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a mid-summer night's paint

7/21/2019

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By: Danielle Kearns
​The summer is flashing by! Let's talk about my favorite items to paint this summer, which are exclusive to our summer shelves. Paint them before they're gone. 

1. ice cream cone bowl + pint mug
​Who doesn't need more ways to enjoy their summer ice cream? These are my two current favorites. The first is our ice cream cone bowl. The second, a pint mug, which is the perfect size to fit your favorite flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream to enjoy in the comfort of your home air conditioning and reduce the mess.
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2. rope bowl 
We LOVE these nautical rope bowls, new these year. They make a wonderful center piece for your summer table or can be used to plant flowers or simply hold your keys. They are the perfect "catch all." 
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3. lighthouse lantern
An iconic image for Connecticut and all of our favorite beach towns. Put in a tea light candle to illuminate this lantern from within. 
​I have one on my mantel, but it's perfect for the front porch with a citronella candle. 
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4. sea shell hanging lantern 
Put these all around your outdoor summer table to give the perfect ambiance to your evening at the beach house. These can be hung around the garden to create an enchanted atmosphere.
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5. beach pails 
We love these for flower pots, but they're also perfect to play in the kiddie pool or bring to the beach with you. Check out the sample below painted with our specialty glaze, perfectly named "Mermaid Scales."
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Missing a seasonal favorite? Comment below with your suggestions and questions. We'll let you know if we have them in! 

Photos provided by Gare, Inc.
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b. kind

6/23/2019

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Local wellness boutique opens in West Hartford Center and has already made fast friends with The Claypen.
By: Danielle Kearns    
There's a new small business in WeHa Center. Welcome b. kind to Farmington Avenue, a wellness boutique + collaborative space that focuses on organic products that will benefit your body, mind, and spirit. The space is warm and welcoming, filled with the romantic aromas of essential oils and bath bombs.

Although they've only been around for a few weeks, we have already had our first collaboration with them! Last week, they co-hosted a mandala night with us at our location, providing the DIY essential oil bar and wellness knowledge.

Their stock ranges from home goods, beauty products, chocolates, mixers, clothing, bags, candles, oils, and more. (Let me tell you, I've been using their migraine sleep mask most nights of the week, headache or not.)


And, going forward, if you come to paint at the claypen and we're on waitlist, you will be given a 10% off coupon to use across the street while you wait. How cool is that!? 

​We'll also be doing collaborative events in the b. kind space! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below! 
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thursday, july 11th mug painting + tea tasting
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thursday, july 18th mandala night + essential oils

Mission: b. kind LLC is a wellness boutique and gift shop located in West Hartford, CT. Every product in b. kind is organic, natural, and hand-chosen to promote mindfulness and nourish the mind, body, and spirit connection. Monthly and weekly events will be held in the space, bringing together community members inspired to improve their lives and the lives of others. b. kind promotes a unique way of living - one encompassed by joy, health, wellness, and peace.​

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arts + craft(s) beer: labyrinth

5/19/2019

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this silk city brewery is crafting beers and hand-crafted bars
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Baba Yaga's Pink Guava; Labryinth's new sour berliner weisse
By: Danielle Kearns
​     Can you tell we love beer? The whole point of art is to have another method of relaxation in this crazy world of ours. Beer just takes that to the next level. I've mad it a habit over the years to try as many craft breweries around Connecticut as I can get to. Most recently, I visited Labyrinth Brewery in Manchester. It was an otherwise quiet Thursday night, but you wouldn't have been able to tell that sitting at the bar. The place was packed from wall to wall with all different walks of life enjoying a pint, or a mug club, beer after work. The energy was both relaxed and energetic, a perfect synergy for the post-work crowd. The bar itself was dimly lit with their gothic lighting and decor. Dragons perched on the sides of taps while candles and lanterns alike flickered in the room.
     I am a particular fan of sours, so I especially loved their pink guava... enough to have two. But the tap list has a little bit for every palette.
     While sitting there, I couldn't help but notice just how historic and beautiful the architecture of the place really was. Labyrinth was started up by 3 friends in 2017, one of whom happened to be there that night and gave me a little insight. The building that makes up the taproom, production facility, and art gallery is over 135 years old. Manchester used to be known as a "mill town," so this building has been through it. When established, Chris, Sean, and Adam decided to keep the building as intact as they could and utilize the elements on the property itself. Trees had to be cut down in order to make parking spots, so they used those trees to make the bar, by hand, that spans the length of the facility. The space is beautiful and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere you should be sure to visit.

We are proud to call Labyrinth Brewing Company one of our new partners in collaboration. 

save the date for our in studio tasting : june 14th
preregistration is required for this event 
must be 21+
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wedding gifts: top five

5/5/2019

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By: Danielle Kearns
   It's May, summer is just around the corner (we hope!), which can only mean one thing... it's wedding season! Once you're in my age bracket, it seems like it's standard to have five weddings a year. (Sometimes I even do.) Registries are more and more the "standard" when it comes to showers and bridal party gifts, but why not take it up a notch and have something made with us for a truly personalized touch. 
     We have very talented artists on staff who can make a gorgeous gift unique to your favorite couple. These pieces can be functional in someone's house, but they can also just be show stoppers for presentation and household decor. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for wedding gifts: 

1. the wedding invitation 
My favorite version of this over the top thoughtful gift is replicating the wedding invitation itself. If the happy couple spent weeks mulling over which floral decor and color palette they were most into, then you have an example of their taste and style right there. Most people now frame their wedding invitation or slap it in a photo album, but a round presentation platter with a stand that can be placed in a hutch, on a fireplace, or a built-in that is a direct replica of the invitation itself is an above and beyond gift. Not to mention, it's a huge conversation starter! People will be begging to know where and how you got it done.

2. the guestbook
If you're short on time or trying to stay on budget, you can pick a large platter with us that can have the couple's names and wedding date painted on. We will fire it here and have it ready in one week's time. (We can wrap it in a beautiful box too.) You can purchase a porcelain pen with us that can be used for guests to sign upon arrival to the nuptials. To make those signatures permanent, you just re-bake the dish at home in your own oven. Pair it with a plate stand and you've got the ultimate wedding keepsake.

3. their house, home, + heart
Our custom artists are amaaaaazing. No, really. We have a few samples around the studio of house front paintings. They are gorgeous painted representations of people's homes from the curbside perspective. They are such a lovely touch for any couple's "first home," or a keepsake after a major move to remember their roots. They are vibrant, warm, and stunning.

4. photo frame
Really simple one here. You can have the artists add the names and wedding date to any frame to make it customizable. Perfect for your favorite picture from the big day. This is a great idea for those who couldn't be in attendance or a gift sent in the mail upon their one month anniversary to say "We're still thinking and celebrating you!" ... and yes, we ship! 

5. monogrammed dinnerware set
Forget the "Mrs. & Mrs." mugs. (Hello, people, that's not every couple's makeup. Get with the program.) Add a calligraphy-style brush letter monogram to any mug, bowl, or plate. Start with a mug for that morning cup of coffee, or bump up the personalization game and make it a set! Get a mug, bowl, and plate for a table of four to really push it over the edge. (You can even add a Christmas ornament to match!)

studio tip: 
May we also suggest the claypen as a stop during your next bachelorette party. We are the perfect place to start popping bottles, loosen up, get silly, and travel onto dinner. We have a relaxed and fun vibe that can help to get the party started! 
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valentine's day

2/3/2019

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By: Danielle Kearns     
     Somehow, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  Don’t ask me how or when, because I honestly feel like the trick-or-treaters were at my door just yesterday.  The turkey and stuffing leftovers are long past gone. I have mourned a thousand deaths after putting all of my Christmas decorations away, and here we are.  My only saving grace after each holiday ends is focusing on the next one. If you read my last post, you would know I don’t consider the “big game” a personal sacrificial holiday, so I am moving onto the next big thing.  

     I get it… it’s a “commercial” holiday that most people would rather skip over or make way too big of a deal over.  I sit comfortably in the middle of these two forms of thought. Do I demand a bouquet of roses before I’m even out of bed in the morning on February 14th?  No, but I’ve never had a V-Day where my honey didn’t get them for me, so I consider myself lucky. Do I need reservations at the fanciest restaurant this side of West Hartford? No, but I like food the other 364 days of the year, so I wouldn’t mind eating some yummy delights, indulging in some extra carbs, and toasting with some bubbly… but again, that’s pretty much me on a year-round basis.  Valentine’s Day can be whatever you and your other half want it to be and make it to be. In my nearly six year relationship with my man, we’ve had all the versions of the holiday you might expect and, for that matter, never expect.
​     Our first Valentine’s Day we shared together, I had the stomach bug. And not just your normal, 24-hour thing. I had this demon from Hell for 10 solid days.  It was not glamorous. It was not fun. There was nothing dreamy about it, but we did spend some romantic nights on the couch catching up on TV and nursing some Gatorade instead of my champagne. We’ve gone for a paint night and painted opposite sides of a common canvas. It was cute, I got drunk, and his came out ten times better than mine… which happens all too often when we do anything artistic.  (Don’t even get me started on how he can decorate a Rice Krispy treat like a work of art. It is insanely frustrated as a natural competitor, individual who works at an art studio, and a prior teacher.) Anyway… back to my point. I’ve had friends who could care less about the “holiday” and would be confused if their partner showed up with a card. No matter your opinion on the day, I’d like to give some suggestions on how you can spend it here at the claypen and some of the options for all the folks out there -- taken, single, or apathetic.   


Here’s what’s happening this month for Valentine’s Day:
  sunday, february 3rd  mommy + me “my little valentine”
  friday, february 8th  kids: craft LOVE party
  saturday, february 9th daddy breakfast date
  sunday, february 10th  kids: best friends painting party
  wednesday, february 13th  mommy + me “my little monster”
  thursday, february 14th  date night (*2 separate sessions)
  friday, february 15th  gal-entine’s day party 
  sunday, february 17th  state love board art
  wednesday, february 20th  kids: yard bird
  saturday, february 23rd  magic mike adult only night
  thursday, february 28th  “just my type” platter

As always, sign up for any of our classes online to reserve your spot.  We are constantly updating our events on Facebook + Instagram, so follow us out there to keep an eye out for availability.  
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Is your gift for your loved one a surprise?  Items should be painted by Thursday, February 7th for a Valentine’s Day pick-up.  Have your item hidden here until you need it.  Last minute shopping?  Items can be rushed for an additional fee.  Happy Valentine's Day, friends! 
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    author

    Danielle is a CT native, She started at The Claypen in 2018 as a Studio Associate and quickly became a Team Lead and our resident blogger on staff. She now manages The Firestone, our sister studio in Manchester.

    ​Her previous experience includes teaching, writing, and photography. You can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn or reach out with questions via ​email.
    - 
    We hope to make memories with you to remember, always made with heART, and a little bit of creativity.
    -

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Hours

Covid-19 Hours, Open:
Monday - Friday: 11a-6p
Saturday - Sunday: 10a-4p
for DIY to go kits + pick-ups 


Re-Opening Hours (March 1st):
Sunday - Wednesday: 12a-6p
Thursday - Saturday: 10a-9p
for in-studio painting!


Telephone

860.233.3322

Email

info@theclaypen.com

Connect with us

  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
  • e-gift cards
  • shop
    • build your own pottery kit
    • diy to-go kits
    • create for a cause
    • custom art
    • merch
    • art supplies
  • about us
    • blog
    • contact us
    • careers
    • community
    • sustainability