• Father’s Day Gift Ideas

    Are you at a loss on what to get Dad this year?

    If you want to forgo the tie or other traditional presents, we have some great ideas for you. Whether your Dad loves his coffee or cocktail, is a new Dad or likes everything, we have the gift for you.

    Here are some of our favorites:

    Coffee/Cocktail Dad

    Does Dad love coffee? Decorate a mug to tell him how special he is. We also have cappuccino and espresso cups, as well as K-cup dispensers for the Keurig-loving Dad. What about the Dad that likes a cocktail at the end of the day? Paint a wine or martini glass to use for his favorite libation.

    Grilling Dad

    When it’s Dad’s night to cook, does he like to man the grill? Make him a platter for his delicious creations.

    New Dad

    Baby hand and foot prints on pottery are a great idea for new Dads. Commemorate the milestone of your baby’s birth with a mug or plate that he will cherish for a long time.

    Come to Clay Café Studios and let us help you pick out the perfect gift for Dad!

  • Plaid Crafts’ Pulled String Art Video

  • Quick and Easy Glaze Spritzing Video by I Love To Create -Duncan

  • Our Favorite Samples at Clay Café Studios

    Customers ask us all the time which projects we like the best. That’s a hard question to answer because we like so many different styles.

    Here are a few of our favorites:

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    If you would like to make any of these projects, we will be happy to how you how. These are all easy-to-learn and create.

    They are good for beginners, as well as seasoned painters.

    We hope to see you soon at #ClayCafeStudios!

  • Sgraffito Technique Video by I Love To Create Duncan

  • Our Best Spring Ideas

    Spring has sprung, as they say. We love spring around Clay Café Studios. We open the windows and doors and paint, paint, paint!

    Here are a few of our spring ideas:

    Garden Project

    Bright Colors

    Party Plate

    We have tons of other ideas!

    Come see us at #ClayCaféStudios and we’ll help you create a spring masterpiece!

  • Glaze Globbing Video by Gare

  • 10 Reasons Why a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio is Perfect for Off-Site Field Trips and On-Site Events

    It’s that time again when schools, daycares and not-for-profit organizations search for off-site field trip destinations and on-site event ideas. This year, the Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association (CCSA) is inviting planners to try some new, fun, educational and memorable activities at their local paint-your-own pottery studio (PYOP) or by inviting that  PYOP to come to them.

    According to the CCSA, there are 10 key reasons why PYOP studios are perfect for your field trip and events:

    10 key reasons

    1. Activities can be customized for your group, such as an element of their art program or “art week.”
    2. PYOP studio owners are available to provide guidance, advice and support to ensure a flawless, fun experience for all involved.
    3. All materials and step-by-step instructions are provided by trained and friendly studio hosts.
    4. Participants get to keep a unique keepsake of the experience.
    5. PYOP staff takes care of all clean-up.
    6. PYOP studios have a comfortable and creative indoor environment.
    7. PYOP studios are typically located in areas that offer plenty of free parking.
    8. CCSA-member PYOP studios meet ADA compliance standards.
    9. Planners can take pictures of the event of field trip, which are perfect for publishing in newsletters and sharing on social media.
    10. PYOP studios are typically run by small business owners – many of them families- who have deep roots in the local area. Businesses, organizations and schools that support PYOP studios are strengthening their communities.

    “The most common feedback we receive from event and field trip planners is: I wish we had discovered PYOP studios years ago!” commented Dena Pearlman, CCSA’s executive director. “The good news is that it is never too late to think outside of the box and try something different, and perhaps start a great new tradition.”

    Clay Café Studios is a proud member of the CCSA.
    Call us at 703/534-7600 or come by to see us and we’ll help you plan your next event!

  • Simple Image Transfers on Bisque Video by Bisque Imports

  • 5 Great Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

    Mother’s Day will be here before we know it. Motherhood is a demanding, exhausting, humbling and rewarding experience. Our Moms do everything for us. Mother’s Day is a day to thank Mom for all those things she does, both big and small, just because she loves us.

    Here are 5 pottery-themed ideas that Mom will love:

    TIME

    Let’s face it, Moms really like it when we spend time with them. How about a pottery date for you and Mom? It’s a fun and relaxing way to spend the afternoon with each other. The added bonus is that you have a memento from that day.

    HOBBY

    For the Mom that is the family gardener, how about painting her a flower pot? Once its fired, you can plant a beautiful lavender plant or the flowers of her choice.

    MEMORY

    This is where Dads come in. Why not bring your baby or toddler to our studio and get their handprint or footprint on pottery? This is a special memento that Mom will cherish forever.

    HUMOR

    Does your Mom appreciate funny sayings or have a good sense-of-humor? Why not paint her a mug with a clever quote or comment. A couple of popular ones are “Thanks, Mom, I turned out awesome!” and “Don’t talk to Mom until she’s had her coffee.”

    APPRECIATION

    You could paint a plate listing all the things you love about Mom. Tell her why she is remarkable and how you can’t live without her.

    These are just a few ideas for Mother’s Day. Come in to the studio and we can show you more!