FiND iT FREDERiCK - Spring 2023

As a self-described craft class-taking junkie, I’m here to tell you that Frederick County is a haven for crafty folks.

If there’s a class out there teaching you the howto of a particular crafty skill, chances are, I have taken it.

From painting pottery, canvases or wooden flowers to knitting, sewing and cross-stitching, to candle-making, flower-pressing, book-making, decoupage, scherenschnitte (that’s German paper-cutting to the uninitiated), fabric ornamentmaking, terrarium-building and pottery-throwing – I’ve delved into them all.

There’s just something so intriguing about working with your hands, creating something new and learning the behind-the-scenes of a skill that is so intriguing. And fun!

The good news is, living in Frederick means we all have access to an amazing array of creative folks who offer classes year-round on do-it-yourself skills for every level, from kids to adults.

I’ve rounded up a list of some of our favorite opportunities on the following pages.

CHAPPELLE & CO.

223 N. Market St., Frederick chappelleandco.com

FB: facebook.com/ChappelleCandle.Co

IG: @chappelleandco

Amira Chappelle Brooks made her first candle at age 10 in her grandmother’s kitchen using a set purchased from a craft store. During pandemicrelated shutdowns in 2020, she decided to pick up some candle-making equipment and began making candles for birthday and holiday gifts. In 2021 she opened a Chappelle & Co. as a small shop on Patrick Street in Frederick. Earlier this year, she expanded that shop to a Market Street storefront with a small studio in the back, perfect for candle-making classes!

Brooks has been offering themed candle-making classes to the masses for a few months now, and the popular sessions regularly sell out.

Her delightful, friendly demeanor and easygoing vibe make Brooks a great teacher for candlemaking novices. During classes, Brooks walks students through the process of selecting ideal scent combinations and explains why you should wait to pour those carefully selected scents into your hot wax until it’s the ideal temperature.

Whether you attend on your own or use the class as a date with your significant other or bestie, these candle-making workshops are a fun way to spend a few hours. You’ll gain an appreciation for the art behind creating candles and take home an 8 oz jar of your custom scent to enjoy for months to come.

LIVEYOUNG CANDLE CO.

916 N. East St., Frederick | 240.815.7067 | liveyoungcandles.com

Another local option for candle-making fun is LiveYoung Candle Co., on East Street in Frederick.

Mother and daughter Tawny and Allie Young started their candle-making business in 2019. At their shop on Frederick’s East Street the duo offers regular two-hour classes to teach the art of candle-making. Students choose their own scents and also have the chance to choose their own vessels.

AR WORKSHOP

914 N. East St., Frederick | 301.298.9016 | arworkshop.com/frederick

Right next door to LiveYoung Candle Co., is another DIY favorite, AR Workshop. Here, you can create your own custom signage using premade templates and a selection of paints and stains. The AR stands for Anders Ruff, the last names of founders Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, who created the company in 2010 as a graphic design/ styling/DIY blog and evolved it into hands-on workshops to help people create personalized home décor that’s both inspiring and charming.

Frederick’s branch opened in 2018 and has played host to thousands of crafters who have created their own custom-painted canvas pillows, wallhangings, framed wood projects, centerpiece wood boxes and more.

You choose your project ahead of your scheduled workshop date, so your custom stencil and supplies are ready for you when you arrive. Helpful staff circulate throughout the space to help you every step of the way. After a few hours, you go home with a piece of art, ready to hang or display in your home. This place can get addictive – there are so many different projects to choose from, you’ll probably run out of wall space before you run out of ideas.

HOT FIRED ARTS

1003 W. 7th St., Frederick | 301.732.6943 | hotfiredarts.com

At Hot Fired Arts you don’t need a reservation to get crafty. You (and/or your kids) can choose from a number of different projects to create any time you feel like it (as long as it coincides with the shop’s open hours!).

During open studio time, choose a pottery piece to paint. Once you’re done, they’ll fire it for you and you can pick it up a week later. Another option that looks super impressive, but doesn’t require a lot of know-how, is glass fusion. Create a keychain, pendant, plate, bowl, or even a nightlight. First choose a piece of glass for the background, then build onto it using square, round or rod-type pieces of colorful glass. Assembly is easy – you just use a bit of white glue to stick the pieces together. Glass fusion is similar to mosaics, but simpler. Kids and teens are welcome to give it a try, and it’s easy enough for them to master quickly. About two weeks after your visit, your masterpiece will be ready to take home.

FREDERICK BOOK ARTS CENTER

217 W. Patrick St., Frederick | 301.228.9816 | frederickbookarts.org

The Frederick Book Arts Center has as its mission to teach the craft and techniques associated with “the art of the book.” To the uninitiated, this means letterpress printing, printmaking, bookbinding, photography and language arts. They teach it all at their light-filled location on West Patrick Street in Frederick. Workshops, camps and classes are available for kids and adults. Every member of the community can learn, intern and display their work at the Book Arts Center.

THE DELAPLAINE VISUAL ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER

40 S. Carroll St., Frederick | 301.698.0656 | delaplaine.org

You’re probably already aware of the Delaplaine and its 40,000 square-foot flagship art space in Downtown Frederick, with seven galleries displaying works by regional and national artists and event space for everything from local parties to weddings. But did you know the Delaplaine is also home to an extensive number of classes teaching everything from throwing pottery, drawing, painting, jewelry making, photography (with your iPhone!), calligraphy and even journaling to kids, teens and adults? New classes are being added all the time, so keep your eye out and your mind open to all the opportunities!