Classes & Workshops with Baltimore’s Maker Community
Discover some of the artisans behind Baltimore's growing maker community, learn new skills and make memories to take home.
Creative makers are thriving in Baltimore, supported by our arts culture and entrepreneurial spirit. Read on to learn more about this innovative group of small business owners and sign up for a class to try your own hand at creating something new. If you want to skip straight to the good stuff and buy a souvenir or gift made by a local maker, check out our gift guide.
Amazing Glaze
Located in Mount Washington, Amazing Glaze was the first paint your own pottery studio in Maryland when it opened in 1996. Since then, they’ve delivered on their goal to provide a stress-free creative environment in which their customers can express themselves and learn new techniques. Everything you need to create your masterpiece is provided, and pottery prices range from $3-50. Register for one of their guided classes to practice skills like tracing, stenciling or mosaics, or opt for a themed painting session such as the Ladies Night events. Amazing Glaze is also a great place to host an innovative team building workshop, a birthday party or an after school program.
Annie Howe Papercuts
Annie Howe is giving the ancient art of paper cutting new life through the workshops she teaches at her studio and at locations across the city. Students of all skill levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome to learn how to create and cut their own design out of paper. Annie also sells her custom designs as framed artwork, Christmas ornaments, greeting cards, home décor and book covers.
Schedule a private paper cutting class at Annie Howe’s studio.
Baltimore Chef Shop
Found in the heart of Hampden, this award-winning teaching kitchen offers a robust selection of cooking classes on global and regional cuisines, plus technique-focused classes like “Knife Skills 101” and the baking series. In menu-based classes, students share in the preparation of a multiple-course meal that they enjoy together at the end of the class. They also offer couples classes, parent-child sessions and private lessons.
Baltimore Clayworks
All experience levels are welcome at Baltimore Clayworks, where you can take a class on a range of techniques, including throwing pottery, sculpture and glazing. Youth classes are regularly available as well as one-time sessions for those who just want to play with clay.
Baltimore Print Studios
The husband-and-wife team behind Baltimore Print Studios, Kyle Van Horn and Kim Bentley, bonded over their mutual love of printmaking. They offer monthly workshops in the art of letterpress, screenprinting and risograph. You can also purchase hand made prints, shirts and note cards.
Learn about the art of letter pressing at Baltimore Print Studios.
B. Willow
In an increasingly technology-dependent world, Liz Vayda, owner of B. Willow, aims to help reconnect us with nature by bringing a little bit of it indoors. Learn about plant care and create your own terrarium or plant hanger through one of the workshops offered on site.
Take a terrarium-making class at B. Willow
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
Housed in the landmark renovated Romanesque-style Mercantile Trust & Deposit Company building, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company explores the question, “What makes Shakespeare so great?,” through groundbreaking performances and educational programs. At The Studio, located next to the theater, CSC offers classes for adults and children in areas such as acting, stage combat, design and critical analysis. All programs are taught by professionals, and no auditions are required!
Corradetti Glassblowing Studio & Gallery
Anthony Corradetti, an established glass blower of more than 30 years, opened his studio in Woodberry in 2005. Corradetti offers classes in the art of glassblowing, as well as mini-workshops. You’ll walk away with a blown-glass pumpkin, flower, ornament or paperweight made in about an hour.
Drama MaMa Bookshop
Alisa Brock is passionate about the written word and through her laser-cut journals and notebooks, she hopes to inspire more people to put pen to paper. Visit her shop, Drama MaMa, to browse for a notebook or sign up for one of her “wine and bind” events to customize a wooden or flower-pressed cover.
Owner Alisa Brock combines two of her favorite things, wine and bookbinding, at her Wine & Bind classes at Drama MaMa.
KSM Candle Co.
This artisanal candle company makes all natural, hand poured soy candles with classic scents. Browse KSM Candle Co.’s selection at the shop or sign up for a workshop in Woodberry to make your own your own wax and custom fragrance in under an hour.
Local Color Flowers
Local Color Flowers sources their stems from farmers within a 50-mile radius. Come through during the weekly studio hours to put together your own bouquet, or sign up for a floral design class with a seasonal theme.
Lovely Yarns
This longtime Hampden shop is a weaver’s wonderland specializing in local, independently-dyed yarns and fibers, plus beads, books and other craft materials. They also offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes in knitting, crocheting, weaving, needle tatting and more. In-person classes are limited to six people, but they also frequently post free tutorials on YouTube.
Made in Baltimore
Made in Baltimore shines a spotlight on local makers and manufacturers through online promotion and a pop-up holiday store. Visit their website to discover where you can find local goods and the stories behind them.
Old Line Spirits
Arch Watkins and Mark McLaughlin distribute single malt American whiskey made at their distillery right here in Baltimore. Stop by for a drink or two at The Ready Room, where bartenders serve cocktails made with Old Line Spirits whiskey and aged Caribbean rum, and stay for a tour and tasting at the distillery. You can also book a private tour for four, which comes with a complimentary cocktail in a souvenir Old Line glass.
Taste Old Line Spirits’ single malt whiskey or aged Caribbean rum.
Open Works
One of Baltimore’s many maker spaces is Open Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making tools, technology and the knowledge to use them accessible to all. Memberships and classes are available for adults, teens and children to learn about things like 3-D printing, drones, embroidery, woodworking, welding and Photoshop.
SoBotanical
SoBotanical is the only custom aromatherapy bar in the tri-state area with 100% pure and genuine essential oils that are grown free of chemicals. The shop also offers hand-crafted skin, hair and pet care products. Stop in to consult with an aromatherapist who can create a personalized blend of essential oils for any ailment.
Station North Tool Library
The Station North Tool Library is a nonprofit maker space with more than 3,000 tools in its lending inventory and offers regular skills-building workshops to help you hone your craft. Class programming has included: woodworking, knitting, soapmaking and upcycling old skateboards.
Upcycle an old skateboard at a class at Station North Tool Library.
Union Collective
In 2018 Union Collective was launched by the founders of Union Craft Brewing. Besides brewing great beer, Union Collective provides space for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Stop by for a tasting tour of: Union Craft Brewery beer, ice cream from The Charmery, pours from Baltimore Spirits Co. and specialty coffee from Vent Coffee Roasters.
Head to Union Collective to sample craft beers made in Baltimore.
A Workshop of Our Own
This woodworking workshop was started by Sarah Marriage to promote women and gender nonconforming craftspeople. A Workshop of Our Own offers drop-in woodworking classes and private instruction for all skill levels.
