Mississippi Mud Pottery has been around for 40 years. That is longer than most marriages in this…read moreday and age. When I shop here, I am not only supporting a local business, I am also supporting a local artist as well. That is a win-win. If any of you have shopped here and walked out without buying a single item, I want to know how you did it. I personally can always find an item or two to buy. I am either adding to my favorite pattern, Mixed Berry or I'm just buying a new random item that I just simply like. The quality of the handmade pottery is impressive and the prices are very reasonable. The staff gives a hippy vibe, which goes right along with the pottery/artist theme. Being a dog dad, I love that their show winning King Charles Spaniel, works the sales floor, like a true champion. When shopping on Broadway in downtown Alton, be sure to stop by Mississippi Mud Pottery. If you're like me, you'll walk out with one or more pieces of beautifully crafted pottery and will not regret it. The pieces can be for you or as a gift.

I just picked up yet another special request item from my favorite pottery store. Ive been shopping…read moreat this store for around 15years. The owner Chad used to let my kids play with clay and the pottery wheel when they were little. There's always a friendly dog in the store greeting customers. Any time I have an idea of something I can't find, I give them a call and they make whatever I dreamed up. This is such a special shop. I feel like family when I shop here. The quality and uniqueness of their pottery is unmatched. Here are a few pictures of my "special" order items they made for me.

When I moved to the Alton area from STL, I worried I wasn't going to find a frame shop like the one…read moreI used in the city. Those worries were wiped away after I meet, Quint and his staff. I've already had two pieces completed here and both were done beautifully. Over the years I've had a lot of sports memorabilia, vintage photos and original artwork framed, so I know it is not cheap. Especially, if you want it done right and most importantly to look good and showoff the piece you had framed. I found the pricing at Picture This & More, to be right on par with my favorite frame shop in STL. While selecting my frames, Quint pulled out a variety for me to choose from. Lucky for me, our taste were similar, so the selection process went smoothly and within my budget. The items I had framed were, a Bartenders Guide Tea Towel and a non-sports memorabilia item with an autograph of Albert Pujols. I prepped the towel for him. It was ironed, steamed and ironed again to make sure it was ready for a frame. The autograph item, I look a deep breath and trusted him to keep it safe until it was framed. The store I bought the tea towel from, has a picture of it framed on their website and I've been offered $1000 for the framed Albert autograph. So yes, I am very pleased with the framing I had done. I have a Chuck Jones that needs to be reframed and I know where I am taking it to be done.

The hours are a lie on yelp, google maps, and apple maps. Super helpful to have known before I…read moredrove out here to closed doors. Be warned!

So my adult daughter took stained glass classes here and I can't thank them enough. They are master…read morecraftspersons and so perfect at passing along their craft. Anyone who wants to learn stained glass should train here. I'm buying classes for my daughter as a Christmas present!

This great little shop offers everything you could ever want in glass. In the shop you can buy…read morestained glass windows, doors, cabinet doors, ornaments, dishes, stepping stones, and all sorts of other glass decor in a wide range of sizes, styles, and prices. They'll even design and make custom stained glass windows and wall hangings for you, and can make decorative keepsakes out of your wine bottles. They also sell glass jewelry hand-made by several local artists, and sometimes the shop owner will even set up a blow torch and make hot-glass beads right there in front of you; it's very cool to watch. I've bought several glass pendants here for my artsy wife and they are some of her favorite pieces of jewelry. This place also offers classes in making stained glass, mosaics, fused glass, and bead-making. My wife convinced me to take a glass bead-making class here with her and, although making jewelry isn't really something I had set out to do in life, I have to admit that I had a blast. It was quick to learn, fun to do, and I'm proud of the pieces that I made there. I'd recommend the bead-making class to anybody, and my wife and I definitely plan on taking more classes here in the future.

It's just sad. It's sad that Baxter's did not survive the pandemic. I am sure they gave it a good…read moretry, but they just didn't make it. Actually, what is sad is that Alton lost a family business that has been around since I was a kid. It is frustrating for a customer who is still wanting to support them, to have conflicting and confusing signage on their doors at their brick and mortar location. It is also frustrating to visit their website, which is very outdated and difficult to shop. Sad to say, I had to take my business elsewhere and I really try to shop local. When: September 10, 2021 Why: Needed 3 dozen gift bags in blue

I love all that this store has to offer. Everything you could want or need for you party or…read morecelebration, you will probably find here. Lots of themes, colors, and ideas to please. Balloons galore. They also sell adult costumes at Halloween. My biggest issue I have always had with this place is their hours. They seem to be closed at times when people need to be there the most. They are open when most are at work and busy. Makes me crazy that when I have wanted to run by or am in need of a pick up they are not open.