ways to discuss, debate, and solve problems.
Reduces stress. Those with healthy relationships tend to seek out healthier coping mechanisms for stress—such as confiding in friends and family—instead of other unhealthy outlets. Establish a habit of talking through problems together to relieve stress and find effective solutions. Stress also significantly affects aspects of physical health, such as fatigue, blood pressure, and heart health. The Annals of Behavioral Medicine conducted a study that found when people discussed hardships in their lives with a friend beside them (instead of alone), they had lowered pulse and blood pressure readings.
Promotes adaptability and resilience. Your ability to face life’s changes and challenges is greatly improved by a strong family bond. Knowing that you belong, you are cared for, and you are needed, provides a sense of meaning and purpose. This assurance gives motivation to push forward, grow, and succeed.
Enhances physical health. With the right kind of activities, time with family can positively impact physical well-being. For instance, families who eat home-cooked meals together tend to have a better diet than those who don’t. Participating in outdoor activities like sports games, hikes, or gardening together helps to improve fitness. There’s even evidence that time with family can boost the effects of exercise and other healthy habits. It improves heart, brain, hormonal, and immune health. And families can encourage one another to maintain healthy lifestyles.
Lengthens life expectancy. Healthy relationships could increase your lifespan up to 50%. Combine all the physical and mental health benefits discussed above, and you can see why family time has been linked to living a longer, healthier, happier life. Even those with unhealthy physical habits, but a strong social network live longer than those without these relationships.
Now it’s time to find your local studio (https://paintyourownpottery.com/), pick out your projects and get creating!
https://highlandspringsclinic.org/blog/the-top-ten-benefits-of-spending-time-with-family/
by CCSA Admin | Jan 14, 2021 | Blog, Press
Love is in the air! Here are some fun facts about love and Valentine’s Day:
* Valentine’s Day started with the Romans. There are two theories about the origin of Valentine’s Day. According to History.com, the day derives from Lupercalia, a raucous Roman festival on February 15th where men stripped naked and spanked young maidens in the hopes of increasing their fertility. The second theory is that while the Roman Emperor Claudius II was trying to bolster his army, he forbade young men to marry (because apparently single men make better soldiers). In the spirit of love, St. Valentine defied the ban and performed secret marriages, as History.com reports. For his disobedience, Valentine was executed on February 14th.
* Passing out Valentines is a 600-year-old tradition. Each year, kids in classrooms across America hand out Valentine’s Day cards to their classmates. According to History.com, the oldest record of a Valentine was a poem Charles Duke of Orleans wrote to his wife when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. For lack of a better phrase. the rest is history.
* Today, millions of greeting cards are purchased every year. We’re talking 144 million greeting cards being exchanged industry-wide every year for Valentine’s Day in the U.S. alone, according to Hallmark.
* Wearing your heart on your sleeve is more than just a phrase. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to see who their Valentine would be, the LA Times reports. According to Smithsonian, they would wear the name pinned to their sleeve for one week so that everyone would know their supposed true feelings.
* Candy hearts were originally medical lozenges. In 1847, Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase invented a machine that simplified the lozenge production process, resulting in the first candy-making machine, according to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. After identifying an opportunity to revolutionize the candy business, Chase shifted his focus to candy production with Necco wafers.
* The candies got their iconic shape much later. It wasn’t until 15 years after the creation of Necco wafers that Daniel Chase’s brother, Oliver Chase, developed a way to press words onto the candy lozenges with a felt roller pad and vegetable food coloring. According to HuffPost, the conversational candies officially became heart-shaped in 1902, and today Necco says about 100,000 of them are sold each year.
* The heart shape wasn’t always a romantic symbol. According to Time, the heart was once widely believed to be humans’ center of memory, where feelings of love were recorded. However, we have French and Italian artists from the 14th century to thank for the symbol that we know and love today, as they were the first ones to start using this motif in their work.
* Cupid’s bow and arrow weren’t just for show. In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, as Medium reports. According to CNN, he’s often depicted with a bow and arrows to pierce hearts and cast a spell of love.
* Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday to get engaged. This seems fitting: A 2017 study by diamond retailer James Allen found that 43 percent of millennials chose Valentine’s Day as their ideal day to propose or be proposed to.
* The chocolate box has been around for more than 140 years. In addition to creating arguably the richest, creamiest, and sweetest chocolate on the market, Richard Cadbury also introduced the first box of Valentine’s Day chocolates in 1868, as History.com reports.
* It’s not just for humans. People really do love their pets, because according to the National Retail Federation, 27 percent of people celebrating Valentine’s Day in 2020 say they are also buying gifts for their pets. Spending on Valentine’s Day gifts for pets has also grown significantly, going from $450 million in 2010 to more than $1.7 billion.
*Experiential gifts are on the rise. In 2017, 40 percent of consumers told the National Retail Federation they wanted an “experience gift”— aka tickets to a concert or other event, an outdoor activity, or an evening out like PAINTING POTTERY! This gift option is particularly popular with millennials: 45 percent of people ages 18-24 and 40 percent of people ages 25-34 said they planned to give experiences for Valentine’s Day.
* Galentine’s Day has become a beloved spinoff holiday. Galentine’s Day may have originally been a holiday made up by geniuses behind the hit TV show Parks and Recreation back in 2010, but that doesn’t mean it’s not 100 percent real. According to the National Retail Federation, since 2010, spending on Valentine’s Day gifts for friends has nearly tripled, going from $737 million to a whopping $2.1 billion.
* Teachers are the number one recipient of Valentines. And honestly, who else is more deserving? Oftentimes classrooms in elementary schools do fun Valentine exchanges to celebrate the holiday, which means that teachers often receive a sweet note from each of their students, making them the group of people who receive the most Valentines, according to Good Housekeeping.
* There’s more to wearing the color red than you might think. The color red has connotations of passion and sexuality, and it turns out science can actually back up those ideas. At the University of Rochester, psychologists found that men found women wearing red or standing in front of a red background to be significantly more attractive and sexually desirable than women wearing different colors. And it’s not just women who are more attractive in red. The study found that women also had the same views of men who were sporting the color. So maybe now’s the time to buy that red dress you’ve
* X’s and O’s didn’t always mean kisses and hugs. It’s believed that signing with an X comes from the Middle Ages, when an X was used in the place of a signature because many people couldn’t read or write, according to The Knot. It also was a Christian symbol that represented the cross, and the idea is that the history of Christians kissing statues of Christ or kissing the bible led to X getting its meaning as a modern-day kiss.
by CCSA Admin | Dec 30, 2020 | Blog, Press
A study was conducted with students 5 to 18 years old. When asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, researchers found that those interested in being an artist dramatically dropped starting at age 10. This can be attributed to more self-awareness of their talents, the ability to compare themselves to others (and other’s skills) and/or in response to influences in their upbringing and home life.
But really, why would any child – or adult for that matter – think they lack artistic talent? Being an artist is so much more than being able to draw or paint. Art is creativity, and creativity comes in so many forms. The obvious: creating through mediums like pen and paper, canvas and paint, photography, writing, design and composition.
Then there’s creativity for fun: molding clay, gardening, chalk on a sidewalk, rearranging your collectibles, planning a wall of your favorite photos, putting together a photo album, designing .. the list goes on and on.
As part of your own self-care, the importance (and massive health benefits!) of regularly practicing art and being creative has been studied and proven time and time again. Studies show that the levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, drastically drop when we spend time making art. Artistic or not, we all deal with stress. So maybe it’s time we explore the avenue of arts and creating as a form of self-care.
Art therapy is a long-standing mental health practice using art materials and creative expression to treat those who experience anxiety, depression, social difficulties or medical ailments. By creating art, no matter the skill level, we engage our mind, body, and spirit in a way that is restorative and comes with a host of benefits. Practicing art therapy helps to reduce stress and anxiety, while also increasing self-esteem.
When we create art, we’re able to look outside of ourselves and see the world around us with new eyes. We bring our attention to the piece we’re creating, or the photo we’re taking, and all the details that bring it to life. It’s a low-intensity act that doesn’t leave us feeling depleted, but instead soothed and more open-minded.
In the study highlighting how creating art lowers cortisol levels, it was uncovered that participants not only found the session relaxing and enjoyable, but also helpful in learning about new aspects of self. Without the normal constraints, they were able to indulge in a sense of flow and lose themselves in the work. Their sense of confidence was also impacted in that they left feeling interested in creating more art in the future.
Though we may not all have access to an art therapist, there are simple ways in which we can make it part of our daily lives. Here are some ideas for incorporating art and creativity into your self-care routine:
Visit your local paint-your-own pottery studio.
Studios provide everything you need to relax, have fun and engage with your creativity; supplies, instruction and inspiration are all at your disposal. From pottery painting to DIY projects, it’s the perfect place for a quiet afternoon alone or a fun outing with the family.
So much of what a studio offers is about the process: the creating. The designing. The planning and execution. Remember the levels of cortisol – those stress hormones? – and how they start dropping when you create? Well, you can feel it as you settle in and start painting.
Walk-ins are welcome; many studios are now offering to-go kits to enjoy the artistic process safely in your home.
Enroll in a beginner’s art class (or attend a paint and sip!).
Tapping into our creativity through art is also a great way to make our lives more social. We can build a connection with other like-minded individuals by joining a beginner’s art class, which can help with feelings of loneliness or social anxiety. Grab a friend and attending a paint and sip somewhere nearby! These sessions are generally guided by an instructor with an easy-to-follow piece of art. Many classes are now offered online!
Create a vision board.
They can be expanded upon throughout the year as your goals, dreams, and ambitions evolve. Vision boards help materialize the ideas we have in our minds and spark a sense of motivation.
Or keep it simple.
Using art as a means of self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as doodling on a piece of paper or taking a pencil and drawing what’s in front of you for five minutes each day. The main goal is to free your mind and allow yourself the space for self-expression.
Self-care knows no bounds and doesn’t have to be limited to an idea of what others say you’re “supposed” to do. Take time to incorporate art and creativity into your routine weekly. It may just be what you’ve been searching for to unlock the sense of peace and clarity you desire.
Find your local paint-your-own pottery studio (many offer online sales and classes): https://paintyourownpottery.com/
by CCSA Admin | Oct 14, 2020 | Blog, Press
You’d take the time to get dressed and ready, leave the house and spend some time doing something exciting and fun or, if nothing else, just enjoy each other’s company in a place other than your living room likely with drinks and a meal that neither of you had to prepare (on dishes neither of you will have to wash)…
Some of our favorite dates include visits to Disney World, watching pro sporting events,
hanging out at a brewery, preferably with my dog tagging along and wine tasting.
When Coronavirus hit, our Spring and Summer plans changed, most coming to a halt, like everything else in the country. Birthday celebration at Disney? Nope. Taylor Swift concert? Postponed. Bachelorette parties and weddings? Maybe next year.
It was time we sought out ways to make dates at home special. We cooked together, watched old Disney movies, even bought a big pool to set up in the driveway. It was then suggested that we pick up “Pottery To Go” from our local paint your own pottery studio. I surprised Allison and picked out the pieces – a stemless wineglass for me and an ice cream bowl for her.
One night after dinner, we set up the counter with all the supplies we received – It was everything we needed to complete the projects including the pottery, glazes, brushes, and instructions.
We had a great time, chatting while we painted (and sipped some wine!). It was so relaxing! And, as a photographer, it was great to stretch my creative muscles in a different way.
I went with a more contemporary design on my piece – finding inspiration online – and Allison did an amazing job painting her bowl to look like a waffle cone bowl of ice cream!
It came up while we were painting that pottery painting would be a super fun activity for a bachelorette night or even a birthday celebration with friends. We’d love to see what our friends would create! The next chance I got, I dropped the pottery pieces off at the studio where they dipped them in a clear glaze and fired them in a kiln, making them food-safe and super bright and shiny! They were then ready for pick up about a week later.
We love that we have these special pieces to remind us of the fun we still had during this crazy time. And with the number of times each week Allison has ice cream, we’re going to be remembering it often!
If you’re looking for a fun, creative date idea, we highly recommend checking out your local paint your own pottery studio’s offerings. Some are starting to open again for in-studio painting and most are still offering “Pottery To Go.” Some make it even easier by offering ordering online for a quick & safe pick up! Go to https://paintyourownpottery.com/ and find a studio near you – be sure to follow @paintyourownpotteryccsa on Facebook for lots of pottery painting inspiration.
Cheers to making the best of things and in the meantime, finding new favorite things to do!
Hannah
