The Ceramic Emporium Studio located inside Alyssa's Antique Depot (Chumuckla Highway)in Pace, Florida offers wonderful party prices! Below are the commonly asked questions.

Yes and No! The bisque and studio fees are already substantially discounted. We believe low prices and fees should be standard, and not just for groups! We sell nationwide to businesses, ceramic studios, and franchises, so we buy in bulk and pass the savings on to you. Our $4.45 pieces are sold elsewhere for $7.95 or more, the $5.95 are $9.95 up, and our $9.95 items such as plates are $12.95- $16.95 So enjoy our prices whether you are in a party- or not!

Nationwide, studios tend to discount their DAILY studio rates by a dollar or two, but that still zings people who are only attending a few hours, such as in a party. Because our studio fees are by the HOUR and not by the DAY, your cost is substantially lower. You only pay a $2.50 studio fee per person ($1.25 an hour!) so you can have great parties for $6.95 - $12.95 per person, instead of $10-$18.00 or more.

A party is reserved only when the $25 Reservation Fee (non-refundable) and a minimum $50 Merchandise Fee has been paid. (non-refundable) Party hosts MUST meet with Cathie to discuss the scheduling of the party and merchandise- she is the one who handles all reservations and merchandise. She is available during studio hours at Alyssa's.

You do NOT have to select the merchandise the day you book the party, but the minimum $50 Merchandise Fee must be paid for the slot to be reserved. If more than $50 of merchandise has been pre-selected, it must be paid for when the reservation is made. If you do not select your merchandise a minimum of two weeks prior to the party, only in-stock merchandise is available. We do not pour requests.

Once you have selected your merchandise and paid the merchandise fee, YOU OWN THE MERCHANDISE. It can not be changed- we are holding it for YOU and no one else can have it. See policies on cancelling/no shows regarding the merchandise.

Once the party begins and the number of guests is known, the Studio Fees are paid at that time. THE MERCHANDISE FEE AND STUDIO FEES ARE TWO COMPLETELY SEPARATE FEES. Hosts are usually VERY busy at the end of the party so once the guests start painting, we get you squared away with any remaining balances or credits.

A $10 store credit from your $25 Reservation Fee is applied to your total so it reduces your overall cost. (It's like giving you free Studio Fees for 4 people :) ) If you didn't spend $50 after that is deducted, credit is given with an in-store Gift Certificate valid for merchandise, good for 60 days. There are no refunds but we ensure you get your money's worth!

Summary: Paid Upfront: $25 Reservation Fee (with $10 applied as a credit toward the party total once the party is held) a minimum $50 Merchandise Fee (with a gift certificate issued for any amount not used for merchandise for the party.) Paid day of the party: $2.50 per person Studio Fee after the number of guests is known. Please note- Alyssa's will also collect sales tax on both the $75 and Studio Fees.

Party times are 10a-12p Saturdays Only
12:45p-2:45p Saturdays and Sundays
3:30p-5:30p Saturdays and Sundays
1:30-5:30pm Mon-Friday during regular studio hours. The Reservation Fee is still recommended.

Both large and small groups are welcome. Small groups are 6 - 9 people. Large groups can book ANY of the time slots; note the 12:45pm parties are reserved for large groups of 10-15 individuals. However, 12:45pm is also available to the smaller groups if it has not already been booked ten days in advance.

Paint your own pottery parties are usually booked A MINIMUM 2 weeks in advance because the figurine "party" items are handmade and require 2 weeks to craft. If you want dinnerware, it may need to be ordered and it takes at least 8 days or more. Parties are popular- don't disappoint someone by waiting until the last minute. However, do feel free to check with us to see if we're available at the last minute- we might be!

Requesting specific party pieces is a good idea- the party isn't slowed down by taking time for bisque selection. Selecting bisque the day of the party SUBSTANTIALLY eliminates painting time- it is not advisable to let party guests select their own bisque. Order ahead of time! There are specific items available for repeated pourings, or that we can order in bulk and pass along the savings to make it cost effective for you. We recommend mugs,plates, banks, figurines, trinket boxes, vehicles, trivets, bowls, garden slabs and our Party selections, just to name a few.

The studio is not closed during parties unless you have 15 people. Party guests are seated together; the general public is seated in the upper left corner.

Two hours. We are VERY strict on the start / end times if there are parties scheduled after you and at the end of the day. Parties always paint the items first so they can dry, no exceptions. We suggest allowing at least half an hour for guests to eat if you have food- but it may rush the painting time. You have a wide variety of options on where to go to EAT, but you must get your painting done in a studio- so perhaps consider doing the cake/food before or after the studio session. NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE EVER ALLOWED ON THE TABLES UNTIL ALL PAINTED ITEMS ARE REMOVED! No foods with strong odors, or staining drinks are allowed.

After the party ends, the hosts are responsible to remove all gift wrapping trash and decorations within 15 minutes if another party is scheduled immediately afterwards- they are allowed a minimum 30 minutes for setup.

When painters don't finish, the party host gets the participant (or their parent if it's a child's party) to fill out a Party Studio Card. The Party Studio Card allows the participant 14 days to come back (without a studio fee) and complete their piece-or the item is discarded without notice or compensation. If completed, it is fired, the painter is notified, and the same 14 day rule applies. Parties are held on the weekends, which is the busiest time. If other painters are waiting for the seats, they have the priority over party guests who have finished with their reserved time. After the current party guests and waiting painters have been seated, any previous party guests are welcome to stay and paint.

Yes! We don't decorate- it is totally up to the party host. Please note- NO bisque can be moved, used to anchor balloon strings, or be put in jeopardy in general. Decorations may not be attached to, or obscure any displays, bulletin boards or dry erase boards. Existing nails must be used- NO HAMMERING or inserting nails, and NO TAPING to bookcases or the wall as it causes paint removal.

We suggest streamers above the door, tying balloons to the back of chairs, a party centerpiece for the guest of honor (the smaller tables would be too crowded for centerpieces due to the water containers, brushes, glazes), balloons floating on the ceiling, etc. Unless you have the early party, you are limited to half an hour setup time or less. Party hosts are responsible to remove all decorations.

The $25 fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. Whether you receive $10 of it as a credit towards your party depends on your behavior PRIOR to the party. Be sure you understand this section before you book your party!

No Shows: No future parties will be booked, you have 14 days to pickup pre-selected bisque. Contact Cathie within 13 days (party day is Day One) via EMAIL ONLY. It must be GONE by Day 14 and no emails are accepted that day. It will not be stored at the studio. After 14 days, the merchandise will be forfeited by the party host without compensation. Hosts are not contacted/reminded of these policies. If bisque was not pre-selected, a voucher for the amount of the Merchandise Fee is available at the front counter, expiring in 14 days. (Party day is Day One.) We understand emergencies happen- however 2 weeks time is very reasonable to pick up your merchandise or arrange for someone to do it for you. We simply have no storage area to keep items which are already sold, sorry!

Changes: : Parties may be changed to another time or date by contacting the STUDIO staff. Party changes can be made at no additional cost if made 10 or more days prior to the party. Changes made 9 days or less prior to the party means the loss of the $10 credit from the Reservation Fee. There are NO refunds for inclement weather. The party will be rescheduled only if Alyssa's is closed or on a case by case basis. Only studio staff makes those decisions and they must be made BEFORE the party. Call us. Our phone number is 512-3070. IF and only if you can't reach us, call the front counter. You must still speak to US. The studio reserves the right to cancel parties OR REFUSE REPETITIVE CHANGES if the party is continually changed. Other interested parties may be told the slot is taken, and when you vacate it, we have lost business.

Cancellations: Pre-selected bisque purchasers must follow the same pickup procedures as stated in the "No Show" section with a 14 day time frame to pickup your bisque. If you did not pre-select a Merchandise Voucher is issued and valid for 30 days. (Party date is Day One) We hope you'll reschedule with us!

The studio is at the Alyssa's, Chumuckla Highway location. Meet with Cathie during studio hours (check the website, the current hours for the week are posted/kept updated) to discuss the merchandise, time slot you desire, and to pay the required fees. Again- the $75 (plus tax) MUST be paid for before the reservation is put in the reservation book. She can NOT book parties when she is in the middle of another party- her commitment is to the ongoing party.

It is the customers' responsibility to be familiar with all policies and procedures and no compensation/rebooking is offered for failure to adher to the policies stated above. We keep in touch with you so parties are a hassle free event for you!