What to Expect at Your First Pottery Painting Experience

Never painted pottery before? Perfect. Most people who walk into CREATIVE for the first time have never held a glaze brush, and they leave with a piece they're proud of. Here's exactly what your first visit looks like, so you can walk in feeling like a regular.

1. Walk in. No reservation needed.

We're walk-in only, so come by anytime we're open: Tuesday and Wednesday 8am–4pm, Thursday through Saturday 8am–6pm. You'll find us at 3246 W Main Street in downtown Claremont, just minutes from Hickory, Newton and Conover. Bringing 6 or more? Give us a call at 828-461-4042 so we can save you a table.

2. Pick your piece

This is the hardest part, honestly. We have the biggest selection of pottery to paint in the area: mugs, plates, bowls, banks, figurines, holiday pieces and a whole kids' section. Most pieces are $18–$40, and that price is all you pay. There are no studio fees and no firing fees. Want something sturdier for everyday use? Ask about our stoneware pieces.

3. Choose your colors

Head to our paint wall, with the largest selection of paint colors around. A staff member will give you a quick intro: how many coats to use, how colors change in the kiln, and how to use our stamps, stencils and tracing patterns. Stuck on lettering or a design? We help for free, anytime.

4. Relax and paint

Take your time. There's no clock running. Grab a latte, chai or dirty soda from The Creative Brew right inside the studio, and settle in. Most people paint for an hour or two. Not finished? Come back another day, but take your piece home in between, since we don't have storage space.

5. We glaze and fire it

When you're done, leave your piece with us. We glaze it and kiln-fire it, which turns your colors bright, glossy and permanent. In about 7–10 days we'll text you that it's ready to pick up. Finished pieces are food safe and won't fade.

Want to try clay too?

CREATIVE is the only studio in the region with walk-in clay. No class, no sign-up: just walk in and make something from real clay. Ready to go further? Our clay classes are right next door at CREATIVE Clay.

Good to know