Desperate times call for desperate measures, and earlier this summer I needed a chip and dip platter with a bit more personality than anything Williams and Sonoma had in stock, so a friend and I headed over to Brushstrokes to create our own. They have a decent selection of paintable wares--and yes, the chip and dip platter was perfect--but on a more recent occasion, the types of coffee mugs were limited to two, neither of which were nearly as large as any self respecting caffeinator would need. The selection of paint colors is serviceable (probably 20-25) and they have a fine variety of basic stencils that will make every non-Picasso rejoice. Studio time is around $11/hour--at 24, I'm usually one of the older painters in the crowd, with the primary demographic being under 7 years old, but I've seen a few older women there every so often. Most of the staff members are lovely--cheery and helpful--though there is one (dark brown hair, bangs) that just glares at me like I stole her boyfriend and her puppy in one fell swoop. Overall, a great way to kill a few hours, but unless the sound of children wailing doesn't get to you, sometimes an iPod is a handy companion. read more

WOW. Talk about a labor of love. Jessica and her team go above and beyond to create a unique and creative event for you. You can tell their passion for art comes though in everything they do.. I had a large corporate event at Brushstrokes and it was Phenomenal. They even had a secret surprise at the end.They even took us on a walk around the block to showcase some local artists. So very cool! The studio is adorable, and they have many different options to choose from. Do yourself a favor and go to Brushstrokes for a one of a kind event! read more

Brushstrokes Studio - The adorable studio and a custom Chalkboard sign for our group - Art Classes Near Me - Berkeley, California

I'm going to give it a "loose" 5star rating. Everything was great but I would REALLY like to see a larger selection of ceramics. The paint colors were nice and the stamps and stencils were good, with a large selection of different brushes. The girl working there was nice and helpful. I hope to go back! read more

Never been to the studio but I love how they helped out the Alameda County Community Food Bank with their annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. I was blessed to help out with this fundraiser this year by going to two local schools to help the kids paint bowls. They kids did a great job and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I had a blast helping out too! Jessica the owner was super nice and sweet and help us volunteers keep the kids organized and also let them express themselves with paint and porcelain. This is definitely a business I will frequent in the future! Thanks for supporting our local food bank! read more

I love painting pottery. I don't know what it is, but there is something almost therapeutic for overpaying someone else for their raw pottery just so I can paint something that has personal significance only to me. The crooked letters, awful color coordination (because you can never tell what the colors will really turn out like until after the item has been baked), and the attempts at being clever with layers of paint and pattern all result in the production of something no salesperson could ever sell to the masses. But I guess that's the point, isn't it? Well if you're enthralled by the romantic idea of painting your own pottery, Brushstrokes is the place to visit. They offer two stories of pottery painting heaven. The selection of items to paint is pretty good, everything from your standard coffee mugs and plates to the more creative ceramic letters which can glued onto whatever else you're painting, a jester hat shaped picture frame, to food bowls for your pet. The prices seemed pretty reasonable to me, having gone to other places like Color Me Mine and another no longer in business place that used to be at Valley Fair. A mom in my mom group coordinated an outing for a bunch of moms and their kids. I was amongst this group even though I arrived late that weekend day afternoon. The studio was pretty empty so it was nice to occupy most of the first floor. There were 7 moms and 7 infants total and we all seemed to have a ball hanging out, painting father's day gifts and whatnot. The best part was the woman who was working there was not in the least bit annoyed at our chatter and loudness (at far as I could tell). She personally helped each and every one of us out with hand and feet stamps of our little ones on whatever we were painting. The coffee mug I made for my hubby turned out great even though I rushed through most of it between feeding the spud, attending to his fussing, and chatting away with the other moms. I was surprised to find that the second level was set up to also accommodate kids. What a brilliant idea! I was able to take the squirt upstairs for a diaper change on the changing table and a moment of peace and quiet. I noticed toys and playthings such as an exersaucer as well. When the kiddo gets old enough, I definitely want to have a bday party here, if he's interested in this stuff. Brushstrokes is also located in a terrific neighborhood in Berkeley. Just down the block are shops along 5th and 6th streets. such as the North Face Outlet and great little cafes. Further down are the 4th St. stores including the Crate and Barrel Outlet. I like to have lunch at Picante and then walk around both areas. I wish I lived closer to Brushstrokes. Actually I shouldn't wish that because my husband probably wouldn't appreciate all the awfully painted things I'd bring home. read more

Update: Went home and finally used the mugs that we painted. Poured in some tea into my new mug that my boyfriend decorated for me. Sadly, there was a defect in the mug :( Why does Brushstrokes get 5 stars still? I was upset and called the studio. The girl that I spoke to on the phone was apologetic and said that he could come in a paint a new mug as a replacement full of charge. The bad news is now we have to find some time to do it and that my bf now has to paint me another mug. The good news is that we get to spend some QT and he gets to practice his painting. Just got to find the time now.... read more

I love going to Brushstrokes. It's super fun and I usually love what I end up with. Even if it comes out kind of ugly it's still fun to be like, "I made that". You get to choose from a bunch of different pottery items to paint, then you get to pick from tons of colors and Little stamps. The reason I didn't give it five stars is that I wanted to make a cat dish for my cat and all they had was a dog dish. It was okay though, because I made a dish out of an ice-cream bowl instead and it looks really cool. I'm also really jealous of all the cool things on the walls and I always wish I could make them. I just want to recommend brushstrokes because it's a fun place to relax and go with family or friends. read more

Brushstrokes is a delightful studio incorporating pottery painting and mosaic. A perfect way to spend quiet time, be it alone, with a friend or with family. My daughter Alexandrea and I frequent Brushstrokes on a regular basis. Alexandrea's first experience at Brushstrokes was at 20 months old. Her passion with the paintbrush only gets stronger. She loves to paint, and more recently, has had fun with mosaic. It is wonderful to see how creative she has become. Of all of the times that we have gone to Brushstrokes, we have always left on a cheerful note. There is a wonderful variety of pottery to choose from. They have tiles, picture frames, vases, bowls, plates, piggy banks, seasonal items, letters and much more. There is a good supply of art books, paintbrushes and a rainbow of colors to choose from. What is helpful is the rotation of examples that have been created by the staff that surround the space and provide inspiration. I have always found the staff to be very friendly and knowledgeable, always willing to lend a helping hand. The owner of Brushstrokes, Jessica, is a wonderfully, warm spirited person. I have had the pleasure of taking a mosaic class with Jessica and was impressed by her artistic talents. Her ideas and visions were endless. I look forward to attending future classes with her. Brushstrokes Studio is a wonderful place for time alone, a small group, or a large party. Early this year, I decided to have my daughter's 4th birthday celebration in the new party room upstairs. It seemed fitting due to my daughter's passion for painting. The birthday party was a success. All who were there, (including the parents) had a great time. The added bonus was that the cost of the party was fairly inexpensive. The setting was bright, warm and spacious, and the children had fun painting their pieces. The party was so successful that I will consider having Alexandrea's 5th b'day celebration at Brushstrokes. Alexandrea and I look forward to our next project at Brushstrokes. Thank you for this wonderfully creative space. read more

One of the best ways to spend a weekend with your kids. Friendly team, cozy place and great souvenirs, ready in a week that you can enjoy around your house or give to friends. Best to come with a sketch or a plan for what you want to create but easy to start with simpler fun projects. read more

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Had a fun party here with my 8 nieces and nephews ages 3-10. I was so happy with our kind and patient and fun host Karin and the crew. We will be back for more art and fun times. read more

I went here with some friends to celebrate a birthday. What a perfect relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Lots of fun ceramics to choose from to paint and helpful staff. read more

We had an excellent experience today with memorializing our daughter's infant foot prints. We received hands on attention in the quiet upstairs studio and then went downstairs to paint a bisque piece of ceramics with our two year old. They have a great selection of colors and articles to paint. The staff is helpful and informative. The outdoor area is lovely and allows you the option of painting either inside or outside. My ONLY complaint is the bathroom. It needed tending to. read more

Discovered this place on Yelp while looking for new things to try. Was not disappointed. The staff was very friendly, and the place was really relaxing to work in. We recently got back our stuff from the studio, and they turned out awesome! Will definitely return in the future! read more

My daughter and I had a relaxing experience while making a plate for my mother. The staff didn't rush us and offered suggestions and space to allow us to create. The finished product was ready in a few days at a reasonable price. We look forward to our next project at Brushstrokes. read more

Great idea as a small business, but I was disappointed. My company booked a 2-hour group session at Brushstrokes a couple months in advance. When our party arrived, we were told we could pick anything on the shelves to paint, as long as it was $15 or less. Great option--except there was NOTHING THERE TO CHOOSE FROM! Ok, not nothing, but there were maybe 5 pieces available that they featured on their website. The lady apologized and said it was because they were just out of stock at the moment. Fine, I guess, except they knew that a party of 15 was coming on that day! Poor planning and really annoying. To give them some credit, they let us choose items priced at $20 (but there really still wasn't much to choose from). The actual session was very fun. The lady who helped us wasn't very attentive unfortunately. She was helping the people downstairs, and only came up to give us directions in the beginning. I actually would've given this place 3 stars, except they broke my painted piece! Very lame and disappointing. They gave me a free bowl to go back and paint. Very nice of them, but that's another 2.5 hours of my time plus my getting there. It ended up working out ok that day since I left work early and had a ride, but if that weren't the case, I wouldn't have gone back to repaint my bowl. I haven't gotten my newly painted bowl yet since it takes a week for them to fire it up. Hopefully this time it comes back intact! All in all, I would recommend this place for small kid parties, and if you want to make something your own. It's a bit pricey, but then again I don't know how much this costs at other studios. Just be prepared for the possibility of a limited selection of pottery and a possibility that your piece might get broken and you'll have to go back to repaint. read more

Went here after booking an amazon local deal. I went with a group of 10 friends and we did mosaic mirrors. We had the upstairs studio all to ourselves and they were great at explaining the project to us, whilst also allowing us to do things without interrupting us too much. They do a variety of crafts there and have a more public area downstairs. Will definitely be going back to do another class here. I quite fancy glass fusing read more

I must start out by saying that the only person I have loved working with at Brushstrokes was Miracle. She was fun, nice, cooperative, and generally added a little something to the experience that made it great! Although in general I like to do some ceramics here and had a good time the majority of the first time, there is always *something* that rubs me the wrong way. First visit: To do footprints & artwork -There was only one good footprint person(Miracle) for our mom's group so I waited around a lot for someone to help me, which is difficult when you've got a 3-month-old with you. They also had mostly bad, used up stamp pads for footprints even though we had a reservation for a mom's group to do footprints. Seemed like poor planning. The next time I went, I drove to the ceramic store on San Pablo first and bought my own brown stamp pad. Second visit: To pick up finished pieces -Biggest disappointment was to be told when I was picking up my footprint picture frames for our family that someone had forgotten to put glaze on one of the frames so it cracked. I got a new frame to do, but no other compensation for breaking my piece & making me have to spend more time there re-doing something I had already done. Third visit: To do new artwork with mom's group -I made a reservation for my mom's group, and even though I had called twice before to inquire what we needed to do to reserve the upstairs for a mom's group, I was surprised to find out when I actually made the reservation that I had to do a $7/person deposit. When I arrived, I saw that they only had one person to do footprints for a 7-person group, even though I was told they would have "plenty of people", so I waited around for about 20 min of the only hour that I had there. Fourth visit: To finish some pieces & pickup artwork -They seem to be extremely disorganized. The person who said they would bring out my unfinished pieces after they checked someone out forgot when she was done, started chatting with the other works, and then went to help someone else so that I had to ask someone else to go look for my pieces. It took then about 15 min to find four of the five pieces I had there. I didn't get my finished tile. They gave my tile with my baby's footprints & her name to someone else -or so they said. They couldn't find it anywhere. Then they only offer to let me remake or get a refund. No compensation for having to re-do it -for my time, energy & having someone to help me with my two children. Plus, I would have to pay studio fee again! All in all, I think I've decided not to go again, unless it's a mom's group outing. Then, I'll just get one piece and let my two-yr-old paint it & hope I don't get too attached to something that might get broken or given away to someone else. And I'll just expect bad service, so I won't get so mad when I get it. read more

Though it can get pricey, quickly... This is a great place for holiday gifts from your kids... The staff there can help you make perfect imprints of little hands and feet, which believe me is a difficult task... It is also a great place for your kid to explore their inner artist and get messy without judgment! read more

We went to Brushstrokes for a play date for my son's 11th birthday. It was great. He and his friends really enjoyed themselves and the adults had fun doing art as well. read more

This place is a charming little hidden gem... Great for little kids or for a creative gift for a loved one. Drop in or call ahead. Pick out your piece of pottery and go to work on it. But be careful, my first time I set myself with high goals and ended up spending over 6 hours perfecting my bowl. The staff is very helpful, giving tips and finding ways to make your thoughts into reality on your pottery. read more

The set up is very well done and I love that they now split out the birthday parties from the drop-ins. The selection of pieces available to paint often is lacking for me. I'll even see a great painted piece on display, then look for it and it's not there. Or the fact that we made 5 plates in the same style, went back and were told they don't carry them anymore, then went back a couple of months later and they were there. Frankly, not sure what they can do about that...I'm sure managing inventory to maintain what people like while rotating in new pieces is a challenge. I also don't like that it's always cold in there and the back door is usually left open so I have to paint in my parka. All that being said, the staff is always extremely friendly and helpful, it's clean and comfortable, and they do a lot of events in which both kids and/or adults can participate. read more

Went to a birthday party here for a young girl, it was very well organized and the staff were helpful but not intrusive. It did get very hot upstairs, which was quite uncomfortable, and there's no handicap access to get upstairs. I think it's a lovely place for a party, and everybody gets to take home a treat, although I didn't want to run back from the far East Bay and pick it up, so I didn't paint anything. read more

What a fun concept! Gather a group and paint some dishes! I had the priviledge of joining my coworkers here a few months ago. It was such a fun experience. We all enjoyed it. The best part is taking your painted "art" home or to your office. read more

I love this place! My family and I have been coming here since 2005 and it never really changed (besides for the better and more space) we have celebrated birthdays even my wedding shower and rainy days here. Highly recommend this place read more

Delightful! This studio WINS over Terra Mia and Color Me Mine. Helpful and sunny staff, very friendly owner ( my 4 yr old LOVED her), clean and airy studio space, great selection of ceramic pieces to paint. I recently went in to imprint my 1 yr old's feet, and the experience was awesome. They even had a booster chair to seat her in when I went back a week later to paint the imprints after their first spin through the kiln. What I thought was sure to be a frenetic painting while my children fussed, turned out to be super fun and satisfying! And damn if they didn't have great snacks for sale to quiet my sassy 4 yr old too. Love this place. Go. Support our local shops! read more

Brushstrokes Studio - Art Classes Near Me - Berkeley, California

This a long overdue review. Its been in my unfinished reviews list for over a year. Anyway, I love this place. I went with my boyfriend for our first valentine's day and then once again on father's day to paint my cookie monster dad a cookie jar. They have a great selection of pieces to choose from. They also have a lot of books and pictures for inspiration. The staff is very helpful and friendly. The first time I went there, we arrived 30 minutes before closing but they let us stay an additional 20 minutes or so to finish up our pieces. I signed up for their emails and they seem to have good deals often. I just wish I lived closer to this place. Street parking is also very easy to find around this place. read more

My roommate is the one who told me about Brushstrokes. I tagged along with her to make a present and decided that well when in rome. There is a studio fee you have to pay which is additional to the material you chose to use. The studio fee is covering your use of their materials since you are able to use ALL the paints and materials that they have which is pretty cool. They do not rush you while you are working and there does not seem to be a time limit when you are doing your thing. If you need any help or have questions they are easy to speak with and offer any help needed. Its definitely not something I would do often since it can end up being a bit pricey but it is a cool place if you are looking to either be creative or make someone a present that is a little more meaningful. read more

What I like: - friendly, knowledgeable staff - chill, cozy environment - tons of well, done projects on the wall to get those creative juices following - great special events! - easy parking Room for improvement: - musical selection - repetitive ugh, okay, not all the time, but sometimes i wish i had my ipod. - ceramics selection - more stuff would be nice, current selection seems limiting. - pricing - it costs a bit more than color me mine. But overall, this place is definitely my favorite PYOP studio in the bay area, my other experiences being Color Me Mine (alameda, Daly City and formerly in the Marina district) and Terra Mia. I just wished their hours were longer. I could stay there all day! read more

My older daughter, who's 2 1/2, is NUTS about this place. We made father's day gifts here and everything about the experience was pure delight, from the hugely helpful staff to the selection of raw materials, which are so tasteful and not the usual schlock you find at PYOP outlets, to the firing and painting. We've made several plaques with my daughter's and her brother's foot and hand-prints based on the fantastically creative examples on display in the studio. Brushstrokes is a MUST for parents of young kids who want to encourage creativity! read more

We love brushstrokes! We brought our 2 week old twins in for hand and foot imprints (make an appointment) and to make Christmas presents for family. The owner, Jessica, took such great care of us. She has everything a new mom could want/need for babies- changing table, nursing station, exersaucers (for older babies)... We went back a few weeks later and Alex really was amazing. This time, we brought the twins and our two year old and painted the hand/foot imprints and made a few more mugs (with all the kids foot and hand prints) and another christmas gift (someone we had forgotten!) This is a wonderful space with FANTASTIC staff. We enjoyed our time here and have terrrific keepsakes that will be treasured. Thanks Jessica & Alex. read more

Wonderful place to paint quality pottery, in an inspiring location. Enjoy! Love all my bowls and plates created here. They make excellent gifts too:) read more

We started going to Brushstrokes Studio about 11 years ago. Our son took Brushstrokes camp one summer and he loved it. In fact, every time we've gone over the years we've had a great time, created beautiful pottery, and used them constantly since. My husband and I never bought "good" china when we got married (not our style) and the plate my kids made at Brushstrokes turned into our special occasion, beautiful dishes. We still set our table with their plates with joy! I've been to several other paint-your-own pottery places over the years and I have to say NONE compares to Jessica's wonderful Brushstrokes Studio. There's something about the choice of great pieces, the excellent examples that abound, the great supplies to use and the cool vibe there that helps you create amazing ceramic pieces yourself. Highly recommended for a great afternoon's activity, camp, or a party!!! read more

First timer with my daughters and we had a great time. Enjoyable place if you love painting read more

Brushstrokes Studio - Art Classes Near Me - Berkeley, California

My husband and I went here with our two-and-a-half month old baby to get her hands and feet imprinted. We decided to do her hands and feet in clay, and also a bunch of footprint tiles for Christmas gifts for the grandparents. The woman who helped us was super nice and patient. The little one didn't mind putting her hands and feet in the clay, but did get a little fussy afterward. They let us stay upstairs as long as we needed to to nurse her and help her chill out, which was cool. The other woman who helped us with the footprints did a great job with the baby, too. We had a lot of fun decorating with stamps. Haven't gone back yet to paint the clay, but picked up the tiles, which we had framed, and they turned out great! I know the grandparents will love them. I look forward to going there again sometime in the future to paint some pottery. A fun concept and a cool space. Definitely recommend for new parents to create a momento for their child. Would also be a neat place to have an older child's birthday party. read more

Very supportive of the community! They made a fantastic donation to a fundraiser at our middle school When went to check out the studio we amazed at all of the creative work going on here, how open and warm the place is. I completely recommend a family outing here read more

Went in last Sunday and had such a marvelous afternoon! The atmosphere is warm, calm and inspiring, and it was a lovely way to spend the day. The staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating. Definitely recommend - not just for families and children but also for adults who want to make functional art. As many have mentioned, it does get pricey but i would say the cost is pretty reasonable considering the services that brushstrokes provides. All and all, a great place and I hope to go back soon!! read more

Amazing ceramics to choose from, plus there's no rush on finishing your project. Love this place! Highly recommend!!

I painted some picture frames here and when I went to pick them up one had a small crack. I wasn't too bothered by it, but they apologized and gave me store credit to come back and do another one. There was a kid's birthday party going on while I was there and it looked like a lot of fun... for the kids. Although I guess painting pottery with reckless abandon is fun for everyone. read more

We've been going to Brushstokes for years, and it just keeps getting better. My daughter has created many beauitful gifts for loved ones. I've created numerous school auction pieces that have fetched 100s of dollars in fundraising. Its always open...seriously, they have very kid-friendly hours. It's bright, clean, full of great project ideas and helpful staff. They even have hot tea, a small snack bar and wi-fi. Hats off to Jessica for building such a wonderful business! read more

Before any comments about the pathetic-ness of painting pottery or references from Sex and the City, I will have you know it is damn fun and relaxing. And its better for your health then drinking, AND in the end you have something pretty to show for it. So don't judge me. It is really fun. And I do it with my friends. I swear. Anyhow Brushstrokes is a cool, laid-back studio in Berkeley. They play nice tunes (except that one time when Don McLean's American Pie just about drove me nutty), and provide you with a great setting to paint stuff. There is a lot of stuff to chose from too. Last time I made a really nice butter dish, I can't wait to see it all fired! It is not an overly expensive pastime either. So some of the people that work there are super chill and nice, others not so much, but that's life. We can't all have perfect pottery days every day. In the end, it is not as lame as it sounds and I actually like it a lot. Don't judge me. read more