Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Bradbury.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband and I met in the hospitality industry here in Charleston. He had graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute and opened a restaurant on King Street. My degree was in Special Education, and I was teaching during the day and bartending at night. And that’s how we met! When the pandemic hit and the future of hospitality became insecure, we boarded up the bar and hit the drawing board. I had studied some ceramics in school, and with my passion for working with children and Pete’s skill in hospitality management, a paint-your-own pottery studio seemed like a no-brainer. We selected a location on James Island because that’s our home, and we love it! We saw a need for family-oriented entertainment here and sought to provide a place where our community (all ages and skill levels) could express their creativity. We hope Pluff Mud Pottery becomes a hub for celebrating art and togetherness!
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our first hurdle was finding funding to make our dream happen. After a couple of months of applying for loans, we found a lender and were able to start scouting locations. This was our next hurdle. Locating and negotiating our space at Riverland Market (the new Publix shopping center on Folly Road) took several months. And then comes construction. We were lucky to have a great contractor, Bohicket Construction, who was responsive, fair, and competent, but construction is construction, and unexpected little problems always pop up. Surprise plumbing requirements, mysterious gas smells, etc., etc. And then comes the business licensing requirements, another set of hoops to jump through before opening. We were relieved to finally be able to open the doors and start painting some pottery this past fall! So far, we have enjoyed meeting our community and welcoming them to our new space.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pluff Mud Pottery is a full-service paint-your-own pottery studio in James Island, SC. We are a creative space where artists (and non-artists) of all ages and skill levels can unwind and get crafty. We stock hundreds of pre-fired pottery pieces that are unfinished and ready to be painted. Each one is a blank canvas! We have items ranging from plates and mugs to figurines and lanterns. There are plenty of options for children and adults. Drop into our studio to check out our seasonal and holiday offerings; there’s always something new! Guests can paint in the studio or take items home. Once the painting is complete, our staff will glaze and fire your item, available for pickup one week later. We are open for walk-in painting from 11 am-8 pm Monday through Sunday with no reservations needed. PMP is also a great place to host a party. We can accommodate groups of 6 or more for birthdays, bachelorettes, retirement, baby shower, wedding shower, or just because! We also host team-building events and ladies’ nights out. You can also find upcoming theme nights, workshops, and pop-ups on our website at pluffmudpottery.com, or pop into the studio to pick up a calendar for the month. We are a BYOB studio, so please bring some food and beverages for a visit. We are proud of our friendly staff, excellent customer service, and comfortable atmosphere. Come in and see for yourself; you’ll be glad you did!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
While Pete and I are still very new to the Paint-your-own Pottery industry, we have been welcomed into a long-standing community of artists and small-business people. From our limited perspective, it is a very stable industry, as creativity and the need for artistic expression are timeless.
Contact Info:
- Website: pluffmudpottery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pluffmudpotterysc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PluffMudPottery
