When I first saw Thomas Claire featured on Cool Mom Picks, it seemed the perfect combination of a mom-friendly crafty activity that you could do with (or without!) kids.
But was it too good to be true? I inquired and the nice folks sent me a kit to test out.
Classy all the way. The packaging was cute while also protecting the innards. Unfortunately some of the magnets broke in transit and one of the mugs was chipped. Had my order been an actual (paid) order, they would have immediately replaced the bits.
Milo and Scarlett are very attentive to the project
We set up a little pottery painting zone in Whitney’s dining room complete with a very tough tablecloth and instructions that the kids should remove their shirts. Since our kids, at the time, were aged 1, 2, 3, and 4, we had mixed results with these instructions. One two-year old refused to take his shirt off; one nearly-two-year old refused to put hers back on.
But back to the task at hand.
Aside from the tablecloth and shirtless artists, Thomas Claire provided all the rest of the needed materials: paints, brushes, name tags, and ceramic pieces.
The preschoolers used many colors and brushes to paint their trivets an unfortunate color of brown-green-with-red-streaks while the toddlers remained focused on painting their little magnets and hands.
Painting their tiles a new color of mud
Being the control freak that I lovingly am, I commandeered one mug for kid hand prints and was very pleased at the results. In hindsight, I would have used a darker paint for Milo’s hand. The purple was just too pale.
How to paint a cute hand-print mug:
(harder than you might think)
- Choose the darkest color.
- Paint one hand with the paintbrush. I did one hand of each of my sons.
- Carefully lay out the hand where you want it. Once.
- Add back in any missing digits with a paintbrush. No do-overs.
- Paint child’s name near the handprint.
If any junior Picassos want to ruin enhance your great mug with their own work, you can hand them the super light colors. Or let them go first. Or hide your work on the highest shelf when you finish. (Decide according to your need for perfection or family fun, of course.)
The kids enjoyed painting and the project held their attention for about 17 minutes including the part where they all wanted to take their shirts off.
We set the pieces out to dry near their designated name tags. Whitney packed the items back in the original shipping box with the new (included) labels and left it on the front porch for pick up. That part was super duper easy.
Sadly, there was some breakage in the finished products. Milo broke his dolphin magnet immediately upon hanging it on the fridge? But my sweet mug is still going strong.
What I liked about the Thomas Claire experience:
- Totally great-looking packaging. Opening the packages both times (unpainted goodies and finished product) was really nice.
- Broad selection of stuff you can paint.
- Attractive paint colors.
- Fun memory with the stuff and the pictures of our afternoon together.
What I didn’t like about the Thomas Claire experience:
- Price. There’s not a whole lot of room to be complaining here. Like I said, they offer some nice stuff with totally custom service and elegant packaging, but I still have some sticker shock because I’m a cheap-ass. I suggest getting the simple tile kit for baby keepsaking. Or contact them for a custom package.
- Breakage. It is sad when it happens, so pack up your stuff really well and bubbly. Bubble wrap included so you have to use it!
- Waiting. Yes, as Tom Petty says, the waiting really is the hardest part. I’d love to suggest we all go out and get these kits as personalized gifts for the holidays but I’m not sure you could order in time. Then again, if all you want to do is plan a fun Moms’ Group In event to commemorate your baby’s teeny tiny foot, then this is a fantastic low-pressure activity.
Bottom line:
Totally recommended Rookie Mom activity. Just find the kit and the timing that works for you. New Years, perhaps?
Related Rookie Mom activities:
- Paint Baby Footprints
- Paint your own pottery at home
—
Disclosure:
Thomas Claire sent me a free kit to test out. I tell you about it because I liked it. For reals.
