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Date: 11/4/2021
GRANBY – Connie Batchelor has been the owner of Connie’s Ceramics since 1984. Previously located in Chicopee for 37 years, Batchelor’s business is now offering handmade ceramics and ceramics classes in Granby.
Batchelor said that owning her own business was always a dream of hers.
“It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said.
Batchelor hand-makes all of her ceramics which she sells both on her own and distributes to other ceramic shops. After having to shut down for three months in 2020 due to COVID-19, Batchelor said her business has struggled.
“It was really slow at first. Everybody was scared, you know, which is very understandable,” she said. “I’m still slow in my classes because people are still scared to be sitting next to each other.”
Recently, Connie’s Ceramics was featured at the Big E. She said that this was a great way for her to bounce back.
“I thought we were going to be dead at the Big E, but we were quite alive,” she said.
With the holidays approaching, Batchelor offers great handmade gifts at her store located at 183 West State St. and on her Facebook page. Batchelor said that she frequently posts online what new ceramics she’s selling, seasonal specials and more.
Batchelor also offers ceramics classes to the public. On Mondays and Thursdays she has night classes and on Tuesdays and Thursdays she has afternoon classes.
She said that she teaches people how to make ceramics, how to paint and more.
“It’s teaching anything they want to know about ceramics plus painting it and making it pretty,” said Batchelor.
Those interested in classes are able to sign up and pay by calling Batchelor at 563-3295.
Batchelor said that she does most of her ceramic making at home, so her store hours vary. She encouraged people to give her a call or visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/conniesceramicsclasses to find out more information.
After owning her business for so long, Batchelor said that her favorite part is still her customers.
“The people. I love being with people,” she said.