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If you are looking for something a little different to do this winter, and aren’t into the usual winter activities, why not try painting your own ceramics? Studio K in Bracebridge offers just such an experience, and more. Located in the Wellington Street Plaza, between Rogers wireless and the laundromat, Studio K is run by Karen Fish, (of Kare-Kare the Clown fame) and her family.
“The idea is for people to be able to just walk-in and paint,” Karen states, explaining that the customer pays a piece price, and a studio fee. The studio fee is based on the piece and covers the cost of paint, glaze, and firing.
There are two types of pieces for painting, Karen points out. “One type, such as a decorative old-English style house, ‘tells’ you what to paint – the roof is one colour, the walls another, and so on,” she says, continuing, “The other type, such as a mug, is more up to the individual to create their own design.”
With the shop’s shelves bursting with ‘bisque’ – the unpainted ceramic – of all shapes and sizes, there are many pieces to choose from. Howling wolves, darling twin bear cubs, cunning foxes and flying eagles share space beside dwarves and Dutch boys and girls. More functional items include jewelry boxes, planters and vases, cookie jars, beer steins, tea pots and cups and saucers, coffee mugs, and even a cow-shaped creamer.
“We have over 8000 molds,” says Karen, pointing out that the family pours the greenware at home, where it is also cleaned and fired before being transported to the shop for painting.
Once the piece is painted it is dip-glazed and fired, making these pieces dishwasher, microwave and foodsafe. In the case of acrylic paint used on decorative pieces, they are glazed with a sealant.
Studio K also offers beading and Kreate-a-Kritter activities. Karen explains the Kreate-a-Krtter process, “the customer picks out an animal, such as a tiger, or lamb, or dog, ‘stuffs’ it, and then wishes on a star and puts that inside, too. The animal is then tied up, the customer chooses a name, dresses it, and receives a birth certificate for it.”
With the beading there is an option to paint your own ceramic beads, or use glass beads. “We also have crystals, glass pennants and gemstone chips,” says Karen, adding that the customer can either pick out their supplies and make the piece there, or take the supplies with them.
Birthday parties for paint your own ceramics, Kreate-a-Kritter or beading are a specialty of Studio K. “These take place in the ‘castle’,” says Karen, explaining, “There is an hour for the chosen activity, then an hour for the food and presents, supplied by the parents.”
Classes are also available for ceramic painting and the beading. Studio K’s winter hours are 12 to 6 Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 9 Thursdays and Fridays, (Saturday hours are 10 to 5). Call 705.646.1885.
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