Paint ceramics to your heart's content: As you wish

Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta

Being creative is often the best way to banish boredom. To tap into your creative energy, step into the As You Wish ceramic- painting studio for a fun way to spend an afternoon.

You can feel free to come up with some personalized creations for loved ones this gift-giving season with the nice collection of gifts to choose from or you could design your own dinner set.

Once you give your creativity a workout, you can bring home your work.

"As You Wish is set up as an alternative recreational place. It focuses more on education, but at the same time it also provides entertainment," said studio owner Vonny Liando.

"Painting ceramics is not only a hobby. Painting as an art can relieve our boredom, stress and strains of life, too. This activity can stimulate the inner capacity of a child to explore, by blending colors and drawing. It can improve one's patience and concentration, too. Both motor and sensory functions are affected as well, which is particularly good for children. They can also develop their creativity by decorating the bisque."

In some countries, like Canada and the U.S., besides paying for the bisque (unpainted pottery), customers have to pay a studio fee and an additional charge for each hour of painting time. The fee usually ranges from US$4 to $10 per hour, which covers the costs for paint, glazing and firing.

But at As You Wish, customers are spared the studio fee.

Painting time depends on several factors, such as the bisque form, the choice of design and method, the artist's skills and level of experience.

"Most people usually take between one and two hours to complete a ceramic," Vonny said.

At As You Wish, brushes and paints are available for free and visitors only pay for the bisque, which includes all the required materials and the cost of glazing and firing. The price for bisques ranges from Rp 30,000 (US$3.40) to Rp 1 million. All paint and bisques at As You Wish are non-toxic and imported from the U.S.

The studio stocks a wide range of ready-to-decorate bisques, from various cute figurines to big mugs. The best-selling items at the studio are basic home pottery pieces, such as plates, cups and mugs.

A little snowman (Rp 35,000), Santa Claus (Rp 250,000) and Christmas tree (small-sized: Rp 181,500 and medium: Rp 350,000) are among the festive bisque decorations available to celebrate Christmas.

Alternatively, you could decorate a plain tile (Rp 50,000) or a cup (Rp 70,000) with Christmas images to your heart's content. Christmas stencils of popular seasonal images, such as fancy Christmas trees, are also available.

If you've never painted before or not the arty type, you can depend on the friendly staff who are there to guide you through the entire process. Pictures are drawn onto the bisque with pencil, as the lines burn off during the firing. Eraser can easily remove any unwanted markings.

If you can't sketch snowmen or Santa Claus, you can either trace the image or use a stenciling technique. You could also try your hand at a sponging method, or combine all these techniques together. Next comes painting the bisque with the colors of your choice, and there are about 100 available to choose from.

Once your piece is finished, the studio will put on a food- safe glaze, and then fire it in the kiln. The finishing glaze will give your ceramic a glossy texture and add a touch of glamour to your work of art. Once the piece is glazed and fired, it will be ovenproof and even microwave safe. Your masterpiece will be ready in seven days. In case you're in a hurry, you're welcome to return another day to finish painting your pottery without paying any additional fees.

You can also put a price tag on your masterpiece and leave it at As You Wish. If someone buys your ceramic, you receive the full payment, as the studio does not take off any commission fees on the pieces you sell.

As You Wish also offers alternative birthday parties for youngsters. Children are sure to enjoy a chance to be creative in a new hands-on activity, in addition to having fun with their friends. As You Wish also makes house calls, too. With a minimum purchase price of Rp 1 million worth of bisque, staff members will come to your house, along with all the necessary materials.

Office employees, executives and professionals needing relaxation often visit As You Wish as well.

Brigita Soekardjono, an employee at Lufthansa Airline, is one of them.

"Basically, I enjoy painting. I think it's better if I spend my free time here rather than doing useless things. I can create unique and exclusive Christmas gifts with a very personal touch," said Brigita, who found the studio accidentally while she was browsing in Sogo, Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta.

The location, she said, is strategic as it is not far from her office on Jl. Jend. Sudirman.

If you want to create a personalized gift or you need an afternoon distraction, the studio is a nice refreshing spot to unwind. In their ceramic-painting studio, you can paint to your heart's content, as you wish.

As You Wish

Kem Chicks Supermarket, 1st floor; Jl. Kemang Raya No. 3-5, South Jakarta; Tel: 7179-3284; Opening hours: 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily

Sogo Plaza Senayan, 5th floor; Jl. Asia Afrika, Central Jakarta; Tel: 579-00055 ext. 519/520; Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily