Article By: Paul Long Photos By: Josh Triggs You don’t have to be artistically inclined to complete a project at the Polka Dot Pot in Old Town Winchester. All you need is a creative spirit, an enthusiastic attitude and a willingness to try new things. The Polka Dot Pot, which bills itself as a “create your own art studio,” has been a popular destination for the past several years for people looking for unique holiday gift ideas as well as those interested in learning a new skill or two. “People want to come in and relax and not do anything that’s too complicated,” studio owner Emily Rhodes said recently. The studio recently moved into a new location at 157 N. Loudoun St., next to the Snow White Grill. Rhodes says the new store is actually about 600 square feet smaller than the previous one, but it features more table space, more tables and a party room that is more private.Rhodes, a former special education teacher, was a stay-at-home mom when she launched her new venture in 2002 with a friend who was also a stay-at-home mom. They worked out of a small space in Berryville for about two years before the business moved to Winchester and set up shop in Creekside Station. Rhodes moved to Old Town about five years ago. Until recently, she operated out of a storefront just down the walking mall from her current location. Then, with her lease about to expire, she learned that the storefront at 157 N. Loudoun was about to become available. She acted quickly and was able to relocate in June.Making a gift at the Polka Dot Pot is a process that requires some advance planning. For example, a project involving clay usually requires about three weeks to complete. But if Rhodes can help speed things along to help her customers, she usually will. “Basically, I always push the deadline as close as I can for Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and Christmas,” said Rhodes. “I can run some rush loads through. I need at least three or four days when it’s really busy and crazy before a holiday. But most everything, like the pottery, takes a week to get back.” Often, Rhodes said, a customer will come into the store knowing they want to paint something for a holiday gift, but they may not have a specific idea in mind. That’s when Rhodes can help with a suggestion or some colors to work with. “If they’ve seen something online, we can help them with that,” she said. “Or we have tracing paper we can use. We can help them with a lot of different things.”Christmas ornaments are one of the most popular offerings at the Polka Dot Pot, but they don’t always have a holiday theme. Rhodes said Star Wars ornaments were a huge hit last year, and this time around, she plans to start working on them early in order to keep up with demand. Rhodes makes these ornaments themselves.Rhodes recently began offering board art in her store – essentially, custom-made signs for either a business or a home. Some families like to add their own fl air to a sign that might hang from their mailbox or on their porch. And, since it’s a new concept, at least for the Polka Dot Pot, Rhodes plans to offer classes for customers looking to see what board art is all about. The store will also offer classes that will focus on completing one particular project. A plate adorned with the words “Choose to be Happy” has been a big hit, and so Rhodes plans to teach interested clients how to...