My granddaughter and I dropped by and painted ceramic pieces. Cost $90. They needed to be glazed,…read moreso they stay there. Three weeks later I call to find out when they will be ready. I leave a detailed message. It's been almost a week - no return call.

Hot Mess Studios is one of a few great pottery studios in the Wilmington. They have group and…read moreindividual private lessons and parties for on wheel pottery, canvas painting, and piece painting. They have 3 speciality nights you can sign up for in advance. On Thursdays they do Ladies Night Sip & Spin where you get one hour 1 pot, throw as many as you like, keep what you like for just $10 more + wine. Fridays are "Filthy Fridays" where adults 16 and over can sign up for a 7 pm or 8:30 pm time slot and get 1 pot + 1 ball of clay with the option of more at $10 each. On Saturdays they do the same thing but it's family friendly sessions (ages 7+) from 1 - 6pm, and 16+ reservation only from 7-8 pm. They're closed Monday - Wednesday with an exception of private reservations in advance. If you have special time and group number requests I'm sure they can accommodate if you call ahead and plan. They're very responsive, professional and easy to schedule with. I did all my scheduling through email and received prompt responses. The gal running our lesson, Emma, was also so professional and sweet. She's great at what she does and I'd recommend any beginner taking lessons from her. When we arrived Emma greeted us at the door, walked us through the studio, showed us the process and helped us whenever we needed throughout the activity. I had a certificate for 2 hours, 2 people, and 4 pieces each. It was plenty of time and almost too much clay for two first timers, which is a good problem to have. I'm not sure if that special is still running but check their website to see active discounts - they run great deals, often, and are super affordable for what it is! I would highly recommend trying it out or giving as a gift!

I spent a few days 3 years ago in Wilmington for a girls trip--one of my friends lives in…read moreWilmington and she took us to all the fun places--shopping, dining, boating, etc. The most exciting store we visited was Baroque Exotic Woods. I was so overwhelmed at the many gorgeous hand made wooden pieces on display in the store from all of the US. There is something for everyone and I fell in love with a chess board with weighted pieces made in an Amish community. I had it shipped home-my husband loves it and the grand kids ask to play every time they visit. One of the Grands wanted a chess set for his 12th birthday so I called the store, Janet was so kind and patient with me trying to buy this board over the phone. She mailed it to him in Little Rock AR which got there in time! I just visited the store again, during the 3rd annual girls trip and purchased ANOTHER board with weighted pieces for my son in law for Christmas...a request from him. And once again, Janet was extremely helpful and patient with me, trying to decide which one to purchase and ship home. I look forward to calling her again for another special gift for someone in my family!! Greatest store ever!!! Thank you Janet and Gary!!!

I made my first visit to Wilmington, North Carolina, just a couple weeks ago. I was with my cousin…read moreand she couldn't wait to visit this one shop and the shop was Barouke Exotic Woods. I can see why now this little shop was filled with beautiful woodwork. I purchased a wooden chime that I'm listening to right now outside my kitchen window in California. The owner was so friendly and helpful. She packaged my chime up right away and shipped it to me. I will definitely return on my next visit to Wilmington.

Amazing local gallery showcasing fine art from across the region. I always love visiting and seeing…read morewhat's new. They have such an amazing collection of sculpture, woodworking, ceramics, and art! Many different price points so you can select an investment piece or buy something small as a memento or a gift. The staff are always friendly and welcoming. Not a snooty gallery by any means!

Very nice gallery, in the same building as Blue Moon Gift Shop. A lot of artists and pieces on…read moredisplay here. Several very expensive pieces for sale. There is very little I can afford in this gallery. Some pieces are several thousands of dollars. I will say, the art here is very nice. So, it is worth a stop, just to view the art. I would recommend not bringing any young, hyper, kids or any clumsy /accident prone adults. You don't want a "you break it, you buy it" situation.

I found Christine Palmer Art Studio, i believe, through Charlotte Parent Magazine when my youngest…read moredaughter asked me for art classes. My daughter has been attending Christina's classes going on three months now and, although she has a natural knack for art, she has churned out two incredibly awesome paintings (see pics) by a 7-year-old. Christina is a very nice, polite and overall awesome person who will make you feel very welcome in her home studio. Her apartment, which doubles as the studio, is filled with some pretty amazing artwork. She is excellent with all the kids and they all like her back. She is very knowledgeable, talented and patient with the kids. You get 4 hours of class/hands-on class a month for $65 (there is also an annual materials fee of $70), how can you beat that?!?! She also offers adult classes but I've not attended those. She also puts out a gallery for her artists at Pentes Art Works which the kids all love and get very excited over. If you are looking for an awesome art teacher/class, I highly recommend giving Christina Palmer Art Studio a call.

Christina is a wonderful Art Teacher, she's taught my daughter different techniques to really…read moreimprove her talent. She's very kind and patient and my daughter can't wait for her lessons on Saturdays.

Absolutely loved this gem of a place. I wanted to do something for my birthday that was active…read moreand something that everyone could enjoy. The best part of this creative studio is they have MULTIPLE options for each person to pick what they want to create. When you walk in you are greeted by the wonderful owner who checks you in and then they show you their bar/drink menu They then will go through the process you will be going through to create your project. You do each and every step which is super cool. You start with deciding if you want to add some character to your board, then you pick stains and or add on some white wash or paint techniques. Next up is your stencil and paint. It is all so much easier then you think but is a little time consuming. After the paint they even help you seal it with wax so that your creation lasts! Really enjoyed this experience and really cannot wait to go back (possibly with my little one for one of the family nights!).

Angie did a fantastic job at having our fool of 10 in for a group work activity. We had 5 people…read moredoing the pottery wheel and 5 making candles. We had a blast and they also offer resin, and pottery painting. Greta place, great prices, and super host!

Yoga and pottery, could you have something more relaxing?…read more I haven't taken a yoga class in the studio but I have experienced Jess as a yoga teacher and I have to say it was awesome. She taught a class external to the studio and it was so relaxing. I am not a flexible yogi and I felt comfortable with the ease of it. I wasn't intimidated and she gave you poses to do if you couldn't manage others. Now the pottery? UGH - IN A GOOD WAY. I am taking one of the beginner pottery series through Pineapple with Steph. It's AMAZING. I am terrible at it buuuuuuuut the class is so fun, regardless of my talentless pottery skills. Steph teaches you how to do it all and makes it looks so easy but is so encouraging. The class is small and intimate so she can always help when you need it. It is so relaxing with the music and the groups. I love that there are hours you can go try it outside of class time too. It's a great place to get creative or relax, even buy some pottery! Love it.

Jess is the best! I took a 6 week beginners course and learned so much (+ had a lot of fun!) I had…read moreliterally no pottery experience before this and after the 6 weeks, I had some cute little pieces. I loved it so much I even signed up for another round. I would definitely recommend any of her classes, especially the 6 week course if you are just getting into pottery. Thanks Jess!

I am in love with this gallery!! Located in the Cotton Exchange, I was amazed at all the…read morewatercolors and photographs from around the local area. Some of my favorites, John Golden's "The Rovinato Series" series. Love the textured look of the photos in this collection. Also be sure to check out the art blocks. Whimsical and fun! Mary Ellen's watercolors are gorgeous! And they really have a huge selection here. They also have jewelry by local artist Melissa Manley. This is my favorite shop in the Cotton Exchange!

The Golden Gallery is nestled inside one of the buildings at the Cotton Exchange. This is not so…read moremuch an art store as an "artisan's" store. Fun place to look around and browse, but expensive... and probably rightly so because everything is supposed to be locally done. The artwork, whether prints or photographs, was generally interesting to look at, but the price tags made the items stay on the shelves. There was also a music section - CD's that I didn't really look at much. I was more interested in the prints and photos.