Get to know us

My name is Melinda Stender and I am the owner of Clay Paper Ink. It started as a dream about 17 years ago. I grew up in Las Vegas, went to school here, did my Bachelors in Art at UNLV, became an Art teacher with CCSD. Then I did my Masters in Art Education at UNLV and moved through grade levels, teaching art at 7 different schools. I loved each one and I loved teaching each grade level at that time in my life. Recently I taught Ceramics at Green Valley High School. It was the best. But I wished that more people could have a space to do art. I taught a few students who didn't appreciate that opportunity that they had and didn't understand that they were lucky to have it. So I decided to take some time off from teaching and I opened Clay Paper Ink in June 2025. Now we have been open over a year and we keep meeting new people and they love that they can come and make art. You can learn new skills. You can experiment with new materials. All at a reasonable price point.

So, if you already love to do art and are not overwhelmed by it, you should come in and do 2 hours for $20. You get to try out a bit of everything.

If that overwhelms you a little, then pick one of our kits to do in studio. Or glaze a piece of ceramics. We don't charge any extra fees. The cost of the glaze and firing is included in the price.

Come in, relax, let go of the world for a bit. It will still be there when you get back. But you will feel better, I promise.