A sure-fire way to have fun: Paint-your-own-pottery studios in WNC
Owned and operated by Brian and Carrie Hockman, the paint-your-own-pottery studio is one of several similar stores that have emerged in Western North Carolina in the past five years. When the Hockmans opened a store in Dillsboro two years ago, their focus was to sell Brian’s nature photography with a paint-your-own-pottery studio in the corner.
Soon the couple realized the growing interest in the pottery from local clientele and decided to expand to a building just down the street. Today, Hockman’s photos are still featured in the studio, but the main focus is on pottery painting.
With hundreds of pieces to choose from, there is something for every interest regardless of age or gender. Pieces vary from peace sign banks and picture frames to motorcycles and flower figurines. There is a wide assortment of coffee mugs, plates and bowls, which Hockman said are the most popular.
Each ceramic piece is priced individually and all inclusive. There is no extra fee for studio time, clean-up, glazing or firing the pottery in the kiln. Prices range from just $1 to $40, with the popular kitchen items priced from $10 to $14 each.
Once the pottery is chosen, guests are free to come up with their own designs or use the provided stencils, stamps and sponges. If time restraints keep guests from finishing a piece, they can leave it in the studio and return another day to finish.
Although the idea of painting pottery can be intimidating for some, Hockman is adamant when he says anyone can do it.
“I’ll put it this way,” he said. “We had a party in here last week and it was all one-year-olds. It was messy, but it was fun.”
A large area with colorful speckled walls in the far side of the studio is used to accommodate children’s birthday parties and large groups. The wall features a canvas covered in small handprints and names scribbled underneath, documenting children who have attended such celebrations.
Claymates hosts ladies’ nights where girls 14 and older get 20 percent off all pottery and free hors d’oeuvres. They also offer Western Wednesday, where Western Carolina University students, faculty and staff receive 15 percent off all pottery.
Hockman estimates about 90 percent of their business comes from local clientele who are simply searching for something to do when the sleepy town of Dillsboro and surrounding areas close down for the night.
Although the entrance door posts operation hours, Hockman admits he has stayed in the studio as late as midnight with painters, some who bring bottles of wine and snacks to accompany them.
“As long as someone’s here we’ll stay open,” he said. “There’s not really a set closing time.”
Just about a 30-minute drive away from Claymates Pottery is Colorful Creations, a similar paint-your-own-pottery studio in Franklin. Owner Stacy Ledford opened the store in mid-October last year with intentions to provide a new pastime in town.
“This is something I did growing up, and I thought it would be something cool to bring to the community because it’s not sitting in front of the computer – it’s something creative to do,” she said.
Ceramics at Colorful Creations range in price from $5 for small decorative pieces to $100 for a large Indian totem pole. Ledford said she strives to set her store apart from others by offering a wider variety of pottery.
Most popular with kids are Disney figurines such as Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Snow White and Toy Story characters. Other standout pieces include a tic-tac-toe set and tea party set. She also caters to adults with beer steins and wine goblets.
Ledford has several already painted pottery examples around the store, so painters can get their creativity flowing.
“You don’t have to be artistic to do this,” she said. “I’m not an artist, but there are ways to cheat. You can use stencils, stamps and tracing paper. It’s very easy and people don’t need to be intimidated by it.”
Studios
Colorful Creations Pottery Studio
Description: Guests have a variety of ceramic pieces to choose from such as Disney character figurines, beer steins, water pitchers and tea pots. There is plenty of seating at colorful tables and a helpful paint color guide on the far wall. They offer group rates, party packages, ladies’ night every last Friday of the month and date night every last Saturday of the month.
Location: 27 Macon Center Dr. Franklin, NC 28734
Cost: Prices range from $5 to $100, although an average price is around $20 to $30. Studio time, paints, glazing and firing is included in the price.
Contact: 828.524.5688
Hours: Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Claymates Pottery
Description: This spacious studio features plenty of seating and a party area. Guests may choose from a wide variety of pottery pieces from plates and mugs to picture frames and peace sign banks. Stencils, sponges and decorative glass pieces are available. They offer group rates, party packages, ladies’ night, fundraising and summer creativity camps for children from six to eight years old. Pottery is ready within approximately six days. The pottery is usually ready in approximately six days. Shipping is available.
Other Activities: Glass fusing, make-your-own-candles, paint-your-own-t-shirts.
Location: 31 Front Street, Dillsboro, NC 28725
Cost: Prices of pieces range from $1 to $40. Studio time, paints, glazing and firing is included in the price.
Contact: www.claymatespottery.com;
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; 828.631.3133
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 6 p.m.; Special arrangements can be made outside of normal business hours with reservations.
Haynes Ceramics
Description: The owners of this small studio live directly above the store on Main Street in Canton. The street facing window features hundreds of example pieces featuring cups, bowls, garden gnomes, snails and more. Guests use acrylic paints and choose to have their piece fired in a kiln or sprayed with clear Krylon. The pottery is ready within two to three days if it is fired. They also sell paint brushes and other supplies.
Location: 112 Main Street Canton, NC 28716
Cost: Pottery ranges from $.75 to $20 each.
Contact: 828.646.0401
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Owner Dana Haynes is happy to take reservations for guests who would like to come in after normal business hours.
Pincu Pottery
Description: For a full pottery experience, you and your family can schedule private, one-on-one lessons with a working potter. The two hour class teaches guests how to make their own cups, bowls and more using a wheel or bare hands. You choose the color and the owner will glaze the pots. Shipping is available for out-of-town guests.
Location: 80 Highway 28 South Bryson City, NC 28713
Cost: $65 for two hours of instruction, all materials, firing cost, set-up and clean-up. For tow or more people, the cost is $35 per person. Children with adults are $25
Contact: 828.488.0480; www.pincupottery.com;
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Hours: Call ahead to choose a time that works. Pre-registration is required and at least two hours notice is requested. The owner prefers to have Friday night appointments booked by Wednesday of that week.
How paint-your-own-pottery studios work
Step 1 – No appointment is necessary unless you have a large group or celebration in mind.
Step 2 – Choose an individually priced ceramic from the shelves.
Step 3 – Pay for your pottery. Each price is all-inclusive for the pottery, paint, studio time, glazing and firing in the kiln.
Step 4 – Start painting your masterpiece. You can use your own designs or take advantage of the stencils, sponges or stamps to do the work for you.
Step 5 – When you are finished painting, leave your pottery at the studio to dry. It is then glazed and dried again overnight before being fired in the kiln. The length of this process varies by store.
Step 6 – You will receive a phone call to come pick up your piece when it is ready or the store will ship it to your home.
