I love this art store and education space! Great community for local artists and everyone here is…read moreso wonderful. We're lucky to have this space in Ballard.

Push/Pull is an "underground art and comix" shop that sells and promotes 'Art, Supplies, Classes,…read moreand Community.' Came here for the community aspect as they hosted one of many locations for a town wide community cocktail walk was going on. We sipped cardamom-lemon vodka here as featured by a local restaurant. While there we chatted with the shop employees who were very nice. While sipping we browsed the studio looking at are pieces by local artists which can be purchased. A perfect example of supporting small business and local art. Push/Pull lives up to their statement being a part of and promoting the community. There is a fair amount art supplies here - including but of course not limited to Sketch books, brushes, glazes, paints, easels and more. They offer classes and have info about events going, so if you're an artist and want to be in more 'in the know' it may be worth checking out Push/Pull simply for that. I hope Push/Pull continues to be a part of the neighborhood!

We are so stoked for this place!! This is excellent for families to spend a wonderful quality time…read moretogether. Especially w little ones to explore their creativity while enjoying some delicious beverages. Exceptional service and perfect ambiance. This will be a regular for us.

Eva was wonderful and we really enjoyed making Tofu with her. It was super interesting learning…read moreabout the process and being able to press our own tofu! It tasted great, and she even made homemade miso soup to share with the group!!

We came here for a team-building event to do kintsugi. The instructors were very knowledgeable and…read morehelpful. We enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime experience and were glad that each of us could bring home what we created. Overall, the experience was great. Although it was the most expensive option among our selections, it was worth it!

Note: this is for a Virtual Yelp Elite Event (VYEE on 2/11/21) featuring the Bath Bombs kit from…read moreThe Works Seattle Easily this VYEE could be rated 15 Yelp stars! This unique, engaging, and enjoyable event was hosted by Jennifer, Yelp Eastside CM from Issaquah. Our VYEE instructor was Kellie, the enthusiastic and passionate owner of The Works in Seattle (2/11/21). I signed up thinking ahead for something fun to look forward to. After my recent past two weeks, this event was so welcomed! I'm always curious how artists and craftspeople create unique items and are able to establish a vibrant indie business too. I've taken other similar classes that allows for creativity and a timeout from the day-to-day. The vibe that Jennifer and Kellie created during this hour session, and seeing others with their custom, handmade bath bombs...this was a much needed and appreciated this evening. I ordered my kit on 2/8/21 intended to pick it up in person. And of course, life interfered. But the folks at The Works worked their magic, kindly got it in the mail, and I received it day of the event. Lovely packaging. Makes a great gift! Techniques are freely shared and allowed for further creativity with additional tips from Kellie and other Yelp Elites participating. I listened intently, took copious notes, and took screenshots. Inside the Bath Bombs Kit are all the items needed, including an instruction booklet, and video link to watch later for reference. Other items needed and not included are a mixing bowl, fork, 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon, and up to 3T water. After giving this process a whirl, (makes about 4 bath bombs from the kit) the choices and combos one can continue to create are infinite! Add in some creativity, you'll learn a really top notch skill, promote self care, and can give as gifts. Art meets science! Gifts guaranteed to be well received, not become a regifted white elephant, and you don't have to dust it, lol. Supporting The Works is also beneficial to showcasing their business and the artisans they also partner with. The Works Seattle 151 12th Avenue, Seattle WA 98122 theworksseattle.com

I have been a student of Ruthie's for 3 years and she taught me to paint. I have been a student at…read moreSeattle Artist League since it opened and it is teaching me to be an artist. Ruthie meets the student where they are at whether a beginner or an experienced artist. She will provide tools, resources, information, and historical context to help the artist find a solution among options. Nothing is spoon fed, nothing is formulaic. (Unless of course you want that, and ask her directly, but this is not where the value in her teaching lies). Ruthie's goal is to help her students paint like themselves. If you want a class to learn how to paint just like the teacher, her classes are not for you. If you want a class that helps you navigate the struggle of seeing, rendering, and communicating so that each time you approach the canvas your intentions can be realized, her classes are for you. Seattle Artist League fosters a supportive, collaborative environment where students are encouraged to experiment in a group setting. Even when the lesson is hard, it is approached with a creatively playful attitude that does not detract from the learning but prevents anyone from taking themselves too seriously. Ruthie and Seattle Artist League deserve, and have earned, every positive review. They have created an inclusive and welcoming community of artists who have a shared goal of improving their work, making creative discoveries, and enjoying the process. The only rules are respect your fellow students, respect the model, respect the facilities.

TL;DR: SAL's pottery classes are quite good and the studio community/open studio hours are…read moreterrific. That said, the owners are such a negative force, you may want to think twice about supporting them with your money. The rave reviews here about the quality of Seattle Artist League pottery classes, instructors, community, and generous open studio polices are all to be believed. I took my first class at SAL in Fall 2022 and continued with classes and practice until this month. In my 2nd year there, I was hired to be a PT pottery studio tech. After 10 months, the studio owner directed the pottery studio manager to fire me and I returned to being just a student. I won't repeat the defamatory lies the owner invented to justify her decision. My allegiance was to the pottery studio manager, staff, teachers and community. I had positive feedback from them and didn't care about losing the owner's good opinion or the 8 hours a week at min wage. At the heart of all the goodness in SAL is a rot most repeat students and staff tiptoe around. It is the untethered, erratic, impulsive, and, often, abusive behavior of owner Ruthie V., enabled by co-owner, Lendy. It's responsible for high staff turnover, particularly among staff that must work when Ruthie is on site, as well as women who present as experienced, valued leaders who cared about student experience. Ruthie's administration of day-to-day operations is impulsive, with no view to process or consequences. Class spaces are double booked. Classes with low enrollment are canceled with no communication to teachers or students. Classes are announced and filled with no instructor scheduled. Open studio hours are suddenly pre-empted with no communication to staff or update of the calendar. Studio staff are left to manage the chaos Ruthie leaves in her wake. She has no tolerance for problem-solving and will deflect blame on the person who identifies the problem, using whatever lies she needs to shore up her story or justify their ouster. Staff walk on eggshells and the energy in the space when she's there is tight and anxious. We're living through a time when bullying, dictatorial behavior is being normalized. We each must decide whether we speak up, sometimes at great risk to ourselves, or stay silent and become complicit. SAL is a microcosm of that dilemma. Last week, while I was in my second volunteer shift during the annual studio deep clean, Ruthie found something entirely innocuous she could twist into a lie that served as justification to ban me from the studios forever. Lendy delivered the message, lying about staff in the process. Students are paying customers; I had prepaid for nearly $800 of upcoming classes. SAL refunded the money but it speaks to how impulsive Ruthie is that she would risk that loss and the reputational one based on some perceived slight to her fragile ego. I was not allowed any defense. Finally, SAL operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit with fiscal sponsorship through Shunpike. Washington RCW 24.03A.490 requires nonprofits to maintain a Board of Directors. As a Board member of an arts organization for ~5 years, I know one of the oversight responsibilities is to set HR policies and be a resource for staff to address issues with management. SAL's website lists no BOD and I can find no evidence that Shunpike fills this role for them. SAL appears to be out of compliance as a nonprofit. There are many pottery studios in Seattle, with various offerings. Your choice of them is an investment of your money and a reflection of your values. I want SAL's pottery studios to prosper and, at the same time, I cannot be silent about the environment there even if my voice turns people away from the studio. Actions matter. Truth matters. Make your investment accordingly.

Spacecraft is a wonderful crafting shop on Capitol Hill. The shop is brand new and dedicated to…read moreproviding space and supplies required for a HUGE variety of DIY projects. Spacecraft fills a big void in a day and age where people have less space at home to invest in their creative endeavors. You can see that the ownership has a great sense of pride in this shop, every little detail makes the space cozy and inviting. In addition to providing a launch pad for a variety of independent projects, Spacecraft is also hosting workshops led by experienced artists and crafters. It is so amazing to see a store like this pop-up in the "New Seattle era," one that encourages the exploration our individual creativity while also fostering community. Well done Spacecraft and welcome to the neighborhood. I can't wait to watch you grow!

Super awesome crafty space! I am totally going back. You can go in and make all of the things and…read morethen someone else cleans up after I mean how good is that? The place is set up with supplies for loads of projects, yarn, hooks and needles, beads, wood beads to paint, card making, stamps, Washi tape, colored pencils, acrylics, watercolors, big and little canvasses, hot glue, glitter, pipe cleaners, puff balls, ribbon, Embroidery supplies, there is more I'm sure I'm forgetting but that gives you the idea. Nice big wood tables to create on. They also have classes in Addition to open studio time, I highly recommend it!

True rating: 4.5/5 I had a lovely time with my sisters for a…read moremuch needed outing! This is a great brunch spot with the girlies, a super fun work event, the perfect birthday activity for any age - and you get to take home something memorable. Something you created alongside people you shared this memory with! Did I mention that there's FOOD? I just got a coffee this day, but my sisters had some tea and a pastrami sandwich. I stole a bite of the sandwich, it was indeed delicious. Next time, I'm going for a brunch outing and I WILL be indulging in some mimosas. The most beautiful pain and sip place I can think of. So you come in, order food and drinks if you'd like and then find a place to sit. Go pick out the pottery piece you would like - I will warn you, this is the hardest part of the process. After that, there's a station with all the supplies you may need (paint and paint palettes, paint swatches after firing, brushes, sponges, stencils, paper towels, food paper to sit things on, water bowls, I'm sure there's more I'm missing). Return to your table, paint, order more food, play with the super fun games they have?? (We played with a miniature pool table. Sure, it was missing some balls, but how often do I get to play with a mini pool table?), and when you're ALL done, take your piece to the counter. They'll have you take a picture of your item before paying for it. You will use this picture to pick up the item(s)! You pay for it and it's ready to pickup in 8 days! Plan ahead :) I do wish that there was a little more guidance when you arrive, but with that being said, everything *is* on their website. Some information is a little confusing or not current, however. I also wish that this place was a bit better staffed, but I know that's an issue many face and this business appears to be fixing! When it was a little rushed, I could sense the frustration of the person behind the food counter. Completely understandable, but it leaves room for improvement! Overall, I can't wait to come back to this place. I painted the plate, and I kinda want to try this again and see if I can improve! Can't wait to bring my mom here, maybe for Mother's Day?! You know what, let's all bring our moms here and create something special - memories and pottery!

Came in with 10 people for a booked painting session on Saturday at 7pm!…read more This place is super cute and pottery painting is always fun! I like that they serve more food than other places I've been, so you can eat dinner while you paint. We ordered the charcuterie board for 6, 2 pizzas, and a few bottles of wine. The charcuterie board was yummy with classic foods and we really enjoyed both the spring fever and spinach and Gorgonzola pizza! The wine list was pretty small with about 4 white options and 4 reds ( I think ?) but we were all satisfied with the ones we got. I like that they had instructions on every table of how to prep and paint everything from beginning to end so we could be very independent through the process! From what I saw, most pieces were between 25-60. They had a decent amount of options to pick from, including a plates, bowls, mugs, and trays, as well as animals and trinket holders. I would've loved a few more paint colors but what they had got the job done! There was a little chaos with the payment because of our reservation, but everything got sorted out and we had a great time! I can't wait to see my finished product! *there is not a dedicated parking lot, only street parking

Summit Selvage is an incredible studio in the cap hill area that offers a variety of sewing,…read morecrafting, and DIY classes from local experts. It is run by a passionate woman who is a sewing expert and the classes she offers really help build a sense of community in the cap hill area. The space also offers studio rental space for artists looking for a place to work on their projects. They are also hosting a market for local artists this year. I'm hoping these events continue. Overall, I intend to become a regular at Summit Selvage.

Had a great date night here making a ramen bowl in a class with a group of people. Class was about…read moretwelve individuals but the lone instructor did a great job of explaining and demonstrating how to make the bowl from clay. Instructor was also available for one-on-one attention if you had questions or needed extra assistance. Fun experience in a loft workspace above the downstairs art gallery. Very busy with other classes and individuals all working on their projects. Parking is on your own. If you know downtown Seattle, then be prepared to give yourself extra time to find on street parking or a lot that's not full. Use transit if you can!

They butcher your Date Night pieces after charging extra to fire them. Six of the bowls we made…read morewere "trimmed" so savagely they wouldn't even stand on a flat surface. The wheel instructions given were vague and we were largely left to fend for ourselves. We made the best of the night itself, but as artists they should know how this kind of careless post processing will disappoint people who attended in good faith.