Buffalo Rising Online

Nov 22nd 2007, 8:51am By Christa Glennie Seychew

For years the girls and I have trekked out to the ‘burbs a few times a year to partake in the “paint your own pottery” experience. It is something that we all truly enjoy and look forward to. I was thrilled when queenseyes told us last month about a pottery studio opening in the city, and we quickly made plans to visit.

If you’ve never experienced a shop like Jenny’s Clay House, you’re in for a treat. Jennifer Faber, owner of the store that has made its home in a funny little building on Hertel, has stocked the shelves of this cute, brightly lit space with a wide variety of bisqueware (unpainted and unfired pottery). Customers begin their adventure by picking out a piece, be it plate or platter, bowl or mug, piggie bank or holiday ornament; the prices start around $7 and go up. The fee includes the item, cost of art materials and the glazing and firing of the project.

Once you’ve selected the item you’d like to decorate, you can choose from a wide range of paints and brushes, and for those of us that may need a little help in the creativity department there are myriad stamps and stencils. Transfer paper can be purchased for a small fee, so if you have a specific design in mind, Jennifer can help you make it happen. After you’ve settled on a motif and color palette, you can get started. Once you’ve completed the piece, you can return approximately a week later to retrieve your pièce de résistance .

I suggest that you think about what it is you’d like to do before you get there, it makes it easier to hone in on an appropriate piece and find the colors you’re looking for. There are so many choices that it can be a little overwhelming. Jennifer’s contagious cheerfulness adds to the comfortable atmosphere, it’s easy to wile away a few hours here crafting with the contentedness that you are one gift closer to finishing off your holiday shopping list.

And, what if you love the idea of a handmade, custom designed gift but shudder at the thought of touching brush to canvas? Given enough notice, Jennifer would be happy to paint a piece to your specifications. Would you like a platter to match the dining room wallpaper or maybe an ornament that displays your granddaughter’s name? The options are endless.

Jenny’s also offers birthday party options, something city parents know we need more of. There is a separate room dedicated to hosting your child’s birthday celebration and there are a lot of fun, kid-oriented projects available.

This year, Jennifer coordinated a charity effort with a local church to give a unique opportunity to kids from lower income homes. Donations could (and still can) be made at the Clay House to make it possible for children to come in and paint a gift for their loved ones. “I think it’s important for people, especially kids, to have the opportunity to learn about giving,” Faber said.

When you’re trying to think of a perfect gift for your Secret Santa or your great aunt that has three of everything, consider stopping into Jenny’s. I can also think of a few kids that need to get out and do something over the long holiday weekend and during winter break. And when the weather is crummy or we’re all a little stir crazy, we’ll head over to Jenny’s for a little art therapy.


Jenny’s Clay House
1599 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo 14216
716.835.4386
jennysclayhouse@verizon.net