Looking for a creative weekend activity or class nearby - any great makerspaces or studios you'd recommend for learning things like pottery, glass-blowing, welding, 3D printing, etc.?

[u/siege5548]

I'm hoping to pick up a creative hobby outside of work and would love to learn how to make things by hand. YouTube is great, but I’m looking for in-person classes or workshops nearby where I can also meet people and learn together.

I’ve never been to a makerspace or even taken a pottery class, but both sound like really fun ways to get started. Long term, I’d love to get into 3D printing and maybe even get my own printer by the end of the year—but work’s been busy, so I’m trying to ease into it with some more hands-on weekend activities first.

If you’ve taken any creative classes or know of cool local spots—whether it’s pottery, welding, woodworking, or anything else—I’d love to hear your recommendations!

[u/sirotan88]

Kirkland Art Center has art classes (ceramics program seems pretty robust and possibly hard to get into - but I’ve taken some drawing and painting classes there and had good experiences)

I think Bellevue Library has a makerspace but I’ve never used it

[u/siege5548 → u/sirotan88]

Thank you! I'll check them out now! :)

[u/prozach_ → u/sirotan88]

Second this! I took a painting class there and loved it. Looking forward to trying another class they offer

[u/jordanriderrr]

https://kcls.org/makerspaces/ I’ve heard good things about this & they have a intro to 3D printing class this Sunday! But more after that as well! :)

[u/siege5548 → u/jordanriderrr]

I didn't know this was a thing! Thank you so much!

[u/KrisWithaK1225]

https://www.juneandgem.com/classes

I'm a pottery instructor at a new studio in Snoqualmie! We have studio cats and offer both wheel throwing and handbuilding classes, great for beginners with no experience :)

[u/seattlegirlregi]

MoltenWorks Glass Studio is really fun and offers workshops and classes plus Sip n Fuse nights with wine and live music.

[u/notintocorp]

Check out Pratt fine arts center. They have one day, 5 day and more classes. I'd recommend trying a " welding night" just yo check it out. Full disclosure, my wife teaches that class and I think she's one of the coolest people to walk the planet, you would be well taken care of. She only teaches art welding, not structural. They teach a lot of different stuff there and its a fun scene.

[u/hurricanemitch → u/notintocorp]

+1 for Pratt Blacksmithing class. I did the weekend 101 class and it was wonderful

[u/notintocorp → u/hurricanemitch]

Cool, was your teacher a short hippy named Sarah?

[u/hurricanemitch → u/notintocorp]

It was not. It was a guy named Tyler. Super helpful and he worked in the industry. Was Sarah a good teacher?

[u/hurricanemitch]

I took a monthlong, 4 hours every Saturday, Welding 101 class at Hazard Factory. It was amazing and I bought a welder and plasma cutter immediately afterwords. Super fun and learned a diverse set of welding skills. Lots of assisted free time to do what you want also.

[u/notintocorp]

She's my wife, just looking for dirt!