I was hanging out in the Beech Grove area today for a bit of a change of pace. I have a long…read moreweekend for Memorial Day, and I decided to try to visit some "new to me" businesses. I was wheeling on Main Street when Beech Grove Clay Works caught my eye. This is a storefront directly on Main Street. As you might guess, it's a ceramics studio. It's an adult community ceramics studio where members enjoy access to "instructional classes at all experience levels." They have as much as 40+ hours of open studio time a week - however, it's worth noting they do not offer walk-in classes or studio time. All classes are scheduled in advance, and only paid members can participate in the open studio times. There's a front gallery space, my primary interest today, where you can buy local and support indie artists. I saw everything from refrigerator magnets to kitchen wares to decor to quite a bit more. It was really quite impressive. The class and studio area is visible from the gallery, and it's also a quite impressive space. The front entryway is accessible, not always true in Beech Grove, and I was acknowledged when I entered. I believe the owner was in conversation with someone - perhaps a potential member or someone for an event - and I waited patiently for my turn while checking out the gallery. I stuck around 15-20 minutes. My turn never came. I'd grown interested in a couple items, however, I had some questions (including price, as these items were out of my reach). After waiting what felt like a reasonable time, I finally left without further acknowledgement and without a purchase. Buying local is wonderful, but that doesn't negate the requirement that you actually serve the customer. I'm actually pretty low maintenance, but if I'm not served I don't buy. Pretty simple. So, cool shop. Cool gallery. Great concept. Needs some work in the area of customer service. I may or may not be back.

Do yourself a favor and get your group to schedule a reservation to go throw some pots. Perfect…read moregirls night out. Huge plus, we were able to bring our own wine!! We had a party of 6 and each got our own wheel. Nathan gave us a tour of his cool building, gave us a brief tutorial, and we went to town. Perfect for beginners or pros!

If you are a pottery lover like me then this is place will make you feel like a kid in a candy…read morestore. They have wheels, tools, glazes, pre made ceramic pieces for relatively cheap and they offer studio time Tuesdays from 4-7pm for $15 to use the tools and glazes and offer free firing for items made during the session. I went in just to check it out and I purchased a few pieces to take home but I cant wait to take my daughter for a fun after school activity as it starts getting colder out doors.

Lots of great options. Good help - answers questions of a newbie! It's a dangerous place as they…read morehave lots of cool tools and glazes and more.

Simplify is off the normal path of the downtown Franklin area but totally worth seeking out. They…read moreoffer a variety of services including education of how to paint furniture and painting furniture for you. There are many cool home made products including sorority type paddles, corn hole sets, pillows, and vinyl custom cups. CHECK THEM OUT

Friendly staff wide variety of choices to be creative and make your own or buy what is already…read moremade. recommend that you bring your kids, parents, Neighbors and stop by

Pottery. It's not stuff you go looking for at a farmers market, but that's where I found Dancing…read morePottery. I'm not sure where or how the name came about but I can tell you this. This artist's work has danced into my family's daily life. Be it our slowly procured collection of hand crafted bowls that are as unique and beautiful as snowflakes and yet durable enough to take the daily use my children put it through. If you're a person that maybe prefers a handle on their bowls Dancing Pottery also makes these things called mugs. I have mugs that have survived a teenagers temper tantrum of having to hand wash the dishes. It's easy to say that the quality is on par with Corning Ware.Yet it is no light utterance to compare the esthetic of Rookwood, Pewabic, or Van Briggle. The pride, love, and regard that Dancing Pottery puts into every piece make my cornflakes seem rather insignificant.

If you are a woman of a certain age, and you suffer from hot flashes, I'm not sure that this is the…read moreplace for you! Aside from the extreme heat required to sculpt and blow glass, my experience here was amazing! Lauren (I'm not sure if that is how she spells her name) lead our class and she was a great teacher. She smiled the entire time and didn't mind repeating the instructions for each and every student in the class as she lead us through the process of making our very own, uniquely designed, glass paperweight. I can't wait to see how ours turned out when I pick them up in two days. I'm already looking forward to taking another class, for glass blowing this time. Hopefully, Lauren will be there again. She had great energy, which made the process feel less intimidating and very fun.

We came out to GRT for the first time for a Phoenix Theatre fundraiser in honor of our friend Keith…read moreNorwalk and what a great event! We got to tour the facility, watch Emily make an entire vase live, and even created our own little Indiana shaped ornaments The space is really, really cool, filled with tons of amazing pieces. After watching a live glass blowing demonstration, I have a new appreciation for the skill and effort it takes to make glass. Apparently they also teach lots of classes, so you can learn to blow glass too! During the event we got to mingle with the staff and owners. Greg and Cynthia are super sweet people who made us feel warm and welcome I really can't say enough good things about this place. If you're interested in glass art or even just appreciate art in general, you won't be disappointed by what you find at GRT.

Fun shop. I stopped in because I was in the neighborhood and I LOVE art. This shop carries items…read morefrom local artists and they had a really nice selection to choose from. There were many items I would easily gift to my friends and many that I wouldn't be able to give up and would have to keep for myself. They have not been in business long and are looking to expand to having some classes in house and I will certainly follow along in their journey and check those classes out! In the shop they had stickers, hanging art in various mediums both small and large, pottery pieces, jewelry, as well as fused glass pieces. If you are looking for a unique gift for a loved one then this may very well be the spot. I will certainly come back again and check out their current offerings.

This is such a cute space and has amazing products not to mention the magnificent art lining the…read morewall walls! I walked into the shop shortly after attending a market in Irvington and was astounded by the selection of goods here. From live plants to decorative night lights to queer stickers. This is probably my new favorite shop! The retail director, Justin checked me out with great energy, lots of kindness and overflowing with pride over how wonderful this space has become. They were also hosting a mending class while I was there and I cannot wait to try to attend an event there in the future. I bought a print and a plant and it was extremely affordable. There is street parking available and it's located across from the creative review store so it's a convenient block of art and art supplies.

OhMyGarsh how have I NOT reviewed my happy place yet? Let's remedy that!…read more Full disclosure, I taught myself to quilt at the start of the pandemic and having a degree in memory piece quilting from YouTubeUniversity is where I got my humble start. I then branched out and dipped my toe in to the vast quilting world and quickly discovered my love of bright colors, modern fabrics, fun patterns, quilt kits, and notions...and Crimson Tate has ALL of these things - and MORE! To say it is like my own personal Disney World would be an understatement - and if you get to see the Crimson Tate mascot (Heather herself) during your visit, your dreams DO indeed come true! Granted, the rest of the staff at Crimson Tate is ALSO amazing and lovely and a perfect kind of special so you are in for a treat regardless. But back to my review. Some may say the space is small - I say it is perfectly cozy with SO much goodness packed in to every corner. Pre-curated bundles and kits to take the guess work out? You betcha! Yardage on bolts? GOT 'EM! Fat Quarters in suitcases? CUTE! Scraps in bags tucked away in the corner armoire? YES! Needlepoint? THAT TOO! Tula, Charley Harper, Anna Maria, Ruby Star, Kaffe, even up-and-coming cool designers - allll the good stuff can be found here. Can't find what you need? Ask the staff! They are more than happy to help and they have given me amazing suggestions on several occasions. They even put up with me when I need a random CT hit and go in to just browse. Located on Mass Ave just across from Bottleworks / The Garage - you can find street parking out front or in the parking garage catty-corner from Crimson Tate. Go visit! Tell them I sent ya!

I do not know how to sew very well but my daughter wanted hand made napkins for a gift. The staff…read morewas super helpful and patient and made me feel like I could sew anything! The store is full of inspirational quilts and ideas!! So many beautiful fabrics and patterns!!!! I am motivated to become a better seamstress just to be able to buy the darling fabrics!!!

Wheel throwing class was a fun local activity in a really cool location. We enjoyed going as a…read morefamily and spent a day exploring the area afterwards. Jody the owner/ instructor was super informative and patient. We hope to go back and take another class. We had no to very little experience and ended up with two great creations each. Recommend for anyone looking for new and different staycation ideas or date night or friends day out. :). Especially fun if you enjoy discovering new activities. Make it an adventure and schedule a half or entire day in the fountain square area and/or mass ave.

My daughter had been asking to do a sculpting class. I found Get Dirty Ceramics. The classes were…read moreso reasonably-priced! We got her scheduled in advance. She went for the first time yesterday and she loved it so much she wants to go every week. We will definitely be back!