There's an art to entertaining, and in Madison County, many people are entertaining using art.

"We host birthday parties, church outings, bridal and baby showers, bachelorette parties and much more here," said Debbie Ely, owner of Different Strokes Art Studio in Ridgeland. "We even do corporate events."

The studio, which specializes in painted pottery, has been in business five years. Ely purchased it after seeing a "business for sale" sign in the window.

"I was looking for an idea for a fundraiser and saw the sign. At the time, I was looking for a job where I couldn't get fired," she said. "I have a child who has battled cancer for eight years, and he has to be out of school a lot. I was initially looking to own my own business so I wouldn't have to ask for time off."

What she got was a whole lot more. "This has been the ideal situation for us. It's a happy, vibrant place and people enjoy coming here. If my son does have to be out of school, I can bring him to the studio with me."

As president of the UMC Candlelighters, which raises funds for children with cancer, Ely said she's especially partial to non-profits. "We do a number of fund raising events here."

Visitors to the studio choose their project, and the cost includes supplies needed, including brushes, paints and instruction as needed. "We provide a beautiful, relaxing atmosphere where folks can come in and let their creative juices flow." Ely said that she particularly likes it when men or boys come in. "We don't get them in very often, but when we do, man, can they paint!"

For ladies who want a brief escape from kids and the demands of home, Ely offers a Ladies' Night, complete with supper. "Ladies come in right after work, eat dinner, and paint something they can be proud of. Some nights we'll focus on new techniques. It's just whatever they want to do."

Projects must be glazed and fired before the customers can take them home. The turnaround time, according to Ely, is four to seven days.

For a more textural experience, The Mosaic Shop features tiles, mirrors and glass to create mosaic projects out of just about anything. Open for four years, the shop outgrew its space on U.S. 51 and moved to a larger space in Pear Orchard Village on County Line Road in October.

"Business is good!," said Wanda Hendrix, owner of the shop.

Hendrix also hosts a variety of parties, ranging from birthday parties to bridal showers to ladies' night out. "We also welcome individuals at any time."

Customers come in and choose the project they want to do, and the price includes all that's needed to finish the project.

The most popular projects at The Mosaic Shop are crosses, initials and peace signs. "Our customers also love doing big planters and stepping stones." Like Ely, Hendrix purchased the shop from the person who opened it. "It was something that looked like fun, so we jumped in. It's been wonderful."

For those who prefer painting on canvas, Easely Amused is another option. The class schedules are posted online, and classes always fill up quickly. One of the most popular classes has been the couples class, where couples come in and paint portraits of each other. Owner Bridgette Tisdale opened the studio a couple of years ago, and it has now grown to two locations. The Ridgeland location has moved to a larger space, and there is now a location in Flowood.

In Canton, crafters are drawn to P is for Primitive, a shop on the Square owned by Liseanne Miller. The front half of the store features pottery, gourmet food items and primitive decor. The back half of the store is everything for the rug hooker, knitter, Russian punch, Oxford punch and anyone who does any hand work! The store also carries a large selection of yarns, threads, wool fabric and more. The store is host to several types of classes and special events.

Madison is also home to Mosart, a do-it-yourself crafts studio located on U.S. 51. There, partiers or just those who feel the creative urge, can paint pottery, create glass bowls or hammer away to make a distressed wood frame. There are also couples classes as well as a Ladies Night that includes dinner.