- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Alpha Fired Arts
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts [Edit]
4675 Aldona LnSacramento, CA 95841
Neighborhood: Arden-Arcade
(916) 484-4424
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat 10 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
10 reviews for Alpha Fired Arts
10 reviews in English
-
Review from Juliette T.
Sacramento, CA
9/19/2011
i started taking wheel thrown pottery classes here thru the learning exchange this past summer. i had so much fun! :)
the staff is great. everyone is pretty friendly here. this is a one stop shop for all of ur ceramic/pottery needs. u can buy clay, paint, supplies, completed art pieces and there is also a studio for painting ur own ceramics. this is more popular with the familes/kiddos.
u can rent the wheel and/or the studio room by the hour or for a day for a reasonable price. i see many women who spend hours there working on clay scuptures. its pretty cool. -
Review from Debi T.
Fairfield, CA
6/25/2011
This used to be my favorite place to buy clay and supplies. The people that worked here were always so helpful and the selection was outstanding! I got away from throwing pottery for a couple of years and just recently got back into it so I needed to restock. I been to Alpha twice in the last couple of months and on one occasion I was basically ignored. It sure wasn't the service I was used to getting at Alpha.
Previously I had taken classes at my local community college and all my pieces were fired there, but now I was going to be firing my own work. On my other recent visit to Alpha, I had some questions about using iron oxide, or slips and stains. The salesperson looked at me like I was crazy. I thought maybe I was using the wrong terminology until I went to another shop in National City while visiting family in San Diego and they knew exactly what I needed and didn't make me feel like I was stupid.
I used to recommend Alpha Fired Arts to all my artist friends, but not anymore. I've even heard similar stories from some of my friends which is why I will be checking out Clay People and Leslie's Ceramics this week. Hopefully I will have a shopping experience similar to what I used to love at Alpha. -
Review from AP N.
Davis, CA
2/15/2011
- The selection of things to paint was decent. I wish they had more.
- They offered cookies and coffee, which was nice. The mint chocolate cookies were delicious.
- Wish the employees were a bit more attentive. I had to assume to wash and clean up after I was done painting, which I would have preferred not to so since I am already paying ~$9 to paint.
- Wish all the puff paint bottles worked. -
Review from Faith C.
Sacramento, CA
5/25/2007
LOVE IT HERE. Love it.
This place far surpasses the chic-chic "Paint Your Own," overpriced pottery-painting abodes. Alpha is a bit more industrial looking, but it's because they mold and fire all of their own stuff. They have an adorable little area where you can do your painting, and a huge selection of things to paint.
And...wait, don't faint on me, maybe you should take a seat...you'll be able to afford to paint a piece of stoneware here! You won't have to give up your left arm so that you can take home an illustrated dinner plate!
This is a great place to take kids, or just go by yourself or with some friends. Alpha rocks. -
Review from Teresa F.
5/30/2010
I'm a novice clay artist and am thrilled to have a local place to buy glazes, tools, and get advice. I see that serious artists can rent space and time to work on their clay art. There's a display case of beautiful and whimsical pieces that are fun and inspiring.
The wide variety of fired pieces ready to glaze are so much fun! I love the examples they have for every piece so you can get a sense of how they might look glazed. I also love how they have many pieces glazed using a variety of the glazes they carry. It really gives you and idea of how they look when fired. The 'bad' part is that I fall in love with the look and end up buying a lot of glaze!!!
And for a little bonus, they always have delicious cookies and coffee by the door. How sweet! -
Review from rosalinda f.
Sacramento, CA
12/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
service has gone down hill a bit, but it's still a good place to go for clay, low fire glazes, painting studio, and unpainted bisque. i have an art degree, so i knew what to do, but i felt the staff should have directed things a bit more. it was a nice afternoon with the kiddo. call for most updated hours. they close for a few days around holidays. the wait for painted pieces to be fired is usally about 3 days. since we went late november, it's taking about 2+ weeks due to the holiday rush. refreshments are offered in the painting studio. the $9 painting fee included 2 pieces. they don't add the items to your invoice until you start painting the item in case you don't get around to it. i had to mill about the cash register for someone to notice i wanted to give them money. a bit annoying. i'll be back though. best retail clay selection in the area.
-
Review from Renae C.
Sacramento, CA
10/7/2010
I discovered this place through "Groupon" and I'm so glad I did! The staff was soooo helpful and patient and explained everything very thoroughly. The prices are more than reasonable, especially when you consider all of the paint and other supplies that are included. While I was searching for the perfect ceramic piece to paint they had already set up my little personal paint station ready for me to get started when I got back.
Now I want to take my niece there as I witnessed how patient they are with kiddos too. Would also be a fun place for a few hours during a "Girls Day" or something to that extent. -
Review from Kelly T.
Seaside, CA
2/23/2011
This place is awesome! Super helpful staff. Neatly organized shop. I went to buy some clay and tools. The lady that checked me out was very nice. She asked me if I was a student, and I got a discount because of that. Then she helped me load the heavy clay into my car. I will not hesitate to return for all my future ceramics purchases.
-
Review from Nichole V.
Sacramento, CA
This place has the best selection of ceramics to paint in house out of any I have been to so far. They have amazing ceramic art all over the store! The painting area is comfy and has a great selection of paints. Staff is incredibly friendly and helpful! They also have a variety of classes! I also liked how the classroom is separated from the painting area, so the noise level doesn't get out of control. Its a bit hard to find. Aldona is a tiny side street, so look carefully once you get on Auburn Blvd. They did lose a star because I was given no date or phone call when my piece would be fired and ready for pick up. Love this place though and will be going again!
-
Review from lisa s.
Sacramento, CA
6/24/2008
Took my 3 y/o there today and they were friendly, helpful and (best of all) patient with my little creative, hand-painting diva. They showed us where to choose a piece to paint and had a place set up for us in the studio by the time we were done. I don't know if the prices are cheap but it was reasonable - $7 for my daughter to sit and use as much paint as much as she wanted and then the cost for the piece. It came to $14. And when the piece is fired they will call us and let us know it's time to pick up.
They have tons of paint to buy (tons!) and they even have an area in the back where you can throw your own pieces on wheels. I think they have classes too. Best of all the bathrooms were clean and didn't make me cringe when the little had to sit down! It's the little things I guess.
Wonderful experience. I will definitely be going back.
