DIY Your Way to a Creative Holiday
Author:Lindsey ShookPut a personal spin on presents and decorations this year with awesome DIY classes taught by local makers that totally know their stuff!
MAKESHOP BY BRIT + CO. | 550 Sutter Street, San Francisco
DIY maven Brit Morin turned her passion for crafting into a real life dream destination for all. Perfect for you crafty people who adore giving handmade gifts (and then making one for yourself as well), this ultra adorable pop-up store and classroom is decorated to the nines for a festive season. Hit a creative block? Pour yourself some apple cider or hot cocoa (with the largest marshmallows you’ve ever seen) and take a look around.

Image courtesy of Brit + Co
3D Printing 101: Create an ornament with a custom message or design to hang from your tree. Fee: $20 – Thursday, December 12. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sign up here.
Vintage Holiday Marquee Workshop: Spell out “JOY” in bright bulbs and hang for photo booth ops or just to brighten up your space. Fee: $50 – Sunday, December 15, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm. Sign up here.
Laser Cutting 101: Customize coasters for the host and fabulous etched Moleskin notebooks for the note taker. Fee: $50 – Two classes available: Wednesday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm, and 8 p.m. – 9 pm. Sign up here.

Image courtesy of Yelp user Theresa D.
WORKSHOP SF | 1798 McAllister St. San Francisco
Nothing says “Thank you for having me!” quite like presenting a host or hostess with a homemade wreath or keepsake ornaments that commemorate the season. Hone your skills at Workshop SF (they even have a beer fridge), and you’ll never have to worry about showing up to an event empty-handed.
DIY Holiday Wreaths: Lorena Cortez of SF-based Home Sweet Flowers shows you how to fashion a unique wreath for your door or table centerpiece. Fee: $42 – Sunday, December 15, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sign up here.
DIY Woodland Egg Ornaments: If you’ve never crafted with chicken eggs before, here’s your chance. Pair them with Italian floral crepe paper and you’ll be able to create little tchotchkes to adorn your tree. Fee: $40 – Monday, December 16, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sign up here.

Image courtesy of Woodcut Maps
RENEGADE SF | Concourse Exhibition Center – 635 8th St, San Francisco
At the helm of the DIY maker community is Renegade, a craft fair that passes through SF, LA, Chicago, and New York. The classes here are taught by local DIY whizzes, so definitely stop by for creative inspiration. While you’re there, shop around for amazing goodies and chat with local makers – plus, there’s a photobooth!
Woodcut Maps will be on hand to create unique maps of your favorite cities, and Indie Mart will show you how to make a wood beer case. Free to attend, December 21 – 22, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fair info here.