Color Me Mine

Great Place! Erin went out of her way to make sure we had a great time. Will be back again.

Love the staff my kids had a blast!

Came here for the first time with my 3 daughters around Fathers Day. It was pretty busy but the service was great!!! Wasn’t sure what to expect but Erin was very helpful, came to check on us, helped us with colors and ideas. Would definitely come back here!!!

I’ve been to the Color Me Mine in Crystal Lake 3 times. I’ve loved it every time, and so I was excited when they opened up one closer to me. They get five stars. Unfortunately, I did not have the same experience here.
Most of my complaints are centered around the lady working at the time, Erin. First, I came and and two other groups were finishing up. I waited to be greeted, but wasn’t greeted. I knew what was happening, so we went over to browse the options. Finally, a worker greeted us. She said to select our pieces and sit down.
We got our pieces and chose a table. So far, not bad. The lady came over and vaguely described what to do with choosing the paint colors. At the other location, they gave us a complete tour of everything they offered and we got to pick our own paint colors. I didn’t mind that they chose them for us, but I did prefer to get my own supplies. I wish the lady would have just said that she would be with us in a few minutes.
She got us our paint and then handed us some brushes. She didn’t offer us pencils, sponges, or show us all of the options they have. She also didn’t give us the brush I needed, so I asked for it. Then she said we could get our own brushes. I wish she would have just showed us everything that we were allowed to access so we could choose what we wanted. She then said she would leave us alone and to ask if we needed anything. That would have been fine, but she wasn’t really around to ask. But these things are annoying, not really bad.
This is where it gets bad.
We got started painting and there was nobody else in the shop except two employees. The lady who had been helping us, Erin, began complaining to the other employee about her morning. It was too busy and customers were upset about about their pieces not being done for pick up. She then complained about one customer who was very upset about a birdhouse and evidentially wanted the shop to deliver it to her in sycamore. Erin talked about how unreasonable that was. The other employee agreed, but Erin was fueling this unprofessional conversation. They were right in the same room as us and weren’t even trying to hide it.
Then, Erin goes into the back room to make a phone call. Evidentially she was calling her boss. I could still hear every word that she said. She talked about how she «wasn’t freaking out.» And went on and on about her day and how busy she was, explaining what happened and was apologizing to her boss. I did not need to hear all of that and again it was very unprofessional.
The other employee was out on the floor and was very pleasant. She actually noticed us, asked if we needed anything, complimented our pieces, and noticed when we were running low on paint.
But the entire hour we spent painting was spent overhearing loud, unprofessional conversations that I really didn’t care about. I just wanted to paint in peace.

Upon seeing the prices, we walked out. $ 6 painting fee for each child, $ 10 for adults. Plus pottery started at $ 20 for each piece. Nicer platters were $ 50. Plus at least 12% gratuity? I am not sure why this is expected at a «You Paint it Yourself» pottery place??? Nobody helped us as we were looking at the pottery. So for a mom and two kids we are talking around $ 100? Seriously? Then I have to come back and pick everything up? Hmmmm. I don’t think so.

I took my stepdaughter here one Saturday morning over Thanksgiving week, and was impressed with the array of pieces the store offered. I never went into Color Me Mine when they were originally at the Commons (this is a new store, under new management), but what I saw in November was enough to make me come back!
We were greeted warmly when we entered the store, and an employee directed us to pick out a piece and then sit at a table. We found two pieces — one for my stepdaughter, and one for dad (a Hanuakkah gift). A staff member quickly brought us four paint colors and we got to work. I appreciated that the staff checked back frequently to see if we needed more paint, and when I explained that dad’s cup would be painted blue, one woman poured us an entire plateful of blue!
Once we were finished, I paid for the pieces and was told they would be ready Monday, which was a bit of a bummer, as my stepdaughter was returning to other home on Sunday. I explained this, and the staff member said she would put it into the kiln earlier, and it might be ready for pick-​up as early as Saturday, in which case they would call. I was pretty excited about that possibility, but no one actually phoned as promised, which is the only reason this shop does not receive a higher score. Still, when I did go to pick up the pieces the following week, they looked lovely. I would absolutely return to Color Me Mine in the near future!

Unfortunately, this store has closed.

I wanted to do a cute date so brought my fiancé here. We didn’t know what piece (s) to pick so we browsed their wide selection for quite some time. They had a whole wall of items to choose from, whether it be for cooking, eat-​ware, decorations, etc. So, that obviously was good/​bad thing. Too many decisions! haha.
Well, as we looked around we noticed that some of pottery were kinda expensive! The person working there over heard our discussion and suggested to come in one of their «themed» nights to get a good discount. She wasn’t at all pushy and actually told us we could save about $ 12 if we waited. How nice! :)
Although we didn’t paint that night, at least we got a good idea what we wanted to paint and what night to go on. We’re excited to go back for sure!

We’ve been to a couple paint-​your-​own-​pottery places and this is by far the nicest. cleanest, and most organized. This is definitely a fun activity and a great way to spend time with friends (or your kids!) and just chat.
That said… –2 stars because I think it is expensive. Adult and child studio fee is $ 16. Plus the pieces you are going to paint… yeah, it can get costly.