“It’s just kind of taken off,” Cantu said. “I think that also most of the pottery studios that are around in the Houston area, they only do pottery painting.”
In addition to painting pottery, many customers choose to create their own pottery and clay artwork utilizing the pottery wheel or by handbuilding—molding the clay by hand or with simple tools.
“Every single day I get people calling me about the potter’s wheel,” she said. “If I had more instructors and more room, I could probably have a whole lot more clay [work].”
Another unique activity offered at the studio involves what is called glass fusing—the technique of joining colorful pieces of glass together using heat to form a pattern or picture. Customers can use pre-cut glass or cut it themselves.
Cantu said she originally wanted to buy an existing art studio, but when a potential deal fell through, her determination helped her find the right place.
“When I first decided to open a business, it wasn’t this,” she said. “When I was doing all these Google searches for businesses that were for sale, a pottery studio popped up ... and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”
Fire It Up typically sees the most business during the summer when most children are on vacation; however, there are plenty of activities for adults as well, Cantu said. Customers can take advantage of the studio’s BYOB policy and participate in date nights, parties and group events.
“It’s not just for kids, and the other thing is you don’t have to be artistic,” she said. “If you have an idea, we can help you get there.”
Fire It Up Pottery & Art Studio
13817 Hwy. 59, Sugar Land
713-234-7789
www.fireitup-pottery.com
Hours: Tue.-Thu. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m., closed Mondays (except school holidays)
