Is there anything more exciting than trying something new for the first time? In Tualatin Valley, local artists and craftspeople make it easier than ever to express yourself in a new way. Here’s how to turn your next trip into a “skillcation” and experience the satisfaction of learning something new.
Fold Your Own Tortellini and Decorate Cupcakes
Ever wanted to learn how to make your favorite food? Step into the kitchen alongside local chefs eager to show you the tricks for making crowd-pleasing dishes. Located in historic downtown Hillsboro, Collective Kitchen is a commissary kitchen and cooking classroom that lives up to its mission of nurturing small craft business and preserving handmade traditions. Check out its classes on eclairs, macarons and stuffed pasta. Not seeing a class on the dish you’re trying to master? Make a suggestion and the kitchen will try to connect you with one of its skilled instructors.
Meals from around the globe are the specialty of Cookin’ Class in Tigard. Courses include a lengthy list of international cuisines, including Indian butter chicken, Greek gyros, Mexican enchiladas and German schnitzel. With intro, advanced and master classes available, there’s something for those new to the kitchen, experienced home chefs and everyone in between.
If you’ve ever spotted a beautifully trimmed cake and wished you could decorate something like that yourself, now you can at Cake Hoopla, a cake and cupcake decorating studio in Tigard. Classes and workshops give you hands-on experience with the techniques behind bakery-quality cakes, including smooth frosting, neat piping and delicate buttercream flowers. You can even try your hand at mermaid scenes, a llama cake and a starry-night scene. Bring some friends to make it a party, book a private lesson or learn from your own home with one of the studio’s take-home kits.
Learn to Throw Ceramic Pots on the Wheel
There’s something magical about rolling up your sleeves, sinking your hands into clay and letting your creativity transform a lump of earth into a work of art. Raleigh Hills, between Portland and Beaverton, is home to two ceramic studios that make this creative outlet accessible to beginners and experienced ceramicists alike. Both offer a mix of workshops, classes and open studio time, allowing you to find the balance of guidance and independence that you’re after.
Mudville Clay Studio is an inviting entry point for clay artists of all ages and experience levels. With drop-in studio hours, one-day workshops and multiweek classes, the studio makes it easy to experience wheel throwing and hand building at your own pace. Looking for something just for the kids? There are also no-school-day clay camps and youth wheel classes that show young sculptors the skills and satisfaction behind working with clay.
Portland Clay House also centers its work around a mission of guiding individuals in their love of pottery. Through a combination of studio hours, workshops and classes, budding ceramicists build their skills and gain creative confidence. You can take a private lesson for a more personalized experience, or book a private event or party that turns pottery into a fun shared experience.
Customize a Scented Candle and Make Beaded Jewelry
Aspiring makers find an inspiring welcome at AR Workshop, a Hillsboro destination for all things DIY. Choose from a catalogue of workshops, like how to make pillowcases, coil baskets, knit blankets and leather and beaded jewelry. Or level up your hosting skills by learning eye-catching calligraphy for signs and invitations, plus tricks for making beautiful and delicious charcuterie boards.
With their signature scents and warming glow, candles are a lovely souvenir and a thoughtful gift. Why not personalize the memento by making your own? At Glow Gifts + Candle Studio in Tigard, choose from a variety of vessel styles, shapes and colors, then create a custom scent for a truly unique candle. Want to make it the centerpiece of a custom gift box? Add a few items from a wide selection of craft food, specialty drinks and artisan goods.
You can also sign up for a candle-making class at I Body Love Co., also in Tigard. An instructor will provide step-by-step guidance for creating the perfect mix of eco-friendly wax and phthalate-free fragrances. The fun doesn’t have to stop there: Check out its other options for making personalized goodies, including a charm-bar experience and a make- and paint-your-own bath bomb workshop.
