When the rainy-day blues pop up this summer, nurture your creative side or entertain the kids with a visit to one of the area’s paint-it-and-take-it pottery shops.
Way before these shops became trendy, Lebo’s Ceramics was creating pieces for customers to buy ready-made or to paint themselves.
Owner Debbie Bergmann says word of mouth has kept her business going for more than 40 years. Her mother opened up shop in 1965, and Debbie joined her in 1968. Lebo’s has been at 6323 Promway Ave. NW in Jackson Township since 1972.
“I’m old-school,” said Bergmann, who describes her business as a “working studio,” more for people who want a challenge than just a night out.
Visitors at Lebo’s can work with clay to mold their own project or pick one of Bergmann’s creations. She spends most of her time pouring molds in her studio and has many unique designs, including chess sets and Nativity sets.
Birthday parties at Lebo’s have been happening for about four years. Parties with more than eight guests are welcome any day, and children have their choice of creating their own piece with clay or painting something. If they choose to make a clay piece, they are welcomed back the following week, after their piece has been fired, to paint it and take it home.
“I have a lot of different things other studios don’t have,” Bergmann said. “And here, people can leave it and finish it later. If it takes 10 visits, it’s the same cost.”
The other places, she said, are more of a place to go for a night out, like the movies.
“They’re more expensive. That’s why we’re not neat and carpeted,” she said. “They’re not really the same. There’s so much competition now.”
One of those competitors is Hot Pots, with locations in North Canton and Alliance.
Here, said owner Troy Myers, visitors take in the artistic atmosphere.
“People enjoy bonding and enjoying a quality time together,” he said. “It’s a great family activity.”
Myers says the art that comes out of Hot Pots ranges from children’s handprints on plates to professional-looking one-of-a-kind sketches and paintings.
“I’m amazed by what comes out of the kiln. It’s always fun and new, fresh and exciting,” he said, adding that he has 15 creative employees who like to experiment and play and help customers push the limits.
“You can have as little or as much help as you want,” he said.
Hot Pots offers a summer program for kids that includes soap and candle making and tie-dye.
WHERE TO GO
Hot Pots
708 S. Main St., North Canton.
(330) 494-9661
or
1828 W. State St., Alliance
(330) 823-3333
Glazed & Amused
2045 E. Maple St., North Canton
(330) 497-6445
Lebo’s Ceramics
6323 Promway Ave. NW, Jackson Township
(330) 499-3106.
All Fired Up
1686 W. Market St., Akron
(330) 865-5858
