This is a little gem of a place in San Juan Capistrano. I love it because you can drop in anytime and play with clay, throw on the wheel, or paint pre-made ceramics. I like to make my own and come back to glaze when it’s fired. I love the variety of choices and quality of teachers.The place is decorated like a ranch with real barn wood and antiques with a coyote theme, the kids party room looks really fun, and the kids make some unique art, monsters and fairy houses. They also have classes for adults, teens, and kids. Even a clay and cocktails night once a month, It’s great to come and create with friends.

The prices are very reasonable, and the class I took had better and more personal instruction than anywhere I have taken an art class.

Chelsea W., Capistrano Beach, CA

Love the adult ceramic/wheel throwing classes! However It’s a great activity for kids.. When the kids are done painting their piece, they can retreat to the “Coyote Movie Den”. Yes, this is The Ceramics Studio’s secret weapon #1! What it is actually is a dark, insulated comfy fort built underneath one of the high work tables with a television and DVD player equipped with a huge supply of animated. This is the place where exasperated moms can sent there unruly kid(s) to and have them be quiet for hours, if needed! Hurray! Now mom and the others can resume their blissful descent into creative la-la land.

Jane M. Ladera Ranch, CA

Our GS Brownie Troop had their holiday activity at your shop yesterday afternoon. They all had a fabulous time. Thank you for sharing your creativity and artistic patience with the girls.

Sincerely,

Theresa Ryan
Girlscout Troop Leader 119

A low-key and warm place to relax and play with clay. There’s something reassuring about creating your own piece of ceramics from scratch (and then painting it). I and my kids liked our experience and hope to come back soon.

MyGoddessPower T. Irvine, CA

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!! I surprised my niece, mom and sister and took them to Ceramics Studio for some fun. The studio is magical upon entering. The owner has really put her heart and soul into making it so warm and inviting. It is nice that we had the option to either paint already made pottery or play with real clay and create something unique. We also had the option to spin with the potters wheel but opted for hand clay building. I can’t wait to see my finished glazed bowl! I highly recommend this activity for family and friends. At the end, the owner took our picture as a reminder of the day well spent!! I love too that all ages are welcome. Even the wee ones have a place to go in what they call the coyotes den. While older “students” are creating with clay, the younger ones can be entertained via a movie in their only little “den.” This place is really special!!

Victoria Bernette San Clemente, CA

I went in with the wife for a date. You go in and have a few options:
-pick a pre-made bisque thats piece ready for painting
-sculpt and then return to paint your own creation
-throw on a potters wheel (a-la the scene in Ghost…I’m old, can you tell?)

We chose to paint pre-made pieces, I chose a little monster and my wife a big huge cupcake jar. The prices didn’t make me gasp, although I have not had this experience before to really base that opinion off of. And for an extra $10 for each of us we sat and painted our hearts out. We had so much fun that I went past the time I had to go pick up our kiddo from school, so I went and got her, returned to my still painting wife (it was a BIG jar) and went back to my little monster dude. While they set up our little one in their “coyote den” and little pillow filled dark “cave” set up with a TV for kids to watch movies! So she watched while we finished painting and everyone was happy.

The girl working (Irina, if i recall correctly) was friendly and really helpful.
The place is so quirky and artsy. It really was an experience and worth every penny.

Carlos Rodriquez San Juan Capistrano, CA

The latest hot spot for South Orange County, CA for birthday parties! You have your choice of any music, ample space, and a private party room decorated complete with balloons. It’s a sure party-pleaser for all ages! Most popular with the kids, they have their choice of activities; they can either paint, or play with clay.

Painters get a huge selection of popular figurines and practical ceramic ware to choose from. They also get as many colors as they want, and lots of staff to help.

If the birthday kid chooses the “Play With Clay” option, he or she picks a topic. For example, in June, one such party-goer chose “fairy houses”. The talented teacher-staff then lead the jamboree in a fun-filled, easy to follow project. In less than an hour, twelve 7 year-olds had successfully constructed inventive, whimsical fairy houses made out of clay!

The merrymaking gathering then proceeded to the private party room to join in singing happy birthday to the “lady of honor” and indulging in cupcake eating festivities! The party concluded with the kids all cramming into the famous “Coyote Movie Den” to watch a Disney animation. The prices are extremely reasonable for the service provided! This is a highly recommended place to go for the kid’s birthday parties!

Nancy W., San Juan Capistrano, CA

I met Melissa and I must say her company and studio is amazing! I was in need of a place to fire my diffuser pendants and she was helpful and so informative, patient and kind! I suffered a major heart attack in 2012 and had open heart quintuple bypass surgery a year and a half ago. I found that for one year I could not sleep until I found essential oils. Using lavender helped me to sleep – finally.! So now, I make these pendants and give them away to heart patients. Melissa is helping me in helping so many others! I am truly grateful to her and her amazing studio! On another note…you must take her summer class beginning in June! The pots she fires on the beach in a fire pit after you have created them, are absolutely stunning!! Take this class! It’s amazing!

Deborah Stranahan, San Juan Capistrano, CA

We just moved to the area and I was so bummed to be leaving behind a pottery studio my three children and I adored back in the Midwest. So I was delighted when I discovered The Ceramics Studio. I especially appreciate that they have “walk in play with clay” time. I took my three children ages 6-11 after school one day and a teacher instructed them in how to make a simple coil pot. She was really patient and their pots turned out beautifully! We just walked in and returned two weeks later to glaze them, and again the staff were so friendly, and immediately set up everything we needed and gave the children excellent directions. I love this place! Its a wonderful art supplement to what is lacking in schools these days, I will definitely be back!!

Laura, San Juan Capistrano, CA