VanGo Pottery

Happy Accidents: Making Art from Mistakes

2012-01-17T07:23:00.003-07:00

I am in the process of bringing in a new line of glaze and have been testing new colors to see if they are compatible with my current colors. During a recent round of testing, I decided to paint a salsa bowl, as one can never have too many salsa bowls. My salsa bowl was actually a drip tray from a flower pot set that was rescued from my “discard” box, because it had a small chip in it. Nothing that a few coats of paint wouldn’t cover.

After painting the salsa bowl with the new colors, I decided it needed a little more pizzazz, but I was pressed for time. What could I do quickly that would look good? A stamp would be perfect! After some consideration, I chose one of my cute frog stamps, even though it was not a particularly good stamp to use with glaze. I sponged a bit of Java Bean (yes, it looks as yummy as it sounds) on the stamp and stamped away. One-two-three- lift! Ugh! It looked nothing like a frog. It was basically a brown blob.

Now what? I couldn’t leave the sorry looking blob frog at the bottom of my salsa bowl. So I decided to have some fun and get creative. I grabbed the sponge, dipped it back into the Java Bean and sponged over what was left of the frog. Then I created a flower outline using the Sgraffito technique; a technique in which layers of color are applied to the bisque (pottery) then lightly scraped away to create an outline. In this case, I lightly scraped some of the brown to reveal the blue underneath. For the finishing touch, I added some splashes of Sour Apple.

The results? The colors are very happily cohabitating with each other and I love my new piece! Time for some chips and salsa…

Happy New Year from VanGo Pottery!

2012-01-05T13:28:00.005-07:00

Hello, friends and Happy New Year! We hope you’re as excited as we are to see what the New Year brings. As of this writing, we are happily awaiting the arrival of some new and exciting bisque pieces. Check out our Facebook page for more information on our newest arrivals: https://www.facebook.com/VanGoPottery

Back by popular demand, we will be offering clay handbuilding classes in the spring. These are 2-part classes in which students of all skill levels create a clay masterpiece during the first class and then paint the fired masterpiece during the next class. Classes are very laid back and lots of fun. We will have a schedule in place within the next few weeks; you can call the studio at 602.468.3136 or “like” our Facebook page to stay on top of the latest happenings.

As always, when you paint your own pottery with VanGo Pottery™ you never pay a studio fee. You pay only for the pottery you choose. All of the following is included in the price of your pottery:

Pottery (bisque)
Use of our paints and brushes
Use of our design tools
Staff assistance for up to 2 hours
Cleanup
Glazing and firing
Delivery of finished pieces to the party host

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy New Year! Hope to see you soon.

Peace, Love, and Pottery.

VanGo Pottery™ Offers Art Enrichment Classes

2011-09-01T10:51:00.005-07:00

VanGo Pottery offers art enrichment classes to children of all ages—from preschoolers to middle school and beyond—both during and after school programs. We also offer programs for homeschoolers!

At a recent enrichment class, we presented our preschoolers with fun, age-appropriate information about artist, Jackson Pollock. Then the children were given a pottery “canvas” (in this case, a medium size serving dish) along with a variety of paint and tools so they could paint in the action painting style of Pollock.

The children had great fun squirting, throwing, rolling, and splattering paint at their serving dishes, all the while learning about different painting styles. One child commented to his mommy at pickup, “Mom, this was really fun. I want to do this at home.” After looking at the paint-filled tables and floor, mom replied, “Well honey, this is why we do VanGo Pottery classes. So you can learn and have fun and I don’t have to clean up the mess!”

School and Childcare Facility Directors: Contact your VanGo Pottery representative at 602.468.3136 to learn more about incorporating our enrichment programs into your center.

Parents: Inquire at your child’s school to see if they offer VanGo Pottery enrichment programs.

Homeschoolers: Call us at 602.468.3136 to see how we can tailor an enrichment program to your homeschooling needs.

Invite VanGo Pottery™ to Your Next Mommy and Me Event!

2011-07-24T09:59:00.001-07:00

Hey moms, are you looking for a fun activity to do with your Mom and Me Playgroup? Then please consider a pottery painting party with the staff of VanGo Pottery™ as your hosts. We will come to the location of your choice – your home, church, park, community center, you name it! – and provide everything needed to entertain your group with pottery painting fun.

The kiddos can paint plates or other dinnerware items and then embellish them with their very own handprint. The finished pieces not only become beautiful works of art, but are precious heirlooms that can be used and treasured for years to come.

Or we can read one of your favorite stories and then paint an item related to the story. One of our favorites, “Eat Your Peas,” by Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt, is a hilarious story about a mother who tries EVERYTHING to get her daughter to eat her peas, one of which is the promise of ice cream. At the end of the story, moms and kids can get together and paint an ice cream bowl for the special occasions in their lives.

We have lots of ideas and suggestions for your group. Please call our studio at 602.468.3136 for more information.

VanGo Pottery™ Solves the Birthday Party Dilemma!

2011-04-02T14:42:00.013-07:00

Looking for something fun and creative to do at your child’s next birthday party? Then consider having a pottery painting party with VanGo Pottery! We will come to the location of your choice and provide everything you need to entertain your guests with pottery painting fun. And with the nice weather upon us, it’s the perfect time to plan an outdoor party in your backyard or at your favorite park.

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes!

One of our most popular birthday party packages allows you to choose from a huge assortment of boxes. The boxes come in a variety of shapes and are not only fun to paint, but are great for storing your child’s favorite trinkets and knick knacks. The cost is $15 - $20 per box (plus tax) and includes all of the following:

• Choice of box
• Use of our paints, glazes, and design tools
• Staff assistance for up to 2 hours
• Cleanup
• Glazing and firing
• Delivery of your finished pieces

And with no studio fees, moms and dads can help children paint their pieces at no additional charge.

For an additional fee, our staff will help the birthday child and his or her guests decorate a dinner-size birthday plate to commemorate the occasion.

For more information and to book your party, please call 602.468.3136.

Thrift Store Inspiration

2011-01-19T07:25:00.003-07:00

Recently, I was with a friend engaging in one of my favorite past times: thrift store shopping. If you’re like me, you don’t need a reason to shop in thrift stores. It’s simply fun to browse through aisle after aisle of knickknacks and whatnots that others no longer want with the goal of finding a hidden treasure at a fraction of the original cost.

During this particular outing, I came across a small ceramic goblet that caught my eye. It quickly went from merely “eye catching” to “must have.” Though the photo in this article doesn’t do it justice (I blame it on poor lighting and a crummy cell phone camera), it does provide a semblance of what my new found treasure looked like.

The goblet was quite small, only a few inches tall by a few inches wide. The colors consisted of varying shades of blues and browns with a whimsical, fish-like object on either side. It was truly a fun little piece that was worthy of shelf space on the curio in my family room.

As I was applauding myself for having found such a cute piece at such a great price—$2 during the half-off sale—my friend pointed out a chip in the goblet’s rim. It wasn’t a huge chip, but the goblet was so small that the chip became significant. Rats! I found myself trying to overlook the defect and thinking of how I could display it so that the chip would not be seen.

Just as I had convinced myself, again, that I should make the purchase, my friend took it from me and politely advised me against it. She told me I could make one myself—a better one! One with no chip. And in true friend fashion, she went on to “remind” me about my artistic abilities and talent. And with that, the decision was made. I am now in the process of making my own cute little goblet (perhaps, a series) and all it took was a little inspiration from a thrift store find and the gentle nudging of a wonderful friend.

VanGo Pottery™ is in Phoenix Business Journal!

2010-11-17T09:00:00.002-07:00

Close-up: Mom takes pottery parties on the road
Phoenix Business Journal - by Kaivan Mangouri
Date: Thursday, November 11, 2010, 2:07pm MST

Sheri Geiss was working full time and raising 9-year-old twins when she took a giant leap of faith.

The single mom wanted to spend more time with her children, so she quit her job at Anthem College in 2005 and launched VanGo Pottery LLC from her home.

Geiss uses her van to cater pottery-painting parties at schools, assisted living centers and residences. VanGo was ranked No. 119 on Startup Nation’s 2010 list of 200 Leading Moms in Business, released Oct. 11.

Geiss, who has a fine arts degree, originally wanted to purchase a studio for her business. But the cumbersome overhead helped her decide that a mobile business would give her the flexibility she wanted and enable her to spend more time with her daughters.

She now works alongside her twins — who, at 14, have become artists in their own right, she said.

“I almost had to put the brakes on, and I have to remind myself why I did this if I’m getting too busy,” Geiss said. “But the caveat to that is, now that my daughters are a little older, I’m looking into franchising.”

Competition in the area has dropped in recent years because of the recession, she said, adding her low-overhead business model now is in a prime position. She plans to expand the business within the next year.

“There’s a lot involved, and through my research and talking with people I realized that I really just need to hire people or a company to do (franchising) for me,” Geiss said.

In the meantime, she’s glad for the experience the business has given her family, including exposure to entrepreneurism.

For more: www.vangopottery.com

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2010/11/12/close-up-mom-takes-pottery-parties-on.html

VanGo Pottery™ Wins Top Honors in Mom Business Competition

2010-10-14T10:36:00.002-07:00

Phoenix, AZ – October 11, 2010– From among thousands of contestants, VanGo Pottery™ has been ranked #119 in StartupNation.com’s 2010 Leading Moms in Business competition (www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business), sponsored by Infusionsoft (www.infusionsoft.com).

Over 709,000 votes were cast in support of the 2010 contestants, reflecting immense interest and supportiveness for moms building businesses at the same time they tend to their families.

“There’s been a sea change among moms as they’ve come to realize that adding entrepreneurship to their lives brings exhilaration and immense gratification, not to mention supplemental—sometimes primary—income to their families in these dicey economic times,” says Rich Sloan, chief startupologist and co-founder of StartupNation.

“We are so grateful for our wonderful clients and friends! You make our job fun,” said owner, Sheri Geiss. The winner’s profile for VanGo Pottery™ can be found at http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business/contestant/7608/index.php.

The 2010 Leading Moms in Business ranking, conducted in collaboration with Ladies Who Launch (www.ladieswholaunch.com) and The National Association for Moms in Business (www.mibn.org), highlights some of the dominant trends, motivations and attributes among moms in business. They include:
• A great eye for providing attractive discounts, coupons, savings and value, all especially important to consumer moms of the recession era.
• A likelihood to come up with innovative products and solutions to address the challenging maze of motherhood. It’s an environment that demands resourcefulness.
• Conscience-driven business, where “doing well” is just fine, but the real rush comes from doing good.
• The attraction of being your own boss looms large for moms wanting to take control they just can’t find in a day job.
• Sustainable solutions and responsible business practices are increasingly paramount.
• Making the most of social media for business benefit is seemingly a birthright for the socially adept moms.

The full results of the 2010 Leading Moms in Business ranking are available on StartupNation’s website at http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business.

VanGo Pottery™ - Taking Environmental Responsibility Seriously

2010-08-22T17:33:00.002-07:00

A client recently commented that my paint brushes were very clean. I replied that my staff and I make it a point to keep them clean and that I still have many of the same brushes from when I started the business, five years ago. That got me thinking about how important it has been for me to reuse and recycle as often as I can.

I’ve reused the same red, plastic cups for rinsing brushes for five years. When wrapping and boxing my clients’ pottery, I reuse the packaging from supply shipments I have received. Many of the molds and design tools used in my clay handbuilding classes are throwaway household items and thrift store finds. And because the kiln uses a great deal of electricity, I coordinate my firings to be as energy-efficient as possible. In addition, several vendors have adopted “green” practices as well.

There are lots of little things we, at VanGo Pottery, do on a daily basis to reuse, recycle, and eliminate waste. And we will continue to look for ways to incorporate sustainable practices into our business model. I am proud to be a part of the global movement to make environmentally responsible choices.

VanGo Pottery™ is ON FIRE!

2010-08-14T07:42:00.006-07:00

Pardon the pun, but we are on fire!

VanGo Pottery™ is a contestant in the 2010 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition, a competition that recognizes mom-owned businesses nationwide:

“Everybody knows one. Like a super hero, she balances running a family with the heroics of running her own business. We’re talking about moms in business, of course. And now, StartupNation is conducting its second annual ranking of these astonishing entrepreneurs and the businesses they run.

But, how do we know who’s the best of the best? We’re leaving that in part to you. Over the next few [weeks], it’ll be your daily votes that determine the top 200 Leading Moms in Business. In addition our judges will determine special awards and accolades for moms within the top 200 who deserve special recognition.”

Please help VanGo Pottery™ place in the top 200 Mom-owned businesses by voting here:

http://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-in-business/contestant/7608/index.php

You can vote once a day, every day, but voting ends August 31, 2010. Thank you for your support!

VanGo Pottery™ is Now on Facebook!

2010-06-20T08:05:00.008-07:00

It’s been a busy year for us at VanGo Pottery™ and we are grateful to all our wonderful clients that have kept us busy. You can stay on top of the latest happenings at VanGo Pottery™ by becoming a fan on Facebook.

To connect with us on Facebook, please click the "VanGo Pottery on Facebook" link in the upper right corner, in the green Link List box.

Process Art

2010-05-08T08:27:00.003-07:00

Lots of great things have been happening at VanGo Pottery™ since my last post. In addition to working with our regular clients, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with many new groups, including Girl Scout troupes, church groups, mom’s groups, business groups, and school groups. It’s always great fun watching people come together to make art. It seems that no matter what is going on in the outside world, given the opportunity to create, most people are transformed to a place of calm and ingenuity. Walls come down and barriers are broken.

This month, children in our preschool classes had the opportunity to learn about tile art and mosaics. We studied several tile muralists and then the kiddos got busy creating their own tile masterpieces. They sketched out several designs, developed their own color palettes, and then painted their tiles. Once completed, the tiles were affixed to a beautiful wooden tray, to be used for serving special meals to the special people in their lives.

The tile project, and most all of my projects focus on the process rather than the end product. Because learning styles are as unique as the child (or grown-up), I let the student be my guide. Where more attention is needed, more attention is given and vice-versa. Through trial and error (and a little guidance), the student discovers his or her own process and builds confidence to pursue the next project. How can the end result be anything less than spectacular?!

Until next time, Peace, Love, and Pottery!

April, 2010 Art History / Pottery Classes for Middle School - High School Students

2010-03-07T07:48:00.007-07:00

Overview: Have you ever struggled with coming up with ideas for creating new art? One approach is to borrow ideas from other artists and then mix those ideas with your own to create something new. In this project, you will research the life and work of an artist of choice (past or present). You will then create and paint a clay tile that combines something you learned from studying your chosen artist’s work with your own style. Completed tiles will be glazed and fired and then mounted in a wooden frame that can be used as a trivet or hung on the wall.

Research: Prior to the first studio class, students should select an artist that they would like to learn more about. They should research their chosen artist using the Internet and other local sources, paying special attention to the subjects, style, and influences in the artist’s work. They should write a short, 1-page synopsis of what they learned, especially with regard to style and technique, as these will be key to creating the tile project. Students should come to the first class prepared to discuss what they learned.

Studio Time: Studio time will consist of three sessions of varying lengths. Our cozy home studio is located near the SR51 and Thomas Road in Phoenix, AZ.

Session 1 – 2.5 hours: (Wednesday, April 7, 2:00 – 4:30) During the first studio session, we will discuss each student’s artist and then students will sketch the tile’s design. Students will then make the tile out of clay, based on their design.

Session 2 – 2 hours: (Wednesday, April 21, 2:00 – 4:00) During the second studio session, students will reassess their original design and then paint their tile, based on the original design and any new modifications.

Session 3 – 1.5 hours: (Wednesday, April 28, 2:00 – 3:30) During the third studio session, the completed (framed) tiles will be returned to students to be critiqued by the group. Students will then create an artist’s statement discussing what their work is about and how it reflects what they learned through studying their artist’s work. (Note: At the start of class, students will be given guidelines for constructive critiquing and creating an artist’s statement.)

Cost: The cost is $40 and includes all class/studio time, materials, and firings. Payment is requested at the first class.

Registration: Please contact us with any questions and/or to register – 602.468.3136 or contact@VanGoPottery.com. The deadline for registration is March 22, 2010 and seating is limited.

VanGo Pottery™ offers Ceramics Classes at our Phoenix, AZ Studio!

2010-02-09T06:53:00.002-07:00

We, at VanGo Pottery,™ love playing with clay. There’s nothing like having a ball of clay in your hands and forming it into something amazing and beautiful. And while there is plenty of great equipment available to help with your pottery making adventure, using just your hands a few basic tools can produce beautiful works of art with a purpose.

Three basic handbuilding techniques are pinch, coil, and slab. Utilizing one or a combination of these techniques can yield awesome results. In slab construction, start with a ball of clay and use a rolling pin to roll the clay out onto a flat, canvas-covered surface. Roll in several directions to achieve uniform thickness in the clay. Once your slab is the desired thickness, cut out shapes as needed to construct your piece.

One of our favorite projects is the soda can birdhouse, inspired by our friends at Mayco (www.Maycocolors.com). Using a soda can (or any can of a similar shape and size), wrap a freshly rolled and cut slab around the can. Join the ends together using a coil and slurry. Cut a circular shape from the slab (the size of the can opening) to affix to the bottom. Cut leaf shapes and attach to the top for the roof. Cut an opening in any shape for the bird to enter the birdhouse and make a small hole with a pencil under the opening for a perch. Once the clay has been fired, the birdhouse can be painted and fired again. Use a stick for the perch and hang outside with cord or wire.

We are excited about our class offerings held at our cozy home studio, located in Phoenix, Az. We also have programs for homeschoolers at your location or ours. Hours vary and studio visits are by appointment. Please call us today to learn more about our classes: 602.468.3136.

VanGo Pottery™ teams with Make-A-Wish

2009-09-27T06:27:00.002-07:00

We recently got together with the families and staff of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® for a day of pottery painting fun. Participants painted star-shaped dishes and ornaments to present to Wish donors and sponsors. It was a great day of painting, creativity, and fun!

The mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, is to “…grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.” They have been granting wishes since 1980.

We are inspired by the wonderful work they are doing and hope you will be, too. To learm more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® or how you can share the power of a wish,® check out their website: http://www.wish.org/.

Decorate Your Home with Unique Plates

2009-09-09T15:39:00.006-07:00

At VanGo Pottery,™ we love painting dinnerware items, especially plates. Painting plates is not only a fun, creative way to express yourself, but the finished pieces become functional works of art. We love using our wares for eating and serving at home and at dinner parties. However, plates don’t have to be reserved solely for utilitarian purposes: use them to decorate your bedroom, living room, and any other unexpected place.

When decorating with plates, there are several ways to create the look you want. Choose plates with unusual colors and contemporary designs to make a bold statement. Juxtapose old and new by hanging contemporary style plates with classic furniture to create an eclectic look. Hanging your plates directly above a unique piece of furniture, such as a teacart, helps to highlight the plates. Grouping similarly colored plates in a unique arrangement can make quite a statement. A white wall allows dishes to pop without competing for attention, but a colored wall works too, as long as the hues are complementary.

Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired to look for new and creative ways to display plates in your home. And, instead of spending hours and hours (and tons of money) looking for unique plates to complement your design, why not paint your own set of plates? Call our studio today to schedule a plate painting party with your friends. We have lots of sizes and shapes from which to choose. The possibilities are endless…

Thank you for your designs and inspiration:
http://www.sunset.com
http://www.countryliving.com
http://www.decorpad.com
http://www.toastandtables.blogspot.com

Invite VanGo Pottery™ to Your Next Mommy and Me Event!

2009-07-29T16:18:00.004-07:00

Let VanGo Pottery™ Help You Put the Fun in Fundraising!

2009-04-04T19:52:00.004-07:00

Are you looking for a fun, unique way to raise money for your organization? Then consider hiring VanGo Pottery™ to help you with your fundraising efforts. Preschool directors, we can help you and your kids paint pottery pieces and turn little fingerprints and handprints into a variety of animals and creatures. The finished masterpieces can then be auctioned off with the “prize” going to the highest bidder.

Tile walls are a great way to beautify your school, place of worship, playground, or office. Family members and friends can purchase and paint tiles to be affixed to a wall or decorative frame in a mosaic fashion. This is a great way to bring your community together while having fun and raising money.

Our everyday low prices make it easy for you to reach and surpass your fundraising goals. And we provide friendly, helpful staff at no additional charge. Call our studio at 602.468.3136 to discuss fundraising ideas and learn how VanGo Pottery™ can help you with your fundraising adventure!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors with VanGo Pottery™

2009-01-15T10:31:00.003-07:00

One of my favorite reasons for living in the greater Metropolitan Phoenix area is our fabulous “winters.” While some people complain that Phoenix doesn’t have seasons, I’ll take my sunny, temperatures-in-the-mid-70s winter days over shoveling snow any day!

With the nice weather upon us, it’s time to start planning those outdoor parties. You pick the location—your backyard, the park, etc.— and provide the tables and chairs and VanGo Pottery™ will do the rest. We will show up at the location of your choice (indoors or out) and provide everything you need to entertain your guests with pottery painting fun. This is a fun, creative, all-ages activity that’s great for any occasion or no occasion at all. Call our studio today and we can begin planning your Great Outdoors Pottery Party!

Happy Thanksgiving from VanGo Pottery™

2008-11-04T07:33:00.005-07:00

Wow, it’s been 3 months since my last post! Like most people, we at VanGo Pottery have been very busy and will continue being busy through this holiday season. With that, I would like to say that I’m thankful for being busy—it means business is good! I would also like to thank our wonderful clients for the opportunity to serve them, especially during these difficult economic times. It seems many are in need of a healthy reprieve from all that is going on these days.

During the month of November, a favorite preschool project is creating turkey handprint plates. Using our rim dinner plate, along with the child’s handprint and imagination, children create their very own personalized Thanksgiving Plates. We like to ask the children what they are thankful for, so we can write it on their plates. One of my favorite responses was, “I’m thankful for Rainbows and Fruit Loops.” Leave it to a 3-year-old to tell it like it is—it puts a smile on my face every time.

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

VanGo Pottery™ Offers Art Enrichment Classes

2008-08-04T16:06:00.005-07:00

VanGo Pottery offers art enrichment classes to children of all ages—from preschoolers to middle school and beyond. At a recent class, we presented our preschoolers with fun, age-appropriate information about artist, Jackson Pollock. Then the children were given a pottery “canvas” (in this case, a medium size serving dish) along with a variety of paint and tools so they could paint in the action painting style of Pollock.

The children had great fun squirting, throwing, rolling, and splattering paint at their serving dishes, all the while learning about different painting styles. One child commented to his mother at pickup, “Mommy, this was really fun. I want to do this at home.” After looking at the paint-filled tables and floor, mom replied, “Well honey, this is why we do VanGo Pottery classes. So you can learn and have fun and I don’t have to clean up the mess!”

Spice Up Your next Bridal or Baby Shower with VanGo Pottery™

2008-07-26T10:23:00.004-07:00

Bridal and baby showers are a great way to honor and support Moms- and Brides-to-be. But let’s face it, sometimes the usual shower games are not so fun and are often the dreaded part of the festivities.

Why not break away from the shower routine and offer your guests a fun, unique activity—pottery painting! And with the help of your friends at VanGo Pottery™ we can bring the fun and creativity of a pottery studio to you.

Bridal shower guests can paint dinnerware or home décor items in the Guest of Honor’s favorite colors. Baby shower guests can paint trinkets for the baby’s room. Or, how about matching mom and baby tea sets. The possibilities are endless and much more fun than guessing mommy’s tummy size. Less embarrassing, too.

So put away the diaper pins and tape measurer and call VanGo Pottery at 602.468.3136. We have tons of ideas to help make your next shower extraordinary!

Happy Employees are Productive Employees!

2008-07-16T07:37:00.004-07:00

It’s no secret that happy employees are productive employees and are less likely to take unscheduled days off. That said, why not show your employees your appreciation by hosting a pottery painting event at your workplace.

VanGo Pottery™ will come to your place of business (or other favorite venue) and provide everything you and your employees need for an afternoon of fun. We offer several teambuilding projects that will help build camaraderie and strengthen the team dynamic. Sometimes simply having fun and sharing a common experience are perfect for groups and teams.

Call VanGo Pottery™ at 602.468.3136 to learn more about our teambuilding activities.

VanGo Pottery brings Pottery Painting Fun to the Children of KinderCare

2008-06-28T07:21:00.005-07:00

We recently had the pleasure of working with the staff and children of several KinderCare centers located in the west valley. Let me say, I was very impressed! The centers were exceptionally clean and well stocked with educational and fun goodies for the kids. The teachers were professional and interacted well with the children, which probably had a lot to do with why the children were so well-behaved.

We provided the pottery, paints, design tools, and guidance, while the children brought their imaginations and creativity. The children—preschool and school-aged—had a great time creating their beautiful masterpieces and now have priceless family “heirlooms” that can be used and treasured forever.

Save Money on Gas AND Have Fun: Leave the Driving to VanGo Pottery!

2008-06-16T07:40:00.009-07:00

With the cost of gas continually on the rise, many of us are opting to cut back on entertainment expenses as a way to save money. VanGo Pottery™ provides a way for you to save money on gas AND have some fun!

When you host a party or event at your home or favorite venue, VanGo Pottery™ will bring all the fun and excitement of a pottery studio to you. We provide everything you need: a variety of pottery pieces; a huge selection of paints and glazes; design tools; staff assistance; and glazing and firing. What’s more, we deliver the finished pieces to you and we never charge a studio fee! Please contact our studio or visit our website for more information.

Custom Pottery Pieces from VanGo Pottery™

2008-05-03T08:26:00.004-07:00

So, you want a unique gift for a friend or relative, but you just don’t have the time (or patience) to paint that special something for that special someone? Why not hire the talented artists of VanGo Pottery to create a one-of-a-kind gift for you. Under your direction, we will create the perfect gift to commemorate that special occasion. This is a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, wedding/baby showers, holidays, you name it! The cost is $25/hour plus the cost of the pottery piece(s) you select. Please call our studio for more information: 602.468.3136.

VanGo Pottery™ Offers Senior Enrichment Workshops

2008-03-18T09:07:00.005-07:00

At VanGo Pottery, our belief is that expression through art is not only a wonderful outlet for creativity, but is also a great way to keep the mind engaged and stimulated, no matter what your age. As a result, we created a program that brings the fun of pottery painting and clay building to senior centers and retirement communities throughout the valley. Here is just a small sampling of what some of our clients have said about our program:

As a Dementia/Alzheimers community we offer a variety of activities that can stimulate our residents’ abilities. VanGo Pottery, with Sheri has been a true blessing to Huger Mercy Living Center. So many of our residents who say they cannot paint or do crafts come alive when they look at their projects. The families are also impressed with their loved one's projects. They are amazed at the retained or newly created abilities through the VanGo Pottery program! We love Sheri and her wonderful daughters for making sure that they always put our residents’ needs at the top of their list with easy instructions, calm attitudes, patience, and a loving and gracious spirit of giving. Thanks, Sheri for placing smiles on our residents faces every time you come!

Virginia Enriquez
Huger Mercy Living Center
Activity Coordinator

For the past two years, Sheri Geiss of VanGo Pottery, has been facilitating a "Pots, Paint & Clay" workshop twice a month at the JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment in Phoenix. She has a caring and wonderful way of relating to the participants and encourages them in their creativity and self-expression. Sheri provides unfinished pottery pieces or clay, and all other materials and firing necessary to create a beautiful finished product that each person can be proud of. The smiles on the faces of the workshop participants tell it all!

Bunny Shuch, Program Manager

JFCS Center for Senior Enrichment

VanGo Pottery™ Solves the Birthday Party Entertainment Dilemma!

2008-02-24T10:31:00.015-07:00

Looking for something fun and different to do at your child’s next birthday party? Then consider having a pottery painting party with VanGo Pottery™! We will come to the location of your choice and provide everything you need to entertain your guests with pottery painting fun. And with spring right around the corner, it is the perfect time of year to plan an outdoor party in your backyard or at your favorite park.

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes!
One of our most popular birthday party packages allows you to choose from a huge assortment of boxes. The boxes come in a variety of shapes and are not only fun to paint, but are great for storing your child’s favorite trinkets and knick knacks. The cost is $15 - $20 per box (plus tax) and includes all of the following:

· Choice of box
· Extensive use of our paints, glazes, and design tools
· Staff assistance for up to 2 hours
· Cleanup
· Glazing and firing
· Delivery of your finished pieces

And with no studio fees, moms and dads can help children paint their pieces at no additional charge. For more information and to book your party, please call 602.468.3136.

VanGo Pottery Sponsors St. Mary’s Food Bank Empty Bowls Event

2008-02-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is not new news, but since I just started the VanGo Pottery Blog, I thought I’d share some “old news” with you. In September of 2007, we had the opportunity to co-sponsor the first annual St. Mary’s Food Bank Empty Bowls event. On September 13th, we, along with several local VIPs and celebrities, showed up at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix for a day of pottery painting fun. Each painter chose their favorite shaped bowl, and let their creativity be their guide. Once all the bowls were painted, we took them to our studio to be glazed and fired. On October 19th, 2007, the bowls were auctioned off at the Flagstaff Mall with the proceeds benefiting the Food Bank in Flagstaff.

Some of the celebrities we had the pleasure of working with included: 3TV’s (http://www.azfamily.com/) Suzanne Bissett, Scott Pasmore, and Dan Davis; KPHO CBS 5’s (http://www.kpho.com/index.html) Diana Sullivan; as well as Arizona icon Pat McMahon (http://news.ktar.com/?sid=616174&nid=244), and Roger Clyne of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (http://www.azpeacemakers.com/).

Everyone had a great time creating their masterpieces and the fundraiser was a wonderful success.

Welcome to the VanGo Pottery Blog!

2008-01-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is our very first blog. Please check back often to find out what's happening at VanGo Pottery in Phoenix, AZ. Check out our website: http://www.vangopottery.com/.