Business Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10AM - 6PM
Wednesday 10AM - 6PM
Thursday 10AM - 6PM
Friday 10AM - 6PM
Saturday 10AM - 6PM
Sunday 10AM - 6PM
We recommend setting aside two hours for paint-the-pottery
(We can stay open a lil’ longer if you get here before 6pm)
Location
Thought Balloon Art Studio
670 Gregory Lane Unit G
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
People
Bear Trickey
Ceramic Sculpture / Paper Craft / Fiber Arts / Studio Owner
Bear uses ceramics and other physical media to create maze-like artwork that’s inspired by, and feeds back into, his passion for nature and play. Prior to pursuing ceramics, he worked as a game developer in Kyoto, Japan, and later co-founded the mobile game company Winning Blimp. In 2020, while isolating and caring for his son struggling with the rare retina disease Coats’ Disease, he began ceramics as a creative and therapeutic outlet.
After graduating with a B.A. in East Asian Languages and Literature at University of Florida, Bear moved to Kyoto, Japan to receive a degree in Digital Art and Animation at Kyoto Computer Institute. He has been studying hand building at Red Ox Clay Studio in Concord, California since 2022.
Kumi Trickey
Japanese Abacus (Soroban) / Social Media Manager / Studio Owner
Kumi grew up in Japan and has spent nearly 15 years teaching and working with children. She brings that same passion for nurturing young minds to everything she does at Thought Balloon. As co-owner, she keeps the studio's heart beating, managing classes, marketing, and making sure every guest feels welcome. She also runs Top Abacus, her Japanese abacus (Soroban) school, right here in the studio.
Bronwyn Trickey Cohen
Financial Accounting / Chicken Mom / Goat Expert
Currently residing in Wyoming, with her husband and Newfoundland. Enjoying the sailing, skiing, hiking and other outdoor activities.