Get crafty
As we retreat indoors for the colder months, it’s the perfect time to try your hand at new hobbies.
Knit and yarn
Get Flocked: Knit nights and Saturday drop-ins to hang out and chat, knit, or crochet at the 255 High Street store. Wednesday is Pizza Night with Hell’s Pizza. www.getflocked.co.nz.
Public libraries: For a casual get-together, multiple city library branches host free, weekly or bi-weekly drop-in craft sessions. Check the libraries events calendar for dates and locations in your area at my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/knitting.
Sew far so good
The Stitchery Sewing School: Located in Ferrymead, classes and workshops for everyone from complete beginners to advanced sewists. www.valleythreads.com
Risingholme Learning: Offers various fabric arts courses in Opawa, including pattern drafting, garment copying, and overlocking workshops www.risingholme.org.nz
Sew Far Sew Good NZ: Run in Halswell by tutor Rachel Oakey, flexible, one-on-one or small group lessons on your machine or hers, see facebook.com/sewfarsewgoodnz.
Going potty
Ruffshuffler Ceramics Studio: Pottery classes in the heart of Riccarton, learn the art of throwing clay on the pottery wheel. Classes for all levels. Try a two-hour Sip & Pot workshop.
www.ruffshufflerceramics.co.nz.
Katie Jenssen Ceramics: Pottery workshops with ceramic artist Katie Jenssen at her studio in Kaiapoi Mill. Hand-building workshops (not on the pottery wheel), allowing people of all levels to craft beautiful work in one session. katiejenssen.com.
Jewellery making
From taster classes for beginners to workshops in advanced techniques in casting and glass beads, Workspace Studios at 49 Ferry Rd is devoted to teaching all things jewellery. www.workspacestudios.co.nz/christchurch
Art classes
Art and Soul: From her Waltham studio, Leanne Malloch offers tuition in drawing, watercolour, mixed media and acrylic painting, for individuals and small groups. Beginners to experienced artists. artandsoul.nz
Art Metro: Catering to all skill levels, Art Metro in Papanui offers tuition in groups. Day-time, evening or weekend classes. www.artmetro.co.nz.
Corina Hazlett Artist Studio: Adult art classes for beginners to advanced in Sefton. www.corinahazlettartiststudio.com.
Māori & indigenous arts
Explore a range of Māori visual art forms, from painting and sketching to graphic design, printmaking, and weaving. Experiment with traditional and contemporary techniques to express yourself through ngā toi at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. www.twoa.ac.nz
Good with wood
The Christchurch Woodturners Association is the place to learn how to turn wood and improve your technique, from complete beginners to advanced woodturners. Also learn how to enhance turned objects with texture, paints, carving and pyrography. Curious visitors are always welcome at the meetings. Latest meeting times, venue and topics can be found on the website. www.woodturning.nz
