by CCSA Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Blog
This Valentine’s Day, add a new kind of date to the roster: paint-your-own pottery. There is so much romance in creating something together, even if you don’t self identify as artists. Find pieces that remind you of each other, create something you can use together, paint a picture frame to hold memories, paint something to trade with the other; there are a million ways to make the experience extra special while showing each other how much you love them.
Most pottery studios get in tons of Valentine’s themed items. There are specially designed mugs, boxes, trinket dishes, statues, plates and more. Oftentimes, there are mugs or boxes which connect to make halves of a heart. If your local studio doesn’t have the perfect seasonal decor for you, you can still stay on theme by choosing a color palette that speaks to the holiday.
Not looking to get romantic this Valentine’s Day? You can celebrate any kind of love with PYOP. Make best friends interlocking mugs, or a gift to show someone how much you appreciate them. One of our favorite little details to add to a piece is a note on the bottom, either painted on or written with glaze pencil. This way, you can tell someone exactly how much they mean to you, and make the gift extra personalized.
If you have little kids and want to make a surprise Valentine’s gift for your spouse, we have the perfect project for you. Bring in the kids and pick out your pieces. Choose colors that will smush well together and not create brown, perhaps pink, purple, red and white. Then, let your kids paint (or fingerpaint) to their hearts’ desires all over the piece! Once they are done creating their artwork, ask the studio associate to help you design writing to go on top of the piece, something like “I love you,” or “Best Valentine Ever,” which the custom artist can write for you. This way, when you pick up the piece, the words you chose with your preferred font will make everything look very polished while keeping the original brushstrokes of your kids.
Try our studio locator to find a studio near you!
by CCSA Admin | Nov 15, 2022 | Blog
While cooking can be a drag, paint-your-own pottery can make your kitchen a colorful and inviting space filled with tools you actually want to use and maybe even display! With complete control over the colors and design of your pieces, adding ceramics into your kitchen may make it a bit more of an
enticing place.
Beyond the standard dishware that is always available in PYOP studios, many also offer things like measuring cups, utensil holders, teapots, sponge holders, lemon juicers, spoon rests, honey pots, berry colanders, butter dishes, trivets, sugar pots… anything you may need, the world of PYOP makes it! You can create a set of kitchen tools that all match, either through designs or colors, or keep everything different – it’s totally up to you.
For items that function more as décor than tools, there are vases, pitchers, napkin holders, cake trays, salt keepers, coasters, canisters, platters, creamers, gravy boats, salt and pepper shakers, and more! Each item type has many variations to fit your home’s unique style. Do you prefer salt and pepper shakers that look like mushrooms or are straight from an old-school diner? Well, you’re in luck because you can get both!
If your studio does not have an item you are looking for in-stock, inquire about ordering something special. Try checking out your local studio for all sorts of kitchen goodies, and use our studio locator to find your new favorite place to create!
by CCSA Admin | Oct 19, 2022 | Blog
Are you as excited about the holidays as we are? It’s never too early to start creating hand-made gifts for your loved ones, and paint-your-own pottery is the perfect way to do just that.
Pre-made pottery can be painted in a paint-your-own-pottery studio, classes are offered (perhaps on wheel throwing, canvas painting, glass fusing, wood sign making, special techniques, and more), and there is always ample opportunity for memories to be made! Purchasing a gift card from a studio to be used towards any creation or event is a great way to gift someone in your life a wonderful day
and a special present to hold on to.
If giving physical gifts is more your thing, don’t worry! Hand-painted or handmade pieces can touch the hearts of your loved ones. Children’s handprints, romantic designs, annual traditions, reindeer on an ornament, whatever your goal is, can be achieved on various pieces, all designed by you.
Pottery has a longer turn-around time than many traditional gifts because it has to dry, receive a glaze top coat, and be fired, so it’s always beneficial to start thinking ahead about when you may want to start creating your gifts.
Your studio will have a large selection of inventory to choose from, as well as samples and displays to keep you inspired. If you’re stuck, ask a studio associate for advice! Many holiday designs have passed through their kilns, so they are sure to have some tricks up their sleeves.
One incredible aspect of this gift idea is how it supports a local business, allowing it to do well during a season when many people flock to massive corporations and online sellers. So this holiday season, give a little thought to where your presents come from and consider giving the gift of an
experience.
by CCSA Admin | Sep 21, 2022 | Blog
Halloween is on its way, one of the best holidays for the paint-your-own pottery industry. If you haven’t been into a PYOP studio around Halloween time before, you’ll definitely have to go check it out this year: with ghoulish figurines and lanterns, pumpkins and gourds of all sizes, and monstrous pieces all
around, there are spooky pieces for everyone!
Your local studio will have spooky samples on display to draw inspiration from or copy, and likely stencils or silk screens for very detailed designs. Spiders’ webs, ghosts, and other scary details can be added to regular inventory, like dishes, cooking ware, picture frames, etc. There are many glaze
colors to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect goblin green and bloody red. You can also create small ceramic add-ons, like miniature pumpkins, which can be fused onto any flat pieces – so if you find a dish you like and want to make it more on-theme, no worries at all!
Custom jack-o-lanterns are always a huge hit. Your studio can order varying sizes of jack-o-lanterns, comparable to the size of actual pumpkins, which you can paint however you like. Studios can order them to be custom engraved with names on the top; many families get a large one with
their last name or multiple with the kids’ names. Pop in an electric candle once it comes out of the kiln, and you’ve got the most special pumpkin on the block! And, it will last year after year after year.
So bring your little monsters into your local studio between now and Halloween for loads of themed fun! Try our studio locator to find your new favorite spot.
by CCSA Admin | Aug 24, 2022 | Blog
Pets Deserve Pottery Too!
While they may not be able to pick out and design their pieces, our four-legged friends do so much for us and our households – why not treat them to a new dish, or honor them with a customized piece of decor for your home?
There are many ways to get your furry (or not furry!) friends involved in your pyop adventures. Bisque pottery lines from nearly all suppliers include items like water and food bowls, designed in various shapes and sizes to fit every pet’s needs. Some even have details like collars to add initials or ceramic paws for the dish to stand on, which you could color to match your pet’s likeness.
You may have heard of the concept of hand printing onto pottery, which many people do to keep a snapshot of a particular moment in their children’s lives. The same can apply to pets! Puppy paws can be printed onto picture frames, dishes, treat jars, and anything they fit on! You could even do a print at puppy age and then return for more in monthly increments or after a year to see how much they have grown. Underglazes used in studios are nontoxic and washable, so there is no risk of harm to your animal friend.
Another route to take is painting a pottery animal to have the likeness of your pet. Bring a photo of your pet to your local studio, and the studio associates can help you pick out glazes that best match the colors of your pet. There are many animal options to choose from when picking pyop pieces, so more realistic or cartoony is up to you! Or, painting a pet portrait on a platter or plaque would honor them, too.
In whatever way you choose to get your pet involved, there is plenty of room for them in the sphere of paint-your-own-pottery! Getting creative is not just for humans. Try our studio locator to find a shop near you, and ask for their policy on pets in the studio for paw printing.
