By Shayna Mace
As someone who appreciates the craft and skill that’s behind putting together a perfect floral arrangement or weaving a killer tapestry, DIY classes have always appealed to me. But it can be overwhelming to know where to start to learn said skill or what to buy to pull it all together. Enter these amazing ways to enrich your knowledge and come out with a cool new décor piece for yourself or your home.
Revel
Opened in 2016, this hybrid craft studio and special event venue is an impossibly stylish space with concrete floors, fashionable décor and white glossy communal tables to inspire conversation with your fellow crafters. Take your pick of several special classes every month, like constructing a wooden plant stand or etching beer glasses with custom sayings. The drop-in Craft Bar is typically open five days a week and guests can take their pick of projects, among them a string art piece, decorating a canvas zipper bag or making a leather chain bracelet. Oh—and did we mention they’ve got a bar too? So class-takers can sip a cocktail and nibble on a snack while socializing. revelmadison.com
The Crafty Project
Customized décor makes your space special—and The Crafty Project focuses on reclaimed wood signage with designs of your choosing. Match the colors of your room and pick a sentiment for your sign during an easy, drop-in guided two-and-a-half-hour workshop or plan your own private class group. “It’s not walking away with just a piece of art; it’s the connection here at the studio with coworkers or friends you haven’t seen in a while and having that night out to yourself,” says Rachel Morey, Studio Manager. thecraftyproject.com, facebook.com/thecraftyproject
Studio 184
Tucked in Stoughton’s historic downtown is Studio 184, a beautiful retail space where shoppers can find new and vintage home décor pieces that were hand-picked by owner Cindy Gazso. She also breathes new life into old furniture pieces by refurbishing them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for beautiful results. Gazso passes on her refinishing knowledge via her Ultimate Chalk Paint Workshops, which are four-hour sessions held in the back of her shop that teach chalk paint mixing and finishing techniques. studio184stoughton.com
Studio You Paint It Pottery
This drop-in space offers ready-made pottery that studio-goers can customize with their own original artwork. Or, create a keepsake by putting a tiny footprint or paw print of the little one in your life. You can also book group classes for special occasions for a low maintenance activity—since paint, instruction, cleaning and firing your piece (and cleanup afterward!) are all included in the price. studioyouonline.com
PaintBar
With a motto of “Eat. Drink. Paint.”, there’s plenty to like about PaintBar. Guests can stop in for a self-guided painting class or get social with friends and book a guided class with an instructor where everyone paints the same picture—for uniquely different results. The two-hour sessions are made more enjoyable with a pizza and panini menu, plus wine and beer are available (hence the “Bar” in the name). paint-bar.com
Board & Brush
Creative Studio With rustic elements firmly entrenched in home décor now, a trip to Board & Brush will yield you an on-trend yet timeless wood sign to take home. This Wisconsin-born franchise (the Hartland, Wisconsin, location was the first one!) now has over 90 locations across the U.S. Gina Gaspardo, owner of studios in Sun Prairie and Wisconsin Dells, loves the concept. “Not only do you have a fantastic experience to be able to create something from scratch and have that sense of accomplishment, it’s beautiful and people are so enamored with it and think it’s a gorgeous piece. We call it, ‘DIY worthy of your walls,’” she says. Tailor your sign with a family name or for a special room in your house—like a bar or living room. The options, and the looks, are endless. There’s a studio in nearby Mount Horeb, too. boardandbrush.com
Wheelhouse Studios
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Wheelhouse Studios at the Memorial Union offers a mind-boggling array of cool, creative classes like photography, oil painting, calligraphy, bookmaking, jewelry-making and more. Many are low-commitment, one-time events (like their silk scarf dying workshop) while others are taught in a series for a more intense dive into a skill. union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/open-art-studioand-classes/courses
The Vinery Stained Glass Studio
Madison’s ultimate art glass space offers tons of fun for novices as well as skilled glass enthusiasts. Start with the basics and take a five-week session on beginning and intermediate stained glass techniques, or attend a one-time workshop and make garden décor or an accessory for your home. (A glass ornament would be perfect for the holidays, no?). The Vinery is also open for drop-in studio time too for smaller take-and-go projects. vineryglass.com
Madison College
Under their Personal Enrichment area, Madison Area Technical College’s noncredit classes have you covered for learning all sorts of creative pursuits like ceramics, jewelry-making, matting and framing, printmaking, floral design and more. Courses are typically once a week and can last anywhere from two to three weeks (like Henna Art Fundamentals) to two to three months long (like jewelry-making courses). madisoncollege.edu/noncredit-courses
Fired Up Pottery
This walk-in pottery studio specializes in clay and glass art classes for a fun and easy take-it-home art piece. Casual, drop-in sessions are available all day—guests simply choose their pottery piece like a mug, plate or platter, and paint it. Or pick out colored glass and craft a basic art glass piece that the studio fuses for you. If you want professional pottery wheel instruction, book a session ahead of time to learn proper technique and leave with a finished piece. fireduppottery.com
One-One Thousand
Founded with the aim of honing the skills of artists, designers, craftspeople and hobbyists, One-One Thousand caters to those who want to create a business and sell their goods as well as novice creators interested in learning new art forms. Interested in tapestry weaving, calligraphy or smartphone photography? Take a three- to four-hour class on the topic and have something to show for it at the end of the class. If you’re a creative who enjoys working alongside other like-minded artists, One-One Thousand offers Open Studio sessions for a fee where you can come and use their workspace and socialize. Another cool perk is One-One Thousand’s 12 private studio rentals for professionals who want their own lockable studio space to do their work. oneonethousand.net