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 is a sportsman or hobbyist, a new Dad or likes everything, we have the gift for you.

Animal Lover Dad

For the Dad who loves animals, we have plenty of animal-themed pottery to choose from at Clay Café Studios. We have mugs with lobsters, crabs and dolphins embossed on them. We have both small and large animal figurines, including some beautiful faceted elephants, giraffes and rhinos.

Cocktail Dad

What about the Dad that likes a cocktail at the end of the day? Paint a wine glass, martini glass or champagne glass for him to use for his favorite libation. These are always a big hit at Clay Café Studios!

Coffee Dad

Do we have mugs? Absolutely, in tons of different styles! Decorate a mug with Dad’s name on it in his favorite colors. We also have cappuccino and espresso cups, as well as K-Cup dispensers for the Keurig-loving Dad.

Gardening Dad

Does your Dad like to garden and enjoy nature? Why not make him a nature-themed gift? We have pinwheels and useful garden stakes to decorate his garden. We also have flowerpots for his favorite plants.

New Dad

Baby handprints or footprints on pottery are great ideas for new Dads. Commemorate the milestone of your baby’s birth with a mug or plate that he can use every day and will cherish for a long time.

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

It’s that time of year when parents are looking for teacher gifts. Thanking someone who is an integral part of your child’s life is important. A little appreciation goes a long way. While you could give them a gift certificate to a store or restaurant or perhaps something apple- or teacher-related, why not give them a handmade, personalized gift from Clay Café Studios?

Fingerprint/Handprint Pottery

We have tons of cute ideas using fingerprints and handprints at Clay Café Studios. Kids of any age can paint their prints on a plate or mug and make them into animals, insects, people or other cute figures. Personalize the pottery with the teacher’s name, school and year. It’s easy and fun to do and produces beautiful results.

Message Pottery

Another great way to thank a teacher is to make message pottery. Paint a quote from your child or a heartfelt thank you message. Nice sayings like “Thanks for helping us grow” and “Thank you for teaching me” are sweet touches. You could also paint a mug saying “Mrs. _____, World’s Greatest Teacher” or “We Love You, Mrs. _____.” At Clay Café Studios, we have tools that make lettering easy when creating that special gift.

Gift Certificate to Clay Café Studios

Instead of giving a gift certificate to a restaurant or the mall, how about one for a fun activity? Painting pottery gives the painter a creative outlet which helps them relieve stress and relax. What a nice thing to do for a teacher as a thank you for the endless hours they spend with our children.

Any of these ideas are easy to make. Give us a call (703/646-6007) or stop by Clay Café Studios anytime and we will show you how to make gifts that are both unique and practical

When we talk about community engagement, what do we mean? Is it donating to local school auctions ( we do that ), participating in fundraisers by giving a portion to a specific group ( we do that ), or giving military discounts ( and we do that too ).

While we believe it is all those things, we also think it is something else. Let me illustrate by telling you a story.

A couple, newly dating, came in to paint pottery one day. They were very sweet, friendly and had a great time together. They visited Clay Café Studios regularly over the next few months. One day, the guy contacted us to see if he could set up a dinner and painting night to propose to his girl. Of course, we said yes! Cut to a couple of years later. The couple comes in to paint—with their new baby! They painted their baby’s handprints on a plate for a fun memory.

Families graciously let us into their lives and share their special moments with us. Being a part of the community for over 18 years, we see children grow up, starting as young campers or having their birthday parties at Clay Café Studios. They go off to college and come back to visit us as adults, bringing their own families with them. Since we are fortunate enough to be a business that has been in the same place for so long, our connection to families spans generations.

Now, that’s what we call community engagement! Aren’t we lucky?

Please call Gayla at Clay Cafe (703-646-6007) if you have any questions or visit our website.

This time every spring, we have the privilege of custom painting some really cool awards for a traditional mystery writers’ association, Malice Domestic, based in Bethesda.

Malice Domestic’s tag line is “If Traditional Mysteries are your cup of tea …” They have an annual “fun fan” convention, saluting the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. In fact, their awards are called the “Agathas.”

The award design is a ceramic teapot, with their logo, a teabag with a skull tag. In addition, they award some ceramic teacups and saucers with the same design. They are so much fun to paint!

It is a pleasure working with this organization and we encourage you to check them out.

Website: www.malicedomestic.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/113613662353190/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/malice_domestic

Do you have an award or special presentation that needs something creative and unique to mark the occasion? Come in to the studio and check out the possibilities! For more information, call Gayla at Clay Cafe Studios at (703) 646-6007 or visit our website and fill out a contact request .