Great afternoon activity. Great for kids and adults in relaxed environment with lots of paint and glitter and decorative options.

What a fun shop. Attended a children's party here a few weeks back and the kids had a great time. My daughter wants her party here next. The staff was so sweet and helpful. Azalea made my daughter feel special and I am so appreciate of that. Thank you to your staff. read more

We had so much fun during our session today! The best part is that if you mess it up you can just cover it in glitter! There's no way anyone can not feel like a little girl again here. We had a great time painting and covering our projects in ALL.THE.GLITTER. read more

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Our group gathered at Mermaid factory for an event during our sorority reunion. Vanessa and Crystal were fabulous guides as we designed our mermaids. The place was so inviting and Vanessa and Crystal were incredibly helpful and patient. We had a great time and I love my mermaid! read more

I'm a horrible crafter who loves to craft. I start something, buy all the things for it, plan it all out, then move on to another craft/interest before I finish the craft that I started/bought materials for. This is why activities like the Mermaid Factory are perfect for me. They give you everything you could possibly need. From a rainbow of paint colors to glitter to seashells. You don't have to buy any extra materials "just in case" you might want to take your craft in a different direction. You can plan it all out or make decisions on the fly. I recommend making reservations if you plan to come on the weekend since it is an excellent place for birthday parties. I'd imagine smaller groups would be fine as walk-ins on weeknights, but since you get discounts starting at 6 or 8 people, you might as well bring everyone and make a reservation. You start off by gathering your group (you need to have everyone there to be seated.) They will let you pick a mermaid or dolphin. They also have larger wall mermaids and sometimes a unique limited-time creature available if you've been here a few times and want to mix it up. During my most recent visit, they had a few sea turtles. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for any limited edition creatures. Then you take your paint palette and pick out any color your heart desires, or all of them if your heart desires many many colors. You go back and paint your dolphin/mermaid. You can also grab some complimentary wine to get your creativity flowing. When the paint is dry, you can add glitter or sand (included in the price) or head over to the rock and accessory wall and pick out some things to bedazzle your creation. I opted for shiny rocks. They will give you a small cup for $1 and access to Elmer's glue and a hot glue gun. The hot glue gun station was a little crowded, but everyone was friendly, patient, and open to sharing the space during my visit. You can even add a tutu to your mermaid if that's your style. Our time went by so quickly as we painted, glued, and chatted the afternoon away. It took our group of 6 about an hour and a half to finish all of our designs. If you have younger kids that need more guidance, I'd plan for extra time closer to two or maybe even two and a half hours. The staff was friendly, although they seemed a little overwhelmed on a busy Saturday, and I suspect they could have benefited from an extra person helping them out. They were literally running back and forth at one point but still maintained excellent customer service. Great way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends! read more

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Attended Mermaid Factory for a birthday party. It was such a fun concept to have a kids birthday party here. The kids can't paint, be creative and eat cake. It was best of both worlds. There were a huge section of paint, decorative add-on and glitter. It really catered to the creativity of little kids. We really enjoyed our time here. Will definitely look into throwing a party here for my daughter too. read more

Mermaid Factory - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The staff is so nice. You can paint whatever you want and you have no restrictions! The only thing is it can get a little expensive. Other than that it was a wonderful experience. 10/10 recommend! read more

This review is for the "To Go" kits they are offering right now. It is technically my kids Spring Break this week. They have been at home quarantined for weeks and they were sad they were going to be stuck at home for their Spring Break. I decided to try and come up with fun things for them to at home. I saw these kits on their website and thought these would be perfect! I ordered them online. You choose which model you want to paint, choose 8 different colors, and any add-ons you might want. They call you when it is ready. It was packaged nicely in a box with everything in it. There were instructions and it comes with one free paint brush. I purchased an extra brush kit for $5. I recommend that. It helped to have different size brushes to use. My kids has a great time painting them and they turned out super cute! read more

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This was a great experience!! We were a group of 6 and made a reservation. However, the night we went wasn't busy at all. There was one guy working and he explained exactly how the painting would go. Basically you can pick either a mermaid or a dolphin and pick from tons of colors to paint them! They also have ribbons, buttons, glitter, sand, glass an tons of other things to really make your mermaid unique. The paint dries REALLY fast too which is nice and different than other painting things I've done. They give you wine too if you are of age which makes for a fun time. Once everyone in your party is done they mount them on the stands and put them in a special box that fits the mermaid perfect! I would definitely recommend this as a fun group activity or date for two. It was relaxing and leaves you with a beautiful piece to decorate with. read more

Mermaid Factory - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Cute place, fun times! Went in w my daughters for a little girl time. Sales person was very sweet, showed us to clean well organized workspace. Made sure to explain everything to us including all of the available supplies and accessories. Our mermaid came out amazing! When we left, the sales person made sure to box each one up securely so we could get them home without damage. Only suggestion I would give is maybe complimentary water or wine (wine comes w purchase but not water). Definitely recommend this place! Cute idea for date nights, girls nights, family time, etc. read more

Mermaid Factory - Final products! - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

"There are a million fish in the sea but I am a mermaid" Did you know that the Hampton Roads region was ranked as one of the most least creative/artistic cities in the nation? That is why I am thankful for small, local stores like the Mermaid Factory. They bring a creative outlet to the area that is definitely unique! I purchased a few gift certificates as Christmas gifts this past year and finally made it out to make one myself. Not knowing reservations are encouraged, we luckily we were able to get in right away. The store is absolutely precious! Upon arrival, you are able to select from a Mermaid or a Dolphin. Next step is to choose your paint colors and embellishments. They even have glitter, shells and tutus available for an additional small cost. They even have wine for purchase (wink, wink) I took it to the next level and made a Pinterest board ahead of time so that I could have some inspiration going in. I was inspired by a Lilly Pulitzer pattern that I saw and use that as my motif. It turned out amazing and couldn't be happier with my craft considering paint is not my medium. Heck, I was so proud of my mermaid I posted it on Instagram, Yelp, Facebook and now she lives on my office desk! Overall I would allot about 2 hours and about $35 for the project. Chloe was very helpful and made selecting colors a breeze. I highly recommend the Mermaid Factory for a party or small get together. My girl friends loved the experience and already want to make more mermaids! Shop local and support the arts! XO read more

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Awesome spot. I've been twice to the Mermaid Factory, both times to this VA Beach location on Laskin; I've yet to try the Norfolk location. No complaints from me for this place! I love their logo - the "M" is a mermaid tail, how fun! As soon I entered the first time, I was in awe - it's so pretty. The place is beach-y, shabby chic-y, and full of pretty mermaids! There's a cube shelf as soon as you enter, where you can find an array of pre-made creations, which are for sale, and can which also be used for inspiration when creating your own. The basic cost for the standard sized mermaid is $25 - it includes the mermaid, base/stand, all the paint you need, and glitter. After you've painted your mermaid, added glitter and/or sand, and would like to add some extra details, then you could head on over to the wall where the "extras" are - you choose your own embellishments, which have different prices and range from ten cents to a dollar. They have sea shells, mini sunglasses, mini wine bottles, various little colored rocks, little glittered starfish, so many things, even tulle, which is used for little skirts for your creation(s). This particular location gives you the option of decorating a mermaid or dolphin, which is neat. The girls working at this location (Jenn & Chloe) are nice and helpful. They'll give you thorough instructions, help you if you need it - answer questions, match a particular paint color, etc. They'll also check up on you throughout the process to see if you need assistance with anything. It was so fun for me that I've already been twice in two months! I do plan on going back again, I already have a mermaid in mind. Pretty soon I'll have a huge collection. lol. You can also have a birthday party here, or come for a special event such as a bridal shower or bachelorette party; it's definitely cool and different. You definitely need to make arrangements with the staff ahead of time. I might even celebrate my birthday here with a bunch of girlfriends. When I post pictures of the place & my creations on facebook or instagram, many of my out-of-town friends say, "When I come to Va Beach, you gotta take me there." So I guess that means my mermaid collection will keep growing. :) Not only can you create your own stuff here, but you can also purchase some to-go kits, and create them at your home. You can also choose different sizes of mermaids, and of course the prices will vary. There's a huge selection of gifts as well, all mermaid and beach-y themed. Awesome place - I am definitely a fan. I suggest it to anyone and everyone; fun for all ages. Best bet is to make reservation; definitely call ahead. Happy decorating!!! read more

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It was a rainy Saturday and all I wanted to do was craft! So I picked up one of those "To Go" kits that are available at the Mermaid Factory, and it was the best idea. I picked up the Mermaid kit, which includes 8 colors of your choosing, which can include colored glitter, and one paint brush. It even came with directions on how to paint your mermaid and what paint to use first. It was super easy to fill out the Google Form (from their facebook) and then it was ready 3 hours later! Other To Go kit options include a sea turtle, dolphin, or sea shell. I love the Mermaid Factory and I can't wait to go back in the studio and create some more fun decor! read more

What a fantastic experience! My boyfriend and I decided to come here for our anniversary this year and absolutely loved it! The two people working were very helpful and obviously wanted us to enjoy. We decided to paint mermaids (we could also paint dolphins) and were able to choose all of our colors and accessories. After painting, they put our mermaids on the stands for us and asked if we wanted our picture taken! The best part- each mermaid was only $25! Everything included (besides a few extra pieces you can add) and two glasses of wine! read more

We have been to the mermaid factory several times before. We have had birthday parties at the factory on Laskin Road. Yesterday I came in the shop at about 1230. There were four other groups of individuals painting. The young lady who was perfectly pleasant behind the counter said that they were booked solid and we would not be able to paint until 3 o'clock because we did not have a reservation. My question is if reservations are required shouldn't that be written on the door rather than recommended? The second question I would then have is if you're taking reservations at 12 o'clock and you are telling me when I walk in the door that you give three hours for each group to paint then shouldn't you have had a full room of painters? I would have thought that perhaps they were expecting people at 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock however the way the reservation book looked, it was three tables set up for 12 o'clock and then when she flipped to the next page it showed for reservations for the 3 o'clock. I know without counting that the room itself has about 15 tables. So anyway we canceled our reservations for today because we would rather go somewhere else for the time being and maybe in the off-season we will go but it most likely won't be this summer. read more

Came here for the first time last night and I had the best time! The concept of painting your own "Norfolk mermaid" is so original! They recommend you make a reservation so you can have plenty of time to work on your masterpiece. Also plan on it taking about 2 hours because there's so many options and colors to choose from it's so overwhelming at first, you'll take at least 30 minutes thinking about what you want your mermaid to look like. We had a great time painting and making our mermaids pretty! The lady working was super helpful and very attentive to everyone in the shop at the time. She offered ideas and some tips for painting and glittering. My friend and it love our mermaids and can't wait to come back with a bigger group of friends. read more

Mermaid Factory - Our finished products! Mine is in the back, my friend's in in the front. - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Went there for a team outing for work and was such a fun experience! Staff was prepared and very informative! Multiple options to paint but the team went with the mermaid option. Creative evening out and would do again! read more

Mermaid Factory - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Mermaid factory is a great place to paint and decorate your choice of a mermaid, dolphin, or a special piece that is chosen monthly. It's fun with a group of friends as there's room for everyone it spread out but close enough to chat and socialize while you create your art! read more

We had a great girl's night out for my daughters graduation with out of town family ages 18 to 60 years young . This was my second time at the VB location. Love the variety they have available to be creative and examples to get you started. The young lady helping us was very professional and Pleasant. The 2 glasses of wine with an adult purchase where a nice surprise. You have to make a reservation. I will definitely return to make a dolphin in the near future. read more

Mermaid Factory - Making memories with family is always fun - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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FABULOUS experience! When my mom was coming to town to visit, I knew it was time to try out the new Mermaid Factory at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, so we went with my two adult daughters. Although they have plenty of items to shop for and beautiful pre-made mermaids you can purchase (average $45), the real fun is in making your own mermaid or dolphin ($25)! The staff will guide your choices to create the perfect mermaid for YOU. And there are SO many choices - from plain & simple to glittery glamor queens and superheroes to wild fun! These make a great souvenir and you may find yourself addicted to these little beauties. It is especially enjoyable to make these with a group - family, ladies night out, birthday party, etc. Be sure to allow at least two hours to make your creation - more if you are with a fun or boisterous group - and call ahead to make a reservation, as it can get pretty busy. Check out the gallery on their website www.mermaidfactory.com or pinterest for ideas before going, but be warned - it will make your head spin! LOL. Of course, you can alway get the Mermaid-To-Go kit ($25) if you are short on time, but I encourage you to carve out a couple of hours to make yours at the studio, as it really is a great experience! Oh, and bring a camera for some amusing selfies! read more

My niece was visiting from AZ and it was rainy so this was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. She was amazed by the selection and chose the 3 baby mermaids to give to her nieces for their birthdays. Her "creative self" really came out and she did some interesting designs with ambered hair and wild colors! I chose a star fish and went with the design of the one on display except different colors. The employee was extremely helpful and gave great suggestions. We had a relaxing time and loved our finished products. read more

This was so much fun! Great time with my 6 year old, my sister, and my mom. Loved this experience! Staff very friendly and helpful! Highly recommend! read more

Mermaid Factory - So Much Fun! Loved this experience! Staff very friendly and helpful! Highly recommend! - Paint & Sip Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Took my sister here while she was in town visiting as something fun to do. We had a blast and spent about 3 hours designing the perfect mermaid to take home. They had a wonderful assortment of paints, glitters, and other accessories you can glue onto your mermaid to your hearts desire. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was because the staff was rude. When we walked in (completely empty on a Wednesday) she seemed like she didn't have time for us. The lady seemed very annoyed by us throughout the entire time, but she did answer our questions as needed. Definitely a must do especially for tourists! read more

Love it every time I take a visiting tourist there! Such a fun inexpensive way to spend a few hrs with lasting memories. Thank you for being a part of Va Beach & Norfolk. read more

This place is simple and adorable. Perfect for taking a little girl to paint her very own mermaid! ‍ read more

Stopped by today and was really surprised they have a design your own arts and craft for mermaids and dolphins. Staff was friendly and helpful. I looks a few things and notice some can be a little pricey. However they have a good selection of mermaids and dolphins stuff and you can find some cool things in this store. You just have to look around. Definitely recommend this place to those who want to create something to remember or people who love mermaids and dolphins n read more

Awesome experience! My daughter and niece say it's there favorite new place to go. Staff is extremely helpful even though it was busy, they did whatever to help. I wanna come back and do my own. read more

The location, atmosphere, and painting experience were great but the service and attitude of the manager and her associate brought the rating down to two stars. Not very willing to help, inattentive, and didn't seem to thrilled to be there. Nothing like the multiple awesome experiences we've had at the Norfolk location. Sent two out of town friends there thinking we were just hit them an off day but their experience with the service was equally poor. Will stick with Norfolk location, thanks. read more

My daughter and I had a great time painting and decorating our mermaids!! The staff was awesome!!

I wanted to Personally thank the Mermaid Factory and their excellent customer service. I received a beautiful pewter Mermaid bracelet for my 60 birthday in July. The bracelet broke, and Ali offered the best customer service, the Mermaid factory replaced the bracelet. I trully love my gift, and will highly recommend this shop to fellow Mermaid lovers. Thanks from this Feisty Mermaid Karen Joy read more

I would give the experience 5 stars because it is fun, relaxing and creative; if it weren't for the service. First of all, their website says that they close at 9 pm but they let you know they will close at 8:30 pm to clean. I understand that cleaning takes time, but shouldn't it be done after they close? Or maybe the site should say they close at 8:30? And they really start cleaning and rushing you around 8pm; which made us really stressed out. Another thing is that they ask if you need help but they are actually not very willing to help even for simple things like glue. And then there are the "rules": "if you take a color, bring it right back" (although there are at least 5 tubes of the same color and you're the only person there), or "We can give only 1 glitter color to you at a time". Things like these really made a fun experience turn into a stressful, "will we be able to finish on time" kind of experience. read more