Located in what co-owner Cecilia Ostberg refers to as Surf Alley (commonly called the Surf Ghetto), the Small Space Art Collective, offers a fun, welcoming and friendly environment where budding and practicing artists and crafters can come to have some good old-fashioned fun while learning, creating and connecting with like-hearted people in the community. 

 

Offering workshops in their studio at 210 Los Molinos in fine arts and an endless array of crafts - print making, sewing, embroidery, dyeing, mosaics, weaving, perfume making and more - they also co-host bite-sized workshops with their collaboration partners Los Molinos Beer (monthly every 1st Monday), Zebra House Coffee (every 1st Friday) and High Tide Coffee (every 3rd Sunday starting in September). All classes are taught by local artists, makers and crafters, as well as Cecilia and her partner Leah Rodarti. 

On Thursday evenings the Collective is open to everyone for the Fiber Club – it’s an evening where the public is encouraged to get together, bring whatever craft they might be working on and to meet others in the community.

Signing-up to join a class at the Collective, or one of its partner-location is easy. Taking that step could be just what’s needed to reawaken your inventive imagination.

 Zebra House Coffee

Zebra House Coffee owner Sara Peterson invites all those who want to get crafty to join her at Crafty Fridays offered two to three times monthly, typically between 5-8pm. Providing instructors in collaboration with the Small Space Art Collective, as well as other local artisans interested in teaching their craft to others, these evenings offer many workshops such as designer cake decorating, succulent wreaths and photo embroidery. 

Along with ‘everyone welcome’ classes, private group craft nights can also be booked for those special occasions. All materials are provided as well as a free drink off the crafty menu which includes a curated selection of wine, beer, coffee or tea. 

If interested in doing something fun, grab a friend and check out Crafty Friday at the Zebra house. Visit the website at www.zebrahousecoffee.com to discover their unusual offerings. Getting signed up soon could be the move stimulates that inner artist just waiting to come out. Zebra Coffee House 1001 S. El Camino Real; (949)218-6976.

Recently opened in Old Town by residents Shane and Jaclyn Correlas, The Pour House (surf ghettoresin.com) offers crafters a hands-on experience that results in creative, useful artwork for adorning home, office, or to be given as gifts.

 Birthed in their garage because Jaclyn wanted a resin coffee table that was unaffordable, Shane’s years of experience repairing his own surfboards and working with resin and colors inspired them to begin making resin creations of their own. Eventually morphing into a business, the name chosen for their web address is Shane’s hat tip to the surf culture in town, an ode to the shapers and surfers who made the community what it is today.

Obtaining very hands-on lessons in resin wave art, participants are taught to create artsy cutting boards, coasters, wall art, unusual tables and more. Classes begin with a quick demo of the epoxy resin basics and the how-to of making frothy waves. Once the demo is completed and questions answered, the free-for-all of color and creativity bursts forth and imaginations can run free. Individual, group, and special event classes can be arranged. 

Soon to come … artisan classes from Capistrano Sudsery offering bath bombs, lip balm and soap making. Looming on the horizon are the duo’s plans to include other artisans in the mix.

Making resin wave art at The Pour is an opportunity to learn something new and as it is often said, “just try it, you might like it.”

 Collette Floral 

Growing up in San Clemente, and bringing 15 years’ experience to the business, Andrea and Matt Jiron shared a dream of opening a floral shop in a space near their home. Finding the perfect spot they opened a full-service studio downtown on the corner of Ola Vista and Victoria. 

Offering all things flowers for all occasions, their studio conducts workshops for 12-15 people who would love to learn the art of floral design. The hands-on nature of these classes allows participants to learn professional techniques while playing with color, texture and style, and students leave the shop with their very own creations. Flowers and containers are provided and each class offers light bites and refreshments during the event, creating the perfect opportunity to mingle and make new friends. Tickets can be purchased on the website www.colettefloral.com after the workshop date is announced. 

Additionally, Colette Floral offers the option to rent out the studio space for events, incorporating a floral class into any special occasion; bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, and more.

In earliest times before the invention of electricity, candle making was a useful necessity. From those times to today this necessity has evolved into a creative, fun pastime that can personalize candles to fit your own unique style. 

 A tedious chore in the past, improved products and methods make the candle making process much more efficient and enjoyable today. Candles can now be customized with different wax and wicks added, as well as flavor, color, and a variety of adornments. And while the cooling process for candles once took hours, a special refrigerator now cools and completes a candle in about 20 minutes.

The first of its kind to open in town, the JunQuies’ Twin Flames Candle Bar, located in JunQies on S. El Camino Real, offers crafters all that they will need to create a custom-made candle. With over 65 scents to choose from and over 25 different vessels to build in - along with crystals, shells and stones for added decoration - it’s the perfect place to create a fragrant masterpiece while enjoying complimentary refreshments. 

From vessel, to scent, to decorations, to completed creation owner Heidi Morris is there to guide, instruct and help in any way that’s needed. Walk-ins are welcome, and private parties can be reserved, but keep in mind that the Twin Flame Candle Bar is closed on Monday and Tuesday for private parties.

A candle making experience can be the creative outlet you’ve been searching for. Grab a friend and try one soon.

Formally calling Kamuela, HI her home, current San Clemente resident ceramist Sarah Bemus says on her website that she always knew she’d end up working with clay one day. After stepping back from being a full-time employee she signed up for a ceramics class in Santa Ana, and discovering a new passion took more classes at Saddleback College. As her skills grew so did her enthusiasm for the artform, and even before she expected it to happen, found herself opening a studio in the heart of the Talega business district. Although primarily focused on the designing, creating and marketing of her own innovations, she does open her studio to privately reserved groups who might want to learn the artform. 

Providing a positive and creatively progressive environment, The Hive Ceramics, now offers those privately reserved classes/workshops for both experienced ceramics enthusiasts as well as beginners curious about the world of clay. Participants have the use of pottery making tools like the Brent wheel, slab rollers, hand-building tables, texture tools, glazes, kilns and more; and as she states on her website, “Nothing feels better than creating something with your hands.” 

Looking for something new to explore or just want to connect with your creative nature? The Hive Ceramics may be just the place you are looking for, a place where getting your hands dirty to make something beautiful could be the catalyst for tapping into that hidden kid inside. 

For more information about pottery making classes/workshop opportunities at The Hive Ceramics, round up your friends and visit [email protected] or call (949) 229-0879 or visit 1235 Puerta del Sol #700 to reserve your private group class today.

 Strands Knitting Studio

All Things Knitting and Crocheting
For over 15 years, Christine Chesley’s studio has been a haven for local crafters, providing an assortment of fine yarns from around the globe, offering cashmere, Merino wool blends, cotton silks, and alpaca yarns, along with knitting kits complete with instructions. 

Chesley and her staff’s enthusiasm and love for these crafts provides patrons the opportunity to create something beautiful, while enjoying a learning experience that is very special. Individual, group, and private party classes are available.

Adult workshops are taught by a seasoned expert in yarn arts, Faylynn Marvel. She offers private lessons throughout the week, or you can drop in or call to get signed up to attend her group classes.

On Saturdays and during school breaks Ella, their teenaged teacher, holds Kids Knit & Crochet Camps and private lessons specially designed for kids, teens and tweens. 

Located blocks from the pier at 111 Avenida Granada the studio is open Wednesday-Sunday from 12-4pm. Drop by today. It’s never too late to start getting crafty.