Creative Escape: Specialty Workshops During Arts in Bloom

Join us on Saturday, April 11th, for a creative escape during Arts in Bloom in Downtown McKinney. We’re offering two limited-seating workshops, each designed to give you a hands-on creative experience while the festival is happening outside.

Both workshops will be held in our party room with comfortable bench seating, away from the festival’s hustle and bustle. It’s the perfect spot to relax, create, and enjoy a focused workshop experience while still being part of the excitement of Arts in Bloom.

Choose one session—or double the fun and join us for both! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned maker, these guided sessions feature exclusive materials and techniques not available during regular studio hours.

Seating is limited to just 8 participants per session. A deposit reserves your seat and will be applied toward your balance the day of the workshop. Due to the small class size, deposits are non-refundable but transferable to another guest. If we have a waitlist, we are also happy to help fill your spot.

Reserve your place early and make this year’s Arts in Bloom weekend truly hands-on. Please allow extra time for parking since streets will be closed during the festival.

Ceramic Charm Bar

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Saturday, April 11th
$55 + tax per person
A $25 deposit reserves your seat and will be applied toward your balance the day of the workshop.

From slab to style in one creative session.

This brand new hands-on workshop invites you to design and paint your own kiln-fired ceramic charms. Modern, giftable, and completely personal, these charms begin as a clay slab and are transformed into a finished necklace, bracelet, key, or bag charm, or a set of wine charms.

These are real kiln-fired ceramics, not polymer or air-dry clay. During the workshop, you’ll cut, shape, and paint your charms. Afterward, we’ll professionally fire them and assemble your finished pieces with your choice of gold- or silver-finish hardware.

During this guided workshop, our team will walk you step-by-step through shaping your charms using miniature cutters and clay tools. You’ll then paint your designs using our glaze palette and learn how colors transform in the kiln.

Charms will be ready for pickup approximately three weeks after firing.

Here’s how it works:

• Create your charms – Start with a clay slab and cut 7 charms (or 8 if selecting the wine charm option)
• Paint your designs – Glaze your charms the same day using our studio palette
• Leave it with us – We’ll kiln-fire your pieces and professionally assemble them into your selected finished style

What’s Included:

• One clay slab
• All tools and materials
• Instruction and design guidance from our team of Creatologists
• Kiln firing and professional finishing
• Your choice of one finished style: necklace, bracelet, key or bag charm, or set of wine charms
• Gold or silver finishes available for most fittings

We’ve found that the most relaxing experience happens when you arrive with a few design ideas in mind. We suggest searching “clay charms” on Google or Pinterest before the workshop and saving a few styles that inspire you. We’ll also have inspiration photos available in the studio.

This workshop is limited to 8 seats. Advance registration is required.

Stoneware Social

1:00 – 2:30 PM | Saturday, April 11th
$38 – $46 + tax per person (depending on piece selected)
A $25 deposit reserves your seat and will be applied toward your balance the day of the workshop.

Experience stoneware like never before in this guided glazing workshop. Choose from a handcrafted stoneware beer stein, mug, or stemless wine/whiskey glass and learn how to use our newest glaze line along with stunning crystal glazes for a one-of-a-kind finish.

Participants will start with applying a colored base layer and then apply crystal glazes that melt and bloom in the kiln, creating rich and unpredictable finishes that make every piece unique.

Stoneware is high-fired, durable, and made for everyday use—safe for the oven, microwave, dishwasher, and freezer.

Whether you’re glazing for yourself or making something special to gift later, this workshop is a unique opportunity to try a specialty technique with personalized guidance.

What’s Included:

• Choice of Stoneware Stein, Mug, or Stemless Wine/Whiskey Glass
• Access to specialty glazes and crystal glazes not available during regular studio hours
• Guided instruction and technique tips from our Creatologists
• Kiln firing

Pieces will be ready for pickup after firing.

Terms and Conditions

Walls of Clay has proudly served downtown McKinney for 25+ years. Our practices, policies, and procedures are designed to ensure every guest enjoys an exceptional experience. The following terms and conditions outline the guidelines for participation in our workshops and events. By registering, you agree to these terms.

General Policies

• Non-Refundable Purchases: All purchases are non-refundable.
  • No Shows: Failure to notify us or attend the event will result in forfeiture of your payment. No refunds or credits will be provided.
• Kiln-Fired Arts Disclaimer: Due to the nature of kiln-fired art, occasional imperfections, cracks, or other unexpected outcomes may occur during the firing process. While we take every precaution, some factors are beyond our control. In the rare event your piece is damaged during firing, we will issue a credit along with our sincerest apologies.

Specialty Items

• Specialty items include techniques or materials not available during regular studio hours (e.g., themed techniques, specialty glazes, glass, and clay projects).
• Your purchase for these events is non-refundable.
• Finished items must be picked up within 30 days of notification. Unclaimed items will be donated or discarded.

Deposits

• Deposits for events are non-refundable.

Clay Hand Building Items

• Finished clay hand-building pieces must be picked up within 30 days of notification. After 30 days, unclaimed items will be donated or discarded.

Alcohol Policy (If Applicable)

• By participating in an event involving alcohol, you confirm that you are 21 years of age or older and will consume alcoholic beverages responsibly.
• Walls of Clay attendees are expected to drink responsibly and ensure they have a safe, responsible means of transportation before leaving the studio. Anyone believed to be intoxicated before entering the studio may be denied entry.
• Our team is dedicated to your safety. If we feel you are intoxicated or impaired, Walls of Clay LLC will take the following steps to ensure your safety and those around you:
  1. Seek a designated driver.
  2. If no driver is available, we will ask for the contact information of someone who can pick you up.
  3. If no one is available, we will call Uber or Lyft, your choice.
  4. If you refuse steps 1, 2, and 3, we will call 911 and let law enforcement handle the situation.

General Release

• Pictures and videos may be taken during workshops and events for use in Walls of Clay’s marketing and advertising efforts, both in print and online.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Attention

• By accepting these terms, you authorize Walls of Clay and its staff to administer general first aid for minor injuries or illnesses. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, you authorize Walls of Clay to summon emergency personnel and provide necessary medical care, including treatment by licensed professionals. You accept financial responsibility for any medical expenses incurred.

Liability Waiver

• By participating in a workshop or event, you agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Walls of Clay LLC, its employees, agents, officers, and directors from any claims, damages, or injuries arising directly or indirectly from your participation or that of a minor child.