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Customers Paint Their Own Pottery At Color Me Mine in Shopping Center

Who would have thought that painting your own pottery could be so much fun? That is exactly what kids from three and up, along with older brothers and sisters, dads and moms, aunts and uncles, and grandparents have all discovered at Color Me Mine in the Princeton Shopping Center.

Not even open a month, the place is hot! Kids are flocking in to paint their favorite mermaid and dinosaur, and adults get creative with bowls, mugs, trays, tiles, pitchers, and special hand and foot prints of their offspring.

"One mom made a complete set of china," reports Katherine Woodfield, who has owned another Color Me Mine franchise in Basking Ridge for a year.

"I had an MBA in finance, and my background was in pharmaceuticals," she adds. "I found that the harder I worked, the more money 'they' made. I knew I could do something on my own. Then, one rainy day last year, I went to paint pottery at Color Me Mine. I wanted to do hand prints of my kids. It turned out that the place was for sale."

The success of the Basking Ridge franchise led Ms. Woodfield, who grew up in Princeton, to open another here. There are 120 Color Me Mine businesses worldwide, she reports, with the majority in southern California. They have only recently arrived on the east coast.

"There's nothing really like this here," she points out. "And we have so much in Princeton. We really don't need more expensive items. To get those foot prints when the baby is two months old – if you want a gift that really matters, to capture a moment in time for a family member, that piece will become an heirloom.

Fun Displays

"We can also take an image of the kids' photos," adds Ms. Woodfield. "The photo can then be incorporated into the process. We take the image and create a decal. The picture comes back as a glazed image and becomes part of the piece."

Everything you need to create your own personal masterpiece is available at the colorful studio with its bright blue and yellow checkerboard square floor, fun displays, and practical tables and chairs. Pottery, paint (actually underglaze, with 80 different colors), sponges, brushes, etc. are all provided.

Instructors are on hand to help with advice and technique, and the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours. There is no time limit.

"Skill is completely irrelevant," says Ms. Woodfield. "It's for ages three and up, and it's about having fun. Small kids spend 30 minutes max; on the other hand, we had a family from Ireland that was here four hours. I'd say a good 50 percent spend under one hour."

Of course, some customers take on more complicated projects, which require more time.

It's fun to come with family and friends, she adds, and it becomes a special gathering. "We do all kinds of birthday parties, mother-daughter, dad and daughter parties, baby and wedding showers – it's really everything. Also, for Father's Day, we are doing a lot of hand and foot prints.

Wonderful Time

"The other day a man came in with his two grand-daughters, and they had a wonderful time. Children are really into mermaids and T-Rex dinosaurs. Mermaids account for one/third of the business, T-Rex for one/third, and everything else for the other third."

"Everything else" can be just about anything. The variety of categories includes Garden, Seasonal, Interior Decor, Dinnerware, Kitchen, and Kids.

Everything from birdhouses and watering cans to Christmas plates, wreaths, and Hanukkah menorahs to photo frames, switchplates and bud vases to pitchers, chip-dip plates, cookie jars, pasta plates, soup bowls, and an array of animal figures – monkeys, frogs, giraffes, horses, cats and dogs – also, piggy banks, airplanes and Disney characters, is offered.

Once the item has been painted, Ms. Woodfield points out that there is still a great deal to be done before it is a finished product.

"A lot goes on behind the scenes. Typically it's a week from the initial painting until it's ready. The back room work involves drying for 24 hours, then adding overglaze, drying again for another 24 hours, loading into the kiln, and firing for 24 hours. Finally, we 'dremmel' or sand off the sharp edges.

"We have to be very careful," she adds. "We don't want any broken pieces. These are other people's treasures."

Busy Summer

A busy summer is planned for Color Me Mine. Summer camp sessions will be available for children from five years old, beginning June 13 through August 26. The 2-hour, 5-day sessions will include such themes as "Lay the Table" (each child will make a dinner plate, lunch plate, cereal/ice cream bowl, and juice cup and trivet).

"In My Bathroom" includes tooth brush holder, cup, soap dish, tissue box cover, and a fun item of the child's own choice. Other themes are "Desk Set," "Party," and "Just For Fun."

"We also do enrichment programs with schools and the Y," adds Ms. Woodfield. "In a world of excess, this is an opportunity for kids to make something they can use and enjoy."

Other upcoming programs include a Father's Day Brunch on June 19, when kids can make a special project with Dad and enjoy brunch together. On June 21, "Paint Me a Story" includes "Mr. McPeepers Lost Milk Cows" and a cow bowl. On June 22, an adult painting class will paint a bowl and learn scriffito.

In addition, every Thursday evening, there is a 'Ladies Night Out'. "No kids," says Ms. Woodfield. "The ladies bring supper, drinks, whatever they want, and have fun painting pottery with their friends.

"We also do corporate events, including making mugs and boxes for the desk."

Gift Certificates

There is an $8 studio fee at Color Me Mine, with an additional charge for the pottery – typically, in the $10-$20 range. Gift certificates are also very popular.

Ms. Woodfield is very pleased with the welcome from customers and also the shopping center. "I really enjoy the shopping center community. This is a neighborhood mall; a neighborhood community. We will be working with the Chestnut Tree Bookstore and doing a Harry Potter event in connection with the new book on July 21, and we will also work with the Cafe for that event."

Ms. Woodfield points out that all the pottery items are dishwasher-safe, oven- and microwave-safe, and the glazes are lead-free.

She looks forward to helping kids and families to enjoy their summer, painting pottery. "It's art for entertainment. Also, it's a chance for kids to be out of the sun for a while. Give them something to do out of the sunshine until 2 p.m. or so, when the sun is less intense.

"This is fun," she adds. "I want this to be a place for people to hang out, have fun, and paint!"

Color Me Mine is open Monday through Saturday 10 to 6; Thursday 10 to 8; Sunday 12 to 5. (609) 924-9442.