Just Lauren

Denver likes its crafters just as much as its geeks – and I’m not talking about the craft beer enthusiasts. Although, Denver loves those people too, I just can’t speak on that. Wait! Yes I can! Grandma’s House has the perfect for some combination of cross stitching and beer every Sunday afternoon. They call it Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch Sunday and you can learn how to cross stitch for $10 (I believe, it might cost more now) and for an additional cost, drink one of their house-brewed beers. It doesn’t stop there, either. They have bingo on Tuesdays, painting on Fridays, and video games you can play while sitting on a really 70s looking couch any time they’re open! I haven’t been able to actually go to any of these events myself yet, but I plan on it. Who doesn’t want to play a round of bingo every once in a while? I acknowledge that bingo isn’t really a craft but I’m going to let it slide this time. 😉 They even have a patio where you can sit outside and relax.

Not up for cross stitching? Maybe you’d be more interested in one of Fancy Tiger Crafts’ sewing or crochet classes. Learn the basics or try your hand at a cute zippered pouch. Looks like all classes are currently online only but I’m sure with the relaxing of restrictions around covid, in person classes will soon be a thing again. Classes seem to range between $50 and $70 per person and materials are not included, so these classes are pricey. But if you’ve always wanted to learn how to sew, and your sewing machine’s been sitting in a dusty closet corner for years, maybe it’s worth it. I took a sewing class at a now closed store a few years ago and made a pillow case. It was a lot of fun and I liked having a person nearby to ask questions like, “Am I doing this right?” and “Should this look like this?” and “What do I do now that I made this mistake?!” I came out of the class with a finished product that I still have to do this day. No regrets.

If you aren’t feeling up to sewing or crochet either, give Upstairs Circus a try. Take a look at their project menu and pick what you want to make based off of type of project (home, life style, wear, or art), how much time it takes, and how challenging it is. The cool thing about this place? If you go with someone else, each of you can choose your own project. I like the look of the concrete coasters, butcher board, or stone serving tray myself. Who’s up for going with me sometime? They have two locations – one in LoDo and one in DTC. They also offer drinks, including mocktails, so that’s a plus for the non-alcoholic drinkers. Note: this company is not a local one as far as I’m aware, they have locations in other states.

Finally (although not really, there are loads more places I haven’t listed here either to reduce text or because I haven’t discovered them yet!), there is Ceramics in the City. Just your regular paint ceramics store? No! They also do fused glass and that’s what makes me interested in them. Looking at their website it appears that not many people fuse glass so I’d have to find 4 to 5 friends to go with otherwise I’m stuck making 4 to 5 pieces of fused glass myself and that would add up (they say one piece costs between $20-$75). So, if someone wants to do this with me too, let me know!

Please know that I haven’t been to any of these places I’ve mentioned, but I’ve had them on my Want to Do list for at least two years now and the fact that these places are still around makes me think they’re worth a visit and worth this post. The point is, if you want something to do, especially craft-related, Denver has it. And that’s one reason I like my city so much.

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