If you’ve always taken an interest in Singapore’s arts and craft scene and zealously support handmade, quality goods, here are ten workshops for you to get your craft on. From creating a mini indoor garden, designing your own leather pouch, to exploring the art of screen-printing, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Printmaking
Explore the possibilities of printmaking and image creation using traditional techniques like screen-printing and drypoint. Singapore Tyler Print Institute offer screen-printing workshops ($280) and workshops, about drypoint on plastic ($220), where you’ll be able to create your own monoprints at the end of the session. Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) also provides courses for the public like basic printmaking ($450), etching ($450), and silkscreen printing ($550). Fab local textile label Fictive Fingers are a notable mention, keep a look out for their fabric printing classes!
Green Banana
Terrarium
A spot of greenery can do wonders for brightening the crib, and terrariums make an excellent choice with their low maintenance nature. You won’t need to have green thumbs to craft this gorgeous mini glass garden either! Green Banana, who are practically regulars at Public Garden flea markets, stock an extensive catalogue of pre-designed terrariums and accessories and also offer classes ($69) in collaboration with Tyrwhitt General Company. Winning brownie points for convenience, The Plant Story lets you customise workshops based on your group size, budget and availability.
Book Binding
With the emergence of machines and mass-production for efficiency, book binding by hand is a thing of the past. If you’re interested in learning more about this niche and incredibly sincere practice, look out for The Thistle Bindery’s workshops ($50-60). You’ll get the chance to learn different types of binding from Japanese stab to bradel and case, double Coptic to long stitch and link. Best part? A portion of the earnings from each workshop is donated to the Loving Heart Centre!
The Gentlemen’s Press
Letterpress
Learn more about the basics of letterpress, an age-old print technique, and personalize your own namecards while you’re at it. The talented folks from The Gentlemen’s Press are working with Tyrwhitt General Company to hold 3-hour workshops ($149), which will take you through the fundamentals of typography, typesetting, layout, and the printing process. Stay tuned to Tyrwhitt General Company’s website for their schedule of workshops.
Rubber Stamp Carving
Learn how to carve your own adorable rubber stamps, which are perfect for printing on greeting cards or pattern making. Besides a host of other craft workshops like textile fabrication, sewing, and paper craft, The Little Happyshop also run rubber stamp carving workshops ($120), targeted at beginners with experience in (and are comfortable with) knife work. Carving rubber and take-home pattern templates will be provided.
Tatting
If you haven’t heard of tatting before, we don’t blame you. It’s practically a lost art in Singapore, but we think it deserves a place in the spotlight once more. It’s about using shuttle and thread to form lace patterns and designs, which can be used for jewelry, table runners, charms, and home decor. UniQ creations are one of the few folks in town who conduct tatting classes, and you can catch them at the monthly MAAD Pyjamas flea markets.
Tyrwhitt General Company
Leather Craftwork
If you love your leather products as much as we do, you’ve probably played around with the idea of picking up basic leather cutting, embroidery, and finishing methods. Tyrwhitt General Company has heard our prayers and brought in Stoneforgold to run basic leather craft ($79) and leather stitching workshops ($139)! Other names to add in your black book include jConcetto (one of our Honeygals raved about their leather workshop at Archifest) and Atelier Lodge, a dedicated handmade leather school where you can attend specific classes for a passport holder, card holder, key holder, or hand pouch.
Sewing
If you haven’t read our round-up of sewing classes in Singapore, get on it! Whether you wish to pick up the basics, try your hand at designing your own apparel, or dream of being on the next Project Runway, we’ve got you covered. Fans of local bag label Uyii will also be glad to know that they also offer sewing classes ($50) and accessory making (kiss-lock clutches workshop – $60) workshops as well.
Wonderland for Detailed Planners
Flower Lovin’
Why blow big bucks on bouquets when you can arrange your own. With a whole host of florists in Singapore offering flower arrangement courses, it’s a toughie choosing the right one. The ever-amazing Karen French holds flower arrangement classes for beginners and intermediate level students, and will teach you how to whip up a fab bouquet in no time. Another favourite is Wonderland for Detailed Planners (you have to check out their gorgeous shop space at Haji Lane!), who not only offer centerpiece flower arrangement courses, they also teach floral illustration, watercolor, unique calligraphy, and vintage book binding classes.
Ceramics
Crafting your own clay sculpture or ornament can be extremely therapeutic and an absolute relaxer after a long week of work. Hit up Goodman Ceramics Studio for their extensive range of pottery programmes – from clay mug (for a basic introduction to ceramics), plate making, pottery painting, to hot glass bead making. Contemporary Clay Studio wins two thumbs up due to their flexible class schedules and private classes (at a venue of your choice). Looking to advance your skills and pursue ceramics as a serious interest? Check out NAFA’s sculpture and ceramic classes.
Top Image: Fictive Fingers