Color Me Mine is a pottery staple all around the United States. Color Me Mine is where you can choose a piece of pottery to paint and glaze. They offer many pieces, from plates to banks to bigger things like vases and watering pots. The workers then take your piece, and you leave it at the shop for them to fire in a kiln. They then call you back within one to two weeks to pick up your finished piece. The paint used at Color Me Mine is non-toxic, and once it is fired in the kiln, it is food, microwave, and dishwasher safe, as you can paint objects like bowls and plates.
The experience includes walking in if your party is four or fewer people or making a reservation if your party is five or more. They say you can not make a reservation for four people on the phone, but it is allowed if you make a reservation on the website. Reservations cost $10 to make a one-and-a-half-hour time slot on the website. Once you go into the shop, you are greeted by an employee who gives a rundown of how the process works and tells you there is an $8 painting fee on top of whatever you choose to paint. Covering all the walls are bookshelves filled with pieces of pottery ranging in price from $20 to over $85. They give you a pallet with all of their glaze options and what they look like fired as what comes out of the bottle does not look the same as when fired. They recommend two to three coats of paint to get the color to come through the best. They also provide markers and pencils to sketch designs that disappear once fired. Once you have created your design, you will be shown your receipt and will fill out a contact form. The workers do all the cleaning and washing.
There are many different reviews on the website, both good and bad. Most of the negative reviews revolved around the price although many do think the price is justified. Kathy Santarone had brought her two grandchildren in, and when asked if she thought the price was justified, she shared, “Yes, we do this every year and feel it is a good price for an already made piece and all you have to do is paint.” The price can be a surprise if you are unaware of how pricey it is before coming in and starting. Besides the pricing, many of Color Me Mine’s reviews are positive. Many say they had a great experience and a lot of fun, and the whole place overall had a fun and inviting atmosphere. Not only is it fun for customers, but it is a fun job for the employees. Mia O’Brien, a four-month Color Me Mine worker, says her favorite part of the job is “interacting with all the people and seeing all the beautiful pieces… I love seeing all the pieces made after people thought they were not artists and incapable of making something beautiful.”
If asked, the employees of your location can show you different tips and tricks for painting, including techniques like taping, freckling, bubbles, and carving. Those are just some of the various techniques the employees will jump at the chance to teach you for your piece. Many locations also offer you the opportunity to pick out a piece, and, for an upcharge, they will give you brushes and glazes to take home and have an at-home pottery night. You can even bring the pieces back in after being created; they will fire and finish them. Color Me Mine is a great experience for all ages, and it can be such a fun activity year-round, especially when it is cold outside!
Sources:
https://www.artfuzd.com/pages/pottery-painting#:~:text=What’s%20%22Pottery%20Painting%3F%22%20Paint,but%20%22glazing%22%20your%20piece.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/color-me-mine-montgomeryville
https://www.colormemine.com/
