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All Fired Up
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts [Edit]
3413 Connecticut Ave NW(between N Ordway St & N Porter St)
Washington, DC 20008
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park
(202) 363-9590
- Nearest Transit:
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Cleveland Park Metro Station (Red)
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sat 10 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 5:30 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
24 reviews for All Fired Up
Review Highlights
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"...to the next week when I go pick up my finished pottery." In 3 reviews -
"...can show off my creative/artistic skill here or lack there..." In 5 reviews -
"...paints and supplies, firing, studio time (even if you have..." In 3 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Shawna A.
Oreland, PA
3/1/2012
been here with family and also had a girly date here. both times were awesome--i totally dig this place bc they have little cheap things available to paint and if you get something larger and a little more pricey, hey, take days and days to get it done, same price, no difference...the staff will hook you up with whatever you need and the prices here are super straight forward. listen to some music and drink an entire bottle of wine while getting your paint on if you're inclined to do so.
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Review from Rachel G.
2/29/2012
I came here on Presidents Day with my coworkers to enjoy our time off. I've been one other time and had a blast with girlfriends so I knew this would be the perfect place to spend a few hours. We didn't think to call ahead and all their tables were full. The guy took down my phone number to call if anyone left somewhat soon. My friends and went to get some Frozen Yogurt and by the time we finished he called to let us know that we could come back. We were so excited to paint and had a great time. They also have mosaic tile projects and glass melting(?) as well. I want to try the glass next time I go. Definitely worth it if you like arts and crafts. They also have BYO nights during the week as well.
Also, the do not charge a sitting fee, the price of the piece is what you pay for being there and having them glaze and fire your pieces. -
Review from Arin C.
Washington, DC
4/19/2012
Very fun place! Helpful staff and a great setting. Had a great time and am looking forward to going back!
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Review from Kristin A.
Washington, DC
9/13/2011
I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
It's fun, creative, entertaining, soothing & the best part...it's BYOB!
I don't even consider myself artistic but I've been at least 5 times and will definitely be back. -
Review from K S.
Washington D.C., DC
7/24/2011
This place was great. Took our friend here for her birthday, and we all really enjoyed!
Come pick what you want to paint, pick your paints, and sit and do it. I love that we were not rushed at all. There are stencils and design books to help get your creative juices flowing.
They had really small pieces for like 1.50 and the most expensive thing I saw was 80 dollars. They have so many different things for you to paint. From stuff for the kitchen to the bathroom, to the office.
We went on a Saturday around 4, we made a reservation because we knew the place was small and didn't know if it would get crowded. It never got crowded, but it is kind of small in there.
All the work around the place is cool too. You have to wait a week to pick up your finished work. I may just go create something else when I go to pick up! -
Review from Monika H.
Washington, DC
7/13/2011
Happy to have this business in Cleveland Park! All Fired Up is great.... you pick your pottery piece and get down to business. You only pay the price for the piece of pottery... paint, tools and firing fees are all included in this price. I think this is a great deal in itself. And, you don't have to pay for studio time.
It's relaxing, fun and the staff are helpful. I've seen people with beer, wine and snacks and it is just a pleasant atmosphere! Definitely recommend for a relaxing morning, afternoon or evening of fabulous painting. -
Review from Zaree G.
Washington, DC
9/3/2010 ROTD 6/2/2011
Okay, full disclosure: I have 2 Very Important Painter (VIP) cards filled up, and I absolutely suck balls at crafts. I adore everything about this place.
All Fired Up has a "Ladies Night" on Thursdays from 6-9pm, where you can get 15% off any pottery of your choice. Adult beverages are allowed at any time (BYOB PYOP!!!), as are snacks. I come here with girlfriends, get a little buzz going, and let the creativity flow. Although alcohol does not lend itself to beautiful designs, it does foster a wonderful environment to engage in a little art therapy. They also have happy hour on Fridays, lunch break on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Pet Party (!!!) on Wednesdays.
The staff here is friendly and helpful. Sometimes, younger high school/college kids are running things, and they all have fantastically hip taste in music. Everyone is very willing to help you figure out techniques, offer advice, etc. However, they won't hover over you, and the general mood caters to you doing your own thing. Ask for help if you want it.
My goal in life is to make The Wall of Fame. I may have to lay off the wine if I want that to happen, though, and that's just not likely.Listed in: Cleveland Park Favorites
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Review from Foodie C.
Washington, DC
11/10/2011
Prices were obnoxious. pottery should not cost that much. Its not a practical hobby if ur charging that much. ridic so me and my cousin ended up splitting one and painting it together. this is not a kid friendly place. i was there in mid afternoon and there were girls there with wine drinking and painting.
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Review from Rohan P.
Washington, DC
9/25/2009
I'm probably one of four adults to actually have patronized "All Fired Up", and its competitive rival "Color Me Mine". They're virtually identical, except "Color Me Mine" charges you a certain price for the pottery, a painting fee, a kiln fee, etc. While "All Fired Up" charges you one flat rate. It doesn't make much of a difference, the prices came out about the same, but I suppose their system makes it simpler if math really scares you. And "All Fired Up" just happens to be down the street from me, which is why it is more likely to get my repeat business. Plus painting pottery here is fun.
Here's how it works: you show up on a day of your choice and pick out a piece you'd like to paint. (if kids really, really annoy you, you may want to go on a school day, although with this activity they are usually so quietly consumed and focused it's like someone put a sedative in their Juicy Juice) It could be a relatively blank canvas like a mug, a vase, a plate, or something more specific like an animal or person sculpture. Once you've picked a piece of pottery, you figure out a design or color scheme for it. I like to go in with a specific design in mind, so as not to waste my precious painting time in this stage. Next, you go and pick your paints from their lush and vast palette of colors. And that's it, you sit down and paint just like you're at your old Summer Enrichment Program. After you finish, they 'fire it up' in the kiln, and call you in a few days when it's ready.
The workers I dealt with were really helpful and nice. And I tend to badger them with a host of annoying questions as if they were Van Gogh or Picasso. "In your professional opinion, do you think A63 or A64 would be a better shade for the leprechaun's gold?" And "as an expert, do you think my Robot would look better eating a cupcake on top of a mountain or a skyscraper? Skyscraper right, that's what I thought."
And don't worry if you don't possess amazing artistic skill to paint photo-realistic Robots like I do. Really, just about everything looks good painted on pottery, and you can always just do a "design". And it's fun to go around the studio and comment on everyone's pieces. "Oh, I like your mug. It's very colorful." And when a little kid comes by and says "you're GOOD", it's like getting a million compliments on Yelp at once. And whomever you are making it for is guaranteed to love their unique and thoughtful gift. Unless you're dating some big jerky asshole, or your parents were always disappointed by everything you've ever done. But then, you probably have bigger issues than a pottery studio review anyway. -
Review from Dee H.
4/27/2009
Lookin for an interesting night out with someone you want to know better? Try here...
1. Scope out the bin where they have the damaged goods, there may be one worth sprucing up with some paint and it'll cost 40% less than full price. if one is not available, jus get one and you two can paint it together, of if you don't wanna be that close yet, get seperate things. the pieces range from 6 to 30 bux. Stick to the cheap ones for a cheap date.
2. Paint, chat, bring a few things to munch on like some fresh baked cookies or a sandwich while you paint.... she'll see your frugality in these tough economic times and think to herself some good thoughts about you that don't involve a stimulus plan..... y'all are in a recession remember??
3. Finish your piece let them have it for a week and you can get a second date when you go pick it up in a week, and you guys can compare Picasso notes while you interpret each other's pieces. -
Review from Alicia G.
2/25/2008
I turned 23 this weekend. This was kicked-off by sleeping in and then coming here to paint some pottery. (There were activities at Atomic Billiards later in the evening...uhh, yeah...) I had always walked by this place but I'd never actually taken some time to come in and paint. So my friend and I came in after some food-age at Spices and were promptly greeted by the AFU staff. Friendly staff members explained what to do and helped get us set up.
I picked a wavy long plate that I figured I could put tea lights on and my friend chose a medium cannister that you could use to store stuff or use as a cookie jar. They have a bunch of books as well as stencils and all sorts of things to help inspire and get the creative juices flowing. I used a small star pattern and did like 30 of them on the plate and used different shades of yellow. It took a pretty long time to paint these, actually...in fact, despite the fact that my friend's chosen piece of pottery was significantly larger than mine, we still finished about the same time because of the intricacies of all the tiny stars.
Great place to come - byob or food and just paint. There were also some kid's birthday parties goin on in the back (we were sitting in the front). My friend and I apparently can't paint and talk at the same time so we just agreed to not talk and whip out our iPods and listen to music while painting.
Pieces are available to be picked up in a week - during that week, they fire and glaze them.
They also offer classes here on some projects - one we noticed was the adult mosaic class which looked really cool. Anyway, I think I've found my new addiction (which could prove to be extremely hazardous to my bank account) - where if I'm bored on a weekend and have nothing to do, I'll just come here and paint all afternoon. It's pretty therapeutic and it gives me something to look forward to the next week when I go pick up my finished pottery!Listed in: My poor bank account..., Van Ness!
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Review from Karman L.
Boston, MA
8/19/2008 1 photo
I really enjoy this store. I can show off my creative/artistic skill here or lack there of!
I came here for my friend's birthday. I bought some "drinks" to cool us off on a hot summer day. We then picked our project (many products to pick from) then we started painting (too many colors to pick from).
I picked a teapot and teacup set...painted that sucker with like 5 different colors (inside and out!) It came out actually not too bad. After you finished painting, the store fired it up for me...you can pick it up in a week.
I like the fact that the product prices includes everything (no separate sitting cost, etc)...I also like the fact that you don't have to clean up.
Cons - they went out the paint that I used....
Pros -
- Many promotion deal - 15% off on certain day: http://www.allfiredupd...
- Location - right off the Cleveland Park metro...many parking spot on the street too.
- BYOB
- Great hang out alternative with girl friends (birthday party, bachelorette party, etc)...and you can get a product afterwardListed in: Handmade Artsy Crafty Stuff
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Review from Jordan-Marie S.
Greenville, NC
9/10/2011
I haven't actually bought anything from here before or made anything, but stumbling upon it really made me want to. There's so many things that you can make: jewelry, mugs, figurines, etc. The fun never ends. You can even make tiles, which I plan to do with friends when I get the necessary funds from my college life.
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Review from Caitlyn S.
Washington, DC
7/15/2008
I'm giving All Fired Up 4 stars instead of 5 based solely on the fact that it is not open on Tuesdays. Huh? What? People want to be crafty on Tuesdays, too.
That said, All Fired Up is something different to do with a bunch of friends besides going to dinner and drinking--although if you really want to, you can combine all three! After returning to Cleveland Park on Thursday, three friends and I got Mexican take out, a few bottles of wine (the liquor store down the street will give you cups...they know what's up), and set out painting.
The staff is very very friendly and helpful; the guidebooks and stencils will make you feel comme artiste even if you can barely draw a stick figure. Your creations are done in a week, and the rest of your friends will be envious of your crafty skillz....yes, with a "z." Definitely worth it! -
Review from Rachel P.
Arlington, VA
8/21/2008
I love this place!! it's so much fun and I think it's awesome you can bring in your own food and drink. There are tons of books and fabrics and things for design inspiration and all the glaze colors and accessories you could need.
I would give the place 5 stars except I'm with Kate B. on the employee factor - some of them are nice and helpful and fine but then some of them are, honestly, annoying and/or completely clueless. I went in recently and this one employee just would Not stop talking! Seems like if I want help or ideas, I'll ask. Otherwise I like just some peace and quiet and a little background music - please don't come over to my table and see that I'm painting some kind of flower and then, unbidden, bring me stencils! pretty insulting actually. the kind of help I wanted was some idea of how to use the glaze with the little bursting crystals in it but neither of the girls there at the time had Any idea what I was talking about. They did manage to locate it for me but had no idea how to use it.
In any case, definitely worth your time, despite some inept employees. I didn't know about the VIP program - thanks for the tip Kate! -
Review from Elizabeth A.
Washington D.C., DC
6/22/2011
Pretty cool place but the bratty college coeds who work there have soured me a bit. Fun, different, bring your own drinks!
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Review from Mamei S.
Palo Alto, CA
12/27/2008
An adorable pottery place in DC that has a great selection of pottery, colors, and knowledgeable store associates. I came for a company event, and had lots of fun - they allowed us to bring food and drinks in so we could eat and chat while we painted!
Overall I have no complaints at all, except that during the glazing and firing process my pottery got a little piece of something stuck to it, and a friend of mine had her bowl semi-broken. But out of a group of 30- or so people, that's not bad. Plus they gave my friend a free redo, which is pretty good. -
Review from Bettina S.
Redondo Beach, CA
6/23/2009
I love this place. It's great for unique gifts and expelling some creative energy with something to show for yourself. I also like that the price is all inclusive--the piece, paint, studio time, and firing--unlike other places that charge you for each aspect, so you never know how much its going to end up costing.
The pottery pieces are high quality, there is a good variety of pieces and paint colors, plus loads of idea books and technique samples. The one time I had a damaged product after kilning (hey, it happens), I received a credit and loads of apologies.
Many of the people who work there (plus the great owner Liz) are super helpful, to the point that I've seen them sketch things for people to transfer onto their pieces. They're also well-versed in the different techniques. However, they lose 1 star because on occasion I've had to listen to and wait for the staff to finish inappropriate conversations, including one girl yelling at her parents on her cell. It can make for a bit of an uncomfortable experience--take it to the back or wait until after work like the rest of us please. -
Review from Ms Nique S.
Rockville, MD
6/9/2011
Love painting pottery. I love this place. I like the one in Bethesda better though. The one in Bethesda seems a little more spacious. But either one will do for me when I need to get my painting on. :-) Make sure you check out the different discounts they offer on particular days.
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Review from Jennifer S.
Arlington, VA
9/2/2006
Pick your pottery out, paint it in the shop, leave it behind to get fired and pick it up 7 days later all shiny and pretty. This is a lot of fun. I came here once when my mother was visiting from CT and we brought a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers (there are some nights you can even bring your own CD's). We thought our respective pieces looked really good when we left (I think it was the wine), but when I returned for them a week later I was thinking that moving forward I wouldn't drink and paint ever again. Bad combination. No, actually they came out cute and were a lot of fun to make. The prices aren't super cheap, but part of what you are paying for is the experience. I highly recommend this.
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Review from Meghan G.
Washington, DC
11/16/2007
I love this place! I came here with some girlfriends, ordered some sushi take out from Spices and settled in to get crafty! The staff here makes you feel right at home, even telling you that you can go a few doors down a bring back some wine or beer to enjoy during the process. They have a wealth of inspiration books with clip art and images to help you decide what you want to paint. They even have stencils, stamps, and texturizing tools so even the least artistic souls can throw together something. They do birthday parties and classes for pottery and mosaic. Prices include pottery all paints and supplies, firing, studio time (even if you have to keep coming back to work on your piece) and they even clean up the mess for you!!!!
Listed in: Great places I can't walk to…
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Review from Kate B.
Portsmouth, NH
8/4/2008
I would love to give All Fired Up five stars, and on (m)any given day(s), I would -- but on the days when I get crummy employees, I'm inclined to give it far, far fewer. Today, I'll compromise and give it four.
I absolutely adore All Fired Up. The prices are very upfront -- pick out your blank piece from the pottery wall, prices clearly denoted, and that's all you pay. No sitting fee, no paint fee, nothing - just the cost of the piece. Stay as long as you want or as long as it takes. Bring a lunch or a bottle of wine. Ask the employees to plug your iPod in, if there aren't many other customers. Paint away, and return in a week to pick up your materials.
That said, this place has definitely got more than a few bad employees. A few of the girls who work here can usually be found huddled together at the cash register or painting at their own table, talking about wildly inappropriate topics, from getting high to making out to partying hard. They often place wildly inappropriate music, too, until some grandmother asks them to please put on something less offensive. And if you need assistance or have a question, you're likely to get an, "Umm, ahhh, let me check, uhhh, I think, um..." They often have absolutely no idea how to help, whether you're trying to sign your kid up for a class, cut glass for a mosaic or redeem a gift card -- and if they were friendlier, this might not be such an issue, but "friendly" is not the forte of a couple of these employees. More than once I've been tempted to complain to the owner. A couple of the younger female employees, especially, don't know how to help or simply won't, chattering on their cell phones & ignoring requests for assistance or responding with a lazy, unapologetic "yeah, I don't know."
Another thing -- it's petty uncommon for the folks at All Fired Up to somehow damage your piece in the firing process. Sometimes it's not incredibly obvious -- the paint smudges or a small piece chips -- but other times it's totally unsalvageable, like dropping a piece on the floor. Usually, though (unless you get a sucky employee), All Fired Up will offer you store credit in the amount of the damaged piece. You still get to take your slightly imperfect (or wholly ruined) piece home, but you also get to come back to make one that will come out the way you intended it to (hopefully).
Also, get a VIP card! For every $200 you spend (trust me, it's not that difficult), All Fired Up gives you a $20 gift card!Listed in: My Faves
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Review from M T.
Washington, DC
7/7/2008
My birthday weekend my girlfriends and I had plans to hit the pool but the weather, cloudy with a good chance of rain, was not looking good.
Solution? Pottery painting!
I'm no artist but this is an artsy activity I can handle. The staff is young and friendly and they provide all sorts of design idea books, stencils, puff paints, and different shaped sponges to help you along. I chose a small sugar bowl and my friends did a berry bowl, sushi bowl, and large mug (prices were about $16 - $23 a piece). I brought a soda with me but they also have water and juice for sale in a little fridge. About an hour or so later we finished our painting and, after initialing the bottoms, left our pieces for the week long firing and glazing process.
When I came back to pick up our pieces I found my blue and white checkerboard print sugar bowl with little cherries in the white squares on their wall of fame. I guess I'm an artist after all! -
Review from Megan H.
Oakland, CA
8/22/2007
This is a good stop for a different kind of activity in DC and thank god there is a minimal level of artistic talent necessary..cause i am not so gifted. They have figured out a way to make pottery painting relatively easy. Choose from a wide selection of unpainted pottery from small magnets, to picture frames, to mugs, plates, cookie jars and many things inbetween. There are painted tile samples on the wall to guide you in your color decisions, and bubbly staff to help you with anything you may need. All there is left to do is paint. Its actually quite relaxing and fun. I've been relatively satisfied with my finished products, a week later when I picked them up, with one exception. Last time I picked up my piece the corner was chipped and I guess the black paint smudged in transit and there was a noticeable smudge across the front which was not there when I left it. So that was sad. But all in all my projects there have been zen enducing and really its all about the experience.
