At ArtyPax, I believe that creativity and conservation go hand in hand. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to announce a new partnership with Atlas Project UK. A collaboration that means every purchase you make from my nature inspired, paint your own ceramics range now directly supports UK habitat restoration and native wildlife conservation.   Whether you’re picking up a paint your own puffin kit, a ceramic fox, or a woodland themed pottery set, you’re not just fuelling your creativity— you’re also helping to protect and restore vital British ecosystems. Go you! Where Your Money Goes: Supporting Conservation in East Ayrshire Thanks to your support, we’ve already made a real impact. The first round of funding raised through ArtyPax purchases has been invested in conservation work at Montgreenan, located in the East Ayrshire Lowlands of Scotland.   Here’s a closer look at the important work your purchases have helped fund: Planting Native Wildflowers Native wildflowers are vital for supporting pollinators like bees, butterflies and other insects. By planting these species, we’re helping to rebuild the natural food chain and support biodiversity across the area. Restoring Peatlands Peatlands are one of the UK’s most important carbon stores. When they are damaged, they release carbon into the atmosphere—but when they are restored, they lock that carbon back into the ground. Restoration of these peatlands not only helps combat climate change but also improves water quality and creates safe breeding grounds for rare birds and amphibians. Wetland Regeneration Wetlands are essential for supporting a diverse range of wildlife, including otters, wading birds, frogs, and newts. The regeneration of wetland areas at Montgreenan means safer, thriving habitats for our native and endangered species. Why This Matters The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. With over 15% of our species at risk of extinction and habitats vanishing due to development, pollution and climate change, conservation work has never been more important.   You can help change that. Your continued support helps fund projects that not only protect endangered species but also tackle the root causes of climate change—such as habitat loss and carbon release from degraded land.   This isn’t just about planting flowers—it’s about building a healthier, wilder future. Painting with Purpose At ArtyPax, I’ve always been inspired by nature. The designs—whether it's a barn owl, a hedgehog, a sea turtle or a wild mushroom—reflect my love for the natural world. Now, we're all giving back to the very wildlife that inspires the products you love.   Every time you buy a paint your own ceramic kit, you’re also helping fund real world restoration and conservation work across the UK. It’s creativity with purpose. How awesome are you? What’s Next? This is just the beginning. You, along with ArtyPax’s partnership with Atlas Project UK, will continue to fund new restoration projects throughout the UK—from ancient woodlands to wildflower meadows and more. I’ll be sharing updates regularly so you can see exactly how your purchase is making a difference & the incredible impact you're having. Shop to Support Nature, Your Purchase Makes a Difference If you're looking for a fun, mindful hobby that helps wildlife, ArtyPax offers a wide range of paint your own ceramic kits featuring your favourite British animals and birds.   And now, every brushstroke helps restore real habitats for the creatures you love. Shop today and support UK wildlife with every order.

A personalised wedding plate is a perfect keepsake for newlyweds, capturing their special day in a timeless, decorative piece. The best part? You don’t need a kiln to create a stunning, hand-painted wedding plate! Whether it’s a gift for a couple or a bespoke decoration for your own wedding, this easy guide will show you how to design a beautiful wedding plate using acrylic paints and water-based varnish. Why Make a Wedding Plate? Personal Touch:  Handmade gifts are thoughtful, unique & significant to you. Keepsake for Years to Come:  A wedding plate is a lasting reminder of a special day. Budget-Friendly: No need for expensive kiln-firing – just paint, seal, and display! What You’ll Need: Before you begin, gather these materials: ✔  Ceramic bisque plate  – Unglazed, pre-fired pottery is ideal for painting. ✔  Acrylic paints  – Choose your matching wedding colours or classic whites, golds, and silvers. ✔  Paintbrushes  – A mix of fine detail brushes and larger brushes for backgrounds. ✔  Pencil & eraser  – For sketching your design before painting. ✔  Stencils & tape  – Add detail without needing to paint freehand. Secure in place with tape. ✔  Water-based varnish  – To seal and protect the design. ✔  Palette or mixing tray  – To blend custom colours. ✔  Cup of water & paper towels  – For cleaning brushes between colours. Step 1: Plan Your Design Think about how you want the wedding plate to look. Popular design ideas include: The couple’s names and wedding date in elegant script. Floral or botanical elements to match the wedding theme. A heart, wedding rings, or doves for a romantic touch. A meaningful quote or wedding vow excerpt. A central design with space for wedding guests to sign around it with paint pens. Lightly sketch your design onto the plate with a pencil. If you make a mistake, gently erase and redraw. Step 2: Paint the Background If you want a coloured background, apply a thin, even layer of paint with a flat brush. Soft pastels, white, or gold create a classic wedding look. Let the paint dry completely  before adding any text or details. Avoid applying thick layers – multiple thin coats work best. Gradually add water to your desired colour to thin it down. Step 3: Add Personalised Details Using a fine brush or stencils, carefully paint the couple’s names, wedding date, and any decorative elements. For neat lettering:  Use a light touch and steady hand, or use a paint pen or stencils for precision. For floral details:  Layer different shades for depth – lighter tones for highlights and darker for shadows. Metallic accents:  Gold or silver paint adds elegance to borders and lettering. Let each section dry before painting next to it to prevent smudging. Using a hair dryer helps speed the process along. Step 4: Finishing Touches Enhance the design with small details like: ✨ Delicate dots or vines to frame text. 💍 Wedding rings or intertwined hearts. 🌿 Subtle shading for a professional look. Step 5: Seal with Varnish Once the paint is completely dry, apply a water-based varnish to protect the design. Use a soft brush  to apply in thin, even strokes. Spay on varnishes are also available. Allow at least 24 hours  to dry before handling. Important:  This plate is decorative only and not food-safe. If you’d like to use it for serving, place a clear glass plate or food grade acetate on top when in use. Step 6: Display or Gift Your Wedding Plate! Once sealed, your wedding plate is ready to be displayed or gifted. Display it on an easel  at the wedding reception. Gift it in a personalised box  for the happy couple. Hang it on the wall  as a timeless keepsake. Why Choose Acrylic Paint for Wedding Plates? ✔  No kiln required  – Perfect for home crafting! ✔  Dries quickly  – No long waiting times. ✔  Easy to personalise  –   Get the design you truly want. ✔  Easy to mix and layer  – Great for detailed designs. ✔  Seals beautifully with varnish  – Protects the artwork for years. Create Your Own Wedding Plate Today! Ready to make your own wedding keepsake? Get your ceramic bisque plate and get started. 🎨  Shop now and create a wedding plate that lasts a lifetime!  🎨

Yes, acrylic paint can be layered, and this is one of their key advantages! Layering acrylics allows you to build depth, create texture, and refine details in your artwork. Here’s how and why layering works so well with acrylics: Why Layering with Acrylics Works Quick Drying Time:  Acrylic paints dry quickly, usually within minutes, which means you can add multiple layers in a short amount of time without waiting too long for the paint to dry. This makes them ideal for building up layers of colour and detail. Opacity and Transparency:  Depending on how much water or medium you mix with the acrylic paint; you can achieve both opaque and translucent layers. This allows you to create a range of effects, from solid colour coverage to subtle washes. Adhesion: Acrylics adhere well to both the surface and previous layers of paint, which means you can confidently add more layers without worrying about the paint lifting or peeling off. Texture: By layering acrylics, you can create a variety of textures. Thick, impasto layers can give your work a 3D effect, while thin, smooth layers can add subtle shifts in colour and tone. Tips for Layering Acrylic Paint Start with Thin Layers:  Begin with thinner, more diluted layers to establish your base colours and composition. As you build up, you can start using thicker, more opaque paint for stronger colour and texture. Let Layers Dry Fully:  Ensure each layer is fully dry before applying the next to avoid muddying colours or accidentally blending areas you want to keep distinct. Use Mediums for Effect:  Acrylic mediums can alter the texture, transparency, and drying time of your paint. Experiment with different mediums & their effects to find the look you’re after. Build Up Gradually:  When working on details, gradually build up the intensity of colours by layering from light to dark or dark to light, depending on your desired effect. Applications of Layering Depth: By layering different shades of the same colour, you can create a sense of depth and dimension in your work, such as you would see in landscapes or portraits. Texture: Layering thick acrylics can create texture that adds a tactile quality to your painting, making it more dynamic and interesting. Detailing: Starting with broad strokes and then adding layers of finer details can help you achieve more intricate and refined results in your painting. In summary, layering is a powerful technique when working with acrylic paints, offering versatility and allowing you to achieve a range of artistic effects. Whether you're painting on ceramics, canvas, or another surface, mastering layering will elevate your artwork to new levels.