This place was nice! We went for a group outing of seven people. When I called earlier in the week, the guy said we didn't need a reservation and could just walk in for Saturday. We all planned to meet there at 5 PM, but when we arrived, they told us we actually needed a reservation and had to come back at 6:45. Thankfully, West Hartford has plenty to do, so we walked around, grabbed some food, and returned for our reservation. One thing to know is that you pick the pottery you want to paint it's not a place where you make the pottery yourself. That has pros and cons, depending on your preferences. I'm honestly not that artistic when it comes to freehand painting, so I picked a simple snowflake design (probably the cheapest option at around $14). My friends picked reindeer, cookie trays, and other fun items. Painting was fun, but you have to leave your piece for 2-3 weeks to be glazed, so don't expect to take it home the same day. The space is small, but I liked the intimate setting. The staff was also very nice, and overall, I had a good experience. I would definitely go back. read more

The Claypen - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I have not had a hand in pottery since high school so this was a nice activity to do and spend quality time with friends and family. Claypen is located on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center between Walden and Dale streets. Lookout for the sessions posted outside if looking for something specific. I was attracted to the Studio Ghibli theme they were having and immediately made a reservation. I honestly didn't know what to expect until I arrived there. Upon check in, we were shown where we'd be seated and were told that we select any ceramic on the shelf and will be provided the paints and can even replenish it ourselves from the shelf. As well as take as much time as we needed to complete our design. My daughter did her own thing and drew Sanrio on different sides while I wanted to paint Haku and my friend, Totoro. I think it all came out really well!! I looked up an image tried to copy it onto the jar. Originally using a pencil and lightly tracing it onto the surface to not affect the image, although I was told that the pencil burns off during the baking process. We were also instructed to paint more than 1 coat so that the paint will show. The whole process was easy enough. When finished, everything can be brought to the counter for payment. Essentially the painting is free, it's the ceramic that needs to be paid for. I would think that the piece is averagely priced. If wanting to be sure, definitely ask before picking a piece. I'd certainly do this again. read more

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Amazing spot to paint your own pottery and relax! The fact that there is no longer a studio fee is amazing. I can now paint whatever I please without a time restriction. read more

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Small studio but great options to paint from, good color choices, and kind staff! Super easy to paint / have fun! Plus they have lots of events on their website. I also loved how much pumpkin / Halloween items they had (seasonal options) read more

The Claypen - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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My family always has a blast painting ceramics here. The attendants are always super helpful!

They cancelled my daughter's party at the last minute Because they booked another party. Bad business.

This place is a great spot for all ages. Toddlers, kids, teens, adults...everyone can have a great time! It's simple: walk in (be sure to make a reservation beforehand--it's recommended but not necessary),, choose what you want to paint, choose your colors, then havre fun making your creation! You pay for the sculpture you choose (price range was about $14-$50). Paint is included in that price. So, if you choose a $20 sculpture, that's how much you'll pay. This is a great date night idea and I can't wait to come in with my husband soon! It's a fun way to let out some creative energy or a great way to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art for a loved one. Very worth the visit! read more

The Claypen - My daughter loves it here - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

If your looking for something new to do with friends or family go check out this place, basically u can paint pottery

I took 5 friends to Claypen for my birthday and we had a great time! It was everyone's first time there. Kyle was a huge help to us the entire time and he made the experience even better for us! read more

I registered for a class, which got canceled and the cancellation email claimed you will be reimbursed. When I went in person to get my money back, none of the staff had a clue how to do that and their excuse was their system is shut down. I went there three more times in different months to get my money back and their system was still shut down!!!! should i believe them or not! read more

If your looking for a date different than going out to eat everyday try The Claypen. When you go make sure you reserve your seating prior. You are able to pick out a sculpture and paint it. I thought it was cool with the selection they have. Great place to bring your kids or date someone out on a date. The staff is helpful and attentive if you need more paints or have any questions. read more

The Claypen - Art - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I came here for a Yelp event and had a really great time. The selection of items to paint range from large platters to small trinkets to large letters and even a wine stopper. Studio rate is $4/half hour. Not a bad deal! Allie was super helpful and cheerful throughout the process, ever ready to help un-stop a paint bottle for me. read more

The Claypen - Yelp event! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

I took my kids to do the sensory class for $10 each. They basically are given a small amount of clay and lot of tools to create something. It states in their description that the cost goes towards the supplies so both of my boys worked very hard to create a work of art and wanted to take it home but were told they could only take it if they paid $15 each to fire it in the kiln. My kids were very disappointed and I asked why if we are "paying for the supplies" could they not take it home as my kids are very upset after working on their clay projects for an hour? I told the manager that it should be stated in the description online that the raw clay you are paying for cannot be taken so the little ones can know parents can prepare them in advance. We planned to have a large homeschool group attend a class at the Claypen this month but after the awful customer service by management that I received we will not be returning! You would think that with this establishment being in the Center of WH the customer service and understanding especially if something geared toward children would offer more understanding especially if kids are leaving an experience you provide disappointed. read more

So much fun! My boyfriend and I went on Valentine's day so we were able to take advantage of their special promotion. While The Clay Pen is best known for painting pottery, we were actually there to work with glass. We made beatiful coasters out of color shards of glass and it was a lot of fun. I was going to give this experience a 5 but I chose 3 stars because it's a small space so it can get really crowded fast. Also, we were told we would get a call within 1-2 weeks to pick up our order and never got the call. After almost 3 weeks we called and they told us we can come pick up the coasters but it was disappointing that they never notified us when we were eagerly awaiting. Even so, I would definitely go back. read more

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Fun activity for a group of friends or a date night out. Pick your piece of choice and paints off the shelf and enjoy the night, the Claypen is BYOB so take your time and enjoy the activities. It takes about a week to have your piece fired, but be sure to sign your piece before picking up! Great clay art. read more

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LOVE LOVE this place. If such a fun, relaxing atmosphere. BYOB which is a great additive. However the plates are a bit expensive but all paint is included, brushes, stencils, and pin bottles . Wish there was better parking but that's blue back square. Totally love this place!!!!! I would love to work here. read more

I want to start this review by stating that I am not artistic, crafty or creative. I love art and crafts, but prefer when other people do them and I can buy them. (Just less frustration and will actually look nice if someone else does it, etc). Well, for my work's team building event, the majority voted to go to claypen. Despite my lack of artistic skills, I was excited! Since there were about 8 of us, we called ahead and provided a small deposit to reserve our spot. Since its BYOB, (with no option to buy food or drinks at the studio), our group came prepared with wine, cheese, crackers, fruit, cupcakes and cookies. The studio area where we painted our masterpieces seemed a bit tight but it worked!! All of the pieces to paint are well displayed on large shelves with the prices. I loved how items ranged in size from small to large and there were so many choices! There was something for everyone and many of the items would be cute decorative items or had practical uses (cookie jar, spoon rest, etc). We were shown all the paints and told that the paint would appear as it was shown on the tile and not how it looked in the bottle (due to being put in kiln). We were shown stencils and different kinds of paint (love the speckled paint!!) I picked a large dog bone dish and then picked my paint. I found just sitting there painting to be therapeutic and so cool to have something to eventually take home (had to leave it to bake). I already have a date on the calendar to go back! I would highly recommend this to anyone!! read more

The Claypen - Masterpiece before the kiln - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I love this place! My fiancé and I have been here several times and it's just a great place to paint some pottery and have a great time! If you're looking for something to do on a rainy, snowy, cold day, or you just want to paint something special and unique, check out The Claypen! Highly recommend! read more

Yes, the Claypen is an amazing "Paint Your Own Pottery" studio. Yes, it's BYOB - which never, ever hurts. Yes, painting pottery is pretty much ALWAYS fun - even when you're not good at it. Like me! What I'd really like to comment about is the studio's option to create custom pieces, and the process behind that option. My best friend and I used to love frequenting these ceramic studios in middle school, high school, even college. She was getting married over the summer and chose me as her maid of honor. As a wedding gift, I opted to have one The Claypen's artists create a custom platter, painted with my friend's anniversary date and embellished with the pattern adapted from her invitations (a gorgeous summery multi-colored paisley with birds and what have you). I stopped by the studio a few months ago to explain my ideas, drop off the pattern, and get a price quote for the piece. They called me soon after with a quote and emailed a sketch of the piece. I approved -- but naturally, I was apprehensive about what the result would look like. The pattern was quite complex. However, I am absolutely delighted with the result. The care, talent and expertise put into this piece makes me downright giddy to present it to my friend. It truly looks professional (and for the price of the art, it SHOULD!) Anyway, can't recommend this place enough. I'm very impressed. read more

Loved the Claypen! Had a great time and great experience. Reserving a table in advance was super easy! They had a large variety of items to paint and also had a lot of colors of paints to choose from. Our hostess was friendly and explained how to paint and the effect we would see on the ceramics we chose. The music playing was inviting and was a fun creative environment offering a fun atmosphere. After picking up the pieces, they turned out exactly as expected and was again greeted by a friendly hostess. Thank you for a wonderful evening!! read more

Went here with my fellow Yelpers for a fun night of mingling and painting pottery. This place is great for making hand painted pottery gifts for friends or yourself. We had 2 hours so paint which ending up being the perfect amount of time for me to paint a set of really cute owl mugs for me and the hubby. Your pottery is usually ready for you to pick up in one week. I will have to take pictures of the kilned mugs so 6ou can see the finished results. Would definitely like to get a group of friends and go again. read more

The Claypen - Before... - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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amazing place for a date or just with friends, heck, even alone! they let us bring some wine and sit for over an hour painting. calming atmosphere, so many options. a little pricy but definitely worth it read more

Cute place. Came here for a mom and daughter workshop. It was canceled last minute but, it was still nice to take some time and paint whatever we wanted. Parking was great for West Hartford center. Loved the music playing too. All and all a fun date with my daughter. read more

The Claypen - Vintage camper cookie jar my daughter picked - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Great experience ... great customer service..... and enjoyed making a piece that I'll have forever..... if you have never done glass fusing... keep it simple until you get the hang of it... time wise the fee killed me! read more

The Claypen - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Great place to check out if you are into painting! You can bring your own wine and pick a piece of pottery to paint! I painted a monkey. Usually you can pick up your finished piece in 3-4 days with your receipt. Check it out! read more

Came with 2 girlfriends for a fun afternoon activity to catch up. It was busy on a Sunday afternoon, but they had space for us and we quickly got to work. How it works: you come in, pick your pottery, they help you pick your paints (they've got tons of books to help you get inspirations on patterns if you need it) and then they leave you to it. The staff had a good mix of checking on us and leaving us alone to catch up. The final cost is the price of the object you painted plus $4/ half hour studio time. They've got specials every day of the week, which makes this a fairly cheap activity for a date, group of friends, babysitting or taking kids out, or even solo if you're into painting. It's BYOB! read more

The Claypen - The owl mug I chose to paint! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

The Claypen is a paint your own pottery studio. Here's how it works: 1. You pick out a piece that you want to paint (for this example let's say you pick a mug) 2. Then, you pick out your glazes (paints) For an opaque look you should use THREE coats of each color you use 3. Paint your mug 4. The employees will fire your piece, paint an overcoat (clear glaze) and tell you when to pick it up...SIMPLE Positives: FUN- this is a fun and creative thing to do, my sister and I went three times in one week! It was great! Staff- Friendly and Helpful Variety- A lot of cool things to paint Music- Nice background music Location- Located in West Hartford Center so you could paint and then go to lunch or go shopping or whatever! Negatives: Price- WARNING this can be pricey First of all you get charged for the piece(s) you choose to paint. Then every half hour you paint you get charged $4. So it can get pricey if you paint multiple things and it takes you 2 hours or so. The Claypen does have deals on Tuesday- Friday I believe. Some include a paint all day for only $12 aka paint for 10 hours if you want to for a flat rate of $12. Overall, the Claypen is a unique place to take friends, children or just go relax by yourself! -Kim :) read more

Great date suggestion, fun weekend idea -- call it what you will, but I really like The Claypen. It's so easy. You start off by picking out a piece of pottery (which I think is probably the hardest part) Then, you choose your colors or designs for your masterpiece -- that's it! Fun, relaxing, easy -- it's an activity fun for a date, or with your kids and family. Claypen does offer samples, templates, stencils, stamps and all things necessary to help you unleash your creative self (or to help you suck less, whichever) They are BYOB and food-friendly -- which is also really great (easy on the wallet) Average hang-out sessions are usually 1-2 hours. And, once you finish painting, you leave your creation with them to be glazed and fired, and its usually ready to be picked up within a week. Studio fee is $4 per half hour per painter plus the price of your pottery (average is between $10 to $20) so not too bad. Don't forget to check out the weekly specials on their website! I like Tuesday's and Saturday's most (see below) Tuesday-"Paint 'til you faint" Paint all day for a $12 flat studio fee plus the cost of pottery. This is a great opportunity to get that dream project started. Saturday-"Date Night" or "Girls' night out" 6 to 9 p.m. 2 for 1 studio fee read more

Just the place I go when I feel like being an amateur Bob Ross. I've been going here since I was a young kid and have always enjoyed picking from the large selection of pottery and making one of them my own. Price really depends on what you pick and how long you paint for- but just sitting there on a quiet day is one of the most calming reprieves a person can have. After painting you have to wait a week until it's out of the kiln but they really do a good job keeping your artwork safe and don't lose things often. They host birthday parties and fun events for kids, which is awesome!! Always a fun afternoon activity to do; for people of any age. read more

I have loved this business since I was young and 20+ years later I love it even more as they have updated the interior and expanded their creative offerings to glass fusing and DIY workshops. The price is not cheap but reasonable and we want to keep small local businesses with great customer service like this around! Especially with the influx of big chains in West Hartford Center :( Plus it is less expensive than many activities like a night out to the movies. And, you get to keep what you make and flex those creative muscles! read more

This place is awesome. Yay Dani k and Caitlin. Fufilled my 90s night needs with a yarn bowl and a gnomie

Took my 3 year old son and his almost 4 year old friend. I was worried he might be too young but right away he was very gentle with all the pieces as he made his choice. It was a little nerve wracking because the entire wall is shelves filled with very breakable items! Finally he picked a mustache mug and his friend picked her initial. The lady came over with a tile that had four paint options. Each was three colors and when mixed did not make brown. This was brilliant as my son is all about color mixing and reusing brushes. Thankfully because of this option he just ended up with darker blues and purples instead of a brown mess. We painted for a while and then ate a snack. I wasn't sure how they'd measure the studio fee ($4/30 minutes) because we were there almost an hour between selecting a piece and eating but she must have rounded down because we only paid $4 (plus $12 for the mustache mug) which was nice. We talked beforehand about the special oven and how we wouldn't bring art home today and my son was fine with that. If you've got a real young kiddo that's important to mention. Overall it was a fun morning, a little pricey but something different to do during this never ending winter! read more

I had such a fine time at the Claypen event last night! Let me tell ya, I was a bit weary. I don't find myself to be a patient person in any sense of the word, and most definitely not patient enough to paint some pottery with a skillful hand...but I surprised myself! There are so many items to choose from. If you want traditional pieces they've got it! Holiday inspired...sure! and everything in between, why not?! It's all here. It was nice that our studio fee was waived, but, regardless, it's only 4.00 per half hour to paint! (sidenote...2 hours FLEW by...so be prepared) Jessica, was welcoming and oh so very helpful! All we had to do was raise our hand and that was a definite plus when you're in the painting zone. My only reservation about this place, and it has NOTHING to do with the establishment....is, I'd almost prefer to go on a week night...I feel like weekends would be open season for the possibility of little children and that would just mess up my artistic mojo. The Claypen is a place that I would never know I'd love.... and I can't wait to go back! read more

The Claypen - Before - Arts & Crafts Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Absolutely love coming to the clay pen with my girls by day and mom friends by night!! All the staff is amazing and so welcoming.

INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. Before today the last time I'd been in the Claypen was probably when I was 15, and I'd had a terrific time making gifts for people. 20 years later, I'm delighted to announce I'm even more enthusiastic about the place. Before I showed up, I was greeted on the phone with wonderful customer service regarding holiday timing. In person today, I was blown away by the friendliness and expertise of the people working there. Here are a few examples: During my 6 hours slaving away painting, several families with 2-3 young kids each in tow came in to complete projects. The store associates keenly helped the parents juggle their excited broods by drawing with one or two kids on scrap paper while they took turns painting for the project - very smart, and above and beyond their job description, I'm sure. I was stunned. It's been a long time since I've seen that level of customer service, and this happened more than once in my time there. What struck me the most is the community atmosphere they've cultivated at Claypen. The associates knew the projects people were coming in to pick up, which expedited the process immensely. Also, an associate even offered to wrap a project in bubble wrap and meet a customer on the street for a pickup so he/she wouldn't have to worry about the hassle of parking! Seriously. The products offered for painting fit a broad range of budgets, even my meager one, and that was nice as well. The associates knew the stock of pottery very well and gave terrific insights to people who needed a little guidance figuring out what to do. I had lovely chats with the associates during some slow periods, and it just makes me want to come back and get more involved. I also found out that they have lots of events and some super sweet grown-up evening activities! They're also BYOB, so whether you're there for a date, an anniversary, or even just for an intensive project as I was, you can relax and enjoy creative vibes at its best. GO TO THE CLAYPEN. Make something personal. Have fun. This is a place for everyone. read more

i abolutely *adore* The Claypen. i've been coming to the studio 1-3 times a year for the past 7 or so years. i have always had a great experience and have a beautiful collection of pottery pieces from over the years to show for it! i love coming here with my mother & sister, i've brought friends here, and i've been here several times with my partner as well. i've also attended one class a couple years ago (fluid art painting). the staff is very sweet and are always pleasant. the studio is quaint and comfortable. there is always a great variety of pieces to choose from. over the years, i've observed a couple changes. they used to allow customers to pour their own paint, but now the staff is the only one to pour it. i believe this was a change made as a result of covid-19, though i think it makes sense. there's probably less spills, and i find it easier to keep track of my colors using their new system. my favorite change was the removal of the studio fee! previously, you would have to pay i believe $4/half hour to paint at the studio, which could very quickly rack up if you were doing a large/detailed piece. now, what you see the pottery priced as is what you pay. this has really made my experience so much better. it removes the pressure of trying to paint quickly and i'm able to relax and take my time with my detailed pieces. most people are in and out within an hour or so regardless. i love to see that The Claypen is always trying to make the experience better for it's customers. i went mid-june to paint a piece for my birthday (a new yearly tradition! this is my 2nd year in a row doing this). unfortunately, it was found to be cracked after firing. the staff was excellent in remedying the situation for me and i left feeling happy and excited to return. i could tell they cared about providing me with a good experience. read more

This place is always fun. They are very generous with how long they will store your stuff. Things are well priced. It is a well organized outing for any age. read more

SO fun. I love this place. I have been about 5 times total, and I am like a giddy little kid each time. I have gone with my family, with friends, and most recently, my "little" from Big Brothers Big Sisters. She had a blast, as did I, and it was a fun activity for a snowy day. You can bring your own beverages (adult) and snacks, which is fun. Even though it is quite pricey, $4 per half hour per person, they have several specials throughout the week that can reduce that cost. The pieces that you paint are ready within one week, and if you're like me and forget to pick them up for two weeks, they don't discard them. While I was there the most recent time, there was a birthday party happening, and the staff seemed very friendly and helpful. I'd love to convince my significant other to join me here but he is a bit artistically challenged... maybe someday! read more

This is a great place for a more creative date night, girls night out or even a solo stress relief outing. I regularly use the plate we made here and have another piece on display. No, I'm not that artistic but I am that sentimental so while they aren't much to look at they remind me of a really fun evening. There are lots of pieces to choose from and no shortage of materials. I didn't bring my own refreshments when I visited but knowing that you can is an added bonus. read more

One of the greatest gems of West Hartford. A fun activity that creates not only a memory, but a keepsake to last forever. Friendly and helpful staff, tons of pottery painting choices, and many other art forms as well. One of my favorite places as a kid and still to this day! read more