Fluffy crests, soft feathers and feathered feet make Silkies easy to spot. At Chick Ceramics Café, you can meet them during a break from painting pottery.
What makes them so fluffy?
Their feathers lack the tiny hooks that hold most chicken feathers together, which gives them a soft, downy appearance. Silkies also have dark skin, five toes on each foot and feathers that come in several colours.
What are Silkies like?
They are usually calm and sociable, but each bird has its own temperament. Give them time and space to approach. They have a quiet area in the enclosure where they can retreat whenever they want a break.
What happens during a visit?
During your two-hour painting session, a member of staff will invite you into the enclosure for 20 minutes. Visits are scheduled in groups of six or seven and included in the price of pottery painting.
Another jumper or toiletries set? This year, give someone a piece of pottery you painted just for them. A hand-painted mug or plate can be used for years, and painting it over coffee makes a lovely winter afternoon.
Why make the gift yourself?
A slightly wonky Christmas tree or a message for Mum carries more meaning than a perfect shop-bought design. We glaze and fire the piece so the finished gift is ready to use.
Seven hand-painted gift ideas
A mug with a name, a date, an inside joke or a portrait of their dog.
A Christmas cookie plate that can come out every December.
A little bowl for jewellery, keys or spices.
A small figurine in their favourite colours.
A money box for a child or someone saving for something special.
Two matching mugs for a couple, parents or friends who share a morning coffee.
A tote bag or T-shirt with your own design for someone who would prefer a gift they can wear or carry.
Easy Christmas patterns for beginners
Try a tree made of green strokes and red dots, scattered stars or snowflakes, gingerbread figures, red-and-white stripes or a simple handwritten dedication. Sketch the design on paper first. Our team can explain how the colours will look after firing.
Choose a gift for the person
Try a floral plate or a grandchild’s handprint for Mum or Grandma, a big coffee mug with a favourite phrase for Dad or Grandpa, or a pair of matching mugs for a partner. A little jewellery dish works for a friend, and a mug painted by a child makes a personal gift for a teacher.
Plan your visit and leave time for firing
Visit us at Karmelicka 27 in Kraków. Choose a piece and spend up to two hours painting. We provide brushes, colours and guidance. Coffee and desserts can be ordered separately. Leave time for glazing, firing and collection or delivery, and ask us about your deadline before booking. For a last-minute gift, an email gift card is valid for 12 months.
Wrap it and make an afternoon of it
Use brown paper, string and a sprig of spruce, or put their favourite tea or biscuits inside a mug. Add a note saying who painted it. You can also invite friends, family or colleagues to paint their own gifts. Book a table or ask about a private event.
A plain mug, a brush in your hand and suddenly no idea what to paint? You can start with a few marks, use a template or write something that makes you smile.
1. Paint as you go
Try dots, stripes or zigzags in two or three colours. Let each line suggest the next. The end of a brush handle can make even dots, while the bristles make broad stripes. This works well if you want an afternoon where you can put your planning aside and see what happens.
2. Trace a design or use a stencil
Bring a reference photo and transfer the outline using tracing paper or a stencil. Flowers, leaves, animals and geometric patterns suit this approach. Take your time filling in the shapes, then let us glaze and fire your work.
3. Add a phrase that means something to you
Use a favourite quote, a family saying or an inside joke. Short, clear lettering works best. Sketch it lightly in pencil and use a fine brush to keep the lines easy to read.
Paint together
These ideas work for birthdays, hen parties and team gatherings. Each guest can choose their own design and take home a different piece after firing. Send an enquiry and we’ll help arrange a date for your group.
Where to paint pottery in Kraków
Find us at Karmelicka 27, a short walk from the Main Market Square. Choose from mugs, plates, figurines and more. Tools are provided, and the session includes a visit with our Silkie chickens. Browse pottery prices or book a table.
Short days, rain and then frost can make it harder to find something to do with children in Kraków. At Chick Ceramics Café, families can paint a mug, plate or figurine and collect a souvenir they made together.
Why try pottery painting with children?
Choosing a shape and colours encourages imagination, and working with a brush lets children practise careful hand movements. The finished piece is a useful reminder of the day, and the activity offers a break from screens.
What happens when you arrive?
Book a table and visit Karmelicka 27. Choose a blank piece, pick colours and ask us how to get started. You can paint alongside your child or order coffee or dessert during the session. Children aged five and over can take part. Our staff invite painting guests into the Silkie chicken enclosure in small groups. Once your pottery is fired, you can collect it or arrange shipping.
What can children paint?
A cocoa mug with their name or favourite animal.
A plate for Christmas biscuits.
A small figurine, which is a good choice for younger painters.
A bowl for the family pet.
A present for a grandparent or teacher. You can also buy a gift card for someone who would like to paint.
Ideas for autumn and winter in Kraków
Paint on a rainy November weekend, make a Christmas gift early enough to allow for firing, or stop in for a creative break during the winter holidays. We’re close to the Planty park and the Main Market Square.
How to prepare
Allow around two hours and bring clothes your child can comfortably paint in. We provide everything you need at the table. Book ahead, especially for a weekend visit.
