Things to Do in Kings Mountain

At Megart Pottery Painting Studio, visitors of all ages bring plain white clay to life with kaleidoscopic splashes of color. Upon entering the shop, guests can peruse the selection of more than 1,000 pieces of decorative pottery that owners Sherry and Scott George have hand selected, including cookie jars, ornaments, child and pet handprints, and piggy banks. Adult and kiddie visitors embarking on new painting projects can look to the gregarious proprietors for guidance, and Sherry and Scott gladly will help them with each step of the painting process, from penciling in their patterns onto the bare clay, to turning their clay pieces into shiny new vases or uncontrollable living golems. Visitors can make their painting sessions even more relaxing with tasty drinks and desserts from the in-house espresso bar, which serves tea, milk shakes, and java from Counter Culture Coffee. After guests are done putting the finishing touches on their pottery, the helpful staff will fire pieces in a kiln for no extra charge, and each item is available for pickup in 7 - 8 days.

Give a man a crystal-and-leather necklace, and he'll wear it for a day. Teach him how to make one, and he'll wear it forever. Today's Groupon ends your helpless dependence on jewelers. For $20, you get your choice between a Beginner Leather and Crystal Necklace or an Earring Boot Camp class at Beadlush. As a reward for your newfound independence, you'll come away with a proverbial fish—the necklace or earrings you make in the class—and, like a river deity, the potential to build many more fish from scratch in the future.

If you paint your own pottery, there is no studio fee, and the price of the pottery includes all supplies and firing. Costs vary depending on the chosen 3D canvas. Kids’ pieces are $10–$25, dinnerware is $15–$60, and picture frames $22–$35; the average price of all pieces falls in the $15–$30 range. If you are distracted by a Night Court marathon and don't finish your masterpiece in one sitting, you can come in another day to finish for free (after that, it's $5 per visit). Upon completion, turn your project over to the pottery masters at the studio. They'll put the finishing flames on your project, which will be available for pick-up after about a week. This Groupon is also good for those who want to give glass fusing a whirl. First timers can take the glass class to learn the basics (schedule here), then put newfound skills to work building personalized frames, bowls, jewelry, and more. The typical glass project costs $15–$40.

CarolinaNightlife.com is a guide to the region’s hottest clubs, restaurants, and bars. The party resource provides useful information as to which spots are the most popular on a given night, and they also include hours, directions, specials, and onsite photo albums so prospective attendees can check out the crowd. The page teems with recommendations on where to go and what to do, with activities that range from speed dating and live music to ping-pong tournaments and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show viewings.

Jewelology puts beauty into the hands of the beholder, leading to a sense of accomplishment rivaling that of a financially successful mime. Jewelry parties require four participants or more, and each Groupon entitles one partygoer to $15 worth of jewelry-making materials such as natural gemstones, Swarovski crystals, Czech cut-glass beads, sterling silver, and freshwater pearls (it is not required that all partygoers have a Groupon in order to attend). Or, if you don't want your firefighting buddies know you're a jewelryholic, reserve a spot in any class offered except the lampwork class and the hammered-silver class. Learn techniques such as wire ring wrapping, chain-and-stone necklace making, or chandelier-earring construction ($15 worth of class-specific materials will be provided).

In a handful of studios scattered between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Springfield, Missouri, kids express their artistic creativity under the friendly supervision of Noah’s Art instructors. Classes cover a wide variety of topics—from painting and clay sculpture to vocals-based Song Art—and are arranged by age group, allowing children to interact with peers of a similar developmental stage while engaging in philosophical musings on the meaning of parent-enforced time-outs. Instructors also teach basic art tools and techniques, such as how to properly hold a paintbrush or sculpt clay using only your mind.