Got an artsy itch to scratch? Or maybe you’re searching for a new hobby after your short-lived love for cross-stitch faded. If so, Hong Kong’s got plenty of places to express yourself through still life, sand art, pottery, and more.
Whether you consider yourself an unsung art hero who tirelessly jockies a cubicle until they make their presence known on the art scene, or you’re a weekend warrior that wants to let out some aggression on a hand-hewn bespoke leather belt — we’ve got a list of where you can get your craft on around town.
A studio, art gallery, and workshop run by husband and wife duo Cat and Stephen Case, and their cat Rockatansky. There are exhibitions, regular life drawing sessions, caricature classes, and workshops hosted by a number of Hong Kong-based artists.
They also offer once-in-a-while classes that breach out of their normal offerings, such as a recent one on Chinese calligraphy and well-attended live music evenings.
Rear Shop, G/F, 241 To Kwa Wan Rd.
Kowloon
MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
April Handmade Leather Crafts Workshop
If that desperado look is your kind of thing, then here’s where you can craft yourself a leather guitar strap, belt, or wallet featuring your name or other personalized info. At this leather workshop, people have also crafted their own handbags, luggage tags, passport holders, and even some next-level Bottega Veneta-style woven leather bags that must have been made by an advanced student.
Adding this to our love-to-try-it list, the leather workshop was also featured on a vlog by Chinese-Irish beauty vlogger Lindy Tsang aka BubzBeauty.
Unit 1, 5/F, Block D, Kings Building, 688-690 Castle Peak Rd.
Cheung Sha Wan
MTR: Lai Chi Kok
Embrace your inner potter at this busy workshop, which holds classes every day, except Sunday. Open for over 20 years, students can practice wheel techniques or hand-crafting styles. A pottery studio for those serious about ceramics, they recommend weekly classes but also accommodate those that want to drop in and try once in a while.
Those new to ceramics will start by learning to prep clay, pinching, coiling, and slabbing techniques. Later, they can learn to make more advanced items like create mugs, bowls, plates, vases and tea pots.
1/F Fortune Court
33 Morrison Hill Rd.
MTR: Causeway Bay
Frequented by as many professional jewelers as students, this serious space bills itself as the only dedicated creative space for Hong Kong’s artisanal jewelry industry.
They offer stepping stones for those hoping to become pro jewelers, including the city’s only jewelry co-working space for independent designers, as well as those who just want to make something pretty for themselves on the weekend.
13/F Cheong Sun Tower
118 Wing Lok St
MTR: Sheung Wan
Named after the owner, Kalo claims to be Hong Kong’s first calligraphy studio, having opened three years ago. They host regular classes, workshops, practice evenings, and meet-ups that are open to all. They also sell all the equipment calligraphers need at their shop and offer calligraphy services, like stationery, logos, commercial design and more.
18-20 Wyndham Street
Ivy House, Room 201
MTR: Central
Woodwork and Metalwork at Maker Bay
This studio, with location in Central and Tsuen Wan, offers classes as well as space, tools, and community — kinda like a co-working space for makers — and they focus on making innovative new things. Offering instruction at all levels, they also claim that their classes help to build community, grow businesses and have positive social and environmental impact.
Those using MakerBay are scientists, designers, artists, professionals, and total newbies to creation.
23 Mei Wan Street
New Territories
MTR: Tsuen Wan
Make Everything at The Crafties
This multi-medium crafting studio offers too many things to list here — but we’ll try. Make a candle holder, decorate a tote bag, knit a hat, make a lamp shade, learn screen printing, or try glass relief at, what looks more like, a crafting college than a simple class.
If you’re yearning to make something but you’re not yet sure what, this might be the place where you can try a bit of everything.
Unit 203, 2/F
44-46 Bonham Strand West,
MTR: Sheung Wan
This crafting co-op was founded by sisters with a background in textiles, fashion, crafts, and embroidery. Offering a revolving series of classes, choices might include macramé, embroidery, weaving, screen printing, key chain making, wildflower crafts, and more.
Three Keys Craft Space
906 Paramount Building
12 Ka Yip St.
MTR: Chai Wan
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