Alleykat Ceramics — Local services in Gulfport

Came here with my daughter who is 9 and my best friend and her two boys 3 and 7. Saw the reviews before to see if they allowed us to come in and paint and also with kids. Saw only 1 bad review, 1 4 star review, and then the rest are 5 stars. I don't know what happened to cause the 1 star but I did call alot to ask questions about what they do, if appointment needed which you don't at all walkins welcome. Was told to allow 2+ hrs to paint and they do close at 4:30. Very knowledgeable on how to paint and show you how beforehand. Was very patient with us and even myself when I couldn't make my mind up on a stone paint I wanted for a mug I spent just myself picking the paint going back and forth like 10 mins. Didn't know beforehand bc I've never done this before for food based it takes like a day to cook the mugs I wanted to do and they start them in the morning. I knew baking was required but didn't know that long just wanted to say this to give you a heads up. She even let me buy a painted mug that was made that I was making mine just like since I was here on vacation seeing my friend and leaving town in two days and not open when it would have been done to have when I go home for my husband's bday. Very grateful for that 🙏🙌. I'm saying that part bc it was something I didn't think to ask and plan for beforehand as it was a last minute thing we decided to do. My best friend is picking it up and when I see her will get them from her. Worked well with us and the kids. My daughter said I what to come back when we come back this way I said for sure. I so wish we had a place like this near us so I could do it more. Lots of prices very cheap. Was expecting to spend $60+ on just 2 pieces but I spent 58...

This shop is a ceramic lovers dream stop! I hadn't done ceramics in 30 years when I found this shop and made a trip down from Hattiesburg two months ago. The owners were wonderful. I ordered a bunch of greenware and made arrangements to come back and get it. Mary even made a point to help and save me a trip down. Then when I did go back to work on glazing, my sitter was sick and could not keep my 2 year old. They allowed me to set up a play pen in the paint room and bring her along. Of course, being a two year old, it didn't last a long time, but they were so patient with her and with me as I tried to keep her happy long enough to finish my project, lol. Naturally they asked me to keep an eye on what she was touching, why wouldn't they? After all, it IS a ceramic shop with fragile items on every shelf. I wouldn't want a two year old running around in my ceramic shop. Will I take her there again, absolutely, but not when I want to work on a project there until she is old enough to do her own. Maybe next year, lol. I couldn't ask for a more pleasant couple to work with. Mary offers great suggestions on projects, and John went out of his way to explain the differences in glazes, firings, stoneware, and ceramics. I have been back a few times since and they have my business from now on. Definately worth the drive from Hattiesburg, actually, Moselle. Besides, we LOVE the...

Worst experience for my children and myself. From the initial phone call that I made, until my arrival with my kids. We felt like we were an imposition, and were quickly told that other things were happening, so we either wouldn’t have time to paint, or we need to do it quickly. And I even called at least an hour and a half ahead of time. And then drove 30 minutes to said location. I’m fairly certain this is a husband and wife team, and no matter how much after the fact they apologized, the damage was done. I will never ever ever step foot back into that place. And I will let everybody know not to give them their business. Oh yeah, they didn’t charge us for the caterpillar, octopus, and army truck that my little ones painted as quickly as possible. I didn’t even try to paint, although I was going into this with the hopes of my Littles and I painting something together, that was shot! Believe me I would’ve rather paid as opposed to having them give us something. Kindness is all that was needed. And that was nowhere to be seen. All I can do is pray for...