Glassblowing. Paint-your-own pottery. Clay creations. Candle making. Beautiful beadwork. Whatever your craft of choice, New Jersey has a place to enjoy it. Not crafty, but want to be? The Garden State has hundreds of unique destinations where you can brush up on a variety of artsy ideas. Check out these suggestions from www.visitnj.org.
All Fired Up, Collingswood
South Jersey’s original paint-your-own pottery studio is still one of the best. Select a piece of pottery from an expansive collection of well, virtually anything you can think of, choose your colors and glaze away. Your one-of-a-kind masterpiece will be fired and ready in a few days. Even if you’ve never picked up a paint brush in your life, the staff here will leave you feeling like Van Gogh, or at least a semi-pro. More to enjoy: Indoor and outdoor seating, take-home kits, glass fusing, board/pallet art, canvas painting and parties for all ages and celebrations.
ReWax & UnWine, Jersey City
Founded in 2018, the ReWax & UnWine website sums up this part candle studio, part social experience best: Pour a little wax. Pour a little wine. Cheers to a good time! This candle studio is open to the public and is a favorite to many. What you’ll love: ethically sourced, clean-burning coconut wax, candle pour parties where you create a custom scent from a collection of fifty fragrances, virtual team-building events, special date night activities, and ladies’ nights infused with candle-making. . .and a bit of karaoke too! Adults only. Reservations required.
Glassworks Studio, Morristown
If you haven’t clicked with other types of crafting, Glassworks Studio may be for you. Located in downtown Morristown the studio is open to the public, novice and artist alike. All ages from three and up are welcome. Trained instructors are on site to help you learn about the world of glassmaking and create a treasure worth bragging about. Select a project from a vast variety of options, create, and voila! your work of art will be put into the kiln and ready in about a week. Another awesome offering: glassmaking parties. Reservations required.
Mud Clay Studio, Boonton and Madison
Take crafting into your own hands with this amazing multi-faceted clay studio. With two great locations in northern New Jersey, Mud Clay Studio offers a little bit of everything for everybody. Pottery wheel classes are available for kids, teens and adults. Guests can also take part in BYOB Claydates (a one-time wheel class), daily clay hand building sessions, clay studio parties for kids and adults, Clay Summer Camp, Family Clay sessions, Studio membership for expert potters and even pick-up and take-home Curbside Clay. Here, it’s always a great day for clay.
Bazaar Star Beadery, Ridgewood
Create your own wearable art at this magical wonderland of beadmaking. Necklaces, bracelets, anklets, earrings and more are yours for the making. Described as “The Ultimate Beading Experience,” this unique craft outing is perfect for kids’ birthdays, nights out with friends (bring your own vino) and Girl Scout troop get togethers. Check out the beading classes too. You are encouraged to Bead All You Can Bead . . .and this is a fantastic place to do it. Another unique experience you’ll find here: sound ceremonies.
Hot Sand, Asbury Park
Celebrate New Jersey’s rich glassblowing history and make an original work of art at Hot Sand. This ultra-exciting studio located in Asbury Park is known to many as New Jersey’s first public-access glassblowing studio on the Jersey Shore. Not only can you learn how to blow glass you can also purchase one-of-a-kind handmade items from the gallery too. Perfect for individuals, scout troops, group events, corporate outings and more, Hot Sand has brought joy to customers for over a decade. Join in the glassmaking fun and be one of them.
