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.

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!

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!

YOU GOTTA CHECK THIS PLACE OUT!!…read more The artist and shop assistant at Magpie Mouse are both so kind, creative and they truly enjoy sharing the experience of both discovering the art that around the shop, and helping/supporting your creativity if you take one of the enamel workshops (I highly recommend!). The variety and quality of the one of a kind art and jewelry is amazing. Each piece art. These badass women are metalsmiths, that also dance with glass and fire. It isn't a simple thing, but the knowledge and skill in which they approach making (And teaching!) is so full of joy and ease... it radiates from the shop and its wares. The prices are great and quality shines. This little shop/studio has unique and beautiful designs that are stellar for gifts others and for yourself! (Yes, you deserve it) This beautiful bespoke experience is located in a historic building on Western Ave, in Pike Market, tucked in with other artists and makers, facing the edge of the Puget Sound. If you're checking out all of Pike, this is a must see stop. If you need a moment to recharge while exploring the market, grab a cuppa from a locally owned small coffee shop and have a sit at the cafe table In front of Magpie Mouse, just remember to check out all the pretties inside!

I did a jewelry workshop here and had an amazing time! Sarah was so patient with showing me all the…read moreways to create some beautiful art pieces and made sure they turned out how I wanted! For one 3 hour workshop I did three sets of earrings and a pendant! Definitely worth the price and a great activity out!

Amazing! Love! Very informative. My friend and I booked a fancy vase beginning glass lesson for…read moreboth of us weeks in advance over email. For context, we have no glass blowing or ceramics experience. What to know beforehand: -You need to wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes and masks! -Picking colors and designs in person may take a while (if you're very decisive you may not have this problem). There are tons of options for what you can make and with what colors so it took at least an hour for us to pick and choose. The final price of your piece can also vary depending how big you want it to be and what color(s) are involved. -It'll take a day for the piece to cool when you're done, so you'll have to pick it up another day. -Small parking lot on-site in the back along with street parking. The beginning glass lesson experience: -David was very good at teaching and support. I felt more like the designer of the piece than the glassblower/creator, but David really gives you every safe opportunity he can to give you hands on experience in the process and talks through every step. You're not just paying for a glass piece here - you're paying for David's 40+ years of experience blowing glass! Felt more like I was shadowing a glassblowing process. I learned a lot and had a great time. -Cynthia was also helpful in confirming the design during the process. I didn't know how to explain that I wanted more of a flare at the top of my design at one point but she caught that for correction. Some fun learnings: -If you want to seriously get into glassblowing, paperweights are the best shape to learn and practice. -The punt of the glass is super sensitive. We also learned a bit about identifying manufactured vs. handmade glass through it. -The Netflix show Blown Away is a fun show to watch if you want to see more glassblowing -Some glass colors are easier to work with than others, and if you're mixing colors in one piece, depending on the colors you're mixing, can make it harder or easier to shape because they affect how stiff the glass can be (lighter colors tend to be more stiff, darker colors tend to be more soft). My friend picked dark blue and green and hers came out great! Mine came out a little warped because I picked a longer piece with two very contrasting colors (dark blue and light pink), but David helped reshape it a little. Current pricing on their website: -Ornament $50 -Paperweight $65 -Sea float $70 -Heart $75 -Starfish $75 -Pumpkin $90 -Bird $90 -Drinking glass $95 -Transparent vase $140 -Fancy vase $175 -Beginning Glass Lesson (1-2 people only) $260/$325 depending on number of people plus tax.

Picked up two beautiful glass ornaments at Blowing Sands Glass Studio. Gorgeous craftsmanship,…read morefriendly staff, and a great spot for unique gifts! Next up: schedule a glass blowing class! The stands are from Etsy reseller.

I really can't say enough good things about the Seattle Artist League. I have an art degree, and…read moreI'm not exaggerating when I say I've gotten more out of my time at the League than I did during my undergraduate art education. I've taken painting classes with Jordan Horton, Erin Milez, Lendy, and a critique workshop with Ruthie V., and every class has changed the way I make and think about art. The instructors are thoughtful, generous, incredibly knowledgeable, and (maybe most importantly) really know how to help you grow without making you feel like there's one "right" way to be an artist. The critique workshop has been life-changing, I recommend it for everyone. I used to DREAD art critiques in college. They often felt negative and intimidating, and I came away from them feeling worse about my work rather than more curious about it. Ruthie completely changed that. I finally feel like I have the tools to actually look at art and talk about what I'm seeing, respond thoughtfully, and then understand why something is working, or why it isn't. And that hasn't just changed my own artwork. I now enjoy going to galleries, museums and looking at art more than I ever did before. I notice more. I'm more curious. I now have a vocabulary for things I could feel but didn't know how to articulate. I've learned A LOT during my time here, I've taken more risks in my art and I've fallen in love with making and looking at art again and it's the best feeling. If you're thinking about taking a class (or two!) at the Seattle Artist League, do it. Doesn't matter if you're a beginner or have been making art for years, there is SO MUCH to get out of this place.

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.

This is the kind of small business that I'd support in a heart beat and I did. Friendly owner…read moreSandra, she really knows her paper craft supplies and gives good recommendation for supplies needed. I was looking for a couple of good pairs of scissors and origami / thin paper for snowflake cutting. I will definitely drop in again.

A little bit hidden inside the salon but well-stocked. It's about time there was a shop like this…read moreint he north end.

I'm so glad I found Sew Katie Did. I signed up for my first sewing class with zero sewing…read moreexperience, and Katie made everything approachable and fun. She's patient, fun to talk to, and a wonderful teacher. I've now taken several classes and even started sewing on my own at home thanks to what I learned. Excited to sign up for another workshop! Below are photos of my first projects. I love how they turned out!

I'm a 73-year-old recent widow who was looking for a new activity. I hadn't sewn in over 50 years…read moreand didn't even own a sewing machine, but I decided to sign up for a class with Katie. What a great decision. Katie is a wonderful teacher, sewing machines were provided and I quickly fell in love with quilting. The class was welcoming, encouraging and I enjoyed learning a new skill. I'm now working on my second quilt, with the goal of donating to hospitals. This experience has given me a relaxing activity and a new chapter in my life. I am so grateful that I took that first step, and I highly recommend this class to anyone-especially those who think it's too late to try something new.

I am fortunate to have this center in my neighborhood. I have bought many things over the years. I…read morereceived a text recently alerting me to a unbelievable sale they were having on their citrus trees. I bought a Meyer lemon tree from MGC about 10 years ago (previous owner) and it did really well bearing fruit each year. I was anticipating citrus trees on sale that maybe had seen their day but no was I pleasantly surprised. The citrus trees were all in healthy condition and all of them were bearing fruit. I quickly bought one. The staff is very nice and will help you with your purchase to your car. The Center has healthy plants, flowers, trees, shrubs and garden products. They also have a gift store next door so if you need a gift for yourself, hostess gift or greeting cards they have a good selection.

We had a great first time experience here. They were all very nice and willing to help…read more Shout out to Blake for taking the time to answer questions about which trees we should consider for our sunny deck, Sandra for drilling holes in our newly purchased large pots and Ben for a delightful and easy delivery of the 2 trees we bought. We'll be back hopefully towards the Fall as Sandra mentioned they have end of season sales some times. Highly recommend this place!