Colour My Pot, the Paint Your Own Pottery Studio in Cleveland, is another family business that has withstood the restrictions of the pandemic by implementing new and creative initiatives. I've covered many of these previously: tutorials over the internet to create clay tea light holders shaped like poppies for ANZAC Day, and kits to paint at home during the worst of lockdown.
Seven years since operations began in the Middle Street studio, the premises have grown to include a designated Party Room which doubled as an area for 'Working With Clay' classes. An ever-expanding range of workshops dealing with both paint and clay, such as the popular mandala and
Harry Potter painting classes, have encouraged a regular band of creative clientele. The school holiday workshops are always popular.
Paint Your Own Pottery has recently expanded to meet the needs of the growing number of dedicated clay enthusiasts with a designated area, affectionately known as
The Mud Club. It is a studio area available to customers who would like to work on clay projects independently.
Clay enthusiasts are required to complete an Introductory Course, which will then allow them to use the space, tools and equipment during opening hours.
The Mud Club
Clients then purchase clay from the
Mud Club and start creating their own pieces. It's just amazing what can be achieved using just your hands, a piece of clay, and a dash of imagination.
Love these platters!
As a Mud Club Member, you get your own (named) shelf space to store your works of art, whether they be tea cups, gravy boats, garden gnomes or serving plates. This space is perfect for allowing the drying of all pieces slowly before they are fired in the studio kilns. Members can also enjoy reduced rates for classes as well as be guided by an experienced team.
Never had the opportunity to play with clay? Here's a list of scheduled clay workshops for the rest of the year to give you a chance to experience the process.
I failed all the Domestic Science subjects as well as Art at school and treat clay work a bit like gardening. Getting your hands dirty and moulding shapes is both rewarding and nurturing, similar to potting plants.
For further information about
The Mud Club contact Colour My Pot on 07 3134 2164 or go
here, where you will also see all the coming painting and clay workshops.
Colour My Pot is located at 6/39 Middle Street, Cleveland, easy walking distance from the Railway Station and Bus Stops, with ample street parking.
STORE HOURS
School Term
– Tue to Fri 10am to 2pm
– Sat 10am to 4pm
School Holidays
– Mon to Sat 10am to 4pm
My first clay attempt is still in use, three years on
And remember: "
Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." - Mary Lou Cook
