We already spend an arm and a leg on rent in the Bay Area (am I right?), so why spend even more of your hard-earned cash to decorate your home? Enter WorkshopSF (1798 McAllister St), which offers affordable DIY classes for adults, taught by awesome local teachers, makers and artists.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money, we have good news: Making your own candles is super easy (and much cheaper than buying them). Joy Kwon from Lighten Up Shoppe (lightenupshoppe.com) teaches the basics of candle making, including how to melt soy waxes, set wicks and mix a custom scent. You’ll leave with two natural-scented candles in mason jars to brighten your home.
Feb 8, 14, 22 at 7pm; $48
The 1970s decor staple is back in a big way—you’ve probably seen it all over Instagram lately. Get ideas to transform your blank walls with a little rope and twine during this easy class, in which you study the art of macramé by mastering foundational knots like the double half-hitch, the square, the alternating square and the half-square. At the end of the class you’ll have a fancy, midsize wall hanging, made from heavy cotton rope, to make all your boho friends jealous.
Jan 26, Feb 14 at 7pm; $48
Intro to Indigo and Shibori Dying
Indigo dreams are made here as you learn the ancient Japanese art of resist-dyeing. Attendees learn how to create an indigo-dye bath using pre-reduced indigo crystals and then exercise special shibori techniques to generate unique patterns or pick one to dye four rad napkins and their choice of a tote bag or a pillowcase.
Jan 28, Feb 25 at 2pm; $74
Kokedama: Japanese Hanging Plant & Moss Ball Gardens
Plants are the easiest way to spruce up any space. Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai: The plant’s root system is actually wrapped in moss and string. Once you understand how to assemble the cute balls, it’s easy to incorporate houseplants, succulents and even herbs into the kokedama bonsai mix around your home.
Feb 6 at 7pm; $52