Contemporary Ceramics, Ceramic cafes, or clay cafes;
Contemporary Ceramics is a comparatively new development within the retail
ceramics field, especially to the U.K where the first cafe / studios
opened around 1997. Unlike the 'Hobby Ceramic' studio based outlet, contemporary
ceramics ideally are situated within a coffee shop or cafe in a busy public
situation. People can wander in and enjoy a relaxing break from work
or shopping, whilst at the same time decorate a variety of bisque items
supplied by the cafe. Similar in concept to a 'Cyber cafe', only with ceramics!
The ready made and once fired bisque items are chosen from the samples
on display, and then simply painted with very special safe and non toxic
colours which are carefully made so that the colours are very much. W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.
(What you see is what you get, unlike some normal ceramic glazes which
sometimes change colour quite a bit when they are fired.)
The bisque blanks once decorated, are left for the cafe to simply dip in
a special clear gloss glaze and fire in their kiln, usually overnight, so
the customer can collect their brilliant shining masterpiece the following
day. It is an amazing fact how even the simplest of quite crude painted
designs can be quite transformed by the "magic" which happens in a glaze
firing.
The production of the blank bisque items are not done by the cafe owner,
but bought in ready to paint, eliminating the need to get involved with
the casting, fettling or firing of the greenware. Product arrives clean
and neatly boxed, ready for use.
The finest bisque comes from Tuscany, and includes both poured and hand
thrown ware, in both white and the rarer rich red ware.
The process is much shorter than in traditional hobby ceramics and the
customers are not required to become nearly so involved with all the many
aspects and techniques available in ceramics.
And the Money?
The ideal contemporary ceramics outlet is in a highly visual high street
cafe, easily accessable to the public, with opportunities to cash in on
passing trade, (unlike traditional Hobby Ceramic studios which trade well
in country or town suburb areas), therefore this is going to be a deal
more expensive than a conventional studio. Having said that; the potential
customer base for a contemporary cafe is enormous, the materials needed to
sustain the business are minimal, the profit margins very good, the
tuition required is minimal, (both for operator and customers), making it
a very good source of income once an operation has become established. .
Again, all the Ceramic related items are available and heavily stocked
by ourselves, (we don't sell coffee!) Bisque, colour, brushes, and kilns
are basically all that is required; plus the one absolute essential,
proper training. Far less training is needed compared to that
required for a good traditional studio, but getting that bit right
is absolutely vital for success.
Over the years, firstly in The States, and then over here in Europe,
we have seen many amazing success stories with entrepreneural contemporary
studio owners, growth faster and greater than their expectations.
We have also seen some horrendous stories.
The basic concept and process is really quite simple, BUT, and it
is a big BUT, it is very important indeed to know what you are doing. There
are plenty of purveyors of materials which may be excellent for traditional
pottery, or production ceramics, but are very wrong for this
specialised business.
Contemporary studios need safe, non toxic products, (children
and untrained people will use them)
They need compatible products, (otherwise pieces will split,
the glaze may craze, or pit).
The bisque needs to be made of exactly the right clay
body, manufactured to exactly the right temperature.
The glaze needs to be designed to exactly "fit" the
specific bisque.
The kilns need to be made to fire economically to the
required temperature, cool reasonably quickly, and be foolproof
to operate, (you may delegate sometimes to a less knowledgeable staff member,)
as well as easy to repair and service when that need does eventually
arise.
It is easy to waste a fortune on advertising and promotion,
you do need sound ideas and advice on how to achieve these ends efficiently
and economically.
We do not believe you need a restricting and expensive
franchise agreement tied round your neck from the outset.
With only plain common sense to guide you it is very easy to choose
excellent, but totally wrong for this purpose, products
from the above "needs list" Bisque which is very cheap, and crazes,
kilns which are very good, yet cost a fortune to buy, fire, and take
for ever to cool, and so on.........
We NEED to help you to success; we want a long term, trusting, reliable
relationship with our customers for our mutual long term profit
and satisfaction.
As the only U.K. official stockists who can offer
you a choice of American Mayco Stroke and Coat, Italian Hobby Colorobbia
Bisque colour and glazes and Hobbitalia Bisque, Hobby Ceramicraft have
the best possible products for your success. Add to these our
unrivalled hard earned knowledge of practical and fine ceramics, a pinch
of your entrepreneureal skills and get-up-and-go, some essential finance,
and you have the recipe for a very successful and profitable business
to fulfill the leisure and creative aspirations of todays excitement seeking
customers.
Hobby Ceramicraft can teach and supply you with
the skills and products required to establish and run your own INDEPENDENT
business, WITHOUT becoming tied to a franchise agreement which
will bleed you dry for years to come.
Our very intensive 2 day Ceramic Cafe´ training course is
absolutely crammed with invaluable advice, ideas, and practical hands
on training to get you up and running quickly and successfully; but even
more importantly, full of positive advice on how to progress and grow in
what will become a competitive marketplace.
The course fee includes a manual, practical and business training,
products and bisque used, firings, and lunches on both days.
This is a professional course for prospective business owners. We are
confident that once you have used our products you will be convinced of
their excellence, and of the viability of a Ceramic Cafe´.
By making a small fee, rather than the so called "free" training
tied to an initial purchase or a franchise agreement, we can give you
the complete freedom to walk away with no obligation if you are not absolutely
convinced that this is the business for you. Dates are scheduled frequently and with short lead times, so speak
to us now for latest information.
The next dates are again on Saturday & Sunday,
but please ring 0118 9326153 for the new 2006 course dates.
If you attend a weekend course the fee is currently
only £165 per person,
An example of the real, glazed, fired,
foodsafe and permanent pieces which can soon be acheived by ceramic
café customers with just a little help. Pictures of the boxed
bisque, and some examples of childrens work is on the Pottery Painting
Parties page, and large range of bisque, kilns, colour etc. can be found
via the Products We Sell pages. Click the owl to go back to the index page
if you wish.
For more information, and individual advice,
please contact us
