If you’ve not kept to your New Year’s resolution of learning something new, don’t toss it aside just yet! It’s still March after all, and you’ve got all the time in the world to fulfil that list of must-dos. To motivate you on like the cheerleaders we (think we) are, we’ve come up with 10 new skills you should pick up in Singapore. No more excuses – go and book these snazzy workshops quick.
Bind your own book
Whether you’re a writer, illustrator, or scrapbook artists, assembling your work by hand proves to be fulfilling. Learn the art of book binding at The Thistle Bindery where you can choose different forms of binding including Japanese Stab and Kettenstich. We love the fact that part of the (very affordable) workshop fee goes to a charitable cause too. Win-win!
The Thistle Bindery, various locations.
Be a museum docent
Love art, history and culture? Take your interest further and enrol in Friend’s of the Museum docent-training programmes! The easy-going programme builds on your understanding of Asian cultures and gives you the chance to foster new friendships with fellow trainees. Best part? Upon completion you get to spread your knowledge to global travellers around various museums in Singapore.
Friend’s of the Museum, #02-06 Stamford Court, 61 Stamford Road, Singapore 178892, p. 6337 3685.
Edible Gardens
Farm to table movement
Big lawns in Singapore are hard to come by, especially if you’re living in an apartment. And as much as the city is litted with bright rays of sunshine, we’ve seen too many plants wither by our not-so-green fingers. Don’t despair! Learn how to grow your own micro greenery with Edible Gardens as well as gain tips on seed sowing and watering. Before you know it, you’ll be a master at growing your own food.
Edible Gardens, various locations.
Letterpress Beauty
Move aside printers; letterpress typesetting is making a comeback. Join the Typesettingsg community and pick up the traditional craft with them. Only focusing on handset printing, the 3-hour basic workshop teaches you typesetting through it’s various stages. Now who say print is dead?
Typesettingsg, #02-48, 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, Singapore 168976
Fly Acro
Join the circus
Always wanted to be part of the Cirque du Soleil troupe? Live your dreams of becoming an aerialist at Fly Acro. Choose from a range of uplifting classes including aerial silk. Aerialing is a great way to build confidence and grace. Make this a date and sign up for the double trapeze class wth your beau.
Fly Acro, Gymkraft, 100 Guillemard Road, Singapore 399718, p. 6334 2382.
Get the party started
Spotify is great and all, but when it comes to a good house party a DJ is what we need. Spice up your next house party by dropping your own EDM beats. SAE Institute’s comprehensive DJ production course teaches you DJ techniques and practices that will have you helming the deck in no time.
SAE Institute, #01-42/49 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Road, Singapore 058416, p. 6333 4384.
Uyii
Sew much fabric
Jump on the sewing bandwagon as the craft is making a comeback. Understand how to handle a sewing machine and pick up different sewing techniques at Uyii. You’ll be coming home with fancy cushions, chic totes, functional reversible bags and more by the end of the course. But be warned, friends will flock to you with orders for their own personalised pouches!
Uyii, A Craft Initiative, #08-108, 24 Sin Ming Lane, Singapore 573970.
Make your own perfume
Too sweet, overly musky…finding the ultimate scent is hard. If you’ve always wanted to personalise your own perfume, now you can. Concoct a scent that fits your personality with Je T’aime Perfumery. They even have an online course for all you busy peeps. Don’t go overboard in finding the perfect scent and be the next Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Perfume, 2006) though!
Je T’aime Perfumery, #26-03 The Makena,125 Meyer Road, Singapore 437936, p. 9181 4871.
Maketh Project
Leather Crafting
You know what’s better than owning a piece of Hermès? Making your own leather good! Whether it’s a wallet, passport cover or laptop sleeve, the peeps at Maketh Project will teach you all there is to know about leather crafting. We appreciate that they encourage individuality too. So unleash your inner designer and make a leather product that screams you.
Maketh Project, #02-02, 751 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198719.
Bust those acting chops
If you’re a fan of theatrics, Haque Centre of Acting and Creativity method teaching is the way to go. Acting also serves as a great outlet for emotional release. Perfect therapy for our fast-paced society. The Founder Kamil Haque previously taught at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute that taught James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Who knows? You just might be Hollywood’s next big thing.
Haque Centre of Acting and Creativity, #02-01, 22 Dickson Road, Singapore 209506, p. 9459 5422.
Top image: Wojtek Zając