The employees are very helpful and kind, It was very busy and they still made me feel welcomed. they have so many pottery options and a wide range of colors. I got lost in the paint and spent hours here painting a piece, I don't recommend coming if you don't want to spend a few hours painting. 10 stars from me read more

My fiancé and I had a very disappointing experience. When we first arrived, we were genuinely excited. I even mentioned wanting to paint something inside the main studio, and as we were walked over to the other studio, the owner told us they close at 6 and that we would be called back to paint the pieces we made. That made us even more excited about the full experience. As beginners, we expected a more hands-on approach, especially since the class is advertised as beginner-friendly and the goal is to complete two pieces. Instead, we found ourselves constantly asking the instructor for help, only to receive very brief responses before they turned away again. With only one instructor and little to no hands-on guidance, the experience was frustrating and not what we signed up for. As shown in the photo, my piece would not stay centered on the wheel, and I wasn't given the support needed to fix it. Because of this, I was only able to complete one piece, while my fiancé was able to complete two. We drove 1 hour and 30 minutes for this class, so our expectations were high, which made the outcome even more disappointing. We wanted to speak to someone about our experience right after the class, but the main studio had already closed at 6, and it was around 6:06 by the time we finished. I later contacted the manager to discuss our experience. She initially offered a free class with another instructor, but we declined because we didn't feel confident the experience would be any different. We simply wanted to take our business elsewhere and move on. We were not interested in picking up our pieces at any point; we just wanted to forget the experience altogether. Her response felt dismissive and unapologetic, which made us even more certain that we did not want to return. During the conversation, she compared the situation to going to a movie and not liking it, which didn't feel like an accurate comparison. A pottery class is a guided service where instruction and support are expected especially for beginners unlike a passive experience like watching a movie. After about 10 minutes of back-and-forth, she offered a 50% refund, which we didn't feel was appropriate. She eventually agreed to a full refund, but her tone remained dismissive and unprofessional, and she ultimately hung up on me. Overall, I would not recommend this place for beginners. The lack of hands-on instruction, limited support, and the way our concerns were handled made the entire experience disappointing from start to finish. read more

The Mad Platter - As a beginner, i struggled to keep my piece centered and didn't receive the hands-on guidance needed to correct it. - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Always have a great time in this place! Have had birthdays, Mother's Day, just because! This is a fun girls night idea! Such a fun experience s! Service is great, the pieces are fairly priced, and they have a huge selection of items to pick from to paint! read more

The Mad Platter - This are the last items me and my girlfriends painted. But I have about 20 pieces over time I have painted! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

My boyfriend and I went to Mad Platter and had a wonderful experience painting our pottery! The young ladies working were kind and helpful. Picking it up, however... I live 30 minutes away so when we were already in town on a Wednesday I looked up the hours. The hours said 9 am opening and it was already after 9 so we drove over. It was 9:47 so I just went to the door and opened it but it was locked. I saw a woman walk around the corner who proceeded to open the door, obviously irritated. She looks at me and says "We don't open until 10". I responded "your hours on Google said you open at 9". I pulled up the hours to show her and she said "Well Google isn't me but okay". As if I have your personal phone number?? They've since changed their hours and have responded to all of the reviews they have except the bad ones. Rude and I will not be going back. Abhorrent behavior for a business owner that obviously doesn't enjoy the business. read more

We were able to eat while painting since it's non-toxic and water soluble paint. We will pick up our mugs in a week. It was so fun to let our creativity take over with a blank canvas! The staff was helpful and the space adorable. We would definitely go back! read more

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I looked this place up last year when I was trying to find fun things to do with my daughter but never had time to go. I've been to a place similar to back in Raleigh so I thought it would be a perfect place to go. I decided to do a mommy and me date today and what better place to go than somewhere my daughter enjoys (arts and crafts)! The process was fairly simple (pick your piece , pick the colors, and paint). I let my daughter pick her piece and she had to pick one of the more expensive pieces but I let her get it because she was so stuck on it. She chose the mama and baby bear for me to paint. We chose similar colors because we both love pink (duh) and it was fun. The staff was so helpful with colors and tips on how to do different techniques, which brushes would help with certain parts, etc. we wrote our names on our pieces and we were done! It was such a fun experience. I'm so glad I got to do this with my baby. read more

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This is so much fun, it can take all the time you need. You don't feel rushed and there's a huge selection!

Went for the first time yesterday on a date night. Owner is amazing and quite literally the kindest person I've ever met. She's very helpful and interested in making sure everyone enjoys their pottery painting experience. Would highly recommend for a long date night or weekend outing. read more

Loved my experience with my fiancé and friends at Mad Platter for our friends birthday! This was my first time in ages panting some pottery and we had a blast! For the money it's a great time and they have some really cute pieces to pick from. 100% recommend! read more

The Mad Platter - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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What a cute place for a fun outing. They have Ana array of options for you to paint and then they bake the pottery for you and you pick it up later. The most unique pieces I saw were a camera, map of the US, a mermaid jewelry box and a flamingo. I decided on the chip and dip platter. The staff show you to the paint options and they even have paint pens for fine details. They are extremely helpful especially when I needed suggestions for paint colors or additional designs. I highly recommend. read more

The Mad Platter - Dip platter - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Great little place to pass time!! Totally recommend for families who want to pass a little time together rather than at the house!!

We have been coming to this place for many years. It's always so much fun. It's a great place for kids through adults to come and create some artwork. There's plenty of different ceramic items to choose from and create a masterpiece. The staff is very amazing and extremely patient. They're always willing to help. Once you pick out which ceramic item you want to paint, you pick out the colors of paint you want to use. Once you've finished your painting it takes about 4 days to get the piece back. It always turns out better than you think it will. If you pick an item that you can't finish in one visit, they're always glad to hold it and you can return to finish. It's a great place to have birthday parties and other parties. At Valentines Day they even offer a couples session. Just bring a bottle of wine, and sit and have a romantic evening working together on a project. I've been coming here since they opened and I'll continue to come. It's just a great place to come make special items and gifts. It's a good stress reliever. If you've never tried it, you need to give it a try. read more

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In the past I have recommended friends and family to go here because it was a good time out with the family but that has changed. After the 3rd time in a row of attempting to go here on the weekend with my daughter we will not be going back. We called and showed up at the time they suggested and when we arrived we were told we could not be helped. The nice girl at the front asked who we talked to and finally pulled out the owner to talk to us. She told me that we could not have a table and "that's just how their business is run and they are doing really well right now" read more

My fiance and I wanted to do something different and have fun. So, we ended up going to the Mad Platter. We loved it. This place was so cool. The staff were very informative and helpful. They even allow you to host parties here. While we were there several middle age adults were just relaxing and drinking wine.v Its a atmosphere for everyone: kids, family, adults, and couples. The price is reasonable too. They even have price specials most of the days of the week which is really nice. They offer a lot of different items to get creative with ranging from crosses, kitchen china wear, gnomes, cars, pets, vases, ornaments, and etc. They have stencils and molds to decorate your items with. The have a wide variety of paint, they even let you splatter your items which was really cool. If you don't want to do pottery you can do glass objects too. The store: is big enough to hold maybe 75 people. The chairs were an odd assortment but it adds to the uniqueness of the place. Easy enough to navigate. Will definitely go again. Parking: tight, very limited space. read more

The Mad Platter - dont mind me, just wanted to show some of the store - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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I planned an event for my sororority, and I had the pleasure of working with the WONDERFUL ladies at the Mad Platter this past weekend! Here's the highlight reel: *best price per head in the Columbia area by at LEAST 50% (I did my research) *prompt & upbeat communication *brought all kinds of options/inspiration tailored specifically to my sorority *catered directly to our house in Greek Village *after the event, they cleaned up not only what they brought, but also helped pack up decorations at the house and gave suggestions on a women's shelter where I could donate leftover food In summary, these two women went above and beyond anything I could have hoped for, and I'm eager to work with them again in the future! read more

The Mad Platter - Unfired pottery - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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An amazing place to come and paint some pottery! Friendly staff, lots of style options, and so many pieces to choose from! My wife and i came here for a date day and had an amazing time! You also can bring in or order in food/beverages! read more

Great fun for adults and children alike. Each year, I bring my son here to paint ornaments for his grandparents. There is a huge variety of items from which you can choose, the prices vary (there are things under $5), and all you pay is the price of the item you're painting! Then, a week later, your item will have been glazed and fired and is a keepsake to have forever. With my son bring 6, I often find that my attention span for this kind of thing lasts a lot longer, and one of the (wonderful!) employees suggested my son play an I-Spy or matching game with the stamps on the wall. It's really nice going somewhere that kids are appreciated for what they are and not expected to be silent and still. Overall, this place is clean, affordable, and unlike most other businesses locally. A wonderful thing to do on time off school with the kids or a friends' night out! There are specials on their website. Get to painting already! read more

The Mad Platter - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Nice place and a lot of fun! it is VERY reasonably priced too. just $6 to paint (which includes supplies like paint, brushes, stamps, sponges, etc... as well as the firing of your item in their kiln!) Then you pay for the item you are choosing to paint. There are TONS of items to choose from, so be patient and take your time. Items range from a couple $s to well over 50, but on average would say most are between $10 and $20. The staff is VERY NICE and very informative and helpful. They will even help you with design and artistic advice too if you want to do a really good job! Well worth a visit and bring the kids. Great idea for gifts for them to make stuff for grandma or momma! Or maybe Dad's office needs something artistic. :-) read more

Coming here was so much fun for my 3 year old grand daughter and myself. She painted a mermaid "with a lot of colors." The staff was extremely helpful and pleasant. read more

There is no way I will ever spend money, here, again. You own a business. If you want my money, do not tell me, especially in such a negative way, how I should approach my own project. Do not throw my supplies onto the table because you disagree with how I want to handle my project. It is inappropriate and unacceptable for an owner to treat her clients in such a manner. Because this is not the first time this happened, this is why I am posting this. read more

Very fun and friendly place. You can bring food and drinks. Margaret, the owner, is absolutely lovely and very helpful. Very reasonable prices. Lots of colors, designs, and inspirational ideas to boot! Looking forward to getting my finished pieces next week. read more

Mad Platter is one of the best activities here in Columbia! You can choose from a wide selection of ceramic items and be as creative as you like with painting. The staff is always so friendly and helps out any way they can. A day at mad platter can be a little pricey- $6 studio fee + your ceramic item + any special paints you choose, but they do Friday specials for college students. I think it's worth the expense to visit every once in a while. I love displaying my creations around my place! read more

Took my mom here and had a GREAT time! Helpful staff and so much to choose from. USC student discount too! I will be coming back.

This used to be a great place to go but the customer service is now non- existent. The owner would rather tell you off than hear that your experience was less than ideal. Thank you for ruining this widows only Christmas present , giving me only a partial refund b4 telling me to leave your store. read more

Won't be back. Called ahead to get info on glass fusion for me and 3 teens and asked if I needed an appointment to come in but was told no appointment and to come on in. Upon arrival, the staff was not welcoming or friendly. They said the wait was at least an hour. We said we'd wait because we saw two empty tables and empty stools along the front wall edge. We asked about sitting to wait and were told they just did not have room for us and we needed to leave. They offered to call us when we could come back but we won't be. Will never refer anyone here. Went to Pitter Platter instead in Lexington, and wow - what a difference - such a nice, helpful and friendly staff who walked us through everything and was extremely gracious. Go there instead. read more

I organized a local non-profit group to come paint pottery for an activity. To my surprise we were scolded for arriving early. Several of the parents of the children were asked very rudely to move closer to the tables where the kids were sitting, but there was no room. The owner of the facility was very unpleasant and when we ask to get our things that she demanded to put behind the register, she yelled as us and told us to wait. Overall this place does not know the meaning of treating customers with respect and appreciation. They obviously do not care about their reputation or how their customers feel. I would recommend finding another pottery painting company in the Columbia area. read more