It’s no secret that WA has a love affair with all things handmade. That's why we’ve handpicked the coolest curators, collectives and creatives who are leading the way in all things artistic. Who says it’s hard to find a hobby? Judging by this list, the hard part is choosing just one.
So button up your denim overalls and tie up that hair, here are Perth's best workshops.
Open Hands Creative
Various locations
Open Hands Creative can help you get a little more in touch with your creative side this year, with fun small group workshops covering everything from macrame making and pressed flower framing to live nude sketch nights. Best of all, this business is proudly plastic and waste-free.
Class Bento
EVERYWHERE
When we say Class Bento has a class for everything, we mean everything. Collating incredible workshops from creative businesses and people from across Perth, this workshop site lists pottery, knitting, sausage making, jewelery making, resin art, photography and macrame as just a handful of the 100+ classes you can find and book on their calendar. You may even find something you never knew you wanted to learn.
Republic Of Fremantle Gin School
Fremantle
Take your love of gin to the next level with a little help from the master distillers at Republic Of Fremantle. In these hands on classes you'll create your own botonical bill in your very own mini copper still—and yes, don't worry, you'll get to take the 500ml bottle home, along with your new found knowledge about the art of distilling.
Lab Six
North Perth
Start thinking of your official DJ name stat, because after a workshop at Lab Six you'll feel like a professional. If you're new to DJ-ing book a group course for weekly classes, or if you're a bit time poor and eager to make it in the music industry book a one-on-one course. Lab Six believes that anyone can learn and they'll give you all the hands-on experience you need.
Clay Make Studio
Maylands
If you're into ceramics, Clay Make Studio is offering up some of the best pottery workshops in Perth. From wheel-throwing to designing, hand making and even creating your own glazes, they've got a workshop for every level of potter.
House Of Hobby
Various Locations
House of Hobby organises creative workshops which are run by women, for women, and they always involve champagne, so obviously we love them. There's a huge variety of workshops on offer from vision board workshops to candle making. Check out what's coming up here.
The Cheese Maker
Swan Valley
Now you can get in on the action at a cheese-making course in the Swan Valley. The Cheese Maker runs loads of courses so you can select a workshop that suits your inner cheese. The workshops come with a fantastic cheese inspired lunch, so go hungry.
Kindred Lane
Booragoon
Set inside the stunning Feld & Co warehouse space, Kindred Lane offers plenty of feel-good workshops focussed on wellbeing, sustainability and connection. Learn how to build a nutritious and oh so 'gramable nourish bowl, get stuck into the art of vegan cheese making, or find your zen in a meditation course—either way you'll feel recharged and a little more skilled.
Stackwood
Fremantle
Community focused and creative nurturers, Stackwood have reinvented workshops. Inviting Perth’s top makers to come in and host a session, you’re looking at anything from weaving your own basket to embroidering your own top. All in the stunning former diesel workshop in Freo.
Perth Wood School
Belmont
Keen on putting your handyman (or handywoman) skills to the test? Perth Wood School has you covered. From super basics to making tables, the team has every intention of helping you channel your inner cabinetmaker.
Fremantle Arts Centre
Fremantle
Fremantle Arts Centre is where it’s at for all the arts and crafts you could ever imagine. Oil painting, decorating porcelain, making jewellery, printmaking, drawing for a travel diary or getting your hands dirty with clay are just a few of the options on the table here.
Art Space Collective
Scarborough
Bring your best mate and a bottle of wine and head to the rooftop terrace of Art Space Collective where you can try your hand at sketching a real-life model; just try not to blush. Or keep an eye on their website for other sessions like kokedama workshops, screen printing and much more.
Fox & Rabbit
Perth CBD
Fox & Rabbit host stunning workshops for the green thumbs out there and you might just walk out with some of the prettiest florals in town. Wreath making, table arrangements and flower crowns are our personal favourites for afternoons with your best mate. Located inside the State Buildings, you can be sure the space will be just as beautiful as the arrangement you leave with.
Five Senses Coffee
Northbridge
Sick of spending $4.50 a day on a flat white? Take matters into your own hands, invest in a fancy coffee machine and learn from the best. The Five Senses training room has all the types of coffee covered in their workshops to ensure we all walk out latte art geniuses.
Clean Slate Skincare
Fremantle
Kat from Clean Slate is living our dream (and by that we mean she is surrounded by essential oils, candles and all of the good smells every single day). What started with an aim to redefine skincare has evolved into workshops in mists, sprays, candles and essential oils, to name just a few, and all at the ever-cool Stackwood in Fremantle.
Contemporary Metal
Osborne Park
No matter what your style is, you can never have too many rings, right? These three-hour workshops will have you hammering, forming and setting your own pieces of wearable art. Now, how to turn this into a moneymaking hobby?
Succulent Sistas
Scarborough & Myaree
These two lovely friends have jumped on the succulent bandwagon and we’re all happier for it. Make your home or office a little prettier with some spots of handmade greenery. Succulent Sistas have loads of workshops so you’ll be sure to find a date that suits.
Cabernet & Canvas
Various Locations
Try your hand at recreating Monet’s sunset in Venice, Van Gogh’s three sunflowers or Renoir’s boating on the Seine as you sip on wine and get all of the hot painting tips from the resident artist of the night. Running throughout the year, Cabernet & Canvas public classes take place all over Perth.
Not ready to leave the house? Check out the best free online courses.
Image credit: Open Hands Creative