Pottery studio turns children, adults into artists

Two years after Elizabeth Garrett moved to Houston from Puerto Rico for a job in the marketing industry, she had her first child, a boy named James. It was about that time that Garrett began to question whether she wanted to transition to a stay-at-home mother or remain in the workforce and send her 2-year-old son to a day care.

Garrett left her job to stay at home with James, but she and her husband found the adjustment difficult.

"When I started to stay home, it was an adjustment with one income instead of two," she said.

At the same time, Garrett was involved in many social groups with other mothers that involved play groups with their children. But the Garrett family missed the combined income, and she soon developed a desire to return to work.

"Over time I always kept my eyes open as to what it was we don't have in The Woodlands," she said.

When she saw a news brief about soccer star David Beckham taking his children to an art studio, the idea struck her. So, on Sept. 1, 2010, Garrett opened Potteryland Studio at 25166 Grogan's Park Drive.

At Potteryland Studio, customers can choose from more than 150 unfinished pottery pieces—known as bisqueware—that includes dishes, plant pots and more, and then design, decorate and paint their pieces. Once the pieces have been painted, the Potteryland staff glazes them and they are ready to pick up in a few days.

"You don't have to be an artist to create something," Garrett said. "We have tools and tricks to make something really cute. Anyone who can hold a brush can paint."

That includes anyone from young children to adults. Among the child-themed products are owl-themed bisques, which Garrett calls a new craze, as well as cupcake boxes, mugs and figurines.

Other kid-friendly events at Potteryland include birthday parties, scout troop visits, storytelling each Monday and day camps during school vacations. For adults. Potteryland hosts a themed ladies night on the third Thursday of every month where guests come to the studio and enjoy drinks and painting. The store also hosts a "Mother-Daughter Fancy Nancy Tea Party" for Mother's Day, a Mardi Gras Ladies Night, and "Donuts for Dad" on Father's Day.

"It's really broad and that's what I love about the concept," Garrett said. "We have a different market every single month."

The success of the studio—Potteryland relocated to a larger space in the fall—has allowed Garrett the ability to own her own business and remain with her children full time. Garrett said she is able to stay involved with her children's lives and their schools. She and her husband had a second child, Chloe, three years ago and the family is able to spend much of their time at the studio.

"I wanted to go to work and be a full-time mom too," Garrett said. "This business has allowed me to do that."

Potteryland Studio, 25166 Grogan's Park Drive, The Woodlands, 281-419-7965, www.potteryland-studio.com