Oh! The Places You'll Go: Tip Top Pottery
When the Claflin jewelry studio at the Hopkins Center just isn’t satisfying your creative itch, Tip Top Pottery (http://www.tiptoppottery.com/) in White River Junction is the place to go. Tip Top is a traditional pottery studio in that the process involves choosing a ceramic piece, painting it and leaving your masterpiece to be fired and picked up at a later date.
If your childhood was anything like mine, it involved trips to the local pottery studio at least once a month. My sister and I painted countless ceramic pieces and would count down the days until we could pick up our latest creation at the studio. I’d like to think both my painting skills and choice of ceramics have since improved (I no longer go for the unicorn when choosing a piece to paint), but I have found that painting pottery is just as fun as when I was younger. Painting is an incredibly soothing activity, and it is very satisfying to create a piece of art with your own two hands.
Ceramic pieces at Tip Top range from bowls to, yes, mythical animals, and over 90 colors of paint are yours for the choosing. Stencils, stamps and sponges are on hand too. Several example pieces are placed around the studio should you need some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. The staff is friendly and very willing to answer questions. Ceramic pieces range from $3 to $50 each, and a $9 studio fee is also included in the final charge.
After painting your pottery, Tip Top will leave it to dry overnight and then fire it in the kiln. Firing provides each piece with a clear, smooth glaze that enhances the colors. Pieces will be ready to be picked up within one week.
Every Friday night, Tip Top offers a reduced price studio fee and encourages customers to bring beer or wine to the studio (glasses are provided) and mingle with other creative locals. Interesting alternative to the bar scene in Hanover, no? On Wednesdays and Fridays the studio features wheel throwing workshops, where you can learn how to spin pottery pieces on the wheel. Don’t be fooled — the wheel is harder than it may look. But Dartmouth students are always up for a challenge, and this one is especially rewarding when you can boast to your friends that you not only painted the bowl, but that you sculpted it yourself.
Even for those who are not artistically inclined, Tip Top Pottery provides a refreshing escape from the world of papers and textbooks that is currently defining week six of 13W. Try it — if you’re like me, it will be just as great as you remember.
Tip Top Pottery is located at 85 North Main Street, Suite 110, White River Junction, VT. The studio is open Tuesday – Sunday, and daily hours can be found here (http://www.tiptoppottery.com/hours-a-prices). 802-280-1700