Are you a creative person?
I would say that I am. Well, I’m definitely creative, although I’m not very artistic. I wish I could draw or paint, or had an eye fore shapes, colors, and forms. But I gave up drawing a long time ago, since my works of… let’s not even call them art! - they just never turned out as pretty or impressive on paper as they were in my head. So maybe I just lack the talent.
But I would absolutely say I’m creative - this blog was born as an outlet for my creativity in the first place. So when I heard about Creative Space, I knew I had to try it!
Creative Space is a really great concept: it’s a cozy cafe where you can paint your own ceramics! So instead of just having a coffee and a chat, you can get creative and do something with your hands, too!
There are currently two locations in Copenhagen, one in Østerbro and one in Frederiksberg. The concept is easy. You pick your base - one of over 170 different white ceramic items -, pick your colors, order a coffee, and start painting! When you’re done, you deliver your work at the counter - it will then be glazed and burned, and you can pick up the fruit of your labor after one week.
The base ceramics they have range from the classic cups, plates, bowls, and vases in all shapes and sizes to more extravagant items, like a three-part snack bowl, those teapots with cups under them, cake stands, and even little figurines of horses, dragons, and skulls, which would be so much fun for kids to paint.
A couple of weeks ago, a friend and I decided it was time to get a bit creative, so we headed to Creative Space in Frederiksberg. You can book a table in advance (for two-hour slots), but walk-ins are also welcome.
The staff was super friendly, gave us a quick run-down of the concept, and introduced us to the different colors. There are over 80 different hues to choose from, plus tons of other equipment, like stamps, stencils, and effect colors, to make sure you can create exactly what you want!
If you’re not entirely sure what to do, there are plenty of photo books, and the walls are lined with inspirational work. Even the coffee comes in hand-painted cups!
I had decided that I was going to paint a big salad bowl, and my friend opted for a big, round-bodied vase. We selected our colors, put together our little buckets with paint brushes, cloths, sponges, and pencils, and set up our workstations.
I was going for a natural, beige color, and I wanted to create a sort of ombré effect, with the color fading from a more intense tone to a lighter hue from the bottom upwards.
One challenge is that the colors are much, much paler when you paint them than they come out after the glazing and burning. Especially with lighter tones, such as the ones I chose, it’s a bit tricky to imagine how it will turn out eventually!
After about two hours, we were happy with our results, so we signed the bottom and delivered them for glazing.
I’m wearing this lovely ring from Danish designer Pernille Corydon.
I have to admit, it was a bit of a test to have to wait an entire week for my bowl to be ready! Once we’d finished painting, I was so eager to see the final result - I’m a super impatient person! But the following week, when I got my bowl, I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out!
The staff at Creative Space was right - the colors become much more intense during the burning process. I’m also really glad I chose to paint the upper rim of the bowl as well, I think it gives a nice little contrast.
What do you think?
There’s going to be so much salad at my house from now on!
This was such a fun experience. It’s oddly fulfilling to be doing something with your hands, to feel like you’re creating something. I’m already itching to go back - I have a ton of ideas on what to paint next! I think it’ll be a set of two candle holders, or maybe a little bowl…
Have you been to Creative Space? What would you like to paint? Share in the comments below!
Creative Space | Frederiksberg: Gammel Kongevej 154, 1850 Frederiksberg | Østerbro: Kastelsvej 1, 2100 Copenhagen | Mon-Fri 11-19, Sat-Sun 10-18 | creative-space.dk
Amanda says
Great work. Watch out though creating things can become addictive but in a good way!!!
Tita Malu says
Very creative. Are you interested in decoupage as well? I’ve heard decoupage is one of Queen Marguerite’s hobbies. I hope you consider it for your future posts.
Thank you.