Whether looking for a hobby, a new way to socialise, or even a possible career change, a dabble in the creative arts is sure to bring a new perspective to your life. Benn van der Westhuizen took a look at ways to unleash his inner creative at some of the best dedicated arts and craft studios around Johannesburg and Pretoria.
GIFT WRAPPING CLASSES AT THE GIFT WRAP STUDIO (JHB)
Blow your loved ones minds every birthday, Christmas and special occasion with impressive gift wrapping skills. The Gift Wrap Studio offers gift wrapping classes and full day gift wrapping courses to teach attendees the necessary tips and tricks to give a thoughtful present an unforgettable extra touch.
Cost includes four hours of tuition, all materials, course notes, and light refreshments, plus attendees get to take home their wrapped creations.
Upcoming events: The next gift wrapping classes take place on 18 August, 5 September, 19 September and 29 September.
Location: The Ambridge Office Park, 2 Vrede Road, Epsom Downs, Bryanston, Johannesburg
Duration: Workshops are approximately 4 hours long | Full Day Gift Wrapping Course lasts all day
Cost: Gift Wrapping Class R880 pp | Full Day Gift Wrapping Course R1 600 pp
Website: www.thegiftwrapstudio.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 513 3445 / 082 565 9256
HEADWRAPPING EXPERIENCES AT WRAPSODY HEADWRAPS (JHB)
Add a little flair to your everyday look by taking part in a Headwrap Exprience. Wrapsody provides a rich cultural experience through headwrapping events and various arts and craft workshops.
Founder of Wrapsody, Olga Mtshweni has made a living out of perfecting different styles of head wraps – the ideal way to stay warm in style. Wrapsody is a brand that taps into arts and culture to promote artistic expression and the pursuit of innovation.
Upcoming events: The next Headwrapping Experiences take place on 25 August, 29 September, 27 October and 24 November.
Location: Venues vary per event
Times: Various
Cost: R350 pp (incl. headwrap, headwrap styling demos, food and entertainment)
Facebook: shopwrapsody | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 083 307 9449
POTTERY CLASSES AT DANDY POTTERY STUDIO (PTA)
The hustle-and-bustle of everyday life can be exhausting and stressful, so before burning out completely, why not take some time to unwind with a pottery class? From their quaint little at-home studio, Dandy Pottery guides attendees through a pottery class that’s therapeutic and relaxing.
Classes are once a week, and allow students to start and stop whenever they’re comfortable – no contracts or commitments are necessary. During classes, guests learn how to make their own pottery pieces, sand them off, decorate them and finish them off with glazing. Cost includes all equipment as well as some coffee or wine.
Location: 4 Mt Fletcher, Midlands Estate, Stand no. 2856, Pretoria
Times: Mon & Wed 6pm to 8pm | Tue 9am to 11am | Thu 9am to 11am & 6pm to 8pm
Cost: Weekly pottery classes R220 / class or R780 for 4 classes
Facebook: Dandy Pottery Studios | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 011 9499
FASHION DESIGN COURSES AT ÜBERGLAM SCHOOL OF FASHION (JHB)
ÜberGlam offers a variety of fashion design courses – ranging from ladies wear, children’s wear, and men’s wear to home accessories and handbags – covering all aspects of pattern-making and sewing.
Whether a hobby or the start of a business venture, ÜberGlam works with each student in class at their own level and pace. Their focus is on skills development, so courses are all practical – no theory work or written exams – and no special requirements or experience is needed beforehand. ÜberGlam’s studio is also fully-equipped with all machinery and materials required for the course.
Location: Unit 13 & 14, Sunpark, 178 Smit St, Fairland, Johannesburg
Times: Day classes: Mon to Thu 9am to 11.30am; Wed & Thu 12 noon to 2.30pm | Evening classes: Mon & Tue 5.30pm to 8pm | Saturday classes 9am to 11.30am & 12 noon to 2.30pm
Cost: Fees vary per course
Website: www.uberglam.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 076 417 9548
PEWTER ART CLASSES AT SPOIL YOURSELF WITH PEWTER (PTA)
Pewter art classes are a positive and therapeutic way to relax and de-stress from the pressures of the modern world. Founders Elna Kleinhans and Elize Roodt teach students the intricate technique of embossing or engraving designs onto thin sheets of pewter in high or low relief. The duo pride themselves with honing in on the “know how” with monthly intensive classes (ranging from beginners to intermediate and advanced techniques.) Quickly learn how to create fine pewter gifts and accessories with your own personal touch, while also enjoying a rewarding and creative time to unwind and have fun making a product.
Location: 370 Gladstone St, Kloofsig, Lyttleton, Pretoria & 830 Pheasant Street, Helderkruin, Roodepoort
Times: Classes every Saturday 9am to 1pm
Cost: Project material will determine class fee
Website: www.withpewter.co.za & www.pewterart.co.za | Email: [email protected] or [email protected] | Tel: 082 372 4740 or 082 566 6838
ART CLASSES AT COLLEGE OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (JHB)
The College of Digital Photography offers a variety of art classes to suit all schedules and needs.
Open Art Classes allow students to choose a medium and explore their creative side at their own pace. At the Art Workshops, the focus is on one particular technique or medium and on students learning a specific skill. However, for those not confident enough to jump right in, the Beginners Art Classes are ideal for those who want to learn more about painting and drawing but don’t know where to start.
Upcoming events: The next art workshop takes place on 29 August (Rays of Sunshine), followed by a “Bob Ross” Winter Landscape workshop on 29 September.
Location: 91 Oxford Rd, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
Times: Open art classes Tues 6pm to 9pm & Sat 9.30am to 12.30 noon | Workshops run once a month (3 to 4 hrs long) | Beginners art classes run every 3 months
Cost: Art workshops R680 – R1100 pp | Beginners art class R3280 pp | Open art class R250 pp
Website: www.codp.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 086 117 4686
RING MAKING WORKSHOPS AT MADE BY (JHB)
Made By hosts a variety of ring making workshops on a regular basis, giving attendees the chance to make their very own piece of jewellery, all while learning a new creative skill in the process. The initiative was kick-started by Henriette Botha, a seasoned jewellery designer with a wealth of experience behind her palm, coupled by an enviable stint at a top fashion house in Paris. She is joined by her business partner Nikki Sherman, who comes from a marketing, fashion and PR background. And together they have created these amplified, collaborative workshop experiences at various venues around Johannesburg.
Upcoming events: The Rum & Rings 2.0 workshop will take place on 22 August. Novice jewellers will learn all about the art of lost-wax casting, develop wax carving techniques and creating their own silver ring in an informal and laid-back setting. And the Ringing in Spring workshop (1 September) promises an exciting entry into Spring Day with creative ring carving at Saigon Suzy’s uber-chic Cherry Blossom Garden.
Location: Ringing in Spring workshop at Saigon Suzy, Parkwood | Rum & Rings 2.0 workshop at The Royale, Craighall Park
Times: Ringing in Spring workshop 10am to 1pm | Rum & Rings 2.0 workshop 7pm to 10pm
Cost: R1300 pp
Facebook: Made By Jewellery| Instagram: Made By Jewellery | Email: madebyworkshops@gmai
