We're excited to announce a new blog series to go along with the "best-kept secrets" you can read about in the new 2012 Steuben County Travel Guide! Check back the fourth week of every month this year to read a feature on one of those gems we've found in Corning & the Finger Lakes! To request your free copy of the Travel Guide, e-mail our Sales and Office Assistant, Kevin Peterson, or call 607.936.6544.

When my boss asked me to choose an "outing" for my birthday celebration last summer, I knew I wanted to do something creative. I'd never had the chance to do anything with pottery before, and had always wanted to try it out. Whenever I see those glazed finished pieces somewhere, I just stop and stare in awe (and admittedly run a finger over the smooth, shiny surface). I just love the colors – the way they blend together in this perfect, effortless way to create such beauty. I knew I had to try to create that myself.

When the four ladies in my office and I went to Earth Paint & Fire, a studio that has been on Market Street in Corning for 4½ years, we got that chance to unleash our creativity. When you step into the small space, you're met with a wall of choices. For someone with a severe indecision issue such as myself, the prospect of choosing just one piece to paint seemed utterly overwhelming. There was, however, one saving grace – fall was fast approaching, and seasonal projects were screaming my name. I could immediately rule out the wine glass, the vase, and the dog bowl. Now it came down to deciding between an adorable Jack-O-Lantern and a scary ghost. I decided to go with a plate shaped like a leaf instead!

I browsed through the idea books to get a little inspiration before attempting to select my paint. With dozens of colors to choose from, I had to decide if I wanted to go with a traditional fall leaf with hues of red, yellow, and orange. I dared to be different and picked up bottles of purple, turquoise, and lime green paint. Next, I grabbed a book of stencils and began tracing a grapevine pattern onto my leaf.

Layer after layer of glaze later, my leaf was starting to come to life. My boss also opted to make a leaf, and it was interesting to see how two completely different pieces emerged from the same clay form. That's the beauty of Earth Paint & Fire. You choose your clay project and then you let your creativity take over. Sure, you could try to mimic one of the beautiful pieces pictured in the idea books. You could use the sponges, stencils, and stamps available to add to your project. But one thing is absolutely certain: your finished piece will never look perfectly identical to any other piece of pottery. It's a special, one-of-a-kind creation. Whether you make that traditional red fall leaf or a hot pink one, it's a piece to cherish. Even though fall has long since come and gone, I still display my leaf to remind me of my fun experience at Earth Paint & Fire.

We chose to feature the studio in our Women Only Weekends section of the travel guide this year, because it provides a fun, creative, and memorable experience for all groups of women. Just like my group had fun painting pottery last summer, so many girlfriends have enjoyed their time at Earth Paint & Fire. Owner, Stephanie Novinsky even lets you bring snacks and drinks. Who wouldn't have a great time painting a vase while sipping some Finger Lakes wine? "They usually bring a dish or snack to pass, wine, coffee, etc., and make an evening of it," Stephanie said. "The biggest comment I hear when they are finished is 'that was FUN!'"

If you're looking for a fun experience for you and your gal pals, Earth Paint & Fire is where you'll find it. It's while you're painting and laughing with a few of your closest friends that you'll discover why Earth Paint & Fire is one of Steuben County's best-kept secrets!

Other ideas: Looking to have a unique date night this Valentine's Day? How about going out to dinner, then painting some pottery at Earth Paint & Fire? Bring a bottle of your favorite Finger Lakes wine and enjoy sipping and painting the night away. Even try a new project called "glass fusion pottery," where you not only paint pottery, but get to experiment with glass, as well!

For more information, visit http://earthpaintandfirestudio.com/.