Archaeologists examine ancient pottery to identify a culture’s preferred cooking methods and to determine which of its members was the World's Greatest Dad. Make timeless memories with today's Groupon: for $15, you get an introductory pottery-painting class at Danielle's Paint-Your-Own Pottery Studio in Langford (a $30 value). Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Night courses at 7 p.m. will also be available.
Voted Island Parent Magazine's favourite rainy-day destination in 2011, Danielle's Paint-Your-Own Pottery Studio guides pupils through various approaches to the pottery-painting process, helping them fashion a personalized adornment with their choice of ceramic canvas. The studio offers more than 500 cleaned and bisque-fired ceramics to choose from, such as classic or modern mugs, garden gnomes, or scrubbie frogs. During 90-minute sessions, 20 apprentice daubers learn 10 decorative techniques and discover their application for various functional and ornamental pieces. Mother-daughter team Jennifer and Danielle dispense all necessary tools and assist brush-wielding beginners as they dab, sponge, stamp, stencil, or telepathically evoke intricate designs on each piece. The studio grants students as much time as they need to conclude their crafting, and keeps any incomplete pieces in-store for up to 14 days after class, so patrons can drop in later to put finishing touches on their masterwork. After glazing and firing sessions, each piece is ready to assume its place on the mantel top or to be given as a housewarming gift to relocated gargoyles.
Danielle's Paint-Your-Own Pottery Studio
After years in the IT industry, Danielle was ready for a change. Her tech-based clients seemed to be in perpetually foul moods, and she longed for days filled with smiles and the occasional inspirational conversation. She had always loved to paint, so opening her paint-your-own pottery studio felt like a natural way to fuse her passion for art with her desire to interact with people in a helpful way. Only one more thing was standing in the way of bringing her dream to life: a business partner, which she quickly found in her daughter Jennifer.
Together, this mother-and-daughter team runs Danielle's Glass Fusing and Contemporary Ceramics Studio. To inspire creativity in others, they stock the studio's shelves with more than 300 bisque pieces, including mugs, bowls, and figurines. The pair guides artists through the creation process, helping them use stamps, stencils, and each other's ponytails to paint personal masterpieces. When not glazing and firing their customers' finished artwork, the duo also teaches classes on fused glass and hosts special events such as birthday parties.