Paint and create at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano

Follow OC Moms: Find OC Moms on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ocmoms

ocmoms.com/blog.

By AUTUMN McALPIN / FOR THE REGISTER

Transforming a glob of clay into a work of art is one of those experiences in which the process is as rewarding as the finished product. Melissa Thomson, who has a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics, knows this first hand after two decades spent teaching her craft to students of all ages. Now her new San Juan Capistrano-based business, the Ceramics Studio, is providing cathartic relief to the many creators in the south county area who previously have had no access to a studio that allows the public to sink their hands into clay to mold it as well as paint it. Ben Hegewald, 10, right, admires a monster being created by Gavin McAlpin, 9, left, at a ceramics class for kids at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER	Blake McAlpin, 6, scores his clay sculpture before adding a piece as his monster creation takes shape during a ceramics class for kids at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER And she's certainly finding a faithful following. "The most surprising thing (since opening) is I have never been in a job where I've found such an overwhelming positive vibe," Thomson said. "People are always thanking me (for opening), and I've received lots of word-of-mouth business."
Ben Hegewald, 10, puts some finishing touches on his monster creation at a ceramics class for kids at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Krista DeVaul, manager and teacher at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano, gives instructions to a class for children who will be learning about ceramic sculpturing. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Sam Hegewald, 8, left, checks out what kind of monster his brother Ben, 10, is molding during a ceramics class for kids at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Alex McAlpin, 11, left, and Kate Mordock, 12, listen as a teacher at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano explains who to work with clay. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Gavin McAlpin adds pieces to make his monster a little more scary during a ceramics class for kids at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Some of the clay items that are given to kids to paint during a 1-hour story time at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Sam Hegewald works on his three-eyed monster during a ceramics class at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER As his brother Ben, 10, waits, Sam Hegewald, 8, crawls out of the Coyote Movie Den at The Ceramics Studio in San Juan Capistrano. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER		Since the Ceramics Studio opened at 11 a.m. on 11/11/11, artists of all ages have donned an apron at Thomson's place to pinch, coil, slab and wheel their pottery before turning it over to be fired in the kiln. Those who prefer to skip the clay stage are always welcome to select a ceramic piece from the front of the store to paint. A descendant of a family with roots in San Juan Capistrano since 1887, Thomson has enjoyed setting up shop in her hometown, with her family's support. She repurposed the 6-foot tall coyote that guarded her dad's hardware shop for many years to her own storefront, and enlisted his craftsman skills to create a studio with an eclectic yet soothing feel. Kimberly La Salle of San Juan Capistrano has a family membership and frequently brings her three children — Lily, 8, Archer, 6, and Ben, 4 – in to practice their respective affinities. La Salle grew up as the daughter of an artist, a kick wheel in her kitchen, and she too wants to provide her kids a more well-rounded education. "(Coming here) is a nice way for me to connect with my children," La Salle said. "Topics come up more naturally through parallel play with the pottery. ... I want my kids to have another medium for expression." You don't have to be a member to find your medium at the Ceramics Studio. Drop-in customers wishing to paint or sculpt are always welcome, and the roomy studio and gracious staff are more than accommodating. Prices range reasonably, based on the customer's desired experience. Owner Thomson currently offers unique summer experiences, including a pit-fire class for teens and adults in which pottery pieces are fired in a beach pit and colored by natural elements such as seaweed, red clay, and banana peels. Young ceramicists can also attend one of her three Mission Ceramics Camps (for ages 7 to13), two of which will be offered at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and one at her studio. Little Potters ages 3 to 6 can attend story time every Thursday at 3:30 p.m., after which a credentialed art teacher will guide the kids in recreating one of the characters from a lump of clay. If the little tykes tucker out, they'll love climbing into the studio's "Coyote Den," a cave-like tunnel beneath a craft table, where they can cozily view DVDs until their party finishes. A 2- to 3-hour birthday party includes instruction and supplies for a customized, creative experience, and a visit to the party room for food and fun. Parties start at $23 per person. Larger groups of up to 50 can rent out the entire studio, and the facility frequently hosts BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) girls' nights outs. We paid the studio a visit, and my four kids and their friends were absorbed by the "Silly Monster"-themed instructional they received before being turned loose to sculpt their own versions of goblins and ghouls. I watched them laugh and scheme as their hands got dirty and their creative souls radiated. I know we'll be returning more times than it takes to pick up our finished pieces because our entire ride home was a chorus of a child's highest approval rating: "When can we go back!?" The Ceramics Studio is located at 31879 Del Obispo Street, Suite 106, San Juan Capistrano. For reservations and information, call 949-412-9241 or go online at theceramicsstudio.com. * * * Autumn McAlpin is a local writer. She pens a weekly column for OC Moms called Cracking Up, in which she chronicles her crazy life as a mother of four. Original articles are found here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/studio-363222-ceramics-juan.html Photo Gallery: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/studio-363222-ceramics-juan.html?pic=2 More about owner/artist Melissa Thomson: http://theceramicsstudio.com/about-the-founder/who-is%20melissa-thomson-the-ceramics-studio.html Calendar of Events: http://www.theceramicsstudio.com/new%20TCS%20site/NEW-theceramicsstudio.com/The-ceramics-studio-calendar.html Class Listings: http://theceramicsstudio.com/new%20TCS%20site/NEW-theceramicsstudio.com/art%20classes%20in%20orange%20county-summer.html Party Packages: http://theceramicsstudio.com/new%20TCS%20site/NEW-theceramicsstudio.com/parties.html Prices for Drop-in Services: http://theceramicsstudio.com/new%20TCS%20site/NEW-theceramicsstudio.com/ways-to-play.html Membership Packages: http://www.theceramicsstudio.com/new%20TCS%20site/NEW-theceramicsstudio.com/memberships.html