Ceramics To Go® originated as a basement hobby for my family and soon became my family's second favorite hobby. Our first, was entertaining and cooking for our family and friends. Our "entertaining and cooking" hobby required a large number of serving platters, bowls, dishes, mugs, etc.; in various shapes and sizes; and we were always on the hunt for something new and unusual. This search would eventually lead us to what became our second favorite hobby, decorating our own ceramic pieces.

Our ceramic platters, bowls, dishes and mugs soon became the hit of every social event. Soon, we were making personalized gifts for our friends, family, teachers and coaches. Before long, we were teaching our nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends how easy it was to make their own projects.

Our basement was filled to capacity. Friends, family and neighbors of all ages would gather at our house, sip wine or sodas and paint ceramics. They would call when they needed a birthday or other special gift. Soon friends were planning parties, scout activities, classroom projects, borrowing paints, brushes and other supplies and returning to our house for firing.

Then one day, my then eleven-year old son, Michael, suggested we design a basket or package "to go" of ceramic bisque, paints, brushes, glazes, etc. that his friends could select items, pick them up, decorate them and return them to us for firing. Michael called his idea "Ceramics To Go®" which has since become our Registered Trademark.

Michael's idea was not only a hit with friends and neighbors in our community but soon we were being contacted by large corporations and schools asking that we assist them in corporate events and fundraisers. Soon, it was suggested that we open a store (We had out-grown our basement.) We did.

Our test store did well, even a little better than other Contemporary Ceramic Studios at the time mostly because of our unique "to go" concept which allowed customers to paint ceramics anytime and anywhere. Our operating cost were lower because the "to go" concept allowed us to take our little business beyond the doors of our studio. Still, something was missing. While our customers enjoyed decorating ceramics, the results (like those of other Contemporary Ceramic Studios) were often disappointing. Without an extensive understanding of the medium or training our customers were not always satisfied with the results.

Back to the drawing board . . . After years of research, trial and error, we realized that today's consumers want, expect and demand "Immediate Gratification!" Their time is limited and they want to come in, spend an hour and paint like a professional. How is this possible? Well, now it is! We developed Ceramics To Go® new patent pending Paint-between-the-Lines concept to give consumers just what they wanted.