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Remember the days that we actually made the goods instead of just purchased them? Perhaps you have the gnawing sense of creativity growing in the back of your brain, but you’re not sure how to start. Luckily, Hampton Roads offers many opportunities to wet your creative whistle (and maybe even make one). If you have a favorite place that we missed, add it to the comments (bonus if we get to see what you made).
Plenty of Painting
Color Me Mine: The idea of painting on pottery has been around for a while, but it is still a very enjoyable activity, especially for making those lasting memories with kids. Color Me Mine has studios in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
GLäZENFYRE : According to their website, GLäZENFYRE boasts being awarded the Hampton Roads “Best Of” Award every year since opening. Take classes, paint at your leisure, drop your kids off for a PJ party and movie night, or enjoy a ladies’ night out at this Chesapeake treasure. They even offer glass fusing.
Mermaid Factory: Similar to the idea that Color Me Mine has for painting pottery, the Mermaid Factory offers a very unique twist: paint your own keepsake from this area (either a mermaid or a dolphin). With shops in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, the Mermaid Factory allows you to be create and take home a little bit of Hampton Roads.
Muse Paintbar: Paint to your heart’s content at Muse Paintbar in Virginia Beach. They offer various themed painting nights, and they have a bar inside to help you worry less about your technique.
Painting with a Twist: This Hampton DIY paint merchant has various classes and nights out for all kinds of groups. Painting with a Twist allows for a fun, colorful evening out while sipping you’re favorite beverage. There is also a location in Chesapeake.
Pinot’s Palette: Schedule a night at Pinot’s Palette in Norfolk and sip a drink while you paint on canvas. They also offer open studio nights for those creative introverts.
Wine & Design: In Newport News, Wine & Design tells you to simply “sign up, show up, sip up, paint!” Lose your inhibitions to allow your art work to come alive.
Glorious Glass
Chrysler Museum Glass Studio: While you can always catch one of the glass demonstrations, the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio puts the excitement of glassmaking into your own hands. Schedule your private lesson or sign up for a class to create your own masterpiece.
The Glass Act: This Virginia Beach business schedules various classes for anyone interested in creating their own breakable work of art. From boxes, panels, fused glass, stained glass and more, The Glass Act will have you moving from beginner to advanced in no time.
Wild Wood Creations
Board & Brush: With locations in both Newport News and Norfolk, it is easy to find your way to Board & Brush for your own wood sign workshop.
Lilac Lane Consignments & DIY Studio: If the signs point the way, then they are leading you to Lilac Lane Consignments in Hampton for a DIY class on sign making.
Woodcraft: Learn to use a tablesaw, carve your own creation, use a lathe, turn a pen, and more during workshops at Woodcraft. They have locations in Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
Needles, Cloths, and Thread
A Different Touch, Inc.: If you are sew-obsessed, but not sure how to start, take a class at A Different Touch, Inc. in Chesapeake. Learn skills to help you make your own wearable art and more.
Baa Baa Sheep, LLC: Needing to knit your nifty knickers? Sign up for a Knit for Beginners Class with Baa Baa Sheep in Norfolk.
Little Stitch Studio: Attend a workshop, book a party, browse the studio, or even grab a DIY kit at Little Stitch Studio.
Revolution Studios: An arts, crafts, and sewing education studio, this shop is open to adults and kids alike. You can schedule a party at Revolution Studios or attend classes on pottery, sewing, embroidery, alterations, and more.
Sarah’s Thimble Quilt Shoppe: Fancy making yourself a quilt? Ready to plunge into patchwork for a friend? See the class schedule at Sarah’s Thimble Quilt Shoppe in Virginia Beach to plan your beautiful blanket creation.
A Little Bit of Everything
757 Makerspace: An empowering shared space, 757 Makerspace offers many options for your DIY adventure. Join Makerspace and have 24/7 access to woodworking and metal working areas, screen printing, 3D printers, laser-cutting machines, the clayground, and more. Even those who aren’t members can participate in classes, events, and workshops, and each month, they offer an open build night for the public.
American DIYG: Need to work on your car? Don’t have the tools you need? Drive over to American Do-It-Yourself Garage and take the worry out of purchasing expensive equipment. You can pay to use a bay or you can even schedule one of their classes like the Women’s Basic Automotive Class.
AR Workshops: Whether you’re into plank wood projects, boxes, trays, canvas or jewelry, you can join a workshop with AR Workshops. There are activities for adults or children, and you can join in on a scheduled class, or you can book your own group get-together. There are locations in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Newport News.
Coast DIY Bar: If you’re looking for a space to host a workshop, attend instructor-led classes, or use an open studio, check out Coast DIY Bar in Norfolk. They offer painting technique workshops, glass etching classes, wood sign instruction, and more.
Kitsch: A great place to shop for Virginian goods, this little store also has classes and events for various interests, including calligraphy, macrame, paint pour, and more. Be sure to check Kitsch‘s class schedule.
Make Something Studio: Seated in Suffolk, Make Something Studio offers beading, canvas painting, glassware activities, pottery, parties, and even campus.
YAYmaker: With no precise home location, but having events all over the place, YAYmaker offers nights of painting, planting, and display creations.
Paint Your Thumbs Green
Glass Gardens: Glass Gardens by John is a pop up shop that can be found throughout Hampton Roads, but for that DIY-learning opportunity, you can schedule a private terrarium workshop with your group of friends.
McDonald Garden Center: McDonald Garden Center has many locations in Hampton Roads, but some offer workshops to help you grow your best plants or create your own ambiance. There are classes for every age.
PlantBar: If you like oxygen, and who doesn’t, perhaps you want to get crafty with some plants. Try your hand at arrangements, learn about plant care, and create a terrarium at PlantBar in Virginia Beach.