Creative pursuits are so important, and during the pandemic a lot of people picked up new hobbies and found a newfound love for the arts in a variety of forms. What better time to celebrate that than with a business that allows you to explore that creative side? We popped in to check out artsy and it’s such a fun addition to downtown Boonton, a town that truly celebrates the arts like no other. Let’s get to know them!
Describe your business to someone that hasn’t been to artsy yet.
Artsy is a safe place people of all ages can come to make art and be creative. While we specialize in “paint your own pottery,” we also host art classes, birthday & private parties, summer & winter art camps, scout events, fundraisers and more. The artsy team consists of artists with experience in the art industry. Our pottery is “all inclusive,” which means unlimited time and paint choices (we have over 120 glaze colors to chose from) and our inventory (which we source both locally and through vendors) is constantly changing. If you need a break from the stress of life, or something fun, creative, and unique, visit our cozy studio and get painting. Choose a pottery piece from the shelf, paint it, then we kiln-fire it and it’s returned back to you in only a few days. Kiln fired pottery is food and dishwasher safe. All our paints and glazes are 100% non-toxic and safe for any age.
How long have you been in business and what was the inspiration behind starting artsy?
I have been a small business owner for over a decade. I started and currently own a pottery studio in Pompton Lakes, which is just about 7 years old! I’ve always had an eye on the cute town of Boonton to expand the business. We signed a lease and began doing business right in the middle of the pandemic. Some may think that’s crazy, but I saw opportunity. Boonton is an amazing, welcoming, charming little town and the support from Boonton and the surrounding towns has been incredible and unbelievable. I’ve always admired Boonton’s admiration for the arts and believe this town is the perfect fit for artsy. My main inspiration is to build something amazing I can one day pass down to my beautiful awesome daughters, who are 5 and 6 years old; they both LOVE art!
We love your Midnight Madness evenings—will you be doing them this year?
Artsy will host midnight madness on the first Friday of every month. A perfect spot to relax and paint after a long work week or dining out. We also permit BYOB after 5pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, to make painting even more fun.
We’ve been following the news about yum, your new drink and snack business – how is the progress?
Just like artsy, yum is another true ‘bootstrapped’ endeavor. As artsy increases business, funding is directly applied towards staff, inventory, upgrading the studio space and adding more revenue options. Yum is a wild dream I’ve had, think “Willy Wonka meets Walt Disney meets Tokyo 100 years from now”…Our menu will feature loose leaf teas from all over the world, amazing smoothies, plant based energy drinks, shakes, boba and unique treats (details coming soon). We will have signature drinks, like the “Galaxy Smoothie” which will be tie dye purple & blue, have popping boba planets and even edible glitter. Another signature drink we’re excited about is the “Sunset,” a red to yellow ombre smoothie that features all natural peach juice and accented with coconut popping boba bubbles.
Small business owners have definitely been challenged during the pandemic – how have you changed or adapted your business during this time?
Artsy launched mid-pandemic. Although risky, we used most of that time to focus on to-go and curbside pick up art kits. Customers would select their pottery and items from our website, swing by to pick up, paint at home (all materials included), then return to us for kiln firing. As the pandemic is ending, we’re over the moon excited to allow full occupancy and host in-house and mobile birthday parties.
Boonton has many great places to grab a bite to eat—what’s your favorite go-to?
If we’re in the need of a pick me up, we head next door to Boonton Coffee of course. Our entire staff is big fans of Mexican food and love to shuffle between all the options in town.
What do you like to do on a day off?
Typically on a day off, you’d find me in a coffee shop drawing like crazy. I recently completed my first illustrated children’s book about the pandemic. I’m eager and excited to get it published because I believe a lot of children (and maybe even adults) were a bit taken aback by what we’ve gone through in the last year and half.
What is the best part of owning your own business?
Seeing the enjoyment and affect making art can have on a customer. Whether they are 5 or 105, art and painting at artsy always provides an awesome experience.
artsy
504 Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005
862-200-9215
facebook.com/artsynj
instagram.com/getartsynj
www.artsyyum.com
