| Biscuit FAQs |
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Q. Painting Place or Café? A. Both and more - the choice is yours. There is no need to paint and no need to eat or drink. Many customers love us for our fantastic coffee, organic teas, homemade cake and organic ice cream; many love us for the painting. Most like us for both. Parties. We have three fantastic children’s party packages with party food and with just painting. Adults mostly choose from our huge choice of ceramics and choose the food and drinks they want when they arrive. BYO wine is fine with corkage at £ 2.50 per bottle. Evening painting events, such as Hen parities, can be booked with a minimum of six painters. Q. Do I have to book? A. Only for groups over six and for parties. We have spacious premises so can usually find space. Come earlier in the day if you want the best choice of tables. Bookings can be made on 020 8853 8588 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Deposits of £ 50.00 are made for bespoke parties or table bookings. These can be returned to the card they are made from on the day if required A deposit for the minimum of five painters is made for our children’s parties with the balance on conclusion of the party. Q. How do I paint? A. Its easy! Choose your piece, pay for it and select a pallet, sponge, water pot, brushes and paint. Paint and have fun then come and get a kiln number from us. Pencil or pen marks will burn off in the kiln. From the most talented artist to the smallest child everyone can get results they will be delighted with. Q. Are there any tips for good results? A. A few: Any areas not painted come out white. For strong colours wait for one layer to dry and then add another layer of paint. Q. Can I paint over the first colours? A. Yes. Once one layer is dry other colours can be added. Light colours will not show up well over dark colours. Use light colours as a background and add the dark colour over the top Q. Can we do handprints or footprints? A. Sure it’s easy and fun. Our staff are happy to help you if this is new to you. The best way to do this is by getting the hand or footprint you are happy with on a plain ceramic first – then decorate. If you’re not happy with your first try, wash it off and start again. Q. Can I mix the paint? A. Yes, like most paints you can mix the colours. Mix enough for what you want to do; it’s very hard to match if you have to re-mix. Q. Is Biscuit part of a chain or a franchise? A. No, Biscuit is an independent shop designed and set-up by local people. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to start Biscuit somewhere else. Q. When do I get my ceramic back? A. Within seven days, usually less. Tell us if you need it back for a special date as we will always try our best to have items finished in time although we do not guarantee it! After your ceramic has a kiln number, we dip it in glaze, stack it in the kiln and fire it. This process takes several days. Once cooled it is packed and hung up on the wall with your number, ready to be collected. Q. Have you a price list? A. No. We have four shelves with different prices depending on the size and complexity of the pieces. This price is inclusive of the use of all the equipment, paints, firing and packing. We do not charge a studio fee. Q. Do you email to let us know when my Ceramic is ready? No. We take your email in the rare case that we need to contact you about your ceramic. Otherwise it will be ready within seven days. Your email is added to our email list so you can keep in touch with all that is happening at Biscuit Ceramic Café. You can unsubscribe instantly when you get a newsletter or let us know if you prefer not to be on out mailing list. Q. Can I take it away straight after painting? A. Yes, BUT! - You can take it home, but firing brings out the colours and the paint will rub off over time. Coating the ceramic with PVA will increase the durability of the paint Q. Can I have it more quickly? A. Yes. We are always willing to do this where possible but cannot guarantee it. Q. There is a mark on it when fired will it come off? A. The glaze and kiln pencils are the only things that will not burn off in the kiln. Any grease marks from hands or food can result in a ‘bald-patch’ in the finished item. Once fired most all the paint is sealed and cannot be altered. It is possible to grind off some of the glaze and do small repairs but this is a difficult and rarely satisfactory approach. Some of the paint, especially black, will be more evident after firing. Even small spots of paint may come through the top coat with firing. The process of firing increases the contrast between the white of the biscuit and the glazes. This has the effect of making your finished item look fantastic but can also reveal some areas of paint you may have not noticed when you left it with us. Any grease marks, usually from hands, will cause the paint to have a changed appearance. The painting of ceramics is not a perfect process and imperfections are part of the beauty of a hand-finished piece. Q. Is the firing process risk-free? A. No - tiny bubbles of air, that are impossible to see, can sometimes still be in the piece. When fired this can lead to a piece cracking, or a small pieces flaking off. This can sometimes be repaired. Q. Can I finish it another day? A. Yes. We will give you a bag and some tissue paper to protect your piece for you to bring it back and finish at your convenience. Q. Will you come to local schools? A. Yes - we are delighted to bring the painting to local schools as classes are often too big to come to us. Ceramics completed at school will be fired by us at Biscuit. [link to mobile page ] Q. Can you post it to me? A. Yes - we post all over the world as many of our customers are visitors, or are making the pieces as gifts. To keep the costs reasonable our responsibility ends with the posting of the item. Please ask if you want the price of posting anything. Q. What do the parties cost? A. Please see the ‘Parties’ section of the site as it depends on the type of party you want and how many painters there are. We have been delighted to host a great many different types of parties from 1 year olds to an 80th birthday party. Each party is a unique as its guests; all enjoying Biscuit’s painting, food and drinks with their friends and guests. Q. What about a party at home? A. Of course - simply select the pieces that you want and leave us a deposit for the paints, brushes etc. of £75.00. Take them home, paint them and then return them to us to be fired. You can find more information here. Q. Do you run office/work/corporate events? A. Yes - ceramic painting is a fantastic activity for workplace groups as the activity will be new and exciting to virtually everyone. Added to this you will have the ongoing joy of the items you will make that will probably be used in the office everyday! We can also come to you. You can find more information here. Q. Can I run my own Party or be a Party Host? A. Yes Biscuit has opportunities for starting a painting business from home. It’s fun, flexible and profitable with full support and on-going training provided. You can find more information here. Q. Can I use the WiFi A. Yes - customers may use the WiFi for free, just ask for the code. We restrict the use for one hour when we are busy at our discretion. Q. Are babies and children welcome A. Yes - we are equipped with baby change facilities and support breast feeding. There are high chairs and a range of food, snacks, drinks and treats for children. Q. Are there disabled facilities? A. Yes - there are facilities for the disabled such as toilets and wider access doors. Q. Is there a discount for charity and/or special needs groups? A. Yes, we are always happy to discuss your needs and often provide additional services or design a package to meet your needs and budget. Q. Do you give donations to local charities? A. Yes, we have many requests for donations. To be fair to everyone our policy is to give a gift once a year to any organisation within a five mile radius that has an event mainly involving children. We need a letter of request on headed paper or similar to be able to make such a donation. Biscuit can also train you to run fund raising events for your organisation. Q. How can I keep in touch with what’s happening at Biscuit? A. Join our email list – you can keep in touch with our newsletters to find out about:
Q. Are your cakes really home-made? A. Yes, the bakers are local and most deliver their cakes themselves. They are made by real people with the finest ingredients, skill and passion. Taste the difference yourself! Q. Can I work in Biscuit? A. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We welcome applications for work from talented and committed staff who can contribute as Biscuit Buddies or resident artists. Opportunities also exist to run events at other locations. |