The craft classes in Manchester you have to try

Ideal for complete beginners, 7 Spot Pottery’s two-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 or 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 about three weeks. Find them near Cornbrook tram stop, over on the Salford side of the river.

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 three kilns, four 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. Basically, everything you could possibly need to get well and truly stuck in. They even offer family classes, so all ages can have a go together.

Out in picturesque Lymm, you can find the equally picturesque Craft + Common, a cute-as-anything cafe and craft studio with a licensed bar. Their whole ethos is about inclusivity: anybody can turn up and have a go at a number of different activities, including pot painting, in a friendly environment, without any of the cleaning up afterwards. The ‘Common’ element comes into it with their licensed bar, which makes it a great spot for a party too.

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. You never know, you might uncover a hidden talent, and even if you don’t, you’ll probably have a good laugh about it too.

With two fauna-filled shops in Altrincham and Sale, the team behind Green and Grounded aren’t just responsible for enabling your house plant addiction. They also host a year-round calendar of relaxed, sociable workshops at loads of great venues across Greater Manchester. You can catch them demonstrating how to make your own terrarium or exploring the beauty of moss at a kokedama workshop, and of course at Christmas you can join them to create beautiful, festive wreaths.

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 screen printing 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. Basically, if you’re looking to pick up a new skill, this is the place for you.

Situated in Kampus, K Craft Studio – which specialises in Korean-style craft workshops – offer the perfect opportunity to indulge in some wholesome, creative fun. There’s loads of different activities on offer, from candle-making to creating your own soft toys, but we think you can’t go wrong with the aesthetically-pleasing dried flower bouquet workshop. You can purchase a specific activity, or a gift card of your chosen amount. We don’t think there’s anywhere in town doing more adorable crafts. 

Join the 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 two fragrances from the 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.

Did you know you can make your own rug from scratch in about half a day? At Manchester Tufting Workshops (we really appreciate the no-nonsense name), you can learn how to tuft – that’s making a rug by hand, thread by thread – and create your own design to take home in three and a half hours. It’ll set you back about £130 or less if you go as a bigger group, but considering you’ll walk away with a new skill and a unique piece for your home, we really think this is one to try.

Located handily mere seconds away from Altrincham Interchange, Moss Studio is a haven of all things ceramics. Operated by experienced potter Oli, you can get to grips with the wheel, or just do hand building classes. You can also take part in their pet sculpture classes, where over two sessions you first build, then paint, the likeness of your favourite furry pals. If clay simply isn’t your thing, they also offer life drawing classes too.

With over 25 years of experience, Seven Limes have been doing their thing longer than most. They run classes year-round, and you can book from a number of workshop types like making a mug, trying out wheel throwing, and even blocks of six classes to really hone your skills. Plus, they’ve recently moved into a new space – a railway arch out in Ardwick, not far from the Piccadilly. So if you’re looking for a new activity to try out, or are wanting to commit to a new skill, this is a great place to check out.

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.

Nestled next door to natural wine spot Kerb, Space Studio is a late-night craft studio serving Ancoats’ budding creatives. They have a BYOB policy (and Kerb will give you 15% off bottles to take away if you say you’re attending). They also stock their own sodas and kombuchas to enjoy if you’re not bothered about boozing. Then just simply pick your pot, and get stuck in. This place wins bonus points for its super-stylish decor too.