Discover the Best Crafting Classes in NYC
Crafting is the act of making something decorative by hand, using your skill and creativity. Some people craft as a hobby, while for others it is a full-time job. There are many different types of crafting, and they involve working with a range of different materials such as leather, clay, metal, and fabric. Some types of crafting are focused on upcycling or repurposing old items. Crafting can be used to create all kinds of items, from bath bombs, to scarves, to furniture.
Why You Should Learn Crafting in NYC
One of the biggest reasons to learn crafting is for the personal fulfillment you’ll get from making something with your own hands. Many people who craft say that they get a real sense of accomplishment from this activity. In addition, crafting can be therapeutic, forcing you to focus on your materials, and temporarily forget about any worries you might be dealing with.
There are also practical reasons to learn crafting. You can save yourself money by making your own items, such as clothing or home decor. In addition, these items will be more meaningful than something bought from a store, because you have put your time and effort into making them. Crafting can also be a lucrative side job, since there is a thriving market for unique hand-made items.
In-Person Crafting Classes & Schools in NYC
In New York City, there are many different places to take an in-person crafting class. On the Upper West Side, the Back Porch Soap Company offers classes in both candle-making and soap-making. In Candle Making Class NYC, students create two container candles, using soy wax and coconut wax, and adding color and essential oils. This class is two and a half hours long, and costs $248. Students also take home a handout that has detailed instructions, formulas, and information about suppliers. The Back Porch Soap Company was founded in 1998 and its clients include American Express, Ernst & Young, and Dunkin Donuts.
Back Porch Soap Company also offers a Cold Process Soap Making Class, for $248. In this class, students use the cold process method to make soap from scratch. They add essential oils, colorants, and botanicals to personalize their soaps, and also learn how to work safely with lye, and where to buy cold process supplies. Each participant takes home their own batch of soap. The class runs for two and a half hours.
Art Under Glass DeCoupage is another New York City craft class, and takes place in Manhattan, with artist and teacher Luci Solinsky. Students in this class cut images out of magazines, books, and greeting cards, and glue them onto glass objects. They use paints, metal leaf, and markers to enhance the images, and then cover them with lacquer to create decorative and original pieces of art. All levels are welcome; advanced students will have the opportunity to learn more advanced techniques. The class is three and a half hours long, and costs $125.
Craftsman Ave also offers a variety of in-person crafting classes in New York City including knife making, jewelry design, and woodworking. Craft a Custom Leather Wallet is a four-hour class where students make a handcrafted leather bi-fold wallet. They learn to measure, cut, bevel, punch, glue, and sew, and also have the option of using a laser cutter to engrave the wallet with a custom design. No previous experience is necessary. Tuition is $195. Craftsman Ave is located in Brooklyn, which is less than five miles from Manhattan.
Brooklyn Craft Company, also located in Brooklyn, offers a number of different types of sewing classes including Sewing 101: Tote Bag. In this three-hour class, students learn how to sew on a sewing machine, how to cut fabric accurately, how to pin and sew seams, and how to create a bag lining and sew straps. They leave class with a finished, lined tote bag. This class costs $85, and students also need to purchase fabric for their bag, which is available at a discount in the retail shop.
Virtual Crafting Classes & Schools
If you can’t find a good in-person crafting class in New York City, you could also opt for an online crafting class. This format became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people couldn’t learn in person, however, it has remained popular because many people have discovered that they love the flexibility that it provides. You can take an in-person crafting class from anywhere you want, as long as you have a computer and an internet connection. Just be aware that you’ll probably have to provide your own materials.
The Chicago Botanic Garden runs an online crafting class called Introduction to Weaving. Tuition is $374, and there are eight two-hour class sessions. The instructor teaches students how to make their own looms, talks about contemporary handweavers, and covers a number of different tapestry techniques including basket weave, pile, twill, rya, and soumak. There are also presentations discussing the relevance of weaving in relation to material production, fine art, and craft. No experience is necessary, and students will receive a supply list after registering.
Love & Make runs a variety of craft workshops in the Houston area, but also offers many workshops in an online format. Its Virtual Melt & Pour Soap-Making Workshop is one hour long and costs $25. The workshop covers the basics of melt and pour soapmaking, in addition to some soap-making history lessons. Students also learn about different ingredients and recipes, and make their own soap. A supply list is available online.
Another option from Love & Make is the Virtual Candle Making Workshop, where students learn to make a soy wax candle. The class includes basic candle-making steps, tips and tricks, and troubleshooting. Supplies need to provide their own materials. The workshop runs for an hour, and costs $25.
Another virtual crafting class option is Ceramic Llama Painting, which is offered through Food Craft. This class is all about llamas; Students learn how to paint a ceramic llama, learn fun facts about llamas, and get a virtual tour of a llama farm. Supplies are provided, and there are three different package options to choose from. Students just need paper towels and access to a sink with running water. This class is $750, and is two hours long.
The Chicago-based Evanston Art Company also provides crafting instruction in a virtual format. Paper Remix I is a collage-making class where students work with a variety of different papers and techniques to create collage compositions. This class has six sessions in total, and costs $205. A supply list is available online.
Private Group Crafting Classes in NYC
Crafting classes are a popular choice for team-building events and other types of group get-togethers because they are engaging and entertaining, and they are accessible to people of all different ages and abilities. CourseHorse offers many different private group crafting classes, and makes it easy to book them. You won’t need to register in order to book a group class, and there are no booking fees. In addition, you’ll get confirmation within 24 hours of booking. CourseHorse also offers a flexible change policy. You need to meet the minimum group size, but after that, you can make changes to your total group size up to 72 hours before your event.
Design Your Own Candles Workshop is an in-person group class that takes place at the Back Porch Soap Company on the Upper West Side in New York City. Participants make two coconut and soy wax container candles. To personalize each candle, they choose and blend natural scents, colors, and botanical additives like flower petals. Each person gets lids and eco-friendly bags to take their candles home in. Up to 85 people can take this class, at a cost of $90 per person. It is an hour and a half long.
Another New York City group class option is Terrarium Making, where an instructor takes participants through the process of creating a terrarium, and teaches them how to care for the succulents they place inside it. The class can accommodate up to 20 people, and costs $65 per person. Containers, soil, rocks, plants, and other decorative elements are all provided, and each person will create their own terrarium to take home.
There are also a variety of virtual classes, for groups that would prefer that format. For instance, in Virtual Soap Making, participants learn handmade soap techniques. The class covers basic techniques, goes over different recipes, and discusses the benefits of making your own soap. Students make soap, and personalize it by adding botanicals and other ingredients. All materials are supplied by mail including shea butter soap base, dyes and fragrances, molds, and soap boxes. This class costs $105 per person, and can accommodate up to 500 people. It runs for two hours.
