North Carolina is known for its pottery, especially in the Seagrove area.  If you've ever looked at beautifully painted and glazed bowls, vases, and knick knacks and thought "I wish I could do that", well, maybe you can! 

If you're relocating or retiring to the Raleigh area, and wondering what there is to do, check this out - it's just one of a multitude of terrific things to do!

Pottery Camp in Clayton, NC offers some unique classes, including Ladies Night, Family Night, Kids Day Camps, and much more. 

The event that I'm thinking of trying is the Ladies Night.  If you want something fun and different to do with your girlfriends (or a "Moms Only" escape while the Dads watch the kids), check this out. 

First Thursday of every month, bring an appetizer and drinks (Margaritas are even fine!), and sit down with your best friends to create and paint some unique items.  There's even 10% off studio fees.  Come back in 4-6 days, and pick up your permanently fired creation. 

"Since all of our staff has varying degrees of art education including drawing and painting with concentrations in ceramics and clay handbuilding, we can help you discover your artistic side (even if you think you don't have one)," said TC Hyatt, who owns Pottery Camp. 

TC Hyatt and her husband Mike have lived on the family farm in Clayton for the past 25 years.  "We love that Clayton has flourished in the past 5 years but we realized that Clayton needed more family activities and an expanded offering of art classes.  Opening Pottery Camp was our chance to introduce different art activities to community churches, homeschoolers and mom's clubs, girl/boy scout troops, senior groups and other organizations."

Pottery Camp has over 300 different bisque pieces to choose from, including:

• Gifts like boxes and banks, dragons, soccer, and more
• Dinnerware, including plates, bowls, coffee cups, and platters
• Handprints and footprints
• Christmas ornaments
• Vases, candle holders, plaques and tiles

Bring the kids to make handprints and footprints, paint and personalize them, and you've got a one-of-a-kind gift from Grandma's birthday.

Or check out Family Night.  Last Friday of every month from 6-9pm, guests are invited to bring dinner with them and create and paint together.  Discounts apply starting with 2 painters.

Classes are offered for Crystalite Glazes, Handbuilding Textured Drape Bowls, Handbuilding Hand Formed Vases, Slip Trailed Plates, Handbuild 3-D Clocks, and Funny Sayings (creating a "quote" plaque from scratch).

Or have a unique birthday event!  The party area can accomodate 12-15 painters.  This sounds like a great party for preteen girls, but I'm betting there are some boys that would love to paint the assorted dragons and dinosaurs available.  You can even special order something that's perfect for your birthday boy, girl, or spouse.   

Prices seem pretty reasonable.  Classes start at $20.  Studio fee for basic painting, glazing, and firing is half the cost of the bisque item.  And bisque items range from $2-$60, so there are lots of choices.  Party fees are only $10 per person, plus cost of bisque, and party events include balloons, plates, napkins, cups and utensils. 

If you don't feel inspired after seeing the many choices available, along with the 60 different colors of paint, check out the idea books.  There's no time limit, so no one needs to feel rushed to complete. 

After seeing this wonderful shop, I'm just brimming with all the projects I could be doing here! 

"Once you've painted in our studio, you'll be hooked!" said Hyatt.  "We have "regulars" that come and paint weekly and they've become part of the Pottery Camp family!  One "regular" liked coming so much that she started volunteering several days a week." 

The Pottery Camp is just another example of the many great activities Clayton, NC has to offer.  Pottery Camp is located next to LoneStar Steakhouse, off Hwy 70 between Hwy 40 and Hwy 42.

The Pottery Camp

12981 US Hwy 70 W Bus, Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 550-3861

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