Smashing Times

My boyfriend and I are all about the Groupons - especially classes. We've done everything from wine tasting to glass blowing and now fused glass pendant making.

This was a fun way to spend about an hour or so on a Sunday. Our instructor, Taylor, was very nice and helpful (and patient!). Our pendants will be done in about a week and I look forward to seeing how our artistic endeavors turned out. Even my boyfriend enjoyed himself and claims to be looking forward to seeing me wear his creation "at least once."

My only disappointment was that it was a little more "arts and crafts" project than I expected. My hopes were probably too high, but I was hoping to get to see some fusing of glass. That's all done after you leave...so what you're basically doing is using Elmer's glue to glue various pieces of glass together. The really cool pieces (with flowers or shiny) cost more - though the additional cost is minimal.

They also do parties there for kids and adults. It seems like something fun, albeit somewhat expensive sans Groupon.

All in all, it was a fun and unusual activity for us to do together and I'm pleased with the piece I made. I look forward to wearing it and hopefully getting tons of compliments that I can answer with, "oh this...yeah....I made it."

I'm going to go with a 3 here since this is my first time doing this ceramic/tile stuff.
I have nothing really to compare this to. The store was spacious enough though there really was no place to put my purse but on the floor. We went to celebrate a friend's birthday so this is a creative idea for that. I got there a little late so I assume that's why I got no instructions from the shop people there or maybe it was the kids birthday party going on at the same time that was to blame. I don't know. thankfully my friends were able to give me some direction. Jury is still out on whether I'd do this again.

I was invited here with my 4-year-old for a kid's birthday party. The guest of honor was 3-years-old.

First, let me say that this was a very cool place! You parents know, a place has to be pretty cool to invited kids younger than 20! The hosts were allowed to set up snacks and drinks, and there was a 'leader' from the store to guide the kids through a planned activity.

In this case, the activity was a pre-cut shape of your choice (airplane, heart, box, etc.) to which you glue pretty little pieces of glass onto to make a mosaic. Seriously it was fun. But seriously, don't bring kids younger than 5 unless YOU like to make mosaics.

I mean, my kid can't even cut shapes yet, that I know of, so I guess the parents didn't think about that, but as you know, it didn't matter. Everyone had a great time, and the kids smeared glue all over everything. I always carry a full box of pirate swords so a couple of the boys and my kid were playing swords!

The staff is super-cool and friendly and the store has a lot to offer. Just, please folks, 3 and 4 years olds can't really do this yet unless you gave birth to the next Miro!

We went as a couple on a Sunday afternoon, and there were only two other customers who soon completed their project and left. The atmosphere is very artsy-craftsy, lots of whimsy and artistic pride, lots of projects on display and for sale. We were guided by a long-time employee and artist who was very friendly but wonderfully hands-off, working in the background on various tasks but always ready to answer questions ranging from technique to color selections to materials-- very knowledgeable and experienced. We as adults had a great time indulging our creativity, and we can't wait to bring our boys who would surely love piecing together a custom lizard, window panel, or whatever fires their imaginations (that's a kiln joke, folks).

One star withheld because projects generally cannot be completed within the visit-- tile grout is sent home to be added a couple days later after the cement underlay sets, and anything that needs to go into the kiln adds some days. This is just the nature of the art, but it does delay gratification. Nonetheless, this is a solid 4-star experience, not to mention that it's something a little different.

Smashing times--partially owned by Robin Oldham (Todd's sister)--has created a very cool shop that you and your kids are sure to have a smashing good time at.

At this cool mosaic studio, you create your own masterpiece or purchase mosaic art. They also do custom jobs for clients.

As a super-overprotective parent, one thing I like is they keep safety in mind for kids and adults alike, they tumble all of the mosaic pieces so there are no sharp edges. And with kids who love a little danger, I am one thankful mom!

Want to do a fun party? Yep, they do that. Just call and make a reservation. Oh and they have kid camps, too. Great summer fun for your wee ones.

I bought a livingsocial deal for this place because it looked kind of neat, and it was something different to do. First of all, great idea and concept for people of all ages well probably 5 and over. I don't see 3 year or 4 year olds wanting to put mosaic together. I give it 3 stars only because I think the staff felt overwhelmed the day we went. There was just too much going on, and it was hard for them to bounce back and forth between parties that were there. It would have been better if the employees paid more attention to what we were doing, but I think their main focus was a party that was being held there for a little girl. Directions weren't given to us really well, it was pretty much do this, that, and this, and you're done. Helpful tips would have been nice especially if you've never done anything when it comes to jewelery making. I can't wait to see how my pendant turns out after they do the final touches of melting/fusing the pieces together. If you bought the livingsocial, make sure to bring $1.25 for taxes because livingsocial doesn't mention that. Also, if you want to pick the fancier glasses for the pendant, they charge more per piece.

We had a livingsocial deal here and wanted to try something different. Love how you can design your own items here from pendants to decorative items. Seems like they over booked this day and I always had to flag someone down just to get help or ask a question. I ended up asking the others who came to have fun what was the next step in this process as it seems the staff were too busy going back and forth. There was a birthday party here for a little kid so felt like the staff had majority of their attention to that table. In the end, it was a cool experience and I can't wait to see how my finished product turns out once they fuse it.

I bought a Groupon for my mom and I to go to Smashing Times and we absolutely LOVED it. The employees were very laid back while still being incredibly helpful. They send you home with grout for your project and I didn't have enough. I emailed them and they quickly mailed me more, so I didn't have to make an extra trip and my project got finished. I am incredibly pleased with their customer service and recommend them to all!

We purchased a Groupon for creating a mosaic tile piece. First of all, the selection for tile pieces is extremely limited and disappointing. What they do have is VERY expensive and definitely not worth the money! The day we went it was cold outside and it was very cold in the store, but the lady that was working there would not turn up the heat. Several people were complaining about the temperature.

With this being our first visit (and last, I might add) we got little to no instructions or assistance. They don't have the tiles that are needed to create the effects they show in their examples, which is very disappointing. When she gave us the grout to take home, she didn't offer us anything but white and tan and they also have black available. The amount of grout given wasn't close to what was needed, so I ended up going to Home Depot and buying grout to finish my project.

Great concept, but they have work to do to make it worth the prices they charge!

I loved this place and am so bummed that's it's closed! I was just planning a trip here! Come back to a permanent location, Smashing Times!!