How It Works

Upon first entering Ceramics by Tess you will be welcomed by a smiling staff and walls featuring a seemingly endless variety of unfinished ceramic pieces to choose from.

You or your kids select the piece you want to create, decide if you want a glazed or acrylic finish and get to work painting.  All brushes, paints and other supplies will be there waiting for your use at no additional cost.  Acrylic pieces have a flat finish, dry quickly and can be taken home as soon as the paint dries.  Glazed pieces have a glossy finish and must be heated in the kiln to give them a proper seal.  They are available for pick up in one week for you to take home.  However, when they are ready, Tess places them right in the front window so you can spot it as you walk in.  Imagine the sense of pride in your child when they see their work out on display!

Tess gives guidance to painters at work in her studio.

Customers are free to stay as long as they wish to perfect their crafts, and unlike other ceramics studios are not charged any sitting fee and there is no limit on color choices.  Free personal instruction is available for anyone from first timers to experts.

At Ceramics by Tess the great majority of ceramic pieces, more than 70 percent, are made right in the studio.  Tess has a true knack for acquiring molds of all varieties, both contemporary and genuine antiques.  Many of her molds are from the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, allowing you to decorate your house in that authentic ‘retro’ look, or make a piece for grandma that is an exact replica of an adornment from her childhood.

A Fun Place to Be

People of all ages, whether 1 or 101 can develop their artistic skills and create a piece to last a lifetime.

Ceramics by Tess is also a fun place to come hang out.  Every Thursday night is Adult Night, where you can bring your own wine or beer and have a great date night or girls night out.  On the weekend portions of the studio can be rented out for fun birthday parties.

This entire summer bring the kids for summer camp running Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.  Campers will participate in the 12 various projects throughout the summer and learn the basics of paining and working with clay, as well as make tons of new friends.

These fun photo frames make the perfect gift for parents and grandparents.

Among the new additions to Tess’ studio are capabilities to make your own clay pieces.  Form bowls, bird feeders or nearly any shape you like, or take a spin on the pottery wheel.

Helping the Community

One of the most rewarding reasons to shop with Ceramics by Tess is that your money stays local and contributes to some great causes.  Tess helps local children by working with Artreach to provide scholarships to local camps.  She works with the Krause Center to give underprivileged children a chance to express themselves through art.  She also brings ceramics to local seniors homes to allow those stricken with Alzheimer’s a chance for mental and creative stimulation.

Remember baby's first Christmas or birthday with their tiny hand and footprints.

Upon meeting Tess you’ll see right away how much she cares about the community and enriching it through art.  Ceramics by Tess has been a labor of love for the owner.  It started when she took her children to buy an overpriced and underwhelming ceramics kit at the mall to do as a family activity.  Her enjoyment and talent at the craft grew until she began traveling, doing shows and parties, and selling ceramics out of her van.  Eventually she opened her studio and it has become a family-run business, with all of her four children working there at various points.  Not too bad for a woman who says she flunked her art class back in high school!

Ceramics by Tess has been a blessing for her family and it can be one for yours as well.  There is no better way to create a new family heirloom that can be passed down for generations then by making one here.  From holiday decorations that the kids will get excited about setting out every year, to newborn baby and children’s hand or footprints in clay (or even the puppy’s paw prints), this is the place to go to create memories that will last a lifetime.