Why DIY alone with YouTube when you can DIWO (Do it with others) in a sweet local shop in Santa Cruz?
Live workshops take your craft curiosity to a new level and right now there are more opportunities than ever to have an awesome creative experience. Plus, you get to hang out in cool spaces with local artists and other craft enthusiasts.
Craft workshops have many advantages. We connect, gather and get to ask questions to an expert maker in real time.
Workshops are an opportunity to test out a new craft without investing a lot of time or money. We learn faster when someone shows us in person and there is something beautiful about gathering and learning together.
Classes are typically single session intensives with supplies provided or available for purchase. The one-day format allows you to immerse yourself in a craft and come home with a cool project to show off or give as a personalized gift.
Here’s our guide to getting crafty in Santa Cruz.
Wallflower Boutique
Wallflower Boutique, conveniently located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz, offers cool-again classics such as weaving, embroidery and macramé. The shop is also a workspace to designers, jewelry makers, and artists, so stop by the shop and see the creative process in action.
What: A women’s boutique and designer workspace offering jewelry, clothing, gifts, and art to the handmade enthusiast
Location: 103 Locust Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: wallflowersantacruz.com
Facebook and Instagram
Annieglass Craftbar
Tour the Annieglass factory and retail store in Watsonville and take a craft class while you’re there. The craftbar offers workshops in ceramics, succulent garden creation, plate decorating, jewelry making, embroidery, macramé and more.
Upcoming workshops in April include Color Theory Collage, succulent arrangement, and a Make-a-Plate workshop with Annie herself.
What: A spacious workspace to enjoy a glass of local wine or a craft beer while craftmaking with friendly folks
Location: 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076
Website: annieglass.com
Facebook and Instagram
Home/Work
Home/Work offers an eclectic collection of rad goods for your home and pretty much the same deal on workshops and adult craft nights. Learn about Tarot, styling and mobile photography, or print up some sweet tea towels.
What: A modern bohemian shop in Midtown
Location: 1100 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website: shophomework.com
Facebook and Instagram
The Craftsmen Collective
The Craftsmen Collective offers workshops featuring local craftsmen throughout the community. In addition to guest artists who share a variety of skills, resident artists offer ongoing thematic workshops. Julie Martin of Willi Wildflower leads a series of seasonal floral workshops as well as offering private group sessions for wedding parties & bachelorette events where you can learn to make your own flower crowns and centerpieces.
Not to miss—Vanessa Segovia hosts Color Me Bad Workshops: a Paint and Sip Series designed for individuals interested in creating, networking, unwinding and enjoying. Each edition features a different theme, from hip hop to rock and roll, famous women in history to comic book superheroes and more.
What: A retail shop with a swoon worthy collection of plants, and workspace for artists and creatives
Location: 4600 Soquel Dr., Soquel, CA 95073
Website: thecraftsmencollective.com
Facebook and Instagram
Wild Iris
Wild Iris is a floral boutique nestled in downtown Felton and a warm, welcoming place to gather and be inspired. As best said by owner, Molly Kavanaugh, Wild Iris believes in the importance of “taking time out from stressful daily life and enjoying the time you have with the people around you.”
They offer workshops with an emphasis on crafts for the plant lover such as macramé plant holders, air plant ornaments, and terrariums, as well as, current creative trends such as block printing and embroidery. Workshops are taught by local artists as well as the super talented Wild Iris ladies.
Not to miss— dynamic succulent arrangements, wreaths and garlands!
This inspiring space is ever evolving and may make a great place to host a special farm to table dinner or other private event —call the shop for pricing and details.
What: A floral shop emphasizing natural design using locally sourced and seasonal flowers
Location: 6227 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
Website: wildirisfloral.com
Facebook and Instagram
Yarn Shop Santa Cruz
Yarn Shop Santa Cruz is a sweet yarn shop located in a cozy spot right downtown. There is an amazing selection of yarns and supplies for your knitting, crochet, and fiber love needs. With a fun range of community classes and workshops Yarn Shop Santa Cruz makes it easy to learn new skills, make cool projects, and get support along the way.
Workshops offer a clear supply list— just pop in the store and the skilled staff will help you find what you need. If you are seeking instruction on a tough pattern, or just need some professional help, they offer a paid drop-in Knit Lab, which is a great way to finish up that tricky work-in-progress.
Want to create with community? Stop by the Tea and Stitching on Tuesday mornings, First Friday stitch nights or join one of their KALs (Knit-A-Longs). Sign up for their newsletter so you can keep up with all that’s going on.
For current class schedule, please call the store 831-515-7966.
What: A top-notch yarn shop with classes, workshops, stitch groups, and more
Location: 765 Cedar Street Suite 103, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: yarnshopsantacruz.com
Facebook and Instagram
Dream Maker Creative
Offering classes for kids and adults, Dream Maker Creative lets you bring your Pinterest fantasies to life in a well-stocked space on Center Street.
For some hassle-free creative time, check out the monthly drop-in crafting times with a changing menu of craft projects each month. Current featured projects include painted pots, etched beer steins, and chalk signs.
Upcoming workshops in April include a Dream Catcher workshop, New Moms Crafting, and Pop Culture Crafts.
What: A DIY craft and studio space
Location: 10001 Center St. Suite 2, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: dreammakercreative.com
Facebook and Instagram
DIG Gardens
Dig Gardens offers weekly workshops that embrace modern, bohemian decorating styles to inspire projects for home and garden. The workshops are taught by creative and knowledgeable Dig staff as well as indie artisans.
Upcoming workshops in April include a succulent and air plant bouquet, vertical succulent wall, and string gardens.
What: An extraordinary home and garden store with an ever-evolving and diverse selection of plants
Location: 420 Water Street Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
Website: diggardens.com
Facebook and Instagram
Additional Crafty and Creative Fun (There’s a bit of a theme here…)
- Sip your favorite wine while you paint a masterpiece at The Painted Cork.
- Make your own beer stein at “Pint and Pottery”, a crafty collaboration brought to you by Good Life Ceramics and hosted at New Bohemia Brewing Co.
- Paint Nite at Michael’s on Main encourages you to #DrinkCreatively—paint brush in one hand, glass of wine in the other.
- Why paint by numbers when you can paint by pint with local artist Yeshe Jackson at East Cliff Brewing Co.
- PaintNite and PlantNite might be your new favorite hangout at Bruno’s Bar and Grill.
- Exit Santa Cruz offers more than escape rooms. Check out their Brush Up Paint Parties and Pinscape- a DIY studio for creators of all ages.
- Fiber arts enthusiasts, check out the recently launched Knit Sew Make Santa Cruz located on the westside.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a supportive crafting community and space to bring your own portable project, look no further than the Felton Library. Adult Arts & Crafts takes place on Sundays from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Not to worry if you don’t have a project—the library will provide materials and inspiration.
Did we miss your favorite crafting space? Shoot us an email or comment below to let us know.
Opalcreativeco.com is located in Pleasure Point and hosts workshops of all kinds! You can also rent out the space for private Pop up’s, events, photo shoots and more!!