by CCSA Admin | Aug 9, 2022 | Blog
Fall is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited. What’s better than pumpkins galore, leaves changing color, and the smell of all the seasonal goods?
Bring all that autumnal spirit into your home this Fall by creating a paint-you-own pottery centerpiece or display for your home! With all sizes of pumpkins and gourds, acorn boxes, leafy pottery, and a variety of color palettes to create, your display can be perfectly within theme and entirely unique to your home. Your studio is likely to have their own Fall display, so feel free to draw inspiration from any samples they may have out or color schemes they may have used.
Specialty paints are a great way to achieve the colors of the season; often earthier in tone and having more organic movement within the kiln, specialty glazes can make a gourd look truly natural, or give the perfect warm tone to a vase. These glazes show how they flow across a piece in the kiln, so
anything with fun curves and grooves will create a very interesting finish. While all studios may carry a variation of the specialty glazes that exist, your local studio is sure to have many options to elevate your piece.
Combining elements of pottery with other materials makes a very sophisticated display. Try putting dried flowers into a ceramic vase, real pumpkins next to the fake ones, a candle within a painted holder; all are sure to create an extra special touch!
by CCSA Admin | Jul 25, 2022 | Blog
For your next anniversary, date night, or any other excuse to be with your loved one, consider paint-your-own pottery as a form of connecting and creating together. There is no better gift than one you have created by hand, either together or for each other, and PYOP is the perfect way to achieve that.
One way to design a gift that the other will love is to each pick out what piece you would want, either something like a kitchen item you’ve been needing or a piece of decor you love and have each other paint it. You could choose what color palette you prefer or let them completely use your artistic
liberties! It’s a great way to see what patterns and designs make your partner think of you. And, top it off with a secret love note on the bottom!
For anniversaries, consider creating a piece to commemorate the date. Create a platter with the colors from your wedding invite, cover a mug in doodles representing different memories you share, or paint a frame to put your favorite picture in! For finishing touches, many studios offer custom art in the
form of writing or detailed work – consider adding your names with your anniversary date or something along those lines to commemorate your time together.
If you’re feeling especially frisky, many studios also offer naughty pottery during certain hours or at 18+ events. Create something NSFW to spice things up, or try surprising each other with a piece the other wouldn’t pick out for themself.
While more risque events are fun, there is plenty of room for quality time in other classes as well! Creating, sometimes even failing, can be a great way to bond, learn, and share a laugh. Check out your local studio for upcoming class options and schedules, and don’t forget to try our studio
locator to find your new favorite date spot!
by CCSA Admin | Jun 27, 2022 | Blog
Have you explored the custom art options at your local studio? Many offer a standard set of fonts to add to any pieces you may create, to add details such as names, dates, and sayings. Beyond the standard, studios often accept commissions for larger pieces and grander designs.
Wedding platters are always a big hit. Custom artists can copy the color scheme, design, font and image of an invitation onto a large platter, a very personal and unique gift for the newlyweds or to commemorate a special anniversary. Elements of the invitation can also be applied to other pieces, like canisters, coasters, small dish sets, matching mugs, anything you like! The possibilities are truly endless, and the artist will work with you to ensure satisfaction in the remaking of the original design.
Another popular form of custom art is house platters. When people move, they can commemorate their past home or their new home with a painted replica of it on a platter or dish. This can also be great for vacation homes, temporary residences, college buildings, churches, etc. This gift is the perfect balance of intimate and practical.
Studios have seasonal designs to offer as custom pieces, like a handprint to turn into popsicle for Summer or a turkey for
Thanksgiving or even an ornament for Christmas. Handprint pieces, which are great for any occasion can really freeze a moment in time. They can also become a tradition; if the whole family gets handprints each year, you can keep a record of how much everyone has grown and display it
within your home.
Check with our local studio what their custom art options are, and try our studio locator to find your new favorite spot!
by CCSA Admin | May 31, 2022 | Blog
Looking for something unique to do this Father’s Day without being stuck in hot, muggy weather or rain? Try heading into your local paint-your-own-pottery studio to create memories that you can keep in your home forever! At a PYOP studio, the process itself is a gift; Pick out the pieces that speak to you, design your own color palette, and let the creative juices flow while you enjoy each other’s company. Children can create gifts for Dad, or any other fathers in their life, regardless of their age!
Younger children can use a selection of glazes that do not get muddled when kids finger paint and smush all the colors together. Older kids can follow the design found on the piece or create their own entirely. The whole family can collaborate on larger pieces and could even do handprints on a platter,
vase, or any larger piece! Handprints are a great way to preserve the memory forever and can become a yearly tradition. One way to add the perfect finishing touches is to order custom art for your piece; the studio’s artists can write the year, the family member’s names, or anything you like!
Pieces created for one Father’s Day can become staples for another. Create a large grilling platter to use at your next barbeque, a picture frame to fill and hang in your house, or a mug that can start Dad’s day off right every morning.
With no shortage of good times and lasting momentos, it’s clear that your local studio is the perfect place to host your Father’s Day gathering and really make Dad feel special. With a little AC and tons of colorful options, your party is sure to be a success. Get started by making a reservation with your local studio, and try our studio locator to find your new favorite spot!
by CCSA Admin | May 11, 2022 | Blog
Looking for a unique summer experience for your child? Want them to enjoy themselves while
still being creatively stimulated? Are they interested in making art? Paint-your-own-pottery Summer
camps might be the perfect thing for your child.
Many camps offer crafts in addition to PYOP, including canvas painting, clay modeling, and
papercrafts. By providing so many types of creative learning, art camps inspire kids to try new things,
create new skill sets, and step out of their comfort zone in a supported and fun learning environment. Many art
camps also have art shows at the end to display the kids’ work, giving them a chance to feel a sense of
pride and confidence in their work.
Each session will leave you with precious mementos of their Summer to hold on to for many
years to come. As your kids keep growing older, their creativity will continue to grow, and there is no
better place to foster their minds than an art-based camp. Being in an open environment with others their
age allows kids to play and make friends in a safe and non-stressful way; There is no competition or
grading system in art-based camps, taking conflict out of the picture for their breaks.
Your kids will be able to beat the heat while keeping social and making pieces they’re truly proud
of. Nearly every age can benefit from and enjoy an art based camp, and the paint-your-own-pottery
experience is quite a unique one. And, it will be a hit, rain or shine!
If your kids love birthday parties, events, and classes at your local studio, they’re sure to love a
Summer camp. Check out the options at your local studio today, and try our studio locator to find PYOP
studios near you!
by CCSA Admin | Apr 14, 2022 | Blog
Looking for something to do to celebrate National Creativity Day this month? Try
paint-your-own-pottery! With an abundance of inventory, the full rainbow of glaze colors, and endless
ideas, PYOP provides the perfect celebratory activity. Studios can offer sample works, stencils, silk
screens, creative techniques and all sorts of guidance for those who may be intimidated by a totally blank
slate. Many pieces have guiding designs, but there are always free form options for the more bold painters
in your group!
Kids have tons of options for getting messy and creative – there are figurines of their favorite
characters and animals, boxes and banks for their collections, and smushable palette options (colors that
won’t combine to make brown when smushed all over by little fingers). With options galore, there are no
unhappy campers. Kids can find color palettes that are typical of the object they’ve chosen, or go rogue
with funky colors and crazy designs.
Sometimes, we have a harder time diving into creative projects than our kids do – blank projects
can be intimidating, and it’s been a long time since most of us have taken an art class. Flipping through
stencil options can be a great way to get started: find which designs and elements stick out to you most,
and choose a color scheme to match. Then, trace the stencil with a pencil onto the bare pottery. Pencil
burns away completely in the kiln, so don’t worry about mistakes and smudges! Then, paint in your
outlined design, and voila! A piece you can be proud of.
Many studios also offer other creative outlets, like glass fusing, canvas painting, wood sign art,
wheel throwing, and more! Check out the options at your local studio for inspiration of how to spend this
year’s National Creativity Day, and you’ll have a great time rain or shine! Not sure of how to find your
local studio’s information? Try our studio locator!
by CCSA Admin | Mar 8, 2022 | Blog
Looking for a unique and sentimental gift for Mom? A hand-made gift is the way to go, and a
functional one is even better! With hand print designs, functional pottery, and a wide budget range,
pottery painted by her children is the best gift a mother can receive.
The associates at your local studio can assist in creating a design that incorporates your child or
children’s hand prints, finger prints, foot prints, anything you like! Most studios also offer options for
custom lettering and art to personalize the piece further – with a variety of fonts, message options, and
colors galore, each piece is totally unique and captures that moment in your child’s life.
If you forgot to get gifts, or to take the kids into your local paint-your-own-pottery studio in time
for pieces to be ready, fear not! Bring in Mom on Mother’s Day for an interactive gift experience – she’ll
enjoy not only the beautiful quality time spent with family, but also the pieces that she can keep forever
and remember the day.
With Spring weather being so unpredictable, your Mother’s Day plans may be rained out; Rain or
shine, your local PYOP studio is open and ready to serve you! The perfect rainy day activity is relaxing
with art and loved ones.
Here are some of our favorite details on pottery to include on your piece:
– A hidden message inside a mug
– A heart made of two finger prints
– The date written out (instead of MM/DD/YY)
– Kids’ signatures in their own handwriting
– Putting a photo in a picture frame before gifting it
Happy creating, and Happy Mother’s Day!
by CCSA Admin | Feb 10, 2022 | Blog
This Spring, as we navigate the world of childcare, put some thought into an art-based camp for your little ones. Studio camps give kids the engaging and entertaining experience of working with new materials and creating art in a social setting, while also keeping their minds active. Following instructions, collaborating with others, using creative thinking skills, and engaging with imagination are just a few of the ways that art-based camps keep little minds stimulated on their breaks from school.
With pottery painting, wet clay, canvas art, and more, children are given a variety of tools and activities to expand their artistic horizons. By providing so many types of artistic learning, art camps inspire kids to try new things, create new skill sets, step out of their comfort zone in a supported and fun learning environment. Many art camps also have art shows at the end to display the kids’ work, giving them a chance to feel a sense of pride and confidence in their work.
While many schools across the country cut back funding for their art departments and time for kids to have creative learning in school, studios can provide a space for kids to explore their creative needs and potential talents, or even just to get their hands dirty (especially when it’s not your mess to clean up!)
Being in an open environment with others their age allows kids to play and make friends in a safe and non-stressful way; There is no competition or grading system in art-based camps, taking conflict out of the picture for their breaks.
Not sure where to turn? Try our studio locator to find a paint-your-own pottery studio near you, and see what programs they have to offer!
by CCSA Admin | Jan 18, 2022 | Blog
As February 14th rolls around again, you may be thinking there are no original date ideas left.
Or that 2022 is already as exhausting as the last few years, and you don’t want to put a crazy amount of
effort into getting some alone time with your partner. Well, look no further for romantic and easy ideas:
paint-your-own-pottery is the way to go!
Have an in-studio date via walk-ins or appointments, depending on what your local studio prefers,
or get a take-home kit and create meaningful gifts for each other in the comfort of your own home!
Painting pottery together allows you both to create a unique item to be cherished by your loved
one while also having some time together to decompress with a bit of art therapy. Create something
together for your home, or surprise each other by making something the other will love.
There is plenty of Valentine’s themed pottery available if you enjoy niche decor (or enjoy
cute things with hearts and xo’s), or you can create something that fits your year-round style; That’s the
the beauty of creating the piece yourself!
Consider taking a class with your loved one to learn a new skill together – someone else does all
the setup, teaching, and clean up, while you get to enjoy the good company of your partner and create an
item to remind you of that day forever.
Not looking for a romantic Valentine’s? Make a date to create with your friends! Every aspect of
a good date spot is just as good with the people closest to you, and maybe even with less pressure. Bring
the girls in for a pottery brunch date, or take a to-go kit home for a party with friends.
And many paint-your-own-pottery studios are BYOB, don’t forget…
Try our studio locator to find your new favorite date spot!
by CCSA Admin | Dec 6, 2021 | Blog
When shopping for holiday presents, it’s hard to know where to get the most
meaningful gifts that will stay in someone’s life. And with so many trendy fads, massive lines at big box
stores, and understocking as a bi-product of Covid-19 shortages, holiday shopping can be a complete
nightmare.
Some of the best gifts are experience-based. We may think first of concert tickets, trips, etc., but
pottery studios can provide so much in terms of not only a wonderful experience but a product that
solidifies that memory forever; The best of both worlds.
In a paint-your-own-pottery studio, pre-made pottery can be painted; 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 type of creation or event is a great way to gift someone in your life a wonderful day
and a special present to hold on to.
And, if gift cards are not your preference, hand-painted or handmade pieces can touch the hearts
of your loved ones. Children’s handprints, romantic designs, whatever your goal is, can be achieved on various pieces, all designed by you.
One significant aspect of this gift idea is supporting a local business, allowing it to do
well during a season where 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.
