The Alabaster Jar

If you and your family are enjoying looking out for rainbows in windows on your daily walk, why not check out ours - I don't think you'll miss it!
What else can you spot in our window? There's plenty to see... Perhaps you could even play 'I spy' or a memory game with all the things you find.

****STUDIO NOW CLOSED****
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the studio is now closed until further notice.
... If you need to contact us, please leave us a voicemail message on 01257 274690 or e-mail us at info@thealabasterjar.co.uk. We will check voicemail messages and emails as often as we are able and will get back to you when we can. If you require a more urgent response please send us a Facebook message.
Rest assured that uncollected items will still be kept for at least a year from the day you painted, plus the length of our closure period, and we will try to contact you before disposing of them after that.
The validity of any gift vouchers that you have not been able to spend will be extended by the length of our period of closure.
We will not be able to accept any further bookings for parties, private events or MY TIME evenings until further notice.
We thank-you for all your patience during this difficult time.
We look forward to being able to welcome you all to the studio again sometime soon.
Jennie and all the staff at The Alabaster Jar 22 March 2020
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It’s not our usual set up, but we’re ready for any collections you may want to make today, making all necessary precautions for social distancing.
We are open today (21st March) until 5pm and tomorrow 11am - 4pm for collections ONLY. Please see yesterday’s post for more details of what that means for us moving forward.
Thanks to those of you who have suggested “take-away” kits. It’s something we already offered to those who needed it, but we aren’t offering this at the minute until we have reviewed whether it’s viable to provide it on a larger scale in light of heightened hygiene needs and possible staff shortages. We will keep you posted if we decide we are able to safely offer take-away options.

*** COVID-19 *** NOTICE OF STUDIO CLOSURE ***
It is with a heavy heart and deep regret, that we have to close our studio due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We have taken this difficult decision as, this evening, the Prime Minister has announced that all cafe and leisure businesses and organisations that “bring people together physically” must close tonight and not reopen for the foreseeable future. I therefore have no choice but to close the studio for painters with immed...iate effect and for an indeterminate length of time.
Whilst we are closed to painters, we will make every effort to make arrangements for some limited opportunities for collection of previously painted items. We will aim to continue this for as long as 'take-aways' from restaurants are permitted, but will monitor the situation regularly.
We will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday 21st March and 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday 22nd March for collection of previously painted items ONLY - hopefully in time for Mother’s Day.
If you are unable to collect during these times but need your item before restrictions are lifted, please leave a message with your name, contact phone number and collection ticket number on our answer phone (01257 274690) or e-mail us the same details (info@thealabasterjar.co.uk). We will check voicemail messages and emails weekly and we will contact you to try to arrange a suitable collection time. If you require a response more quickly please send us a Facebook message (@thealabasterjar).
Any changes to these arrangements will be posted to our website, Facebook page and shop window.
Rest assured that uncollected items will still be kept for at least a year from the day you painted, plus the length of our closure period, and we will try to contact you before disposing of them after that.
The validity of any gift vouchers that you have not been able to spend will be extended by the length of our period of closure.
We will not be able to accept any further bookings for parties, private events or MY TIME evenings until further notice and will be contacting those with existing bookings individually to discuss arrangements.
We thank-you for all your custom and loyalty over this difficult time.
We look forward to being able to welcome you all to the studio again when this is over.
Jennie and all the staff at The Alabaster Jar 20 March 2020
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*** COVID-19 *** CUSTOMER UPDATE ***
We are endeavouring to remain open for as long as we are able during this difficult time.
We shall stay open until at least Sunday 22nd March 2020, but will review the situation daily after that time.
... Until then, we have introduced some additional measures to allow us to operate as safely as possible to protect our customers and staff.
*** Please do not come to the studio for any reason if either you, or someone you have been in contact with, has any symptoms of COVID-19 (new persistent cough and/or high temperature), or if you have recently returned from an infected area (see the gov.uk website for up to date information) ***
If you come to the studio, we would request that you wait by the table inside the entrance until a member of staff is able to assist you.
We have reduced the number of places for painters in order to maintain at least 2 metres between tables. This inevitably has reduced our capacity, which means that at busy times you may have to wait until a clean table is available. Cleaning measures, whilst always at a high standard, have obviously been increased, and so turn-around time between groups will be longer. Please bear with us whilst we prepare room for you.
We cannot currently guarantee a one week turnaround for the collection of painted items because we do not know how long we shall be able to stay open in the usual way. Collection arrangements will be discussed with you at the time of painting.
We will not be able to accept any further bookings for parties, private events or MY TIME evenings until further notice and will be contacting those with existing bookings individually to discuss arrangements.
We trust that you will understand why we have taken these measures, and hope that we can continue to provide a safe, friendly and relaxed atmosphere for you and your loved ones to make special memories and treasured keepsakes.
Jennie and all the staff at The Alabaster Jar
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To say half term was busy is an understatement!
It was great to see so many of you, and our apologies to anyone we had to turn away when we were full to the rafters.
We hope those of you who managed to find a spot enjoyed your visits with us and are excited to collect your fabulous creations? Please don't leave it too long before you collect though, or we might need to build an extension to store it all! (And you're right - that is nearly 200 orders awaiting collection!)

***UPDATE***
I’ve made it safely to the studio so normal service has now resumed. Thanks for bearing with us.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
... ***TEMPORARY CLOSURE***
I’m currently stationary on the M61 (engine off and hand break on so I’m good to type) waiting for the amazing emergency services to deal with an accident ahead of me, so I won’t be in the studio on time to open as usual this morning.
I’ve called in my own emergency team (aka mum and dad!) who are making their way to the studio as we speak. If you’re planning on visiting this morning please call ahead on 01257 274690 to check someone is in and that we’re open.
Please bear with us as we run a reduced service this morning.
I’ll update you once I’m back in the studio and normal service has resumed.
Thanks for your patience.
Jennie
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If your busy mind needs to slow down, then this is the club for you.

There’s still a few places left on this beautiful workshop next Wednesday. Be sure to book your spot.

Don't forget that we are closed this week for our routine maintenance.
We will be open again as usual on Saturday 18th January 2020

A great start to the new year!