TECUMSEH — Clay It Forward, a new drop-in art studio in Tecumseh, offers those wishing to express their artistic side the opportunity to create a paint-your-own ceramic piece through self-instruction. As well as written instructions for customers to follow, owner Katie Flowers is on hand to help with questions and give advice.
The studio runs on a drop-in basis rather than solely offering classes, which allows customers to come in at their leisure to create an item. The last sitting is one hour before closing time each day.
Customers can pick from the pre-formed clay pieces that are available in the store, and choose which colors they want to use from what Flowers has on hand. The finished clay pieces are fired in a kiln and are then microwave and dishwasher safe, Flowers said.
The store also carries art kits for watercolors, embroidery and other pre-made kits in case a customer is interested in working on something other than clay.
The studio is furnished with tables and chairs to sit around 50 people, Flowers said. In addition, sectional seating allows customers to enjoy.
“It’s almost like a living room setting,” Flowers said. “I want this to be people’s home away from home.”
Flowers got interested in working with clay when she was young. In high school, she took three art classes a day, and found that clay was her favorite medium. She opened a roadside produce stand during COVID, when she and her family lived in southern New Jersey, and that eventually became a paint-your-own ceramic studio.
“I was really drawn to clay because I found it to be very forgiving,” she said.
“You can really just do anything you want with it,” she continued. “It’s not a box you have to stay in.”
When she and her wife, Alyse Corle, were living on an Army base, Flowers found a paint-your-own clay studio nearby, and found it was a great place to connect with other adults and make friends. She hopes to bring that experience to Clay It Forward.
In additional to the drop-in projects she offers, Flowers hopes to bring in after-hours events and classes, host events like birthday parties, and add a VIP option, giving customers the opportunity to reserve the entire studio for an event.
Because of her love for animals, Flowers is donating part of her sales to Little Mews Cat Rescue and Adoption in Adrian as well as various wildlife rehabilitation programs she’s worked with in the area.
Clay it Forward
210 S. Evans St., Tecumseh
Hours: Sunday and Monday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Website: clayitforwardmi.com
Facebook: facebook.com/clayitforwardmi
