PHOTO COURTESY OF PICKWICK STUDIOS Owner Mindy D'Amico works at Pickwick Studios in Clinton Town. Visitors can create their own pottery at the studio.

At Pickwick Studios in Clinton Town, it's all about personal style.

Visitors start with a ceramic pottery piece -- the studio has more than 150 bisque styles in stock -- and then use stencils, sponges and other materials to make their creation their own.

"Anyone can be creative in this studio," said Mindy D'Amico, who took over the studio in June.

D'Amico is a former office manager of a dental office in Somerville. She had been a customer of the former pottery studio, Paint It! Pottery, and when she learned the business was for sale, she knew it was a good match.

"I was always a creative person -- stamping, doing cross-stitch, painting -- and I thought this would be ideal for me," she said. "When I told my friends that I was considering buying this business, everyone told me it was a perfect fit."

The studio's second-floor location has several windows, creating a sunny environment for creative juices to flow.

D'Amico said her clientele is a mix of children, mothers and birthday parties.

"Children like to come because it's fun to paint, and they get to have a finished project they can have forever," she said. "Women like to come because they can paint serving pieces, mugs and other decorative pieces for their home."

D'Amico is optimistic about her new business. "I think that it's a great concept, and as more and more people realize that we are here, business will continue to grow."

Pottery ranges in price from $7 to $30. Customers may select from dozens of paint colors. All pieces are microwave-safe.

from the Courier News website www.c-n.com