Findlay's getting All Fired Up

FINDLAY — A new mother and daughter owned business, A & L All Fired Up Ceramics, is inviting the community to the grand opening of its new storefront at 2619 N. Main St. in Findlay this Saturday. Guests can stop by to paint, browse and explore their creative side. When Amanda Fredritz and her mother, Liz Serin, first began painting ceramics together, it was simply a shared hobby rooted in fond family memories. For Serin, her passion began as a young girl growing up in Bluffton. She would save up her allowances for trips to The Potter, a local ceramic shop, and still has many of her junior high creations. For Fredritz, painting and pottery was always a family tradition. Her grandmother once ran a small ceramics shop from an old chicken coop and still cherishes many of her grandmother's pieces, including her Christmas tree and pumpkins. "She would have a bunch of women in her shop chattering and carrying on till late in the night," Fredritz said. "She was a phenomenal painter and could paint the most beautiful pieces. She passed away a few years ago, but she would have loved what we are doing right now." In early 2024, the two decided to pursue their hobby further, purchasing their own kiln and molds. After some Facebook Marketplace shopping and a trip to Traders World Market in Monroe, Ohio, they ended up with over 1,000 molds and three kilns. They later added more to their collection with purchases from Cleveland and Fostoria. Creating a Facebook page to share their work online, the two gained a following of more than 5,000 people in less than a year. Shortly after, the storefront opportunity became available when longtime family friend and building owner Dave McBride agreed to let them rent the space. When it comes to daily operations, the mother-daughter duo divides responsibilities based on their strengths. Serin, who has experience running Inman's Garage Doors LLC, manages shop operations and marketing, while Fredritz focuses on production, from pouring molds to firing pieces. Unlike many paint studios, A & L pours and fires all of its own pieces, many from vintage molds dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. Customers can choose between two different painting methods: glazing, which requires firing before pickup, or acrylic painting, which allows them to finish and take their own piece home the same day. The shop also sells "bisque-fired" pieces which are pre-fired ceramics ready to be taken home and decorated. "A lot of people have paint at home and they want to take their time and have their own spaces," Fredritz said. "People will come in and they'll buy 15 to 20 pieces and then paint those throughout the year at home." Serin and Fredritz also plan to offer regular classes, with monthly sessions for both kids and adults. The first class coming up will feature pumpkin designs, with smaller, simpler versions for children and more detailed projects for adults. "We want people to be able to create beautiful pieces that they're going to look at forever," Fredritz said. "I hope they get that excitement and reward from it as well." Saturday's celebration will feature a giveaway for a hand-painted pumpkin, two $25 gift certificates, lemonade, cookies, and the opportunity to paint a piece on-site. "We are so ready to see it take off and to have everybody come in," Fredritz said. "Last night, we were working late and two little ladies came in wanting to get a sneak peek around the shop. People have been talking about this and it's very heartwarming and exciting to see." For more information, visit aandlallfiredupceramics.com.