Best Craft Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

Learn More About Craft Courses

What is Crafting?

Crafting is the activity or hobby of making decorative objects with your hands. The earliest evidence of handmade crafts dates back to the Stone Age with intricate carvings and sculptures made from bone, ivory, and stone. Crafting developed alongside civilization and regions like Egypt, Greece, and Rome produced intricate pottery, jewelry, and textiles that were highly prized and sought after.

While crafting has always had its place in human culture, the practice gained new popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to offset isolation and boredom during lockdowns. Modern-day crafting comes in man forms and uses many mediums. Some examples include knitting, pottery, painting, macrame, cross-stitch, candle making, and sewing. Crafts can be made from traditional materials like clay or wood, or use traditional techniques like weaving or glassblowing. An ideal way to flex your creative muscles, solve problems, and focus your mind, pursuing a craft hobby can be an extremely rewarding endeavor.

Why Learn to Craft?

Crafting has both professional and personal benefits. If you become skilled enough at your craft, you could launch it into a career. Vendor markets can be a great place to sell your wares, and highly sought-after crafters can even set up their own shops or studios. But, even if you don’t turn your craft into a career, it can still benefit you professionally. A few of the professional benefits are outlined below:

Focus and attention: Crafting requires a lot of focus and attention, which can help improve concentration.
Self-expression: It can help boost self-esteem and self-confidence by allowing you to create beauty through self-expression. This newfound confidence can help you nail those work presentations or motivate you to find creative solutions to problems.
Team building: Offering crafting activities can help differentiate an organization by focusing on the overall health and wellness of team members. It can foster collaboration between employees, creating stronger relationships.

As a hobby, there are seemingly endless reasons to learn to craft. Some benefits of crafting as a hobby include:

Personal growth: Craft is a cool way to challenge yourself to learn something new in a warm, friendly and inspiring environment. Being surrounded by like-minded folks who have chosen to be present can also provide motivation on your journey. Even if you begin crafting as a social outlet, you’ll likely be surprised how quickly your skills develop simply by being around others who are also developing their ability to craft.
Mindfulness and mental health: Crafting is often considered a physical form of meditation. You have to be present with your mind and body as you learn new techniques and use new tools and machinery that can help create strong feelings of calm and comfort. Learning a craft offers an escape from your daily routine and responsibilities, allowing you to concentrate your attention on the tasks at hand.
Hand-eye coordination and dexterity: Crafting activities require precise hand movements that improve fine motor skills, grip strength, and hand dexterity. Sharpening these skills has been proven to positively benefit memory and mental clarity.
Connecting with others: Crafting can lead to new friendships and an expansion of your community. Joining a craft class, studio space, or local crafter meetups can help you connect with people who have similar interests. Not only can you form new relationships, but you can use those relationships to improve your skills.

As you can see, there are many reasons to study crafting. Whether you pursue it as a hobby or a new profession, you’re bound to find the process rewarding in more ways than one.

What You’ll Learn in a Crafting Class?

What you learn in a craft class will depend on which craft you choose to study but they will all generally cover the same topics. Whether you’re learning to knit, mastering woodwork, or training as a painter, a beginner-friendly class will typically cover a brief history of the craft; the tools, equipment, and mediums you’ll use; and the basic techniques to get you started.

While most students will come to a craft class with the goal to master hard skills and techniques, they’ll also gain soft skills as well. Some of these skills are outlined below.

Communication

Learning to craft requires working with someone more knowledgeable (like an instructor or skilled friend). By receiving instructions, asking questions, and listening to feedback, you’ll build healthy communication skills that can serve you both personally and professionally.

Collaboration

While crafting can be a solitary act, most crafters end up becoming a member of a larger creative community. Through meet-ups and craft nights you can discuss more advanced techniques, new tools, and emerging trends with other like minded individuals. Additionally, many crafts require the assistance of another artist from time to time. Glass blowing often requires an extra set of hands to assist with the stretching, blowing, and shaping of glass designs.

Problem solving and adaptability

Learning a new creative hobby will have its challenges. Whether you’re learning how to use a new tool or mastering a complicated technique, trial and error is a huge part of crafting. It’s this trial and error that will teach you problem solving and adaptability, two skills that will prove extremely valuable throughout your life.

Critical thinking

Artforms like crafting can help you develop critical thinking skills by teaching you to observe, analyze, and question assumptions. A critical eye will help you improve your artistic skills and create room for innovation. Plus, critical thinking is a highly desired skill in the professional world as it showcases your attention to detail and your ability to assess, pivot, and work towards solutions.

Creativity

While this one may seem obvious, crafting will improve your creativity. Things like generation, innovation, construction or formation of new ideas, content and design are all a part of being creative. Crafting helps practice these skills so that you can create one-of-a-kind pieces, and maybe even new models and ideas related to different art and craft forms.

How Long Will it Take to Learn to Craft?

The length of time it takes to learn will vary depending on the craft. Generally speaking, it can take a few days to weeks to get familiar with the basics, and several months before you feel confident in your skills. Some crafts may be easier to learn than others, but this will depend on your personal skills and interests, and any previous experience you may have.

If you’re already a skilled knitter, for example, crocheting may be easier for you to grasp than someone with no experience. Same for other crafts like drawing, painting, and pottery. Some crafts, like woodworking or glass blowing, require more technical skills and the knowledge of several tools, so they will take longer to master. Skills like these also require knowledge of general safety practices as fire and electrical blades can be dangerous to those who aren’t familiar with them.

With any craft, you should expect to dedicate several hours to learning the basics and potentially hundreds more to mastery. Most crafters find that their passion drives their desire to work, and can usually commit to several hours a week to hone their skills. The good news is that, no matter which craft you choose, you can reach mastery with the right combination of passion and dedication.

What are the Advantages of Taking a Crafting Class?

There are many advantages to taking a crafting class as opposed to learning on your own. Firstly, crafting classes are led by experts in the craft in a safe and controlled environment. The instructors have many years experience, so they’ll be able to guide you through common mistakes and challenges, and provide you with craft-specific insights.

Attending an in-person crafting class also gives you hands-on access to practicing. In-person classes will be held in a studio or workshop that contains all the equipment, materials, and tools needed for your specific craft. You’ll be able to test out techniques, get familiar with the tools and equipment, and master the basic skills all under the supervision of a trained crafting expert.

Attending an in-person crafting class offers many other benefits, too. You’ll be able to learn with other aspiring artists, and potentially make new friends in the process. Studios and workshop spaces are a great way to find a community with similar interests and hobbies, so you can even get to know people outside your class. Finally, crafting (regardless of type) is a tactile art form with technical aspects that benefits immensely from in-person learning. Attending a class is often more accessible than hunting down an apprenticeship, and can be the quickest and most cost-effective way to master your chosen craft.

Best Crafting Classes

Located in the East Bay, Richmond Art Center offers Glass Beads & More, Students will get a brief history of beads and glass technology, and learn how to use professional glassworking tools. Finishing techniques are also covered as are safety procedures, demonstrations, and plenty of studio time for hands-on work. Students will even receive an additional hour of studio time to complete their projects after class.

Urban Glass in NYC offers Paperweight Glass Blowing Party, an ideal option for beginners. Students will work together and learn to manipulate molten glass to create one-of-a-kind paperweights. Safety, color application, and tools will all be covered in a fun and exciting environment. The hot shop is a loud studio, and can get quite warm, so students should be prepared and come dressed appropriately for the environment.

Element Art Center’s Abstract Stained Glass Workshop can help you gain complimentary experience with the medium. Located in Los Angeles, this course covers the fundamentals and techniques of glass blowing while you create your own unique abstract glass panel using recycled glass pieces and various finishing options. It will cover topics such as glass scoring, cutting and sanding. Students will adhere the composition together with copper foil and solder and choose between various finishes in order to personalize their respective pieces. No experience is necessary, all materials are provided in this course.

If you’re located in the Bay Area, Arts and Craft for Team offers Rug Tufting, a quick course where you’ll tuft your own rug from scratch. You’ll learn how to use the canvas, the best patterns for beginners, general safety, and how to feed the yarn and use the tufting gun. You’ll also learn about backing, gluing, and shaving to complete your creation. Free snacks, tea, and turkish coffee are provided and beginners are welcome!

Scott’s Stone Carving Classes in Boston offers Stone Carving Saturdays, a one-day workshop where you'll discover the secrets of transforming raw rock into stunning sculptures. For beginners and experienced sculptors alike, this class guides you through the process of looking into the rock for imagery, carving into material, planning and forming a sculpture, and using tools. Hand-carving techniques will be demonstrated and stone carving lore will be discussed, as will safety in the studio and tool sourcing. You will leave with a stone sculpture in hand and materials are provided. You will need to bring your own safety glasses, gloves, and mask.

Located in Houston? Love & Make’s Perfume Making Workshop is an aromatic adventure where you can follow your nose to create something distinctly yours! You’ll gain an awareness of perfumery concepts including the fragrance wheel and olfactory pyramid, indulge your smell palette to explore various scents, and craft a unique 50mL EDP fragrance tailored to your preferences. This workshop is perfect for those looking for a casual and fun olfactory experience that’s ideal for beginners.

Houston’s Juggernaut Glass offers Functional Glass Art (Flameworking), a hands-on experience that offers a unique opportunity to bring your creativity to life. You’ll explore the fundamentals of flameworking as you craft your own functional glass art. Guided by an experienced instructor, you'll create a hollow piece, such as a chillum or spoon, mastering the delicate art of shaping borosilicate glass.

Juggernaut Glass also offers seasonal classes. Their Glass Pumpkin & Gourd Class covers beginner glassblowing techniques, the use of optic molds, and basic shaping of molten glass into a pumpkin shaped sculpture. You’ll master these techniques while creating your own custom glass pumpkin that will fit perfectly into your fall decor. Additionally, their Holiday Ornament Class helps you unleash your creativity and craft beautiful glass ornaments that will add a touch of elegance and charm to any space. You'll learn the art of shaping molten glass into unique shapes and attach loops for easy display. As with all the above listed classes, no experience is necessary and all materials are included.

Live Online Crafting Classes

Coastal Design Workshops hosts an online Organic Soy Wax Candle Workshop that’s perfect for crafting newbies. A DIY kit will be shipped to your home that contains the supplies you need to make your scented soy candle, including three fragrance options. You'll have time to ask questions and get plenty of tips in this fun and engaging virtual experience. Your teacher with Coastal Design Workshops will walk you through each step so you can easily make a customized organic soy candle.

BrushCapades’ Mindful Doodling is equal parts creativity and self care. You’ll unleash your imagination and explore the art of doodling as a tool for relaxation, self-expression, and personal growth. All you need is pen and paper (and a desire for mindfulness) and you can attend this class. No experience is needed.

They also offer a Caricature Drawing Class that’s ideal for beginners. You’ll learn how to bring out the unique features of your subjects in a fun and engaging way. No experience is required, just bring your imagination and a highlighter if you're feeling fancy. All you’ll need is a pen and some paper, so no need to worry about expensive supplies.

EatMetal Inc.’s Hammer Earring is a live demonstration course held via Zoom. You will learn how to make a jump ring, forge, solder, make findings for the earring, and finishing techniques. There will also be an open forum for questions and answers, and materials and techniques will be discussed in the class, too. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your jewelry-making skills with expert guidance.

Beginners Art Journaling with The Art Studio NY will teach you to unlock your inner creativity and express yourself fearlessly through a variety of artistic techniques. You’ll learn how to tap into meditative states through authentic art-making, and practice creative mindfulness while mastering a wide variety of artistic techniques and creative approaches in painting, drawing, collage and mixed-media art. You’ll also learn how to layer and intuitively collage, express yourself with paint and meditative marks, use watercolor to channel your mood, tap into drawing with expressive marks, and explore the addition of writing, inspiring quotes, pictures, textures and other details to personalize your art journal pages.

The 92nd St Y offers Knitting for Beginners, an online beginner-friendly workshop. Using the simplicity, contrast and harmony of the knit and purl stitches, you will learn the basics of this time-honored tradition, like how to get the stitches onto and off of the needles, and what happens in between. You’ll also master basic increasing, decreasing, texture and pattern reading. From stitch samplers to personalized cell-phone pouches, explore the timeless art of knitting and unlock your creative potential.

Sewing 101 Basics is offered by The New York Sewing Center and is designed for complete beginners or those in need of a refresher. This class goes back to the basics and takes you step by step through all the essentials to make sewing a fun and inspiring experience. You’ll learn essential skills like using a sewing machine and reading patterns and will complete a skirt from a commercial pattern. Other potential patterns include a drawstring bag, zippered pouch, or drawstring pants.

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers an online course called Introduction to Calligraphy that will help you discover the fundamentals of creating elegant strokes and mastering chancery cursive, a versatile italic hand. You’ll learn the basics of using a wedge-shaped pen to create the wide and narrow strokes that give calligraphic letters their rhythm and beauty. You’ll also try your hand at chancery cursive, a versatile, foundational italic hand (style) of lettering and practice layout for envelopes and decorative quotes.

Interested in floral arrangement? RESOBOX offers Virtual Japanese Floral Arrangement. Bring your creativity and they will support you with some Ikebana theory. You’ll learn how flowers can help you relax and how to make flower arrangement a therapeutic time for you to focus and create. You will need to find your own flowers but you can make a simple Ikebana arrangement at your home using standard tools you probably already have.

Another option is Virtual Kintsugi, led by Kat McDowell. The Japanese art of mending broken ceramics and filling the cracks with gold or other metals, kintsugi is a beautiful slow art form that gives the heart time to reflect and connect. You will receive a craft kit with all of the supplies you need to get started on this art form. During class, your instructor will guide you through the process over a live stream so you can create confidently. By the end of this class, you’ll be able to confidently repair any broken ceramics in your home with intention and style.

The Evanston Art Center offers Paper Remix-Inspired Collage that will help you unleash your creativity in the vibrant world of collage. You’ll snip, tear and assemble your way through the expressive medium of collage, creating compositions that use a variety of papers and techniques to gather images, shapes, and colors. To inspire your work, the instructor will share themes such as poems, landscapes, or personal imagery. You’ll also dive into themes ranging from poetry to personal narratives, igniting inspiration and expression in every piece you create.

Craft Courses by School

Here are some of the top schools offering Craft training, including One River School (20 courses), Chicago Botanic Garden (14 courses), and 92nd Street Y (10 courses).

92nd Street Y

NYC location: 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York

92Y is a world-class cultural and community center in New York City. Founded in 1874, it is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and offers a wide range of classes and programs in the arts, entertainment, and conversation. With over 4,000 classes and programs each year taught by some of the most talented professionals in the world, 92Y is a great place to learn new skills, meet new people, and explore your interests. It is a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Collage and Mixed Media for Absolute Beginners
  - 6 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $335
- Botanical Print Silk Scarf
  - 2 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $200
- Paper Marbling
  - 5 Hours
  - $175
- Collage & Mixed Media for Absolute Beginners
  - 6 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $310
BrushCapades

Seattle location: 115 Prefontaine Pl S, Seattle, Washington

BrushCapades is a Seattle-based art and design school specializing in creating immersive, hands-on learning experiences for budding creatives. Students can choose from a variety of courses that range from introductory painting classes to more advanced 3D printing methods. Their passionate instructors and talented community of artists make for a stimulating environment that encourages creativity and growth.
- Mindful Doodling
  - 1 Hour
  - $35
Art on 30th

San Diego location: 4434 30th Street, San Diego, California

Art on 30th is a community art space in San Diego that offers a variety of classes and workshops for all ages and skill levels including painting, drawing, sculpture, and more. Their classes are taught by experienced artists who create a fun and supportive environment where students can learn new skills and explore their creativity. Art on 30th is also a gallery space that showcases the work of local artists.
- Color Mixing Basics 2-Week Workshop
  - 24 Hours
  - $165
Chicago Botanic Garden
Locations:
- Chicago
- Live Online
Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre botanical garden in Glencoe, Illinois. It is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States and offers a variety of educational programs and events for all ages. The garden also has several research facilities and is dedicated to the conservation of plants.
- Hamsa Hand Workshop
  - 2 Hours
  - $124
- Mosaic Workshop
  - 8 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $312
- Mosaic Workshop Mini Session
  - 4 Weeks, 2 hr/wk
  - $162
Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo

NYC location: 98 Water St, Brooklyn, New York

Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo is a locally owned art studio in DUMBO, Brooklyn that offers a variety of classes and workshops for all ages. Their classes are taught by experienced artists who create a fun and supportive environment where students can explore their creativity and develop their creative skills. Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo is a great way to learn about art and express your creativity in unique and exciting ways.
- Master Builders! 3D + Mixed Media Fun
  - 1 Hour
  - $75
- Toddler Art Adventure
  - 1 Hour
  - $60
Snapology

NYC location: 11-45 47th Ave, Long Island City, New York

Snapology is a unique school in New York City that specializes in STEAM-based classes for students of all ages. The classes range from introductory robotics and coding to advanced engineering and 3D design and animation. Snapology provides a creative and interactive learning environment that gets students active while also teaching STEM and technology concepts.
- Snapology Summer Camp: Movie Favorites + Animation
  - 32 Hours
  - $165
One River School

NYC location: 49 N Dean Street, Englewood, New Jersey

One River School provides a new direction in art and digital design education for all ages. They offer a wide variety of classes and programs for adults and kids in a state-of-the-art facility in Englewood, New Jersey. One River embraces a very simple philosophy: great educational experiences are a function of teaching compelling concepts in a fun, interactive way.
- Portfolio Development: Pre-college (Grades 9-12)
  - 4 Weeks, 3 hr/wk
  - $330
- Summer Camp: Jungle Creations (Grades K-2)
  - See provider
  - $385

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Discover Craft Classes

Learn More About Craft Courses

What is Crafting?

Why Learn to Craft?

What You’ll Learn in a Crafting Class?

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving and adaptability

Critical thinking

Creativity

How Long Will it Take to Learn to Craft?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Crafting Class?

Best Crafting Classes

Live Online Crafting Classes

Craft Courses by School

92nd Street Y

Collage and Mixed Media for Absolute Beginners

Botanical Print Silk Scarf

Paper Marbling

Collage & Mixed Media for Absolute Beginners

BrushCapades

Mindful Doodling

Art on 30th

Color Mixing Basics 2-Week Workshop

Chicago Botanic Garden

Hamsa Hand Workshop

Mosaic Workshop

Mosaic Workshop Mini Session

Creatively Wild Art Studio Dumbo

Master Builders! 3D + Mixed Media Fun

Toddler Art Adventure

Snapology

Snapology Summer Camp: Movie Favorites + Animation

One River School

Portfolio Development: Pre-college (Grades 9-12)

Summer Camp: Jungle Creations (Grades K-2)

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Craft Training Map & Top Locations

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