For as hyper-connected as the world has become, there are moments when we just need to log off, put down the phone, and enjoy the world for what it is. There’s no need for gadgets here, but rather for tangible tools, talent, or the willingness and determination to do things. And that is what these activities offer.
As simple as they may seem, life can make it hard to find room for crafts and hobbies that put the human hand and creativity at the center. This is why these places offer a good way to slow down and experience the joys of the offline world. The best part is that your efforts will result in an object that you can call your own, even if it’s of beginner quality. After all, everyone has to start somewhere. Below, check out a selection of spots where you can experience the analog lifestyle.
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Make DIY Crafts at the Common Room Mess Studio
Most know the Common Room as one of the go-to spots for art enthusiasts as well as a hub of locally-made crafts. But it isn’t just a place to buy materials for your hobbies; it’s also a place to do them as well. That’s the possibility in the Mess Studio located in their The Atrium of Makati branch. True to its name, it feels like a live-in space where anyone is welcome to create and make with the necessary tools and materials provided alongside fellow creatives of all skill levels.
The Common Room Mess Studio is located on the ground floor of The Atrium of Makati, Makati Avenue, Urdaneta Village, Makati. For more information on the venue, check here.
Immerse Yourself in Knitting and Crocheting at The Attic Yarn and Hobby Studio
Knitting and yarn may have some imagine grandmothers in their rocking chairs, but the craft is an inclusive pastime anyone can do. And if you’d like to try it for yourself, a stop at The Attic Yarn and Hobby Studio should be on your itinerary. Here, you’ll find all the materials you’ll need to get started on your own knitting or crocheting journey, which is why it has become a familiar place for crafters across the Metro. Whether you’re making accessories, figurines, or even clothing items, the space understands that there’s nothing like making things by hand.
The Attic Yarn and Hobby Studio is located at 3/F, West Drive Commercial Center, West Drive corner Champagnat Avenue, Marikina Heights, Marikina City.
Get Into Community Painting at Weekend Watercolor Circle
If you ever thought that doing watercolor painting with other people would make for a great way to spend a weekend, then Weekend Watercolor Circle is for you. Founded by Vergel Gregorio, it has turned the hobby into a communal activity where they host watercolor painting meet-ups, sessions, and gatherings on Saturdays and Sundays. It may sound simple, but it makes for a great way to escape, relax, connect, and channel your inner artist, and there’s no skill level required.
For more information on Weekend Watercolor Circle, including where their next meet-ups are, check out their Instagram page.
Handmade Crafts at Wabi Sabi
Few places allow you to truly explore your artistic side quite like Wabi Sabi. There’s a reason why it has become a favorite spot for many, whether as a date, friend group hangout, or even solo experience. Here, you get to choose from a myriad of classes and workshops to take, most notably pottery, to make your own personalized craft. Also, don’t worry if you don’t have any experience; all skill levels are welcome here, as long as you are open to learning and trying. And while you’re there, feel free to stop by their in-house cafe to try their assortment of drinks.
Wabi Sabi is located at 4/F Hallare Building, 10 E Capitol Drive, Pasig City.
Experience Rug Tufting at Oh Craft Workshop
Nothing says a house is a home more than a personalized rug, and you can do exactly that at Oh Craft Workshop. While rug tufting might sound like a tedious process, this workshop takes students through each step as you customize your rug from start to finish. How your rug looks will be up to you, as you’ll only be limited by your creativity. And once everything is said and done, you can take home your finished work and make your place a little more personal.
For more details on the workshop, check out Oh Craft Workshop’s Instagram page.
Get Into Pottery Making At Bumi and Ashe
With locations in Quezon City and Makati, this pottery studio has built a reputation as a must-visit location to get your hands dirty in all things pottery-making. It’s a space where you can take your time, slow down, and, most importantly, have fun. With multiple classes and workshops on offer, you’ll find something to enjoy here as a mound of clay becomes your own work of art.
Bumi and Ashe is located inside Cubao Expo, 3 General Romulo Avenue, Quezon City, and 7320 Malugay, Bel-Air, Makati City.
Turn Off the Phone at Fully Booked’s Analog Fridays
As one of the few places left in the city genuinely dedicated to helping you find your next favorite read, browsing the shelves of Fully Booked is an experience in itself. And adding to that feeling is how the establishment is bringing back its Analog Fridays this September and October at its Bonifacio High Street Branch, giving attendees a chance to try their hand at crafting and other phone-free activities. The event runs until October 9, from 2-8 PM, as Hub A at the branch’s 3rd floor is turned into a space where arts and crafts are the day’s agenda. And the best part is that admission, including the use of materials, is free.
Fully Booked’s BGC branch is located at Building B6, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. Check here for more details on the event.
Featured Image and Photos: NADINE LUSTRE (via Instagram), COMMON ROOM (via Instagram), WEEKEND WATERCOLOR CIRLCE (via Instagram), WABI SABI (via Instagram), OH CRAFT WORKSHOP (via Instagram), BUMI AND ASHE (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Pottery classes in Manila are available at, among others, Wabi Sabi in Pasig City and Bumi and Ashe, which has locations in Quezon City and Makati, both offering multiple classes and workshops for all skill levels.
The Attic Yarn and Hobby Studio in Marikina Heights, Marikina City, offers materials and space for knitting and crocheting, welcoming crafters working on accessories, figurines, or clothing items.
Rug tufting is a craft where you customize a rug from start to finish; Oh Craft Workshop in Manila guides students through the process step by step so they can take home a finished, personalized rug.
Analog Fridays is a phone-free crafting event at Fully Booked’s Bonifacio High Street branch, running through October 9 from 2 to 8 PM, with free admission and materials at Hub A on the third floor.
Weekend Watercolor Circle, founded by Vergel Gregorio, hosts communal watercolor painting meet-ups and sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, open to all skill levels via their Instagram page.
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