Crafting is having a moment, and the timing couldn’t be better, seeing as the ultimate antidote to trying times is hands-on creative expression.
When a DIY date is in order—solo, coupled up, or with friends—look beyond the usual suspects to SF’s funky studios, cozy spaces, and even the realm of the departed. Get off your screen and get your hands dirty at these crafty workshops.
Studio Sumi
Studio Sumi encourages you to slow down and make something with your hands, like these fun TV dinner plates.
(Courtesy of Studio Sumi)
If beige vases aren’t your jam but you still want to try your hand at pottery, check out Studio Sumi. Founder Bri Santo’s belief in breaking the monotony of everyday life shows up in her lineup of accessible classes with playful and creative outputs, as well as goods from her own Sumiware line. Monthly low-pressure, high-fun workshops focus on inventive creations like clocks (April 20th), matcha tea bowls (April 21st), ceramic dinner plates (May 6th), table lamps (May 11th), and berry bowls (May 13th). Surprise your beloved with a “pottery date night” (May 9th), or switch things up with a smoke and sculpt session.
// 5031 Geary Blvd. (Outer Richmond), sumiware.com
Union Square Plaza
Wrap up the workday with free creative classes in Union Square Plaza.
(Courtesy of Union Square Alliance)
If the last time you went to Union Square was to show your parents around, it’s time for another visit. The central plaza offers a calendar of free opportunities to tap into your creative side. On Mondays, you can join sketching sessions taught by graduates and students from the California College of the Arts and the University of San Francisco; upcoming subjects include the people of Union Square (April 27th) and vibrant botanicals (May 4th). Thursdays from 4:30pm to 6:30pm are officially “crafternoons,” including sessions with SF Etsy to make decoupaged shells (April 23rd) and a slap bracelet throwback session (May 7th). Check their Instagram for even more events.
// Union Square Plaza, at Powell St. and Post St. (Union Square), visitunionsquaresf.com and instagram.com/unionsquaresf
Paxton Gate
Learn how to pin some beautiful bugs at one of Paxton Gate’s workshops.
(Courtesy of Paxton Gate)
If your curiosity leans macabre, you can do more than buy from the collection at Paxton Gate. The fabulously freaky shop also offers several ways to do some work of your own. Beginner taxidermists can try their hands at reviving rats (June 28th) or jackalopes (May 31st), while more advanced practitioners can take on roosters (June 27th) or raccoons (July 26th). For a tamer approach, learn how to pin stunning butterflies, beetles, and moths—and rest easy knowing everything is ethically sourced. Classes fill up quickly, so nab your spot when you see an opening; and keep your eye out for more plant-centered workshops coming up this summer. These also make a unique gift for that person who has everything.
// 824 Valencia St. (Mission), paxtongate.com
Scrap
Pick up a new skill from sewing to soldering at one of Scrap’s monthly workshops.
(Courtesy Scrap)
This giant upcycling depot in the Bayview has been around since 1976, when it was established by the renowned SF artist Ruth Asawa and community leader Anne Marie Theilen. Originally catered toward teachers and students, today the well-stocked warehouse offers secondhand materials for all kinds of crafters—along with regular workshops focused on sustainable materials and creative expression. Past classes have included sewing tutorials, wheatpasting, and even gourd decor, all taught by artists from across the Bay Area. This month, Miles Epstein is teaching everything you need to know about making your own book (April 22nd), and Judy Kim will offer a lesson in Korean bojagi, the traditional art of wrapping and storing items with fabric, in honor of Earth Day (April 26th).
// 2150 Newcomb Ave. (Bayview), scrap-sf.org
Sunset Commons
Grab a crafting kit and some herbal tea for the perfect screen-free night.
(Courtesy of Sunset Commons)
Sunset Commons bills itself as a “home-grown third space” and “arts and crafts cafe” that offers a chill space to gather with friends and connect over hands-on activities. Started by San Francisco natives and power couple Carmen and Steven last August, the cozy space has a rotating lineup of workshops: think junk-journaling, terrarium-making, and even lampshade-building—all listed as beginner-friendly. This month, try out a classic paint-and-sip session (April 24th) or learn how to crochet a stylish red bag (April 30th). You can also DIY your own night—bring in food from neighborhood eateries, grab a Good Juju drink from the counter, and sit down with one of the crafting kits they sell on site. (Check their calendar for the most up-to-date info on cafe hours.)
// 1600 Irving St. (Inner Sunset), sunsetcommons.store
