Chic Spotlight: Bare 2 Brilliant

Get creative with family and friends at a Bare 2 Brilliant pottery party.

Cincy Chic: Who launched Bare 2 Brilliant and when did the business get started?
Christina Yockey, Founder of Bare 2 Brilliant, LLC: I founded Bare 2 Brilliant with my former colleague Jenny McKnight. We wanted to try something new and different from the everyday corporate grind. we also wanted to enjoy each and every day doing something creative and help others to do the same. In addition to creativity, our business is built on the principles that we hold most dear: family, friendship and love. We hope to inspire others to have fun and to release their inner creative genius.
Bare 2 Brilliant was officially launched on December 7, 2013. We had a Holiday Launch Party at Frederick’s Family Center in White Oak where we had a great turnout of 95 people. We plan on making this an annual Holiday open house party where people can come and paint.

Cincy Chic: Tell us how Bare 2 Brilliant works!
Yockey: First, you pic the party and once it’s scheduled you can select the piece(s) of unfinished, bare pottery (bisque) that you would like to paint. We bring the materials to the party host’s home or other location of choice. We provide everything – bisque, paint, brushes, stamps, stencils, aprons, table drop cloths and even coaching. You don’t have to be an experienced artist to paint pottery and we can show you plenty of easy techniques to create a beautiful piece all on your own. Once everyone is done painting, we handle the clean up while you sit back, relax and reflect on your creative brilliance with your fellow pottery painters. We carefully transport all of the painted pottery pieces to our home studio to fire in our kiln. Before firing, we coat your entire piece with a protective clear glaze, this food-safe finishing glaze will give your pottery a smooth, glossy texture and make your piece oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. Then you can display your piece, give it as a gift or use it everyday!

Cincy Chic: What was the inspiration behind the mobile pottery painting party?
Yockey: While attending college at Purdue, I had the opportunity to work at a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio and that is where I fell in love with painting pottery and a dream had been sculpted. After working in the corporate world as a Sales Engineer and Sales Support Manager, I realized I was still missing out on what truly made me happy: creating and being an artist. As long as I can remember I have had an interest in creating art, whether it be drawing, sketching, designing or painting, that is when I truly lived my passion. I loved painting pottery so much and over the last decade it has been my dream to open up a pottery studio someday. To bring something different to the table, I considered a mobile pottery studio. I was inspired by the Pampered Chef, Thirty-one and direct sales types of parties. I thought, how cool would it be to bring a pottery party into someone’s home. And the idea was formed. After checking into the market and no one was doing anything else like it in the Cincinnati area, I went for it. After I had spoke to Jenny about a marketing strategy we decided to go into business together. We both had the desire to have flexible schedules and still be able to be stay-at-home moms/wives and at the same time be able to provide for our family. Our studio is now home-based and our business is located wherever a pottery party takes us.

Cincy Chic: What are the range of products you can make during a party?
Yockey: We have a vast selection of pre-made pottery (aka bisque) from plates, mugs, platters and bowls, to frames, spoon rests and wine coolers, to critters, banks, boxes and seasonal items. All fired pieces are dishwasher safe, food safe and can be put in the microwave and oven up to 350 degrees.

Cincy Chic: What types of events can clients hire Bare 2 Brilliant for?
Yockey: We are located in Cincinnati, so we will travel anywhere in the greater Cincinnati/Tri-State area. In some special cases, we will travel even further-so just ask! We can bring the party to pretty much any type of facility: houses, businesses or other local establishments as well as the outdoors (weather permitting, of course) (even outdoor-weather permitting). We can really do any type of pottery painting party that you would like, small or large. We offer parties for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, ladies’ nights, church events, scout or troop gatherings, after-school programs, day care and school art classes, fundraisers or just because!

Cincy Chic: What are your price points?
Yockey: Our prices range from about $5 to $35, depending on the size of the piece of pottery. Our pricing structure is one price to include paint, glaze, fire, tax and delivery which is different than most pottery studios that charge the price of the piece plus a studio fee for the paint, glaze and firing. Our party minimum is $100 for us to have a hosted pottery party. We also offer drop off and pick up To-Go packages of pottery that are not hosted by one of our Pottery Consultants.

Cincy Chic: What kind of response have you received from customers thus far?
Yockey: Everyone of all ages love it! Clients have said it’s therapeutic, relaxing, fun and a great way to release your inner artist! One of my most exciting moments so far was when I did a party where a family of a 5 year old girl, a 9 year old boy and 12 year old boy were there and painted. I received a call from the mom the next day and said that her boys loved it so much they wanted to have their own pottery birthday party just like their younger sister was already planning on doing. Their mom was stunned because she had no idea her boys were even artistic or had an interest in it. But, they both got so into painting their monster bank and travel mug for their dad for Christmas. It just made me feel so good that I touched their lives in a way and their Mom was able to be a part of bringing out something new in her boys.

Bare 2 Brilliant offers traveling pottery painting parties.

Cincy Chic: What’s you favorite thing about the business since you got started?
Yockey: My favorite thing about the business is that I finally feel in my life I am using my talents to give back to people. I feel that I am being rewarded by the joy of others when they paint pottery. I am able to share my passion with others and are able to inspire others to be creative and have fun! Jenny would agree with me her favorite part is the giving back and helping others to enjoy life and do something creatively different.

Cincy Chic: Is there anything new on the horizon?
Yockey: We just got started so everything is really new to us, but we have lots of ideas on how to grow our business. We would like to bring on a larger team of direct sales to be Pottery Consultants for Bare 2 Brilliant. We are also looking to get involved in fundraisers, trade shows, school functions, bridal shows and anything else that comes are way! We will also be offering technique taught pottery classes for the art-impaired. We are excited and passionate and want to make our presence in Cincinnati, so everyone can see what we are all about. We also want to do custom work for people for wedding gifts to match invitations and colors, or baby gifts, or just everyday plate sets to match a kitchen. We will be offering this through etsy and our website. The price will be the price of the piece plus $10/hr to customize.

Cincy Chic: Where can readers go to learn more, book a party, etc.?
Yockey: Readers can check out our website at www.Bare2Brilliant.com. For a more personal touch, email us at paintpottery@bare2brilliant.com or call 513-888-4445 to speak with one of our Bare 2 Brilliant consultants. We also update our Facebook page regularly, so readers can always visit that for the latest news at www.facebook.com/bare2brilliant.