THE CLAYPEN
  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • 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
  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • 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
Search

a mid-summer night's paint

7/21/2019

0 Comments

 
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.
Picture
Picture
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." 
Picture
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. 
Picture
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.
​
Picture
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."
Picture

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.
0 Comments

gare, inc.

3/17/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
By: Danielle Kearns
     As a PYOP studio, we have to outsource our pottery as bisque, which means the clay has already been molded and fired once before we receive it so that you can paint it upon your visit. There are a handful of distributors around the country, but most notably, we use Gare, Inc. located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. I recently got to take a tour and training at the facility, and I got a glimpse into the inner workings of the corporation and the things that make Gare one of our favorite businesses to work with.

local, family-run business
Gare, Inc. is located just 2 hours North of us in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  The facility includes offices, plenty of art samples, paint tank mixing vats, loading docks, warehouses, and the best crew around.  The majority of the team has been there for 10, 20, and even 30+ years. Not only do they feel like a family, some of them are even related and married. You can feel the tight-knit energy as soon as you walk in the door, and they are just the nicest folk around!

craftsmanship
Robert Sharp is the man behind all of the molds. He has been with Gare for over 30 years, taking over for his father after his retirement. He hand carves and hand shapes all of pieces to create the molds that then become the bisque pottery. 

extensive + versatile colors
We have an array of spectacular and versatile colors, most notably our Fun Strokes, pottery glazes, and speciality glazes. Gare recently announced they'll be releasing their new acrylic line!

seasonal favorites + idea inspiration!
Gare is releasing new bisque options every year, and our most popular items are those seasonal favorites!  This year, Gare released their vintage tree with pick-up truck, which became an instant hit. It even included a light kit! We got a sneak peak into the 2019 holiday line, and there’s more where that came from! Gare also gives us as a studio ideas, concepts, and new techniques for every holiday. They currently have their Spring products posted! 

gare fest
We just attended Gare Fest East 2019, which was an awesome way of networking with other PYOP studios, meeting the staff of Gare, touring the facility, and learning about new techniques and tools.  We also got a sneak peak at new items that will be coming down the pike throughout the year that we are excited to bring to all of you.

We met some of their gold star employees and would like to thank them for their generosity and education. 

Below are some of our behind the scenes photos from Gare Fest 2019. Check them out! 
2 Comments

    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.
    -

    Picture

    past

    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019


    Picture

    topics

    All
    Beer
    Behind The Scenes
    Bisque
    Catered Claypen
    Ccsa
    Christmas
    Classes
    Construction
    Crafts
    Custom Art
    Date Night
    Donuts
    Drinks
    Education
    Events
    Fall
    Farmers Market
    Firestone
    Fundraiser
    Gare
    Gift Ideas
    Glass
    Glaze
    Holiday
    Kid Friendly
    Kiln
    Kiln Loading
    Local Art
    Local Business
    Office Party
    Promotions
    Summer
    Sustainability
    Team Building
    Techniques
    Thanksgiving
    Theme Night
    Top Five
    Top Ten


    Picture

    RSS Feed

Hours

Sunday - Wednesday: 12p-6p
Thursday - Saturday: 10a-9p

Reserve online or call ahead 
- 
masks required 
no food or drink permitted at this time
Reserve A Table

Telephone

860.233.3322

Email

info@theclaypen.com

Connect with us

  • our studio
    • gallery
    • loyalty program
    • the firestone
    • resources
      • specialty glaze resources
      • videos
      • pto recipe cards
  • 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