What is A Little Twisted?

Emma Brinkley: “A pottery studio, store and wellness center where creativity meets community. We believe that art is for everyone – no matter your background, experience or ability. Our inclusive space offers hands-on pottery classes, mindful workshops and a curated selection of handmade ceramics. We nurture self-expression, connection and well-being through the healing power of art. Come as you are, create, connect and grow with us.”
 

How does it work?

Emma Brinkley: “All of our classes are published monthly to Instagram and our website. We offer drop-in or appointment availability for premade paint-your-own pottery. Appointments are required for larger group events, including bridal, bachelorette, birthday and corporate parties. Registration online or via text is required for our Clay Dates, six-week series, silver clay, glass fusion or private events. Each event is catered to the group and fully customizable.”
 

Why did you start the business?

Emma Brinkley: “We opened A Little Twisted Studio because it has always been my dream. After several autoimmune diagnoses and moments of frustration and sadness, I needed to bring some light to my life; I needed an outlet. A place to share my love of pottery and recreate myself. But most of all, I needed a place to cultivate joy. To us, the studio is more than a business; it’s a community – a place where artists and soul-seekers come together to create and grow, uplifting one another no matter their stage in life.”
 

What experience have you had with pottery?

Emma Brinkley: “I started making pottery in middle school with a semester-long art class. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get clay to do what I wanted it to do. Once I got the hang of it, I was hooked. I took all eight semesters of pottery in high school and nine in college. We opened when I was a rising junior at UNCW.”
 

Why do you think people like pottery?

Emma Brinkley: “I think people like pottery because it creates a whole-body experience. Clay is unlike any other medium that you can work with. Your brain gets quiet when you’re creating pottery; it’s hard to focus on anything other than what your hands are actively doing. It grounds people and allows them to express themselves with the movements of their hands. Pottery is addicting; it’s forgiving, humbling and so rewarding.”
 

What else do you want people to know about your business?

Emma Brinkley: “We aim to make art approachable, accessible and important for everyone; everyone is an artist. The way people feel in our studio is just as important as the project that each person is working on. We’ve dedicated ourselves to making the studio feel as welcoming and comfortable for everyone.”