Clay Dreams, Arlington

1.What services does your business offer and what makes your business stand out from the competition?

Clay Dreams offers pottery painting. We offer specialized pieces and products and provided superior customer service. There are several items to choose from, such as mugs and plates, figurines, banks and seasonal items. Your creations can be given as gifts for someone or can be kept as a special gift for yourself. Come in and visit us soon because at Clay Dreams we treat all our customers like family.

Clay dreams has been a family-owned business with more than 30 years of experience in the ceramic arts and has been an Arlington landmark since 1999. In our studio, you can paint a unique piece of pottery, that is food safe, can be used in the microwave and put in the dishwasher.

Our Mission at Clay Dreams is to provide our customers with a creative, relaxing environment where they are encouraged to use their imagination while painting a unique pottery piece that can be enjoyed for years to come. We will do this while providing personnel and friendly one- on- one service, all while having fun.

2. What was the inspiration to start or run this business?

Ceramics and pottery painting have been a part of Lorraine Frigoletto life since her mother started a studio in the basement of their house 40 years ago. It's now time for the next generation to continue the family’s passion for pottery painting.

3. What do you love most about your job?

When my mother decided to retire, I was offered the business. The opportunity to become the new owner of Clay Dreams was enticing but the most important part of it was being able to keep the business in the family. Being the new owner of Clay Dreams allows me to feed my passion for creativity, use my experience and skills working with customers, and most of all keeping the tradition of Clay Dreams alive.

Even after 40 years I still open the kiln and get excited and surprised to see everyone’s pieces. That feeling has never dulled even after all this time.

4. What is the best reaction you've ever gotten from a customer?

My most favorite thing to hear is from the customers that keep returning from generation to generation. To hear from adults how they had their birthday parties at Clay Dreams when they were 5 or 6 or 10 and that they have good memories from those parties. Just like the business has passed down from one generation to another, the next generation of children are coming into Clay Dreams to make more memories of their own.