All Fired Up

Like a new twist on a classic song, Felicia Tortorici didn’t set out to make a hit.

The owner of All Fired Up, Tortorici bought the 20-year-old business at 1796 Churn Creek Road in the Shasta Center while shopping. “Honestly, I was looking for a used kiln for my own projects and saw the business was for sale,” she says. It sang to her.

“I had spent lots of creative time in businesses like this while at school and I really wanted to fill a spot in our community where people could have fun,” Tortorici says.

And fun is the name of the game at All Fired Up. After all, what’s more fun than making keepsake pottery items for birthday, Christmas or Mother’s Day gifts? Or sitting with a bunch of girlfriends during an adult-only session making pottery or painting canvases?

“We are in the business of making memories with family and friends,” she says, adding she’s proud to help “families rekindle memories they made when the studio first opened 20 years ago.”

From cookie plates painted with love for Grandma to coffee mugs that bring a smile with each sip, All Fired Up lets the inner Picasso out in all – young or old. They offer children’s art lessons in addition to pottery painting, canvas painting, fused glass and clay prints. Parties for kids or adults are reasonably priced and can seat as few as six people. The website – www.allfiredupnorcal.com – offers examples of what can be done through each medium.

Sure, the business is a haven to bring the kids for a creative adventure or birthday party. But Tortorici expanded the offerings to adults when she purchased All Fired Up in 2016. And while she loves seeing children spreading their imagination on pottery, she knows adults need that outlet, too. “Adults need to have a place to be creative, relax and have fun,” Tortorici says. “This isn’t all about kids; it’s an all-ages activity and we do more than paint figurines. We try to have workshops and classes where adults have fun, too.”

Like many of her clients who often surprise themselves with the ability to learn a new skill, Tortorici, a North State native, says owning the business has taught her new skills to ensure the business thrives. “My biggest inspiration is watching people who say they are not creative or crafty or artistic do exactly that, surprising themselves,” she says, adding the learning doesn’t stop with her clients. “I keep learning new things so I have interesting things to offer the community.”

The small, family-owned business isn’t alone in navigating the COVID-19 world, but is committed to ensuring safe, family fun is had by all.

All Fired Up – Felicia Tortorici, owner
1796 Churn Creek Road
www.allfiredupnorcal.com