Granada Square’s newest tenant has just opened its doors, and we couldn’t be more excited. Create Ceramics offers the unique experience of painting a ceramic artwork, while enjoying tranquil music, mouth-watering food and delicious drinks.
The range of raw ceramic pieces you can choose from is truly extensive, with everything from teapots to jars in various sizes. Simply purchase the piece you want to decorate and let your creative juices flow! Costs include everything from the ceramic piece and all paints, through to the eventual glazing process. There are various café-style meals and snacks to choose from, complimented with a barista service and an array of drinks.
Meet the owners
Create Ceramics’ owners, Wayne van Houten and his brother, Allen van Houten, have teamed up with Martin and Juliet Simon, who have over 5 years of experience in the ceramic painting industry, having launched a series of successful pottery painting cafés since 2016. Their stores in Gauteng collectively see up to 10 000 visitors per month, and every weekend is fully booked, highlighting how successful this concept is.
In this new venture, the team has designed an authentic, artistic space for all to come and enjoy.
How it works
Create Ceramics is the first of its kind in KZN. Visit the studio at Granada Square and choose from a wide range of bisque (moulded pottery items), including mugs, plates, jugs, vases and platters, as well as animals and cartoon characters that kids will love to decorate. Wayne suggests booking a morning or afternoon 2- to 3-hour session to give yourself the time and space to truly enjoy the creative experience.
Once you have finished painting your bisque, Create Ceramics glazes your piece in the on-site kiln, notifying you when your item is ready to collect – usually around 7 to 14 days.
Bisques range from R60 to R600, with most of the pieces sitting between R165 and R250. This price is all-inclusive of your pottery, paints and underglaze, and the glazing process of the item. With tons of colours to choose from and drawings, stickers, stamps and stencils to help you create a beautiful piece of art, you can unleash your creativity and design almost anything you can imagine!
Don’t forget – if you’re stuck or are unsure about the best way to decorate your piece, all the waitrons and staff are fully trained to assist you in the various techniques you could use.
Accompany your experience with a delicious drink & meal
While each session is centred on the unique pottery painting experience, this is beautifully complemented by the tranquil ambience and great food on offer.
Owner Martin Simon is an avid rugby fanatic, so it’s only natural that Create Ceramics stocks John Smit’s coffee brand, Barney’s Army. The brand was launched to support the John Smit Foundation, and all profits and proceeds go towards the charity’s many outreach initiatives. Besides that, it tastes great too!
Taking care of the food side of things, Create Ceramics’ Food and Beverage Manager, Chanelle Reddy, is an experienced chef who trained at our very own Capsicum Culinary Studio. She has designed a menu that has purposefully been kept casual, seeing classic favourites with little twists that make each meal its own special dish.
So what does the chef recommend for those looking to snack while they paint their ceramics? According to Reddy, you can’t go wrong with the chips. For an extra-crispy, rugged-style chip, Reddy and her team prepare the potatoes the night before by peeling them and soaking them in brine. The next morning, they are boiled, then fried, ensuring a crunchy outside and a soft inside.
The chips are a great accompaniment for the basil pesto chicken toasted sandwich, a popular dish amongst those who have experienced the menu for themselves. On the sweeter side of thing, try their ciabatta French toast served with berry coulis, homemade jam and cream.
And if you’re looking to add some alcoholic libation to your experience, you’re more than welcome. While Creative Ceramics’ liquor license is still pending, you are invited to bring your own wine or alcohol to enjoy while you create.
An exciting launch event
In keeping with the Create Ceramics style, the launch event was intentionally informal and casual. A private invitation was sent to various guests from the local media, hotels and businesses for an afternoon of pottery painting, snacks and drinks on Friday, 19th May 2023, giving them a first-hand, hands-on experience.
After a few speeches from the founders and owners, a small ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of the store.
“This is the first Create Ceramics store of its kind in KZN,” said Wayne van Houten, “and after months of planning and hard work we are so delighted to finally be trading. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities that exist in KZN, and are actively investing in building the local economy and bringing new and exciting experiences to this market.”
Sandra Kruger, Granada Square’s asset manager, is equally thrilled about the opening of the new store. “Our centre has transformed into an ideal destination for all shoppers looking for great food, entertainment and healthy living,” they added. “Welcoming Create Ceramics to our centre has added an eclectic feel and a unique experience for all our shoppers, and we expect people to come from far and wide to try it out for themselves.”
What’s happening at Create Ceramics
Create Ceramics also plans various themed evenings, occasionally keeping their store open until 9pm so you can paint, snack and drink into the night. Their first themed evening will be on Thursday, 1st June 2023, and will be centred around the renowned Mexican artist and activist, Frida Kahlo. Expect tacos, nachos, salsa and more!
While walk-in space may be available, we highly recommend booking your session at Create Ceramics to avoid disappointment, especially over weekends. Book online at https://createumhlanga.co.za/ or get in touch with the team at info@createumhlanga.co.za or 071 234 4927 to find out more and secure your spot.
Create Ceramics is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday to Sunday, 7:30am to 5pm. Find Create Ceramics at Granada Square, 16 Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga.