The Claypen

This place is always fun. They are very generous with how long they will store your stuff. Things are well priced. It is a well organized outing for any age.

Great date suggestion, fun weekend idea — call it what you will, but I really like The Claypen.
It’s so easy. You start off by picking out a piece of pottery (which I think is probably the hardest part) Then, you choose your colors or designs for your masterpiece — that’s it! Fun, relaxing, easy — it’s an activity fun for a date, or with your kids and family.
Claypen does offer samples, templates, stencils, stamps and all things necessary to help you unleash your creative self (or to help you suck less, whichever) They are BYOB and food-​friendly — which is also really great (easy on the wallet) Average hang-​out sessions are usually 1 – 2 hours. And, once you finish painting, you leave your creation with them to be glazed and fired, and its usually ready to be picked up within a week.
Studio fee is $ 4 per half hour per painter plus the price of your pottery (average is between $ 10 to $ 20) so not too bad. Don’t forget to check out the weekly specials on their website! I like Tuesday’s and Saturday’s most (see below)
Tuesday-«Paint ’til you faint» Paint all day for a $ 12 flat studio fee plus the cost of pottery. This is a great opportunity to get that dream project started.
Saturday-«Date Night» or «Girls’ night out» 6 to 9 p.m. 2 for 1 studio fee

Came with 2 girlfriends for a fun afternoon activity to catch up. It was busy on a Sunday afternoon, but they had space for us and we quickly got to work. How it works: you come in, pick your pottery, they help you pick your paints (they’ve got tons of books to help you get inspirations on patterns if you need it) and then they leave you to it. The staff had a good mix of checking on us and leaving us alone to catch up. The final cost is the price of the object you painted plus $ 4/​half hour studio time. They’ve got specials every day of the week, which makes this a fairly cheap activity for a date, group of friends, babysitting or taking kids out, or even solo if you’re into painting. It’s BYOB!

Took my 3 year old son and his almost 4 year old friend. I was worried he might be too young but right away he was very gentle with all the pieces as he made his choice. It was a little nerve wracking because the entire wall is shelves filled with very breakable items! Finally he picked a mustache mug and his friend picked her initial.
The lady came over with a tile that had four paint options. Each was three colors and when mixed did not make brown. This was brilliant as my son is all about color mixing and reusing brushes. Thankfully because of this option he just ended up with darker blues and purples instead of a brown mess. We painted for a while and then ate a snack. I wasn’t sure how they’d measure the studio fee ($ ⁴⁄₃₀ minutes) because we were there almost an hour between selecting a piece and eating but she must have rounded down because we only paid $ 4 (plus $ 12 for the mustache mug) which was nice.
We talked beforehand about the special oven and how we wouldn’t bring art home today and my son was fine with that. If you’ve got a real young kiddo that’s important to mention.
Overall it was a fun morning, a little pricey but something different to do during this never ending winter!

Went here with my fellow Unilocalers for a fun night of mingling and painting pottery. This place is great for making hand painted pottery gifts for friends or yourself. We had 2 hours so paint which ending up being the perfect amount of time for me to paint a set of really cute owl mugs for me and the hubby. Your pottery is usually ready for you to pick up in one week. I will have to take pictures of the kilned mugs so 6ou can see the finished results. Would definitely like to get a group of friends and go again.

I came here for a Unilocal event and had a really great time.
The selection of items to paint range from large platters to small trinkets to large letters and even a wine stopper.
Studio rate is $ 4/​half hour. Not a bad deal!
Allie was super helpful and cheerful throughout the process, ever ready to help un-​stop a paint bottle for me.

This place is AWESOME and is a fun and different evening out with your girlfriends or your special someone. You can easily kill a couple hours in here. The staff is super helpful, really creative, and always available when you need them. YOU MUST COME HERE!

Said I’d be back and just made it over there. Stopped in with my coffee and a vague plan. Sat by myself this time and made what is guaranteed to be an ugly-​as-​sin creation, but it was fun and I think the recipient who is too young to know better will appreciate it.
The staff acknowledged me right away, gave some helpful tips, and dropped by occasionally to check in. I liked the balance of helpfulness with leaving-​me-​aloneness. I was able to sit back with my coffee and paint. Very chill.
I thought the price was reasonable and I’ll have the «art» in one week.
I’ll definitely be back again for some therapeutic craftiness.
(This does not reflect on the business itself, but there were some eyeroll-​worthy helicopter moms in there with their precious snowflakes, which made for some hilarious eavesdropping. God, if only I could do Unilocal reviews for parenting styles)

SO fun. I love this place. I have been about 5 times total, and I am like a giddy little kid each time. I have gone with my family, with friends, and most recently, my «little» from Big Brothers Big Sisters. She had a blast, as did I, and it was a fun activity for a snowy day. You can bring your own beverages (adult) and snacks, which is fun. Even though it is quite pricey, $ 4 per half hour per person, they have several specials throughout the week that can reduce that cost. The pieces that you paint are ready within one week, and if you’re like me and forget to pick them up for two weeks, they don’t discard them. While I was there the most recent time, there was a birthday party happening, and the staff seemed very friendly and helpful. I’d love to convince my significant other to join me here but he is a bit artistically challenged… maybe someday!

This is a great place for a more creative date night, girls night out or even a solo stress relief outing. I regularly use the plate we made here and have another piece on display. No, I’m not that artistic but I am that sentimental so while they aren’t much to look at they remind me of a really fun evening. There are lots of pieces to choose from and no shortage of materials. I didn’t bring my own refreshments when I visited but knowing that you can is an added bonus.

I had such a fine time at the Claypen event last night! Let me tell ya, I was a bit weary. I don’t find myself to be a patient person in any sense of the word, and most definitely not patient enough to paint some pottery with a skillful hand… but I surprised myself!
There are so many items to choose from. If you want traditional pieces they’ve got it! Holiday inspired… sure! and everything in between, why not?! It’s all here.
It was nice that our studio fee was waived, but, regardless, it’s only 4.00 per half hour to paint! (sidenote…2 hours FLEW by… so be prepared)
Jessica, was welcoming and oh so very helpful! All we had to do was raise our hand and that was a definite plus when you’re in the painting zone.
My only reservation about this place, and it has NOTHING to do with the establishment… is, I’d almost prefer to go on a week night… I feel like weekends would be open season for the possibility of little children and that would just mess up my artistic mojo.
The Claypen is a place that I would never know I’d love… and I can’t wait to go back!

Yes, the Claypen is an amazing «Paint Your Own Pottery» studio.
Yes, it’s BYOB — which never, ever hurts.
Yes, painting pottery is pretty much ALWAYS fun — even when you’re not good at it. Like me!
What I’d really like to comment about is the studio’s option to create custom pieces, and the process behind that option.
My best friend and I used to love frequenting these ceramic studios in middle school, high school, even college. She was getting married over the summer and chose me as her maid of honor. As a wedding gift, I opted to have one The Claypen’s artists create a custom platter, painted with my friend’s anniversary date and embellished with the pattern adapted from her invitations (a gorgeous summery multi-​colored paisley with birds and what have you).
I stopped by the studio a few months ago to explain my ideas, drop off the pattern, and get a price quote for the piece. They called me soon after with a quote and emailed a sketch of the piece. I approved — but naturally, I was apprehensive about what the result would look like. The pattern was quite complex.
However, I am absolutely delighted with the result. The care, talent and expertise put into this piece makes me downright giddy to present it to my friend. It truly looks professional (and for the price of the art, it SHOULD!)
Anyway, can’t recommend this place enough. I’m very impressed.

The Claypen is a paint your own pottery studio.
Here’s how it works:
1. You pick out a piece that you want to paint (for this example let’s say you pick a mug)
2. Then, you pick out your glazes (paints) For an opaque look you should use THREE coats of each color you use
3. Paint your mug
4. The employees will fire your piece, paint an overcoat (clear glaze) and tell you when to pick it up… SIMPLE
Positives:
FUN– this is a fun and creative thing to do, my sister and I went three times in one week! It was great!
Staff– Friendly and Helpful
Variety– A lot of cool things to paint
Music– Nice background music
Location– Located in West Hartford Center so you could paint and then go to lunch or go shopping or whatever!
Negatives:
Price– WARNING this can be pricey
First of all you get charged for the piece (s) you choose to paint. Then every half hour you paint you get charged $ 4. So it can get pricey if you paint multiple things and it takes you 2 hours or so.
The Claypen does have deals on Tuesday– Friday I believe. Some include a paint all day for only $ 12 aka paint for 10 hours if you want to for a flat rate of $ 12.
Overall, the Claypen is a unique place to take friends, children or just go relax by yourself!
–Kim :)