Paint ceramics to your heart's content: As you wish<\/p>\n
Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Being creative is often the best way to banish boredom. To tap
\ninto your creative energy, step into the As You Wish ceramic-
\npainting studio for a fun way to spend an afternoon.<\/p>\n
You can feel free to come up with some personalized creations
\nfor loved ones this gift-giving season with the nice collection
\nof gifts to choose from or you could design your own dinner set.<\/p>\n
Once you give your creativity a workout, you can bring home
\nyour work.<\/p>\n
\"As You Wish is set up as an alternative recreational place.
\nIt focuses more on education, but at the same time it also
\nprovides entertainment,\" said studio owner Vonny Liando.<\/p>\n
\"Painting ceramics is not only a hobby. Painting as an art can
\nrelieve our boredom, stress and strains of life, too. This
\nactivity can stimulate the inner capacity of a child to explore,
\nby blending colors and drawing. It can improve one's patience and
\nconcentration, too. Both motor and sensory functions are affected
\nas well, which is particularly good for children. They can also
\ndevelop their creativity by decorating the bisque.\"<\/p>\n
In some countries, like Canada and the U.S., besides paying
\nfor the bisque (unpainted pottery), customers have to pay a
\nstudio fee and an additional charge for each hour of painting
\ntime. The fee usually ranges from US$4 to $10 per hour, which
\ncovers the costs for paint, glazing and firing.<\/p>\n
But at As You Wish, customers are spared the studio fee.<\/p>\n
Painting time depends on several factors, such as the bisque
\nform, the choice of design and method, the artist's skills and
\nlevel of experience.<\/p>\n
\"Most people usually take between one and two hours to
\ncomplete a ceramic,\" Vonny said.<\/p>\n
At As You Wish, brushes and paints are available for free and
\nvisitors only pay for the bisque, which includes all the required
\nmaterials and the cost of glazing and firing. The price for
\nbisques ranges from Rp 30,000 (US$3.40) to Rp 1 million. All
\npaint and bisques at As You Wish are non-toxic and imported from
\nthe U.S.<\/p>\n
The studio stocks a wide range of ready-to-decorate bisques,
\nfrom various cute figurines to big mugs. The best-selling items
\nat the studio are basic home pottery pieces, such as plates, cups
\nand mugs.<\/p>\n
A little snowman (Rp 35,000), Santa Claus (Rp 250,000) and
\nChristmas tree (small-sized: Rp 181,500 and medium: Rp 350,000)
\nare among the festive bisque decorations available to celebrate
\nChristmas.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, you could decorate a plain tile (Rp 50,000) or
\na cup (Rp 70,000) with Christmas images to your heart's content.
\nChristmas stencils of popular seasonal images, such as fancy
\nChristmas trees, are also available.<\/p>\n
If you've never painted before or not the arty type, you can
\ndepend on the friendly staff who are there to guide you through
\nthe entire process. Pictures are drawn onto the bisque with
\npencil, as the lines burn off during the firing. Eraser can
\neasily remove any unwanted markings.<\/p>\n
If you can't sketch snowmen or Santa Claus, you can either
\ntrace the image or use a stenciling technique. You could also try
\nyour hand at a sponging method, or combine all these techniques
\ntogether. Next comes painting the bisque with the colors of your
\nchoice, and there are about 100 available to choose from.<\/p>\n
Once your piece is finished, the studio will put on a food-
\nsafe glaze, and then fire it in the kiln. The finishing glaze
\nwill give your ceramic a glossy texture and add a touch of
\nglamour to your work of art. Once the piece is glazed and fired,
\nit will be ovenproof and even microwave safe. Your masterpiece
\nwill be ready in seven days. In case you're in a hurry, you're
\nwelcome to return another day to finish painting your pottery
\nwithout paying any additional fees.<\/p>\n
You can also put a price tag on your masterpiece and leave it
\nat As You Wish. If someone buys your ceramic, you receive the
\nfull payment, as the studio does not take off any commission fees
\non the pieces you sell.<\/p>\n
As You Wish also offers alternative birthday parties for
\nyoungsters. Children are sure to enjoy a chance to be creative in
\na new hands-on activity, in addition to having fun with their
\nfriends. As You Wish also makes house calls, too. With a minimum
\npurchase price of Rp 1 million worth of bisque, staff members
\nwill come to your house, along with all the necessary materials.<\/p>\n
Office employees, executives and professionals needing
\nrelaxation often visit As You Wish as well.<\/p>\n
Brigita Soekardjono, an employee at Lufthansa Airline, is one
\nof them.<\/p>\n
\"Basically, I enjoy painting. I think it's better if I spend
\nmy free time here rather than doing useless things. I can create
\nunique and exclusive Christmas gifts with a very personal touch,\"
\nsaid Brigita, who found the studio accidentally while she was
\nbrowsing in Sogo, Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The location, she said, is strategic as it is not far from her
\noffice on Jl. Jend. Sudirman.<\/p>\n
If you want to create a personalized gift or you need an
\nafternoon distraction, the studio is a nice refreshing spot to
\nunwind. In their ceramic-painting studio, you can paint to your
\nheart's content, as you wish.<\/p>\n
As You Wish<\/p>\n
Kem Chicks Supermarket, 1st floor; Jl. Kemang Raya No. 3-5,
\nSouth Jakarta; Tel: 7179-3284; Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30
\np.m. daily<\/p>\n
Sogo Plaza Senayan, 5th floor; Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta;
\nTel: 579-00055 ext. 519\/520; Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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