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Latest Reviews
The Hive St Pete
While I have given The Hive a 5-star review, I do so with a few caveats that I will explain below. First, the context:
Our group decided to take a ceramics class at The Hive in order to support a mutual friend that wanted to rekindle their high school ceramics experience. I visited 5 Ceramic studios in the area before finally deciding on The Hive, and so we came as a group of 4, with 3 of us having no experience at all in working with ceramics, clay, or glazing. Consequently, the "instruction" part of the course was not only important to us, but paramount in achieving any level of "success."
We choose a Thursday evening for our class. Our instructor "Mike" was extremely talented, creative, full of energy, and a delight to be around. However, our unfamiliarity with ceramics in general, and working with clay specifically, left us all a bit confused as to what an appropriate project might be in terms of timing. Think forming the clay, allowing it time to dry, first bisque firing, glazing, and final glaze firing. Ceramics is a process, not an event, and so takes time. Timing is important. We got the sense of this toward the end of our course.
I would strongly recommend that budding artists have a few projects in mind before arriving for their first class so that a trajectory need not be formulated during "instructional" time. This will make it easier for the instructor to facilitate learning, and for you to finish your project within the time allotted for the class.
My thoughts on the experience are as follows:
1) While 4 instructional sessions may be sufficient for a beginner to get started, studio time needs to extend beyond the 4-week period to allow one time to digest the process and decided whether they would like to pursue the craft before spending another $200. A compressed timeline is counterproductive, and left a few from my group unhappy and dissatisfied with the overall experience.
2) As a budding artist, do some reading or watch some YouTube videos to get a sense of what "Ceramics" is about, noting timelines for potential projects, and the basics of working with clay. At The Hive, there is an expectation of very basic knowledge, and if you are unprepared, you may not enjoy the experience.
My thoughts on the Studio and Artists are as follows:
1) The studio is well arranged, seems to have plenty of tools if you don't have your own, has clay readily available and is accommodating and comfortable and there is always a place for everyone at the table.
2) The artists that work here are awesome! They are friendly, helpful, engaging, creative, and fun. They are a wonderful group of people!
3) The teachers here are talented, creative, helpful, and full of energy. The Hive has a great "vibe" and everyone will make you feel welcomed.
4) Shelf space is available, but wish it was a bit more.
If you go, make it a point to meet "Heather." She is affable, skilled, knowledgeable, and helpful.
If you are interested in Ceramics, this is the place to be. The Hive is welcoming, comfortable, well arranged, centrally located, and fun. I plan to take a few months to learn a bit more, then return as a member.
Highly recommended with the caveats noted above.
Our group decided to take a ceramics class at The Hive in order to support a mutual friend that wanted to rekindle their high school ceramics experience. I visited 5 Ceramic studios in the area before finally deciding on The Hive, and so we came as a group of 4, with 3 of us having no experience at all in working with ceramics, clay, or glazing. Consequently, the "instruction" part of the course was not only important to us, but paramount in achieving any level of "success."
We choose a Thursday evening for our class. Our instructor "Mike" was extremely talented, creative, full of energy, and a delight to be around. However, our unfamiliarity with ceramics in general, and working with clay specifically, left us all a bit confused as to what an appropriate project might be in terms of timing. Think forming the clay, allowing it time to dry, first bisque firing, glazing, and final glaze firing. Ceramics is a process, not an event, and so takes time. Timing is important. We got the sense of this toward the end of our course.
I would strongly recommend that budding artists have a few projects in mind before arriving for their first class so that a trajectory need not be formulated during "instructional" time. This will make it easier for the instructor to facilitate learning, and for you to finish your project within the time allotted for the class.
My thoughts on the experience are as follows:
1) While 4 instructional sessions may be sufficient for a beginner to get started, studio time needs to extend beyond the 4-week period to allow one time to digest the process and decided whether they would like to pursue the craft before spending another $200. A compressed timeline is counterproductive, and left a few from my group unhappy and dissatisfied with the overall experience.
2) As a budding artist, do some reading or watch some YouTube videos to get a sense of what "Ceramics" is about, noting timelines for potential projects, and the basics of working with clay. At The Hive, there is an expectation of very basic knowledge, and if you are unprepared, you may not enjoy the experience.
My thoughts on the Studio and Artists are as follows:
1) The studio is well arranged, seems to have plenty of tools if you don't have your own, has clay readily available and is accommodating and comfortable and there is always a place for everyone at the table.
2) The artists that work here are awesome! They are friendly, helpful, engaging, creative, and fun. They are a wonderful group of people!
3) The teachers here are talented, creative, helpful, and full of energy. The Hive has a great "vibe" and everyone will make you feel welcomed.
4) Shelf space is available, but wish it was a bit more.
If you go, make it a point to meet "Heather." She is affable, skilled, knowledgeable, and helpful.
If you are interested in Ceramics, this is the place to be. The Hive is welcoming, comfortable, well arranged, centrally located, and fun. I plan to take a few months to learn a bit more, then return as a member.
Highly recommended with the caveats noted above.
1A Relics
Awesome place with more antiques and vintage merchandise than can be seen in an hour . . . Touring the store quickly.
This is a great place to stop and pick up the most unusual things Maine has to offer.
Really nice people.
Prices are on the high side by about 50% or more, but they do carry things those hard to find items.
Worth a stop.
This is a great place to stop and pick up the most unusual things Maine has to offer.
Really nice people.
Prices are on the high side by about 50% or more, but they do carry things those hard to find items.
Worth a stop.
Highlands Grill
It's the only game in town, so it's this, or nothing!
We both got the Clam Chowder ($12.45 each) served without a single clam in either bowl! Taste suspiciously like Progresso, minus the clams.
Staff are friendly, attentative, and helpful. Excellent, in fact.
Can't say the same for the food, although the crackers were awesome!
We generally stay clear of airport food, but had no choice with a long flight ahead of us. Bring a sandwich with you and enjoy! 🥪
We both got the Clam Chowder ($12.45 each) served without a single clam in either bowl! Taste suspiciously like Progresso, minus the clams.
Staff are friendly, attentative, and helpful. Excellent, in fact.
Can't say the same for the food, although the crackers were awesome!
We generally stay clear of airport food, but had no choice with a long flight ahead of us. Bring a sandwich with you and enjoy! 🥪
The Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation
Nice, quick visit. Can't go in the house, or even on the grounds, but nice to ride by and take a look.
Beautiful block of homes, and the King residence fits in perfectly, but for the awesome iron gate with the bats and cobwebs!
Nice that the Kings indulge their fans by allowing a quick look-see, but I suppose they do so because of the respect shown for their limited privacy.
Definitely worth the drive-by.
Beautiful block of homes, and the King residence fits in perfectly, but for the awesome iron gate with the bats and cobwebs!
Nice that the Kings indulge their fans by allowing a quick look-see, but I suppose they do so because of the respect shown for their limited privacy.
Definitely worth the drive-by.