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Two in Tow & On The Go: A Day at Java & Clay Cafe

Java & Clay Cafe at 3210 Harborview Drive. Photo by Tonya Strickland.

There was a time — a crazy, rebellious time — when our kid-ventures got a little too bold. We crossed bridges! We defied county lines! We went … to Burley Creek. (I know, I know.) We trekked so far and wide, in fact, that after I filed my last story about The Port of Tacoma, my editor emailed back, ever so casually:

“… it’d be nice to have one that doesn’t require crossing the bridge or the county line soon.”

Translation: “Tone it down, Magellan.”

Java & Clay Cafe

So for today’s column, I’m featuring not one, not two, but three of our latest trips to Java & Clay Cafe right here in Gig Harbor, located along the downtown waterfront. As a paint-your-own ceramics studio and coffee shop, the place is pretty family-friendly, making it a solid option for something to do locally (cough, cough) and indoors with kids on a rainy day.

Two spaces

The building has two main hangouts: the café side facing Harborview Drive with its huge picture windows looking out to the water; and the pottery studio side. There’s also a parking lot for customers in the back. Inside, the two rooms are connected by an archway between a wall and a shared fireplace. The cafe is the walkup type with seating, or you can just grab-and-go. It also has a varied menu of drinks and snacks that’s open to everyone, even if you’re not painting.

Cafe side with tables. The walk-up counter is out of the frame, to the right.

Pottery studio

In the pottery studio side, the warm lighting, and hands-on tools like squeeze bottles and bristle-y brushes, mean you and the kids can spread out and get messy (in a good way). Plus, seeing other kids painting nearby adds to the excitement. The studio has total cozy vibes: terracotta-colored walls, lots and lots of wooden shelves with objects to select from, and big tables where everyone can do their own thing.

PRO TIP: If you’re painting with the age-12-and-younger crowd, they’ll probablyyy finish before you do. And then they’ll start asking, “Are you done yet?” Every. Five. Seconds. If that sounds like something that may happen to you, maybe grab an easier piece to paint … or just order a coffee and a cookie and claim you’re supervising the kids’ “artistic process.”

Me, Wyatt and Clara in February 2024.

How it works:

1. First, you’ll check in with the crew behind the cash register on the studio side. They’ll get you set up and let you know when your table section is ready. You don’t need a reservation. But, it can get *really* busy. We went on Mother’s Day Weekend and it was giving off some serious “everyone had the same idea” energy. But they still fit us in within the hour!

2. Once it’s your time to paint, the attendant will explain how the process works and where all your supplies are. Then it’s time to pick out a white ceramic figurine, dish or mug from the display shelves. Each have their own marked prices, and you pay when you’re all done painting.

3. PAINT! Decorate your object with your choice of the shop’s many colored glazes and decorating tools. (We love the fine-tip squeeze bottles!) Additional glaze colors are organized on the wall, with glazed tile examples showing how the color looks after firing.

4. You can order snacks or drinks to be delivered to your table if you’d like. (You can do this anytime – it’s not a true fourth step.)

I ordered my first “Red Bull Spritzer” with a gluten free cookie from the cafe for table-side service while painting in June 2025. The spritzers didn’t have booze and are usually made with a can of chilled Red Bull, a flavored syrup, and ice. It may also have sparkling water in it.

5. Decide your project is as good as its gonna get, and hand it in to let the professionals do the fiery finale.

6. Leave your stuff, they’ll clean up. (Though it’s always nice to tidy up if you can).

7. Pay at the register.

May 2025 visit with Bowen.

8. At a later date, the studio will call you to pop back into the store to pick up your creation after it’s been kiln-fired. It will be shinier, brighter and surprisingly darker than when you handed it over. Remember to bring your receipt when they call you in for pickup. We’ve never needed to show our receipt, but we always bring it just in case.

Our visits

Here’s our visit in February 2024 when we ordered chips and hot chocolate from using the tableside service. We painted ceramic cats:

Here’s when we visited in May 2025 with Bowen. We painted two deer, a flamingo ring holder and a mug:

Our painted pieces from Mother’s Day Weekend 2025.

And here’s when we visited in June 2025 when we ordered cookies and hot chocolate. We painted cats again (yes, they were the same style of cat):

Wyatt and his orange cat. Why the sunglasses inside you ask? Because fourth graders are too cool like that.

And, just for kicks (and a quick punch to the gut), here is how quickly a child can change in just 1 year, 4 months and 1 day:

See ya out there!

IF YOU GO:

Java & Clay Café

3210 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

253-851-3277

javaclaycafe.com

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