7 Reasons to Plan a Relaxing Craft Night in Bay Area

Whether you’ve had a stressful week at work or are simply looking for new ways to relax and unwind, a craft night will leave you feeling more centered. Not only are craft classes in San Francisco a great opportunity to unleash your creative streak, but they’re also a fantastic chance to disconnect from technology. 

From answering work emails, scrolling through social media to joining Zoom calls, we spend a huge amount of our time online. Learning how to craft is the perfect excuse to unplug from technology and engage in an activity that’s inspiring and hands-on. Ready to get crafting? Read on for seven reasons to try a relaxing craft night in the Bay Area!

1. Stop scrolling and start creating  

If you’re looking for an opportunity to put down your smartphone and reconnect with the here and now, craft classes are a great place to start. Engaging and hands-on, you simply won’t have time to check your emails or scroll through Instagram. If you’ve been working from home and find it hard to disconnect when you sign off at the end of the day, learning to make cool crafts will force you to step away from your work and enjoy a stimulating activity. You’ll love the chance to challenge yourself with a huge range of craft workshops in San Francisco, from hand-painted ceramic mugs to colorful mosaic lamps. 

2. Practice self-care

Instead of your usual glass of wine in the bath or facemask in front of Netflix, why not shake up your self-care routine with a night of arts and crafts? Whether you want to try out macrame or master the art of brush lettering, a craft night is a unique twist on self-care. You'll love learning a new skill in a laid-back studio where it's easy to decompress and chat with other craft enthusiasts.

As well as exploring your creative side, you’ll get the chance to connect with like-minded locals in your area. The chance to socialize in a fun and friendly environment makes craft workshops near you a great way to relax, unwind, and even help alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. 

3. Unleash your creative streak

Craft classes are an ideal way to unleash your creative streak and explore a different side of yourself. Whether you’re getting behind the wheel at a local ceramics studio or learning to paint your own watercolors at home, our workshops help you explore a new facet to your creativity. 

There’s no need for experience, with all craft for beginners classes starting with the basics and building up to more complex skills. For example, at a beginner-friendly macrame class, you’ll learn to weave, thread, and tie rope like a pro. If you choose a smartphone photography class, your teacher will cover topics like exposure, composition, and lighting to help you capture Insta-worthy shots. 

4. Challenge yourself with new experiences

Even if you’re already an art aficionado, craft classes are a great way to challenge yourself with new experiences. From creating your own jewelry from scratch to mastering the art of ‘dirty pouring’ in a resin art workshop, art and craft classes encourage you to think outside the box and experiment with new mediums. 

The best part? You get to keep everything you make in your classes, whether it’s wearable jewelry to add a personalized touch to your outfit or an intricate macrame wall hanging. 

5. Connect with your local community 

As well as learning a new skill, finding craft classes near you is a great way to connect with artists and locals in your community. You’ll unlock behind-the-scenes access to the best studios in the Bay Area, from ceramics studios in San Jose to painting schools in Oakland. You’ll also learn arts and crafts alongside like-minded students, with the chance to forge new friendships in the process. 

6. Bring together friends and family

Birthday crafts are the perfect way to celebrate making another circle around the sun. Whether it’s your special day or you’re planning a party for a friend or family member, arts and craft classes make terrific birthday party ideas. You’ll even find fun crafts for kids if you’re planning a party for little ones. 

If you’re on the hunt for fun things to do in the Bay Area for a bachelorette party, craft classes will tick all your boxes. Instead of hitting your usual cocktail bar, why not get down and dirty at a pottery studio in SF?

If you’ve been tasked with planning your next work party, why not venture beyond the usual downtown bars and try out a craft night? All supplies and equipment is provided, meaning all you have to do is choose a studio, organize a time, and send out invitations. A craft party is surprisingly easy to plan, leaving you to enjoy the activity and spend quality time with your colleagues. Whether your team is based in San Mateo, South Bay, or somewhere in between, craft classes are held across the city and are one of the best fun team-building activities. 

7. Get into the ‘flow state’

If you’re familiar with positive psychology, you’ve probably heard of the ‘flow state’. It’s a term used to describe the feeling of being fully immersed in an activity and engaged in the present moment. The benefits are profound, with studies suggesting the flow state can help to reduce stress, increase happiness and regulate emotions. The flow state also encourages mindfulness, helping you feel more connected to the moment and the people around you. 

The immersive and hands-on nature of painting, jewelry making, and ceramics makes these activities ideal for chasing the flow state. With so much flow state potential to harness, why wait any longer to browse craft ideas for adults? 

Ready to get your craft on? Browse art and craft classes near you and start planning your craft night in San Francisco.