FAQ’S

How long do you keep our pottery?

We keep finished pottery on our shelves for up to 3 months. About 1 month in, we’ll give you a call to remind you to come pick up your pottery. We will call 2 more times over the next several weeks/ month, but - as a kind reminder, due to lack of space in our studio, we can’t guarantee that we can hold your pottery past the 3 month time. Thank you for understanding!

Are walk-ins welcome?

Yes, always! However, you’re on a first come first serve basis. Generally weekends are busy so if you’d like to call ahead thats ok!

Do I need to make a reservation?

If you have a party of 6 or more, we highly recommend a reservation - you can call us at either studio to see how busy we are.

Is my pottery safe to eat off of?

Yes! Our pottery is 100% lead free and is both microwave and dishwasher safe.

What is a studio fee?

A studio fee is $10 per painter, per visit. This covers the paint, glaze and firing.

How long does it take to fire my pottery?

The turnaround is 5-7 days. At check out, we will give you a pick-up slip with your pick up date! If you can’t come into the store on that date, no worries. We hold pieces on our pick-up shelf for up to 3 months. Due to space, after the 3 month period and several phone calls to pick up your item, we’ll have to dispose of it.

Is there a minimum age?

Our customers range in age from 6 weeks to 106 years. We are an ideal venue for family fun across all generations.

Can I commission you to paint something for me?

Yes! Please visit our Custom Gallery page and you can request any special housewarming, wedding, baby or pet piece.

Do you serve food and drink or can I bring my own?

We love food (and drinks!) but we don’t sell it in our studios. You may bring in food and drinks, including adult beverages if you are of age.  Please remember to bring any plates, utensils, or cups you may need as we do not have these available. You may also have your event catered or order food to be delivered.  

Do you reward regular customers?

Absolutely! We truly appreciate our loyal artists and have a special way to show our gratitude. Through our ‘Loyalty Card Program,’ each time you visit to paint, you'll earn a stamp on your card. After your 10th visit, you'll enjoy a FREE Studio Fee, valued at $10. (Just a note: this offer is limited to one per customer, per painter.) We can’t wait to see you again and celebrate your creative journey with us!

Do I need to keep my receipt?

It makes things alot easier if you keep your slip! Your receipt is your pickup slip with your official pickup date. Without the receipt, we have no way of knowing which items you're looking to pickup. If you think you might lose the receipt, we suggest taking a picture of the receipt. Please also keep in mind that if you send someone who was not painting with you to pickup your items.

What happens if I get paint on my clothes?

Don’t worry if you get our paint on anything. It comes right off with water.

Is parking free?

Yes! Also, both our studios are conveniently close to the Fairfield and Darien train stations.

What if you’re not an artist?

Everyone is an artist at Hands on Pottery! Come in with an idea and we can help you make it happen, or if you're in need of inspiration we have tons of painted samples and design ideas to spark your imagination. Our friendly staff is always on hand to give you as much or as little help as you need in painting your work of art. We also have a huge collection of tracing designs, stencils, and other neat hacks that we love to share. Check out our Pottery Technique page for some tips and tricks!

Do I have to be artistic?

Not at all, that’s part of the fun! We provide all the guidance and equipment necessary for everyone to produce something very special, regardless of their artistic ability. We have some easy, simple painting techniques that will help even the most un-creative person make something to be proud of. Remember its FUN art not FINE art!

How much does it cost?

We have a studio fee of $10 per painter which covers the cost of the paint, bisque and firing. Pieces generally range from $10-$75. Visit our How It Works page for more information.

Can I have a party at Hands on Pottery?

Yes, you can! Do you want to book a kids birthday party, an office party, a fun girls night out, a bridal shower or bachelorette party? Something fun for the grown-ups? Give us a call to make a reservation or visit one of our many Party pages for more information.

Children’s parties are given a 90 minute window to celebrate. For adults, its generally 2 hours. We can come to you, or you can have a party with us. Private Parties are available too. You can bring food and drink to make your day as fun and easy as possible. Deposits are required for parties/events of 7 or more.

Do you ship finished pieces?

We do not, but we are happy to provide re-purposed bubble wrap and boxes when we have them!

Do you sell gift cards?

Absolutely! We sell online gift cards, or you can get a tile gift card. All you need to do is drop by the store, tell us the amount you want to give, and we will give you a gift card that never expires! It can be applied to the cost of painting.

How long does it take to paint the pottery?

That all depends on you! The more detailed the design, the more time you’ll need to finish. Generally, it takes about 1-2 hours to finish a painting project.

What sort of specials do you have?

The best way to keep track of our specials is by checking our Facebook or Instagram page! Or you can check out our Events page. We will always post when our fun specials are occurring. Depending on the time of year, we have special parent/child art nights, date nights, and seasonal specials. Be sure to ask us about our Loyalty Card Program as well!

What if I don’t finish my piece?

Not a problem! Typically we do not like to hold peoples pottery in the studio because we want to make sure it stays safe. We tell them that if they aren’t able to finish, no worries, we will wrap it up and they can take it home. They are welcome to come back anytime during our business hours at no extra cost to finish.

Do you go to off-site locations?

Yes, we can go anywhere! Visit our Events page for more information.

Do you offer pottery wheel classes?

At the moment, we do not have pottery wheels at either of our studios. We do offer clay classes once a month! Our instructors guide you through the basics of sculpting and handbuilding. At the end of the class you have several pieces that we then fire into ceramic and you come back to paint at your convenience. It makes a great date night or girls night out! Keep an eye on our Events Page for upcoming classes and registration.