Color Me Mine — Local services in Orange

I’ve been to Color Me Mine several times over the years and have completed many projects here. I’ve even brought friends, colleagues and family along because it’s usually a fun and creative experience. I have also recommended this business to families at the local preschool I run. Unfortunately, this most recent visit left me incredibly disappointed and unlikely to return or recommend.

I had chosen one of the more expensive pieces in the store, a $45 snail that I was planning to display on my plant stand, and was being very intentional with my design. I wasn’t just splattering paint for fun. I used mixed colors and lace to create layered prints and textures that I was really proud of.

More than halfway through the project, a young staff member accidentally spilled a full tray of paint across my piece while delivering refills. The paint also spilled on my phone, shoes and clothing (I did not notice the paint on my shoes or clothes until I returned home). I know mistakes happen. I wasn’t angry, but I calmly explained that I didn’t think it was fair to pay full price for something I’d put so much time and effort into, only for it to be ruined by an error I didn’t cause.

Instead of acknowledging the impact or offering any kind of discount, she shrugged it off and said, “these things sometimes happen.” I found that really dismissive and disappointing, especially as a returning customer who’s supported this business many times.

This experience wasn’t just about the money. It was about the lack of accountability and care for customers who are investing both time and creativity into their work. I hope this feedback leads to better handling of these situations in the future because it’s really disheartening to walk away from a place I’ve enjoyed for so long feeling dismissed and undervalued.

(Photo is before I began painting and to show proof we were there. The transaction can be found under my partner’s name not mine.)

Update:

The owner reached out to me directly after I posted this review, which I genuinely appreciated. However, I want to clarify that some of the details they were given were not accurate. The employee did not mention speaking to a manager or offer that as an option. She was cold and dismissive, which is what made the situation so upsetting.

The issue was never just the accident. It was the way it was handled. I’ve had great experiences here in the past.

I have changed my rating of the business based on the response of management. It does not reflect my experience at the time. My intention was never to hurt the business. I’ve always loved this space. I just hoped for a little accountability...

I’ve been to Color Me Mine several times with my partner, family, and friends, and have even brought students from the local preschool that my partner runs, because it’s usually a creative and welcoming space. Unfortunately, our most recent visit left us feeling really disappointed.

My partner chose the last large snail in the studio (a $45 piece) and put a lot of time and intention into the design, using mixed colors and lace to create layered textures. The piece was more than halfway finished when a staff member accidentally spilled a full tray of paint all over it, and also got paint on my partner’s phone, shoes, and outfit.

The only suggestion offered was to wash it off and start over, but we had already been there for quite a while and their mom and I were nearly finished with our own pieces. My partner ended up just sitting there, unable to continue.

What made the situation worse was how it was handled. There was no real apology, no discount, and no effort to acknowledge how upsetting it was. The staff barely looked at us for the rest of our visit and seemed completely unaware of how disheartening the experience had been.

We understand that accidents happen, but the lack of accountability and care was really disappointing, especially considering how often we’ve supported this business. We really hope this is addressed, because we’ve always loved coming here and would like to feel good about returning...

I came here with my little sister as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Since they don't take reservations, we finally got in in the middle of a day on a Thursday after trying to go on two separate weekends and hearing they were full. I'm not sure why there are no reservations. It seems like a very appropriate place for them.

Was seated when we came in and told to pick out a piece and wait for further instruction. We waited 45 minutes before I finally approached the front desk and asked when we'd receive our paints. They have to pour the paint for you so we literally couldn't do anything. During these 45 minutes I watched the staff hang out and chat in the back and restock the ceramic merchandise that no one was touching. What about the customers? We were walked by and ignored multiple times.

Finally got the paints and had an okay experience after that, but the staff made it very clear they did not want to be bothered. They would never check in on us and ask if we needed refills on paints. My little sister found it anxiety-inducing to ask for more because the staff was so clearly uninterested in helping us. It was bad for her self-esteem.

The painting is fun and merchandise is good, but the staff at a place like that should be way warmer, approachable...