With too much time on our over sanitised hands during lockdown, many of us turned to new hobbies to keep us occupied as we sat at home unsure how to deal with the overriding feeling of impending doom.
Whether that’s crocheting, cooking or painting, there was a huge crafty boom that led to a subsequent rise of independent Etsy stores and market stalls housing gorgeous homemade goods. Many people also ended up ditching the 9 – 5 in favour of creativity, starting up their own craft businesses that are known to have hugely positive effects on mental health.
If you didn’t take up something new in lockdown, and as the nights draw colder you’re looking for something to get stuck into, Manchester is home to a tonne of craft classes, events and workshops that will see you on your way to a new passion. From bagel baking and floristry to 70s style lampshade classes, the below list rounds up some of our favourite craft classes in the city.
School of Junk’s Upcycling and Sewing Courses
Based at Salford’s Islington Mill, Junk is a sustainable fashion brand crafting forward thinking, affordable garments. It began back in 2005, and has since brought innovative jewellery and fashion to the city at various festivals, markets and stores, with its ‘Made In The Mill’ brand an exclusive line designed and crafted inside Islington Mill. Its ‘School of Junk’ courses range from an introduction to the sewing machine, an upcycling workshop and dressmaking classes, with prices ranging from £27 – £120.
Printing workshops at Hot Bed Press
Salford’s printing workshop, based a stone’s throw away from Islington Mill on Cow Lane, offers a range of courses from an introduction to printing and screenprinting to copper sulphate etching. Established back in 1994 by a small group of graduates, the printers has become one of the major art suppliers in the city, embracing the traditional skills and techniques used in the practice.
Bagel and Floristry Workshops with Breadflower
Manchester’s cafe, florist and bagel shop, Breadflower hosts some wonderful craft classes for those looking to try their hand at baking and floristry. The duo behind the concept, Maya and Scarlett have a huge focus on wellbeing, and often hold yoga and bagel mornings, and overseas retreats that feature workshops, great food and drink and lifestyle classes. Back on dry land, though, you can learn how to craft the perfect bagel and bouquet pairing at their monthly events.
Lampshade Making Classes with The Neighbourhood Threat
Queen of maximalist homeware and 70s inspired interiors, Holly Ramsay is the brains behind the colour-popping, nostalgic brand, The Neighbourhood Threat. She hosts monthly lampshade making workshops in which guests learn how to make a 25cm x 25cm lampshade at various wonderful art centres across the North West. Tickets are £40 for each session and it lasts 2 hours.
Candle Making at Oats & Honey with Booze and Burn
At this boozy workshop you can learn how to make your very own candle jar by blending a unique scent and hand pouring it into a recycled jar. Each workshop is 2 hours long and includes a glass of wine, with more drinks available to purchase on the night if required. All materials are included and tickets are £40 per person.
Signet Ring and Pendant Workshops with Sken Studios
The lovely Sabira who owns independent, sustainable jewellery brand, Sken Studios offers a signet ring and pendant making workshop where she teaches you her jewellery making expertise. Running for three and a half hours, the workshops teach the art of wax carving to create a unique, handmade signet ring or pendant. After the workshop, your waxed piece will be cast in solid recycled silver, polished to perfection and posted directly to you.
Cork & Canvas
A well-known name around Manchester, Cork & Canvas is a great start for beginners through to seasoned professionals looking to take part in a boozy group painting class. The unique event was set up as a way for anyone of any ability to express themselves through the art of painting and a few social bevvies! The next event will take place on Sunday 11th September at Escape to Freight Island.
Pottery Taster Sessions at 7 Spot Pottery
Ideal for complete beginners, 7 Spot Pottery’s 2 hour group sessions give you an introduction to ceramics, with a choice of three experiences; throwing on the wheel, building a coffee mug or crafting your own coiled planters/vases. The workshop includes the firing and glazing of one of your pots in the studio’s white glaze, which will be fired and ready for you to collect after 3-4 weeks.
Soy Candle Classes with Ma Lumiere
Join Owner and Creator of Ma Lumière, Guillaume, for an exciting candle making workshop where you will be able to make and take away your own Soy Candles. During the workshop you will choose 2 fragrances from 20 fragrance oils available, hand craft two 200ml Soy Candles to take away and get tips on each step of the process, all while discovering the main types of wax used in the candle making industry and understanding the different fragrance notes and how they work together.
Terrarium Workshop with Feels Like Home
Join Feels Like Home for a lovely afternoon making your very own enclosed bottle terrarium. The challenging bottle workshop includes a short history about enclosed terrariums, as well as a full demonstration and hands-on support all the way through until you have your very own mini eco world terrarium. All equipment will be supplied, including the bottle, stones, soil, plants and tools and by the end of the session, you will have your own bottle eco-system to take home and enjoy.
Floristry with Northern Flower
Tib Street’s Northern Flower hosts a number of regular craft classes, spanning wreath making, flower arranging and floral crown workshops. The boutique florist is run by a small team of dedicated, qualified and enthusiastic florists, and specialises in unusual plants, high-quality cut flowers and a selection of independent gifts. The store has just released some gorgeous Autumn themed classes, including pumpkin arrangements, which you can book now via the link below.
Pottery at Clay Studio
Hulme’s Clay Studio offers a range of workshops and classes spanning family ceramics, private throwings and full weekend courses. The studio is based in an accessible, clean and light space within the Work for Change co-operative in Hulme, Manchester. The current facilities include; 3 kilns, 4 potters’ wheels of various makes and models, hand-building work surfaces, an extruder, a selection of ceramics-related literature, and a range of stoneware glazes.
