Recently I have been exploring the world of crafty classes in NYC. So many that I had to do a 2 part blog post! I thought I'd give them a bit of a review in case you were looking to step up your crafty skills and take a class. This is part 2!!
459 Broome St, Manhattan
Three 2 hr. classes - $140
Thomas Duncan was the teacher in my class. He was great! Amazingly helpful and patient. Both me and the other woman in the class (there were only 2 of us, yay!) hadn't knit before and with his guidance we picked it up so quickly!! This class is perfect for someone who has never knit and wants to learn everything to start their first knitted project. It's 3 classes so you get a lot of info.
Your materials aren't included but everything you need you can buy right there at the store (just not during class, have your materials beforehand). Above is the first thing we knit, just some stitch practicing. First we learned how to knit creating a garter stitch and then we learned how to purl and we had a lot of time to practice both.
Next I moved onto knit 2 purl 2 which creates a really nice texture that I hope to continue on this piece until it resembles some kind of scarf. Knitting is very time consuming compared to sewing. I hope to post about it again when it's done but it'll be a while...
Members- $485 Non-members- $585
Buck Jackson teaches this super sweet class that no matter what level you're at you get comfortable with using all of the machines and safety surrounding them. You make an end table which takes up the majority of the class but you also make a wood mallet where you learn some techniques you don't learn making the table. All of your materials are included and you get a 'tool bag' that has very useful items like a set of chisels, ruler square, safety goggles, dust mask, tape measure, sandpaper, and earplugs. All of which you get to keep post class.
Here's one of my classmates working in the student workshop designated specifically for classes. They have a whole new beautiful woodshop upstairs that you can use after the class is over and you go through the safety info with Jeff the woodshop manager.
I wish I took more photos of the process and the finished product before I painted it, but I didn't so you can just imagine it half built and not painted. In the class you have time to get the table built but the finishing/painting/staining is up to you on your own time. I did spray painted stripes by taping off sections.
I didn't paint the bottom cross bar and I think it looks pretty cool. The contrast of natural wood and bright colors is awesome. Even though it took a really like time to paint with all of the gesso layers and then I sprayed the paint with a UV matte finish so hopefully it will stay nice.
Now I use the side table as a place for my tools next to my work table so I'm not always losing them under the fabric I'm working with. Perfect!!
87 3rd Ave, Brooklyn
One 4 hr. class- $75
Having access to a laser cutter is always beneficial if you're planning to do any kind of project with small details that you can't cut out by hand or that are too time consuming. This class teaches you all about the laser cutter and how to operate it. You learn what materials you can and can't laser cut and how to test them if you're not sure. You can bring an image file or idea to laser cut or you can think something up when you get there. It helps to bring your computer and a flash drive.
People in my class made things like a wooden bow tie, vinyl necklace, name keychain, and business card. They provide all of the materials for cutting. I made a stamp!! After a few tries of figuring out the settings on the laser for rubber we finally got it!! (I brought my own wood block to glue it on).
Now I have my very own logo stamp and thanks to this class I have the know how and tools to make another whenever I desire. They have open hours twice a week where you can use the laser cutter and pay by the minute. Very fun, you should try it out!! Fire the lazzzzzorr!!
