by CCSA Admin | Jul 1, 2024 | Blog
Children are naturally creative on their own accord. But if their creativity isn’t fostered, they begin to lose it as they grow into adults. Pablo Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
One of the best ways to encourage a lifelong love of the arts is to enroll your kids in art classes. There is an ever-growing variety of art classes available for kids of all ages. If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in one, you’ll be surprised that these types of classes offer much more than an outlet for imagination and play. Here’s how kids art classes help prepare your child for success in life.
1. Art helps improve fine and gross motor skills.
One of the most basic benefits of art classes, particularly for toddlers, is the improvement of fine and gross motor skills. Because there are so many different types of art – from painting to sculpture to drawing – a variety of tools and techniques are required. For many small children, the struggle is real when it comes to using and developing their tiny muscles to hold and use objects correctly. Art classes teach children how to properly hold a paintbrush, pencils or markers and build hand muscles while playing with clay. Older students will benefit by learning proper painting or drawing techniques, and even build muscle when learning to create more physically-demanding forms of art like sculptures.
2. Creating means learning to make decisions.
During the creative process — whether it’s through visual art, writing, or other activities — we often go through a stream-of-consciousness period at the beginning of a project, then go back and strategically make decisions, revising our ideas until we are satisfied with the finished product. When young children create, they go through that same period of stream-of-consciousness and are often satisfied with the end result. As they get older, however, and their personalities develop, their ideas start to become more complicated. And so they revise, making decisions to try to match the ideas in their heads. Through this, they begin to learn the consequences of their decisions, and how those decisions affect the creative process. Art is equal parts innovation and problem-solving. Through continual art education, kids are instructed to be more strategic in their decision making, which they eventually carry over to the adult world of work, relationships and home life.
3. Art teaches children to be more aware of themselves and others.
Part of the creative process in kids art classes is learning about different artists and the variety of methods those artists use to create their art. This means your child will learn about different artistic styles originating from around the world. But art classes also help your child understand different perspectives, and what the artist was thinking when they created their piece. It helps kids appreciate the different modes of expression others may have, to form and value opinions, to appreciate the beauty around them and how others interpret it. Art feeds open-mindedness and diversity in thought and culture, helping your child to thrive in a diverse and culturally-rich world.
4. Creating art teaches focus and perseverance.
Making art is a process. As your child gets older, their creative visions will become more complicated, requiring more time, attention and technique to fulfill their artistic quest. They will no doubt get frustrated and want to quit at times. Art classes help develop your child’s craft and manage their expectations. They will learn that the creative process is something that’s developed over time, and that honing one’s skills and techniques doesn’t happen overnight! Your child will learn to see their ideas through to the end, which is an important lesson they will carry with themselves for the rest of their life.
5. Art helps children express their emotions in a positive way.
Perhaps more so than anything else, art helps children express emotion in a meaningful and honest way. According to a 2015 report by the National Endowment for the Arts, art activities help kids regulate their emotions so they learn how to control themselves when they are overwhelmed by anger and frustration. Kids gain a sense of confidence as they take the emotions they are feeling, acknowledge and process them into something visual.
There are plenty more benefits that you and your child will receive from art classes but we just covered the basics. If you want to enroll your child in a virtual art class, be sure to find the ones that will fit your schedule best.
Blog post shared from: https://www.hisawyer.com/explore
by CCSA Admin | Jun 4, 2024 | Blog
Amidst life’s challenges, prioritizing quality time with loved ones is essential for a fulfilling life. Discover the numerous benefits of spending time with family and friends, and explore engaging activities like painting pottery to strengthen your bonds and create lasting memories.
The Benefits of Family Time: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s fast-paced world, carving out time for family activities has become more important than ever. Here’s why investing in family time is a cornerstone of well-being and happiness:
-
Improves Mental Health: Face-to-face interactions within a close social network can significantly reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, providing crucial emotional support during tough times.
-
Enhances Academic Performance: Children who spend quality time with their parents tend to excel academically, as they learn valuable communication skills and the importance of education.
-
Lowers Risk of Behavioral Issues: Family bonding reduces the likelihood of behavioral problems in children, fostering positive behavior patterns and providing an outlet for emotional expression.
-
Boosts Self-Confidence: Building strong family relationships nurtures self-esteem and confidence in both children and parents, fostering a sense of value and appreciation.
-
Teaches Essential Life Skills: Family time is a platform for teaching conflict resolution, effective communication, and future caregiving skills, preparing children for adulthood.
-
Reduces Stress: Healthy family relationships encourage healthy coping mechanisms for stress, promoting emotional well-being and overall physical health.
-
Promotes Adaptability and Resilience: A strong family bond instills a sense of belonging and purpose, empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience.
-
Enhances Physical Health: Engaging in family activities like shared meals and outdoor pursuits contributes to improved physical fitness and overall well-being.
-
Lengthens Life Expectancy: Research shows that maintaining healthy relationships can increase life expectancy significantly, highlighting the profound impact of family time on longevity and happiness.
Explore Family-Friendly Activities at Your Local PYOP Studio!
Ready to experience the transformative power of family time? Visit your local pottery studio (link: https://paintyourownpottery.com/) to discover exciting projects and create cherished memories with your loved ones. Embrace the joy of bonding through creativity and shared experiences. Start your family adventure today!
by CCSA Admin | Apr 22, 2024 | Blog
If you’re looking to get some new home decor in your exact style, paint-your-own-pottery can be a great solution! Make your version of a designer piece, paint with glazes that match your home’s
color scheme, or simply choose an item you need and paint it with no plan. This art can be fully functional, an investment in both a good experience and a lasting utility.
In your local studio, you will notice there are tons of options to choose from. Seasonal decor, kitchen essentials, bathroom accessories, anything you need. For small touches that bring life to a home,
like spong holders and olive oil bottles, PYOP is more personal than anything you can buy in a store or online. You can also completely customize the item to your style.
One very cute and special approach to decorating with PYOP is to paint an item with your loved ones. If you want to paint mugs with your partner, pick out colors that match your kitchen and surprise
each other with the design. Or, give your children a color palette and let them paint whatever items you need. Once they have smushed paint all over the item, use a thin brush with a dark color to add their name
and the date to the piece. This is a memory you’ll hold forever, and they will grow up using the item they decorated as a child.
To honor other special people in your life, use PYOP to pay homage. For example, a canister for your kitchen can have your grandmother’s recipe on the front, or a frame can have a quote from a loved
one. Your style can seamlessly blend with the things that warm your heart like being reminded of a loved one.
If choosing the right piece can be daunting, consider taking photos of your home before going to the studio. Take a look at the shelves, and the photos, and see where each item would go. Once you find
the perfect item, you’ll already have a reference for what colors to choose.
To get started with adding unique and personal touches to your home, check out your local studio. They may also offer classes for specific techniques or non-pottery crafts. Cheers to creating!
by CCSA Admin | Mar 25, 2024 | Blog
While wheel-throwing can only be learned through experience, it is helpful to understand the logistics of the practice before beginning. Using wet clay is a process that takes a long time and lot’s of
patience, but truly anyone can learn to master the skills.
Before throwing on a wheel, you first need to wedge the clay. Wedging is the term used for preparing the clay by compressing it, to get rid of any air bubbles. Wedging can be done on a table,
preferably a cork one, or in your hands by smacking the clay into a ball shape. Your approach to wedging will likely depend on how many pounds of clay you’re using. For beginners, we suggest starting with one
pound.
The first and most important step of wheel throwing is centering. This can be deceivingly difficult at first, but becomes muscle memory. Begin by securing your ball of clay to the dry bat, as close the to center as you can. Then, anchor your left arm to the edge of the wheel and cup your left hand firmly around the base of the clay. With your right hand, use the base of your palm to firmly press upward. This will make more sense when you can practice in person. Ultimately, you will squeeze the clay upward to a cone shape, then work it back down to a mound. The more you do this, the more centered the clay will become, and it will eliminate any lingering air bubbles.
The best way to practice throwing is by making a cylinder. Once you can throw a cylinder with even walls, you will have a very strong foundation for anything else. To learn how to throw a cylinder, consider trying a pottery class at your local studio.
After throwing, pieces need to dry. If you want to keep working with your piece, to add a handle or carve out designs, you want it to dry to leather hard. This means the pot will hold its form, but still has
enough moisture to be malleable. This is when you can trim the base of the piece. If you’ve ever turned over a mug and seen a nice round edge or design, that is called a foot and is made in the trimming
process. You trim off excess clay and leave a satisfying shape or design.
Next, pots need to dry to what we call bone dry to be fired. There cannot be any moisture in the clay when it heads to the kiln. It usually takes a few days for pieces to dry completely. After it is out
of the kiln, about 36 hours later, you can begin to glaze. After glazing, pieces need to dry completely again, and then do another kiln cycle. It certainly is a waiting game!
While this process can seem daunting, it is very rewarding. There are many steps, but once you learn foundational skills, you can easily create anything you like. So, begin your wheelthrowing journey now!
by CCSA Admin | Feb 29, 2024 | Blog
While many people are familiar with the concept of paint-your-own-pottery, a lot of folks don’t know what goes on behind the scenes after you leave the studio. Keep reading for the complete guide on
everything PYOP.
When you arrive at your local studio, you’re greeted with rows of unfinished pottery waiting to be painted. These pieces are bisque pottery, meaning they have been fired once and are ready to be glazed.
These pieces were made in molds, fired, and shipped to your studio. They are very dry and porous, so they absorb moisture quickly. You will notice this as you paint, and your glazes seem to dry almost
instantly on the first coat.
While glazing, it is important to keep in mind that glazes work best in layers. For an opaque color, three thin coats of glaze will work best. Too few layers will be sheer, and too many layers will force the glaze to resist away from the piece during firing. This is called crawling. After you paint your piece, you must leave it at the studio and pick it up another time. But why? Because the glazing processes are far from finished. The glazes you used are called underglaze. They will turn shiny and vibrant after firing, but only the painted areas will be sealed. So, studios let the underglazes dry for 24 hours. Then, each piece is dipped by hand in an overglaze. This functions similarly to a topcoat with nail polish; The whole piece will be shiny and sealed, making it food-safe and more
pleasant to touch. This overglaze needs another 24 hours to dry before it can go in the kiln.
Once all the glazing processes are complete, each item needs to be fired in the kiln. Glazes are made up of very fine pieces of glass, that will melt in the kiln and rebond shiny and hard. Each item needs
to be put on what we call stilts, little ceramic pieces with metal stakes, so they do not get fused to the kiln shelves. Kilns need to heat, fire, and cool down, a process which usually takes about 36 hours. After it is
complete, the kiln is emptied by hand, which takes some time. Then, a hand dremmel or bit of sandpaper is used to smooth out any bumps left from the stilts.
And finally, it is time to pick up your piece! A lot of work goes into making sure your piece is properly cared for, and that is why it often can take a week before you can pick it up. But then, you get a
lifetime to cherish it.
by CCSA Admin | Jan 24, 2024 | Blog
The process of painting pottery can be a relaxing and stress-relieving activity. From start to finish, paint-your-own-pottery provides a creative outlet that is low-stakes and endlessly fun. Begin by picking out
a piece, perhaps something you’ve been needing to buy for your home anyway, or something that just speaks to you. Choose your favorite colors, sketch out a design, and begin!
One great aspect of PYOP is that nearly every mistake can be undone. If you sketch something out that doesn’t look right, no need to fear! Simply smudge the graphite and begin again. It will all burn off
in the kiln, so the pencil lines are only to guide you. Pro tip: don’t use the eraser, as it will make the pottery resistant to glaze. If you make a mistake painting, glazes are water soluble and can be touched up
with a wet Q-tip or sponge. You can even use the back of a paintbrush or a thin tool to etch away paint and leave a crisp, white line around your design.
While some may be comforted by the many steps that can lead you to a polished piece, others may find it cathartic to simply paint with no plan. With PYOP, that works great! Choose your favorite
colors, grab a brush, and do whatever feels right. No matter what, it will come out shiny and vibrant.
When creating art of any sort, your mind can shift focus away from whatever might be weighing on it, and shift your energy into simply creating. When you get in the zone, time will fly by before you
notice, and your mind will clear. Designating time to focus on yourself, and to let yourself be creative, is true wellness. With PYOP, there is a tangible result in the form of a mug or a vase; every time you see
the item in your home, you’ll be reminded of your artistic capabilities, how much fun you had, etc.
Whether you have hours to spare or just one weeknight a month, we recommend carving out time for self-care and doing so with PYOP. Treat yourself to creativity, and make something that is completely
under your control from start to finish.
by CCSA Admin | Dec 19, 2023 | Blog
When trying to get a group of people to bond, let’s say coworkers, it can be a bit awkward. Usually, you need an activity, something that acts as an ice breaker, to shift the energy from politely awkward to
comfortable bonding. One great activity to play in this role is painting paint-your-own-pottery.
One way to engage a group, perhaps even while sticking to a limited budget, is to give everyone the same PYOP item and see how they paint it differently. This allows coworkers to see each other’s taste
and creative side, which don’t always come out in the office setting. The colors we pick, the designs we create, the way we paint the glazes; All these steps show off a little bit of our personalities. It can be hard
to open up, and this is a great way to show people a bit of yourself without even needing to try.
Classes are also a great place to bring a group of people looking to bond. The instruction can take away any pressure of having to entertain each other, as everyone is focused on the same thing while
inspiring side conversations and teamwork to follow along. You can see how each item turns out differently even with the same instruction, and work on group problem solving if there is a step that some people are
stuck on.
Many studios have a BYOB policy, which can be a fun way to take a little extra edge off. When a group of people only get to see each other in a professional setting, it can be intriguing to see how we act
when we don’t feel so restricted, or need to put on a certain facade to deal with clients or customers. Having an event with the (safe and moderate) addition of BYOB fun can change the town
from coworkers at a work event to friends enjoying a night out.
Regardless of the group, team building can be easily fostered through creative acts such as PYOP. Try it out with your team at your local studio. If you don’t have a favorite spot yet, try our studio locator
and discover something new.
by CCSA Admin | Nov 20, 2023 | Blog
The great thing about pottery painting techniques is that they can help anyone elevate a piece, no matter how artistically inclined (or not!) you may be. Some techniques are virtually fool-proof, and we’re
here to give you the inside scoop on how to get fabulous pieces each time you go to the studio.
One classic technique is using masking tape to block off certain designs. Begin by painting your background color, or even leaving it natural white. Once the background is dry, add masking tape on top
in your preferred design. You could make stripes, overlap them, or even use stickers in fun shapes. Then, paint right on top of the tape, doing three coats for a really solid color. Before the paint dries, peel off the
tape, and reveal the design! This usually leaves very clean lines, but they can always be touched up after the fact if needed.
Another technique to keep in your back pocket is bubble blowing, which is always a fan favorite. Ask the employee to help set you up for this one, as it requires a few extra materials. You’ll need glaze, a
straw, some dish soap, and a small container, like a dixie cup or bowl. Begin by adding some water and dish soap with your glaze into the small container. Then, place the straw inside the mix. Start blowing out
the straw, but be careful not to suck in! (Glazes are nearly always non-toxic, but it won’t taste too great). The bubbles will start to flow over the top of the container. You can either place the container next to your
item or pick up the container and move it slowly above your item, so the bubbles fall on top. Cover the piece in painty bubbles! As the bubbles pop, they’ll leave behind a magical design, and no more work is
needed. This is a great technique to do both on bare pottery and on a painted background color.
The last technique we will outline in this post is sgraffito. This is the technique of scratching away paint to reveal more color underneath and is applied in many art forms. Begin by painting a base
coat onto your piece. This could be one solid color or a complete rainbow, it doesn’t affect the technique at all. Once the base is dry, paint three coats of another color on top. While the top layer is still wet, use a
pencil or the back of a brush to gently scrape away the glaze, drawing whatever design you like. The base color should be revealed underneath!
When you want to try new techniques, check out the website for your local PYOP studio and see what they have on their events calendar. Many studios have workshops, theme nights, and events with
varying levels of instruction, so you’re sure to find at least one that strikes your fancy. If you need help finding your local studio, try our studio locator.
by CCSA Admin | Oct 19, 2023 | Blog
This holiday season, give your loved ones gifts that are entirely unique without breaking the bank, by creating pieces at a paint-your-own-pottery studio.
Show off each person’s individual style with personalized tweaks. Glazes can be tailored, with color schemes of one person’s favorite colors or to match the interior of their home. Designs can mimic their favorite patterns or characters, or stay simple and neutral. Items can be modern, intricate, ecclectic, any style you like. With PYOP, no two pieces come out the same, just like no two of your loved ones are the same.
If you’d rather give the gift of experience, consider gifting a gift card to use together at a later date. This gift sends a sweet message of wanting designated time together, and being will to wait until the moment is right. At most studios, gift cards can be used towards more than just the regular PYOP experience; perhaps toward classes or events. This gift is a promise of making time for each other and enjoying it.
You could even surprise your loved one with two tickets to an upcoming workshop or event. Many studios shave a monthly schedule posted with all kinds of skills to learn and events to enjoy, and maybe there are even some which perfectly align with your loved one’s interests or hobbies. Studios may have workshops based on a certain show, or a concept like astrology, or even a collaboration with another local business, say a brewery.
However you choose to go about it, gifting the PYOP experience is a beautiful way to show someone you love them. If you’re looking for a studio to start planning your holiday gifts, try our studio locator.
by CCSA Admin | Sep 25, 2023 | Blog
Shopping small is something we all have heard of, but it usually reminds us of buying locally-made goods or groceries directly from farms. While the traditional methods of shopping small are great, they don’t always lend themselves to things like family adventures or special date nights. Luckily, paint-your-own-pottery is the best of both worlds. You can support a local small business, enjoy a unique experience, and make a lasting product all at the same time.
With PYOP, the time you spend choosing your piece and painting it is a valuable part of the process. Picking up your completed item and bringing it home is a joy, but the process of making it is a large part of that satisfaction. With PYOP, anyone can be an artist, and the final product can really be something you’re proud of. (Even if you’re not satisfied with the outcome, we support holding onto everything for the memories).
Your local PYOP studio has very strong roots in your community, probably in more ways than you think. Community members are employees, children have their birthday parties, brides have their showers and bachelorettes, retired artists are encouraged to paint again, current artists pursue new projects, and young people find safe and engaging weekend activities. The role your local studio plays in your community dynamic may be unseen, but it is definitely strong.
Every time you visit your local PYOP studio, you’re supporting your community in more ways than one. So next time you have an empty afternoon, nowhere to go on a rainy day or feel like you haven’t done a hands-on project in a while, consider checking out your local studio. It’ll make your day, and theirs.
For help finding a studio, try our studio locator.
