You're So Crafty

Why Art-Based Camps Are the Perfect Choice for Your Child This Spring

As spring approaches and you consider childcare options, why not explore art-based camps to keep your kids engaged, entertained, and learning? Paint-your-own pottery (PYOP) studios offer creative camps that provide an exciting blend of fun and education. These camps give children the chance to explore new materials, develop artistic skills, and socialize in a stimulating environment—all while keeping their minds active during school breaks.

The Benefits of Art-Based Camps

Art-based camps are designed to keep kids engaged through hands-on activities that promote creativity and cognitive development. From following instructions to working with others, children develop essential skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, and collaboration. These camps provide more than just fun—they help foster a child’s imagination and critical thinking in ways traditional schooling often doesn't.

Whether it’s pottery painting, working with wet clay, creating canvas art, or other exciting activities, children are exposed to a wide range of artistic experiences. By experimenting with various tools and techniques, they gain confidence, learn new skills, and step out of their comfort zones—all within a safe and supportive environment. Many camps even conclude with an art show where kids proudly display their creations, boosting their confidence and sense of achievement.

A Creative Outlet for Kids in a Time of Limited School Art Programs

In a time when many schools are cutting back on funding for art programs, studio camps provide a much-needed creative outlet for kids. These camps give children the opportunity to explore their artistic potential, try new things, and get hands-on with materials like clay and paint. And as a bonus for parents, it’s a mess you won’t have to clean up!

A Fun, Non-Competitive Environment

Art-based camps are also a great way for kids to make new friends in a relaxed and non-competitive environment. Unlike traditional sports camps or academic programs, there’s no pressure of competition or grades in art camps. Kids can focus on having fun and expressing themselves without the stress of judgment.

Give your little ones the gift of creativity, confidence, and fun this spring at your local PYOP studio. Check out our Spring Break and Summer Art Camps, as well as our After-School Art Classes in beautiful Downtown Seguin.

Unforgettable and Easy Valentine's Day Date Idea: Paint-Your-Own Pottery

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you might be feeling like all the great date ideas have already been done, or that 2024 is shaping up to be as exhausting as the past few years. If you're looking for a romantic yet low-effort way to spend quality time with your partner, look no further—paint-your-own pottery is the perfect solution!

A Unique and Relaxing Date Option

Whether you prefer an in-studio experience or the comfort of your own home, paint-your-own pottery (PYOP) offers a creative way to connect with your partner. Many local studios offer flexible options, from walk-ins to appointments. Or, if you want to stay in, grab a take-home pottery kit and enjoy creating meaningful gifts together without leaving the house.

Pottery painting is a great way to unwind and express your love in a fun, stress-free environment. You’ll not only enjoy quality time with your partner, but you’ll also walk away with a unique, handcrafted piece to cherish as a reminder of your special day. Whether you decide to create something for your home together or surprise each other with personalized gifts, this date activity is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Valentine’s Themed Pottery and Year-Round Designs

If you love Valentine’s-themed decor, most studios offer a variety of heart-adorned pottery pieces that are perfect for the holiday. From plates and mugs to figurines and keepsakes, you can create a piece that fits the occasion. Not into hearts and XO’s? No problem! With paint-your-own pottery, you can design something that fits your personal style, no matter the season.

Try a Pottery Class Together

For a truly memorable experience, consider taking a pottery class with your partner. Learning a new skill together is a great way to bond, and the best part is—someone else handles all the setup and cleanup! You’ll be free to focus on enjoying each other’s company and creating something that will remind you of the day for years to come.

Not Feeling the Romance? Bring Your Friends!

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romance. If you're not in the mood for a romantic date, why not make it a fun outing with friends? Paint-your-own pottery is just as enjoyable with your besties as it is with a partner. Organize a pottery brunch date with the girls, or grab some take-home kits for a creative party at home.

And don't forget—many paint-your-own pottery studios are BYOB, so you can sip your favorite beverage while painting!

This Valentine’s Day, skip the crowded restaurants and overdone date ideas. Try something new, creative, and meaningful with paint-your-own pottery. Whether you're celebrating with a loved one or hanging out with friends, you’ll have a blast—and a personalized keepsake to remember the day.

Use You're So Crafty and discover your new favorite date spot!

BEST LITTLE YARN CRAWL IN TEXAS - Travel Info TODAY ONLY Friday, Oct. 11

We are ALL SO READY to welcome Crawlers to The Best Little Yarn Crawl in Texas!

JUST an Important Note about traffic in #DowntownSeguin this morning. The Annual County Fair Parade will be traveling south on Austin Street starting at 10 a.m. (until around 11:30 a.m.)

We are toward the 3/4ths end of the route but right in the smack dab middle of Downtown.

SO- your choices are to avoid us first thing this morning or map your parking plans accordingly.

The street behind us is South Camp Street (it'a one-way going North, so that's tricky). You can turn off Court Street (Hwy 90) on to South Guadalupe, then turn left on Nolte and you'll come up kinda behind us. If you're coming off 123 Bypass, that's another story, because crossing Austin Street is not possible until about 11.

Because we're losing some time this morning, we'll be open a little longer tonight if we need to be.

Apologies for the annual inconvenience. ????

#ThingsToDoInSeguin #TheBestLIttleYarnCrawlinTexas2024
#thebestlittleyarncrawlintexas
#LYS

Questions about our Mont Marte Acrylic Paints?

Let’s dive into the basics of acrylic painting by answering some commonly asked questions. From the consistency of our different paints to what makes each white shade unique, we’ve got stacks of useful info to help you create with confidence. Read on to learn more!

1. Can you use acrylic paint on fabric?

Our regular Acrylic Paints can be used on most types of fabric, but they’re not machine washable. If you want a machine washable paint, we’d recommend giving our Fabric Paint Set a go which is specifically designed for use on textiles.

You can also make our acrylic paints ready for use on fabric by mixing them with Fabric Medium. This medium makes the paint dry more flexible, so it moves with the fabric and prevents flaking. Just use a 1:1 mixing ratio and you’re ready to upcycle your textiles!

Whether you’re using fabric paints or our Fabric Paint Medium, place a cloth over your designs once they’re dry and iron for 3-5 minutes at 100°C to fix. When washing, turn your garment inside out and use a gentle, cold cycle setting. This will keep the paint vibrant for longer.

2. Are acrylic paints toxic?

Our acrylic paints are not considered to be toxic. They have undergone a risk assessment and were labelled non toxic under conditions of normal use.

You can find SDS information for relevant supplies on our website product pages, or on request by getting in touch with our customer service team.

3. What do acrylic mediums do?

Art mediums can be mixed with acrylic paints to change their consistency, finish, and drying time. Mixing acrylic paint with medium increases creative freedom as you can achieve loads of different effects with one base product.

Impasto can be used to thicken your paints for defined brushstrokes and texture. It doesn’t change the hue of your paints, so the colours stay vibrant for bold impasto effects. We also have Dimension Acrylic paints that are made with an ultra-thick formula for textured results.

Try mixing Modelling Paste with your paints to create thick, pastel paints. The paste has an opaque white finish, so it transforms your paints into softer, pastel tones as they’re mixed.

For more unique effects, why not try out Sand Texture Medium? This can be mixed with your paints without changing their colour to add a coarse, grainy texture that’s perfect for creating stone-line dimension. It’s a great medium for landscape, abstract, and texture-filled artworks.

If you need to thin paint, you can try mixing acrylic paint and water or using a medium. Our Acrylic Flow Medium increases the translucency and flow of acrylic paints without losing their colour intensity. We also have Gloss and Matte Acrylic Mediums that increase paint flow for glaze washes and watercolour effects.

Acrylic paint is fast drying, but you can increase the drying time by using an Acrylic Retarder. This helps keep your paint wet for longer for smooth blending effects on the canvas.

Finally, you can mix acrylic paint with Pouring Medium so it’s ready to use for fluid art. This will increase paint flow and transparency, drying transparent so your colours stay bright. For best results, mix your acrylic paints and the medium until they reach the consistency of pouring cream.

4. How to change matte paint to gloss?

Our acrylic paints generally dry to a semi-matte finish. If you want them to dry glossy, try mixing them with a gloss medium, such as our Gel Medium Gloss or Acrylic Medium Gloss. The Gel Medium Gloss has minimal effect on your paint viscosity, improving flow and shine without thinning the paint. The Acrylic Medium Gloss thins the paints for watercolour and glaze effects, drying to a gloss finish.

You can also use our Gloss Acrylic Varnish to change the finish of your paints once they’re dry. Simply apply it with a soft taklon brush to protect, seal, and add a glossy coat to your finished artwork.

5. Can you use acrylic paint with an airbrush?

Our acrylic paints can be thinned for airbrushing; however, the opacity of the colours may be compromised. Our Satin Acrylics have the highest pigment saturation, making them the best fit for airbrushing as they will dilute the least. We recommend using acrylic paint thinner, also called acrylic airbrush paint reducer until the mixture flows like milk.

The coat from an airbrush is thin compared to paint brush strokes. To increase opacity and make your colours stronger, apply multiple coats, allowing the previous layer to dry before the next coat is applied. Continue this process until the desired opacity has been reached.

6. Can you use acrylic paint on clay?

Acrylic paints can be used on cured Polymer and Air Hardening clays. Once the clay is completely dry and hard, simply brush your paint on to add colours!

You can also mix acrylic paint into your Air Hardening clay while wet to change the colour of the clay itself. We’ve got a video you can check out to learn more about it!

7. Best surface to paint acrylic on?

For permanent acrylic paint results, it’s best to use porous surfaces such as canvas, wood, air-dried clay, plaster, cardboard, and paper. Porous surfaces help the paint pigment bind more strongly, so the colours stay for longer.

For more temporary options, try non-porous surfaces such as glass, some plastics, and metal. These smooth surfaces make it easier to clean the paint off, but we recommend test patching first to make sure the paint comes away easily.

8. What makes the best cells in acrylic pouring?

Our SuperCell Pouring Paints are premixed so creating amazing cells is made easy. They have a unique formula that forms cells when colours are layered and overlap, for unique and striking results.

If you want to mix your own pouring paints, Silicone Oil is the key to making cells. Mix a maximum or 2-3 teaspoons into 200mL of pouring paint for the best results.

9. Is acrylic paint water-resistant?

Our acrylic paint is water-resistant once dry. It’s a good idea to paint a minimum of three coats, drying between each layer, if keeping the artwork outdoors. Varnishing also adds extra protection for paint exposed to water.

10. Can you use acrylic paint on ceramic?

As ceramic surfaces are generally smooth, regular acrylic paints may struggle to bind strongly and stay fast. You can use them, but it’s best to be careful with the ceramic after painting to protect the paint. Make sure you clean the ceramic before painting with isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits, so the paints key better.

We also have a range of Ceramic Paints that are ideal for longer-lasting results. Once you apply your designs, simply bake the ceramic for 30 minutes at 140°C to fix the paint. Avoid washing for 24 hours and only wash gently by hand after that.

11. Difference between Titanium White and Chinese White?

We actually have three kinds of white in our arsenal for precise colour mixing options. Chinese White is a neutral white (not too warm and not too cool), with a slight pale green hue to it. It’s used to create pastel tones and increase opacity within a colour. It’s less opaque than Titanium White, but more opaque than Zinc White.

Titanium White is the purest white and is typically used for areas where you want extreme highlights. Generally, it’s not used for mixing because the colours will come out a little too vivid to look natural or realistic. It’s the most opaque white we offer.

Zinc White is slightly translucent and warmer than Titanium White. This makes it good for mixing as colours come out looking more natural for realistic pieces.

12. How to tell the paint opacity?

We have an opacity and lightfastness guide on our acrylic paint packaging. The moon ratings refer to the opacity. A white (empty) moon is transparent or translucent, a half-moon is semi-opaque, and a full moon is opaque.

Our star rating shows how lightfast the paint is, meaning how resistant it is to fading when exposed to sunlight. See our guide below:

Therapeutic benefits of pottery painting

The Therapeutic Benefits of PYOP

The process of painting pottery can be a relaxing and stress-relieving activity. From start to finish, paint-your-own-pottery provides a creative outlet that is low-stakes and endlessly fun. Begin by picking out

a piece, perhaps something you’ve been needing to buy for your home anyway, or something that just speaks to you. Choose your favorite colors, sketch out a design, and begin!

One great aspect of PYOP is that nearly every mistake can be undone. If you sketch something out that doesn’t look right, no need to fear! Simply smudge the graphite and begin again. It will all burn off

in the kiln, so the pencil lines are only to guide you. Pro tip: don’t use the eraser, as it will make the pottery resistant to glaze. If you make a mistake painting, glazes are water soluble and can be touched up

with a wet Q-tip or sponge. You can even use the back of a paintbrush or a thin tool to etch away paint and leave a crisp, white line around your design.

While some may be comforted by the many steps that can lead you to a polished piece, others may find it cathartic to simply paint with no plan. With PYOP, that works great! Choose your favorite

colors, grab a brush, and do whatever feels right. No matter what, it will come out shiny and vibrant.

When creating art of any sort, your mind can shift focus away from whatever might be weighing on it, and shift your energy into simply creating. When you get in the zone, time will fly by before you

notice, and your mind will clear. Designating time to focus on yourself, and to let yourself be creative, is true wellness. With PYOP, there is a tangible result in the form of a mug or a vase; every time you see

the item in your home, you’ll be reminded of your artistic capabilities, how much fun you had, etc.

Whether you have hours to spare or just one weeknight a month, we recommend carving out time for self-care and doing so with PYOP. Treat yourself to creativity, and make something that is completely

under your control from start to finish.

The Art of Glass Fusing

Have you ever heard of glass fusing? The name may sound intimidating, but it is a fairly simple technique that can be taught, perhaps even at your local paint-your-own-pottery studio - You're So Crafty! Glass fusing requires the same type of kiln as pottery, so many studios opt to offer both. Whether learning basic techniques or making specific items, this medium is a joy to learn.

Glass fusing requires beginning on a flat glass base. From there, you build up in layers, using smaller pieces of glass to make designs and patterns. The glass is run through the kiln once to fuse and can run again to add attachments or change the shape. “Draping” means placing the glass over a tall, thin metal post. This metal can withstand the kiln’s heat, and the glass drapes around it while it melts. Once the glass is removed from the post, it has dramatic folds that make dramatic sides of a bowl. (Think bowl as in a ring dish, more so than for cereal). “Slumping” refers to shaping glass with a more shallow mold, similar to draping. Frequently, slumping is done on a curved mold to make a dish whose edges curve upwards. It can also be done to add textures to the glass or melt a bottle down to a flat dish.. Glass comes in many shapes, sizes, and varieties. Some common classes using this medium include sun catchers, pendants, and lanterns.

When taking a glass fusing class, there are many steps to learn and tools to get familiar with. Scrap glass, which will make the fun, colorful pieces you use to create designs, can be cut to the exact shape you want. Marbles can be added for rounded elements, and frit, which is a sand-like glass material, can be used for layering on colors in varying opacities.

If any of this interests you, check out You're So Crafty to see your options! You can take a class or just pop in and make glass art!!
www.youresocrafty.com