I've been here a few times now, during various visits to see my boyfriend, and I've had fun every time I've gone. The main attraction is a wide array of blank/white pottery/clay pieces that can be painted using a variety of kinds of paints, but they also offer glass fusing (a bit like mosaic, except without grout and the pieces are actually fired and shaped into pieces like bowls and plates), mosaic, make your own pottery, and Silver Clay Jewelry. I've painted pottery and attended a glass fusing class and both are a lot of fun.
Pottery painting: In order to do this, you pay a small studio fee (usually $7, which covers the use of the paints and brushes as well as the firing of the painted product). The only other fee you pay is simply the price of whatever piece(s) you choose (i.e. if you choose a $10 mug, you will pay the price of the mug, plus the studio fee). Pieces range from a little under $10 up to $100. The store has a large and changing selection of blank/white clay pieces to choose from, ranging from mugs to figurines to small boxes to platters. They have three varieties of paints: Fun Strokes (the biggest selection; plain colors), Pottery Glaze (those classic colors/glazes you think of when picturing handmade pottery; lots of earth tones), and Crystal Glazes (these colors have chunks of color in them that "explode" when in the kiln, causing unique bursts of color on the piece). The person working gives a brief overview of how to use the paints and may offer some ideas and techniques, and then you're left to your own devices to paint as long as you like. They have a design/ideas station with pictures, pens and pencils, stencils, and an array of other things to help you out if you're not sure what to paint. Your finished product is fired in the kiln and can be picked up after a few days. Painting pottery is fun for a date or for a get together with a few friends, and it's definitely a great choice for kids' birthday parties and as a family activity. I always see moms with their children or grandparents with their grandchildren painting when I'm there, and they have a great selection of pottery pieces for kids. The brushes and paints are a little beat up, but they have a lot available, so you won't run out, and the tables are perfect for these projects. Definitely a lot of fun to make and a good way to spend the day (especially if it's cold or rainy out).
Glass fusing: Honestly, I'm a little surprised they don't have you sign some sort of basic waiver to do this, because, while it's not really all that dangerous, you're still working with glass and cuts do happen. That aside, this is a really neat activity, but you have to participate in a glass fusing class there before you can do it on your own there. You get a set of cutting tools, some Elmer's glue (to lightly glue the glass pieces to the base piece), and a pretty big selection of colored glass pieces to use. You start with a thin, clear glass circle or square (you choose which type and what size; they don't always have every size available) and you pay for the price of that glass base (approx. $30-$60, depending on size; you can also make jewelry for $20), plus an additional fee if you want the finished piece to be shaped into something (bowl, plate, etc.). The teacher/employee gives instructions and helps as needed, but this is a do-it-yourself activity. It's hard to create real shapes, especially if you want curves or circles, but abstract designs are easy to do (anything with straight lines really), and it's really cool choosing and arranging the colors as you like (pretty easy to make the piece too). The finished pieces are fired and returned after a few weeks.
All in all, Seize the Clay is a fun place with some great arts-and-crafts activities. The pieces you make are obviously nice to keep for yourself, but they make nice gifts too, and it's really rewarding to see your finished piece and know that you made it. It's very hands-on and really lets you delve into your creative side, and I highly recommend you try it out--it's something different from the usual trip to a theme park or the mall and it's really a lot of fun. read more