The scent of wet clay and kiln-fired glaze lingers in the memories of Davis and Lori, as intertwined with them as the brushstrokes left on countless ceramic pieces. For Davis, Clay Café was never just a business — it was a childhood spent watching glazes transform into something permanent, listening to the hum of his mother’s creativity at work. For Lori, a Lubbock local, it was a leap of faith — one she took when the studio was just a few months old, purchasing it from a friend and knocking on doors to invite people into a space she hoped would become a home for creativity.
Two decades later, the world outside has changed. Social media has replaced word-of-mouth, technology has made art more digital, and trends have come and gone. But inside Clay Café, the heart of the studio remains unchanged. Lori and Davis, now in his 30s, have watched generations pass through its doors. Kids who once painted their names on tiny tiles now return with their own children, continuing a tradition that began with a single brushstroke.
As the studio celebrates its 20th anniversary next week, we sat down with the mother-son duo to reflect on two decades of color, clay, and community — and why, even in a fast-moving world, there’s still nothing quite like getting your hands messy with paint.
Courtesy of Clay Cafe
Q&A with Clay Cafe
Local LBK: Let’s start with the story behind Clay Café. What inspired you to open a pottery studio? If I remember correctly, did you go to art school locally?
Lori Fleming (Clay Café): I went to Lubbock Christian University. They had a really strong art program at the time, and I originally wanted to be a teacher — until I got to the education classes and realized, I cannot do this. But I always knew I wanted a business. I had worked in retail for years and loved that side of things.
We took over Clay Café when it was just a few months old. At the time, this was a completely new industry — nobody had really heard of it, even the suppliers were just starting out. So, we learned everything from a community of ceramic artists and fellow business owners, and it has evolved so much over the years.
Local LBK: That’s a pretty big leap — taking over a business that someone was selling after just a few months. That could be scary because, you know, there’s usually a reason why someone is letting it go. What made you take that risk? Were you a regular here?
Lori: The original owner had actually hired me as an artist, so I was already familiar with the business and knew I could handle the creative side. My husband was there to support me, and I had two small kids at the time, so I figured — I’ll learn as I go. And I did! Now, I can fix a kiln with the best of them.
Local LBK: I love that! A lot of people probably assume it’s all about the art, but there’s so much more — like ordering supplies, handling logistics, knowing who to contact for what. Was running the business more complex than you originally expected?
Lori: Oh, definitely. Just dealing with the government alone was a learning curve!
Local LBK: So, this is your 20th anniversary, right?
Lori: Yep, 20 years!
Local LBK: That’s incredible. How has Clay Café evolved the most in that time? You just had a major expansion, but what did the business look like when you first started?
Lori: The biggest change has definitely been social media. When we first opened, you couldn’t just wait for people to walk in — you had to go out and find them. We had to advertise, visit schools, reach out to businesses, and introduce ourselves. It was a lot of cold calls and in-person outreach. We’d walk into companies and say, “Hey, this is who we are, this is what we do — bring your team in for a work party!”
That’s actually how our preschool program started. We went to preschools and offered creative handprint projects. Now, we do a new handprint design every single month — and in 20 years, we’ve never repeated a design.
Local LBK: That’s adorable! I’ve seen some of them displayed up near the ceiling.
Lori: Yes! We have so many memories in here.
Local LBK: What role do you think accessible art spaces like Clay Café play in fostering creativity in this community? You’ve helped cultivate a love for creativity here — not pioneered it, of course, because the art scene has been here for a long time — but what impact do you think you’ve had? And how would you like to continue inspiring the community?
Lori: One thing I thought about today is how people come in here carrying the stress of the world, and when they walk through the doors, they step into a space that’s welcoming, safe, and ready to take care of them. It’s been proven that doing something creative raises your serotonin. Being in a space with happy people, smiling, engaging in art — it all lifts you up.
Creativity is at the heart of what we do, but it’s also about the experience: making memories with your child, sharing a moment with a friend, and having a space where you can create something uniquely yours. I love that people of all abilities can come in here. Art gives them an outlet, a way to express their emotions and thoughts. Clay Café plays a big role in that.
Local LBK: You’re celebrating your 20th anniversary in March. What does that milestone mean to you? When you bought this business just a few months after it opened, did you ever imagine you’d still be here two decades later — especially after everything, including COVID?
Lori: Honestly, I think you just get in the boat and start rowing. You’re not thinking about how long you’ve been going, just trying to keep up and move forward. I never imagined 20 years. But now, I want to keep going, to make it even more accessible, to bring in more products, to make sure there’s something for everyone to do — at every skill level.
Local LBK to Davis: I’m sure that in some way, Clay Café inspired you over the years. Did that influence your decision to go to art school?
Davis: Oh, absolutely. I was told not to go into art at every turn. But you have to be passionate about it. You have to love it.
Lori: And Davis and I — we love, love, love this business. Sure, we get burned out sometimes, but we recharge, and then we can’t wait to come back to it.
Local LBK: So March 10 is the big day, right?
Lori: Yes! And what’s really interesting is that the woman who originally started this business — March 10 was her birthday. When I took over, it was completely unplanned, but my birthday is also March 10. It just felt like it was meant to be.
Local LBK: That’s wild! So do you have any special promotions or events planned for the anniversary?
Lori: No big promotions, but I’m working hard to load the shelves with new products, giving people more to do. I try to stay on trend and offer fresh ways for them to decorate their homes or just spend time with family. We even ordered another table because we’re filling up, and I want to make sure we have plenty of space for everyone.
Our glass fusing is something we’ve always had, and I’ve always loved it, but I really want to make it more accessible. I keep using that word — accessible — but it’s so important. I want everyone to feel like they can do it. We have five-year-olds who come in and make glass pieces. Actually, our top Christmas customer was a five-year-old! She made night lights for her entire family, and they turned out so cute.
Local LBK: That’s adorable! Just to clarify — glass fusing is different from glass blowing, right?
Lori: Totally different. Glass blowing is a much more interactive process — it has to be done with an open oven while the glass is still molten. Glass fusing, on the other hand, is all about layering pieces of glass and then melting them together in a kiln. It’s an entirely different art form, but just as beautiful in its own way.
Local LBK: Nice, okay! So, do you have any favorite customer stories or special moments that stand out?
Lori: Oh, absolutely. One that comes to mind is this woman who used to come in with her two children and some friends. They’d visit all the time, usually later in the afternoon. My staff kept talking about them, and I finally got to meet her. She was so sweet, so kind, and I invited her to sit with me so I could get to know her better. Now? She works for me! And she’s become a good friend, a great employee — she has that same love and passion for Clay Café that I do.
Local LBK: That’s amazing!
Davis: Yeah, I call her my auntie — she’s like family. She’s been with us almost 10 years now. I think she first started coming in around 2014 or 2015.
Local LBK: Wow. That’s so special.
Davis: It really is. We’ve always had families come in to make memories, whether it’s their annual Clay Café ornaments or parents bringing their kids in to do handprints as a tradition. A lot of times, couples will walk in, and when we ask if they’ve been here before, they’ll say, “Yeah, when I was five! We used to come here all the time. We had birthday parties here.” And now, we’re seeing generations — those kids are now parents bringing in their own little ones.
Local LBK: That’s got to be such a full-circle moment.
Davis: It really is. I wouldn’t have understood what that would feel like if I had tried to imagine 20 years down the road. But then I realized — I was starting to hire kids who had their fifth birthday here! They’d even show me pictures: “This was me when I was little, back when the store was painted lime green.”
Local LBK: That’s incredible. So when y’all hit your 40th anniversary, my little one will probably be bringing in her little one!
Davis: Exactly!
Local LBK: Why do you think art — especially hands-on experiences like pottery — resonates with so many people, but I think you already touched on that earlier. So let’s move on — what advice would you give to aspiring artists or those looking to start a creative business?
Lori: You better be passionate about it. You better love it with all of your heart. You have to think, This is the only thing I can see myself doing. And then, take business classes. Learn the business side of it. Creativity comes naturally to me, but accounting? Keeping up with business papers? I had no clue about that. So don’t just learn your craft — learn how to run a business.
Local LBK: And now, social media plays such a huge role too, right?
Lori: Oh, absolutely. You have to figure out how to use social media to get your product out there.
Local LBK: And in creative fields, there’s so much competition. Millions of other businesses are offering similar experiences — how do you set yourself apart?
Lori: That’s something I think about all the time. Our biggest competitors aren’t necessarily other art studios — they’re places like the movie theater, Main Event, trampoline parks. Families have so many options for where to spend their money, so we have to make this experience worth it for them. We want people to know that even if they don’t think they’re artistic, they can still come in and have fun.
Local LBK: I love that! Actually, I was having lunch with a friend the other day, and she told me that every time she babysat her younger cousin, this was the place they had to come. It was their special spot.
Lori: I love hearing that! That’s exactly why we do this.
Local LBK: What’s one of the most impactful moments you’ve witnessed in your time.
Lori: We had a customer who used to bring her grandmother in — her grandmother had dementia, and they’d sit and paint together. The grandmother would tell me the same story over and over, and I’d just smile and engage with her like it was the first time. A year later, the woman came back, and her grandmother had passed. She told me how much she cherished that time they spent together here.
We’ve had so many moments like that — families bringing in loved ones who were battling cancer, knowing their time was limited, but creating something lasting.
One of the most memorable stories was a young boy who had to have his forearm amputated. His family came in, and we made prints of both his hands before his surgery. I’ve also seen kids with six fingers come in to get a handprint before having surgery to remove the extra digit. It’s just amazing how something as simple as a handprint can be such a powerful, preserved memory.
Local LBK: That’s incredible. And I remember when we first met, you told me about how y’all send tiles to the NICU.
Lori: Oh, yes! I forget about that sometimes, but we do. Those tiles are so tiny — it breaks your heart for those families, but at the same time, I’m so glad we can give them something so important to hold onto.
Local LBK: What do you hope for the future of Clay Café?
Lori: I think I already touched on that earlier, but really, I just want to keep it relevant — to make sure people still want to come in and create. As long as mothers are having babies, we’ll be here to remind them, Hey, you need a handprint of this newborn because they won’t stay small for long.
And we want it to be accessible to everyone. Maybe you don’t have a child, but you have a dog — well, we can do a paw print. We see all kinds of people come in here, and it’s such a good space for so many different communities. For example, it’s great for kids with autism — they can come in, express themselves through art, and really excel at it.
It’s also a place for caretakers. We have mothers who bring in children who can’t walk, can’t communicate, but they can sit here, create art, relax, and be together. They can make a handprint, a footprint — and that means everything to them. That makes my heart so happy.
Local LBK: I feel that, as a mom. It’s not just about making a memory — it’s about the time spent together, and in the end, they have a keepsake to remember it. And I’ve noticed that this is one of the only places where people aren’t glued to their phones.
Lori: Exactly! You literally can’t be on your phone.
Local LBK: Right! It forces you to actually talk to the person you came with, whether it’s a date, a friend, or your child. It’s one of the few places in town where people are fully present with each other.
Lori: And that’s a form of art therapy. It forces you to be in the moment, either with another person or even with yourself — listening to an audiobook, just unwinding.
Davis: One key thing I want to mention is that while we offer an accessible and therapeutic space for many, it doesn’t have to serve that purpose for everyone.
Local LBK to Davis: So, what’s it been like running a family business, alongside your mom? Has it changed the dynamics of your relationship.
Davis: For me, as a child who watched my mom run the business, it was empowering. I’ve called her Lori more than Mom because Clay Cafe was my second home for half my life.
We grew up understanding that Clay Cafe was like a third sibling that needed care. There were many times we saw it almost fail because trends would change, and then COVID-19 hit, but social media ultimately saved us.
Without it, we’d be shouting into the void to get people to come paint pottery. It’s what keeps us relevant.
What is Clay Café?
Clay Café is a vibrant pottery studio where creativity thrives. Located in Lubbock, it offers a hands-on experience for artists of all ages, where guests can paint and personalize ceramic pieces like mugs, plates, tiles, and more. With a range of pottery options and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unleash your creativity, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned artist. The studio also features a cozy party room, ideal for birthdays, family gatherings, or special events, allowing guests to celebrate while crafting personalized keepsakes. Whether you’re coming to relax, bond, or create lasting memories, Clay Café is where creativity and community come together.