Clay Paper Ink

Melinda Stender taught art in Clark County schools for 18 years before she opened Clay Paper Ink in June 2025. She grew up in Las Vegas, earned a bachelor's in art and a master's in art education at UNLV, and taught at every level: elementary at Kit Carson and three southwest schools, middle school at J.D. Smith and Fremont, and high school at Western, Coronado and Green Valley, where she most recently taught ceramics. She wanted more people, not only students, to have a place to make art, and the shop on South Las Vegas Boulevard is the result.

Drop in and pick a lane

Clay Paper Ink calls itself an art café, and no appointment is needed during open hours. There are three easy ways in:

• Open studio: $20 plus tax for two hours with the shared supplies, including paint, collage, jewelry making, polymer and air-dry clay, drawing and sewing
• Clay handbuilding: $25 plus tax for two hours, clay and kiln firing included; come back and pay $5 to glaze
• Pottery glazing: mugs, plates, bowls, creatures and vintage pieces poured in house, at the listed price with no studio fee

For anyone who finds a table full of supplies a little daunting, there are kits: bead plants, fairy houses, shadow boxes, felted creatures, mosaic coasters, bead bouquets and potion bottles, most priced between $15 and $25.

Classes with Melinda

Instructor-led sessions change monthly. Repeat favorites include clay classes, open clay nights, fiber nights with three kinds of felting, and beaded embroidery. This fall's calendar adds a beginning Bob Ross-style oil painting class and hollow clay ghosts and pumpkins. A homeschool class meets Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. A $100 monthly membership covers every class plus unlimited open studio.

Parties and groups

The room holds up to 55 people for birthdays, team outings and school groups, and guests may bring their own food and drinks.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.

Visit or contact Clay Paper Ink

9155 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-913-4154 (call or text; texts get the fastest reply)
Business website

Researched September 26, 2026. Source 1; Source 2; Source 3; Source 4; Source 5; Source 6; Source 7; Source 8. This is an independent directory listing, not a claim that the owner has joined or installed a badge. For a correction or removal, contact Cody. Listings are free and badges are optional.