Crafty enterprise

Abigail Amaya, 5, of West Sacramento, paints a mug at Bella Terra in downtown Vacaville to give to her dad for Christmas. (Brad Zweerink/The Reporter)

Biz bio Name of company: Bella Terra Location: 318 # B Main St., Vacaville Owner: Stephanie Bellamy Years in existence: 10+ Product or service: Paint-it-yourself ceramics and create it yourself mosaics.

Located in the old Reporter building, the interior walls are painted in warm, rich, colors. A large geometric diamond pattern covers one wall, and climbing up the back wall and ceiling is a large mural of a walnut tree, depicting the trees that once lined the alleyway behind the historic building. Bellamy, an artist and painter, created the murals on the interior walls a year ago when the business relocated there.

Bella Terra, a paint-it-yourself ceramic studio, was originally opened by Bellamy's sister, Holly, 10 years ago. In 2005 the studio moved to its current location, and in January of this year, Holly sold the business, and ownership changed hands, from one sister to another.

"I had my own business doing interior painting and murals," explained Bellamy. "But when Holly wanted to sell her business, she wanted to keep it in the family. It was a good fit for me and good for our customers. We were able to keep it the same, and keep the same feel."

A feel which is very much like walking into a cozy, beautifully decorated living room, complete with soft lighting, aromatic candles, and soothing music. Shelves full of unpainted ceramic pieces such as plates, bowls, and figurines line the room. Customers choose from these pieces for a project, and then use studio time to sit, paint, and create their own unique pieces of art. Bellamy then glazes and fires the pieces in a large kiln in the back of her studio, and one week later, the art piece is ready to be picked up.

For Bellamy, the transition from self-employed painter to storefront owner was easy. "Being self-employed in the paint business, it was always a challenge to seek out new business. It is very different owning a retail storefront. The customers come to you, and with it already being so established it made it even easier."

Her new career also allows her to use her artistic talents in a different way, as she teaches customers and helps them with their projects. "It is a good change to help others find their own creativity; it's a new challenge," said Bellamy, whose artistic advice is always available to her customers. "Now my creative outlet is helping others be creative."

And just about anyone can get creative at Bella Terra. "We appeal to a wide range of people and age groups. We have husband and wife date nights, women's groups, birthday parties and school field trips," Bellamy enthusiastically explained, "even newborns." Newborns? Yes, even newborn babies are welcomed, accompanied by a parent of course, to capture precious hand and foot prints in a lasting, ceramic keepsake.

Although artistic expression through painting is not new to her, the pottery business is, and Bellamy has dedicated this year to thoroughly learning the business, with continued help and training from her sister. In the near future she hopes to expand the studio and add a mosaic room, specifically designated for creating art pieces by adhering small pieces of glass or tile to wooden shapes and figures.

As a new business owner, what advice does she have to offer? "Have fun and love what you do," suggests Bellamy; a philosophy that she obviously lives by. "I want to create a warm, comfortable, 'mom and pop' business environment."

She also strongly believes in providing excellent customer service. "What they are creating here is something lasting that can be passed down from generation to generation. I want to help make sure they are happy with it, and enjoy creating it."

Customer feedback would suggest that Bellamy is creating exactly what she hoped.

"I had one customer tell me, 'I feel like I'm painting in your living room,' " she shared, laughing. And the best compliment so far? When "a little girl was painting in the studio," recounted Bellamy, "she turned and said, 'I want to live here.' "

"The Grapevine"

This months coupon:

2 for one studio time!