Stories

Try This Chocolatier's Recipe and Make Caramel-Filled Easter Eggs at Home

Velvety smooth chocolate and a gooey caramel filling—as soon as you get your hands on one of these DIY caramel chocolate eggs, your tastebudsVelvety smooth chocolate and a gooey caramel filling—as soon as you get your hands on one of these DIY caramel chocolate eggs, your tastebuds will be begging for more. To celebrate the Easter season chocolatier Arno Backes from Melbourne has provided a simple yet delicious recipe we know you’ll love. These mouth-watering morsels are too good to keep to yourself... but if you must, we won't judge! Arno Backes’ Caramel Chocolate Easter Eggs Your shopping list… 170g of cream 15g of glucose 45g of sugar For ganache: 140g of milk chocolate For tempering: 500g of couverture chocolate What you’ll need… Saucepan Spatula Fine strainer Bowl Thermometer Easter eggs mould Piping bag Now let’s whip up some chocolate goodness! Part 1: Make the gooey caramel filling You’ll need to whip up this caramel ganache four hours before filling. In a small saucepan, heat up the cream close to boiling point. Mix the sugar and glucose in a separate saucepan and slowly heat until it turns golden brown/caramelised. Add the hot cream bit by bit to the caramel to stop the caramelising process. Bring the mixture to the boil, pour through a fine strainer into the milk chocolate and stir until mixed. Your caramel ganache is complete! Part 2: The chocolate making magic It’s time to temper chocolate like a pro! Follow this nf!simple guide, or better yet, learn from nf!Arno and get his expert tips. Polish the egg moulds with a clean tea towel. Pour the tempered chocolate into the mould and tap to reduce air bubbles. Tip the mould over to allow the chocolate to run out and tap the side of the mould to help the chocolate to flow out further. Set the mould aside and leave the chocolate to set in a cool environment. Once it is semi set, scrape the excess chocolate and place the mould in the fridge for 5 minutes. Remove the chocolate from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Part 3: Time to assemble your Easter eggs! Fill a piping bag with the caramel ganache. Pipe the ganache into the egg shells, filling them to about two millimeters below the edge. Fill the shell with tempered chocolate and scrape off any excess. Allow the chocolate to set in a cool environment or in the fridge. Once set, de-mould the half easter egg. With a small piping bag, apply a small amount of tempered chocolate on the flat side of the easter eggs and place the two half easter eggs together. Enjoy! Keen to learn more delicious recipes this Easter? Check out Arno and his variety of chocolate classes in Melbourne, from making nf!chocolate truffles to nf!delectable Rocky Road bites. ...

How 8 Global Makers Are Using Workshops to Change the World

What do you think when you hear the names Malala Yousafzai, Michelle Obama and Gloria Steinem? Strong, trailblazing icons. These women are householdWhat do you think when you hear the names Malala Yousafzai, Michelle Obama and Gloria Steinem? Strong, trailblazing icons. These women are household names for a reason, but in the words of author Kate Hodges, “Behind every great woman… is another great woman”. While their names might not be as widely known, ClassBento’s global community is overflowing with innovative women working to promote equality by sharing knowledge and creativity. Some have picked up their crafts from mothers and grandmothers, while others have determinedly taught themselves, or been mentored by fellow makers. The special thing about them, however, is their shared mission, one that allows you to tap into your creativity and experience the wellbeing benefits that come with it. So here are 8 voices from our uplifting community of women-identifying makers. Authentic, inspirational and crafting change—one stitch at a time. Makers turning the tables on gender stereotypes Monique and Reneé Hunte, East London England Sisters and co-founders of nf!Dai-KOR “For us, we’re breaking gender stereotypes by showing everyone that women are out here winning in business. We share our story during workshops in the hope to inspire and motivate others to follow their passion and dreams.” Janine Hendry, Melbourne Australia Founder of nf!Guild of Objects and the March4Justice Movement “For the first time in a decade, the gender pay gap is getting worse and not better. Workshops at Guild of Objects are all about empowering women to take control of their own income.” Nadia Abbas, London England Founder of nf!House of Stööki “Women can do the heavy side of jewellery making too. The jewellery making practice has a lot of different methods of making and some are more brutal than others. Our workshops show students that the finished Stööki products have been made using all the different methods of production.” Kelly Ortega, San Francisco United States Founder of nf!Artillery AG: Mindful Ceramics “So often to win success in business looks like being co-opted into the systems of oppression all around us. As a woman of colour, who is also a business owner, I hope to disrupt these harmful practices. At Artillery Ceramics we are slowing down, caring for each other, reconnecting to ancestral Indigenous roots and creating with intention.” Sara Knights, Steyning England Founder of perfumery nf!Sara Lucia “As a perfumer, I set out to challenge the stereotype that women should smell a certain way or ‘like’ certain aromas. Smell is not gender specific, in fact, men can love lavender and geranium and women can love leathery, tar smells.” Makers uniting to empower one another Cara Bevilacqua, St Augustine Florida United States Founder of nf!Coastal Design Workshops “The support creative women give each other is unmatched. I hire and train female artists to learn how to teach others their creative skills and to see how rewarding it is for them is something that makes me feel extremely fulfilled.” Nadia Abbas “The women that I met when I got my jewellery degree at university have become part of a friendship group that has shaped my career today. We all share a love of jewellery design and have continued to thrive in the industry with each of our businesses that encompass very different styles.” Kelly Ortega “Through my workshops, I was lucky enough to meet a woman who I now consider a dear friend and is now the second instructor for my mindful ceramics curriculum!” Amy Beggs-French, Canberra Australia Founder of nf!Deep Blue Ceramics “Years ago I bought a handmade mug at a market. I caught a cold shortly after and ended up having about a million lemon, honey and ginger teas. I fell completely in love with my new mug—it was so nurturing. I enrolled in my first pottery class as soon as I was better. The maker I bought my life-changing mug from was Tina. Connecting with her through appreciation of her art as well as a bunch of other mutually adored hobbies, we are now great friends!” Sampada Gurung, London England Founder of nf!The Slightly Curious Studio “One of the most impactful connections I've made was with a fellow potter who runs a sustainable pottery studio. It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my struggles as a business owner, and it's inspiring to see how another woman has been able to create a successful and sustainable business that aligns with her values.” Makers inspiring creativity from all walks of life Cara Bevilacqua “As someone who grew up feeling a bit like an outsider, I relied heavily on my passion for creativity as an outlet for my feelings and emotions. I feel it is my duty to use my platform as a business owner and creative instructor to include those who may need to feel the embrace of inclusion.” Kelly Ortega “Equity needs to be spread throughout the way we do business, the way we interact with each other, and even the way we think about what we should expect from one another. Through equity, we are moving forward towards liberation for all.” Amy Beggs-French “Appreciating where people are at and supporting my students to play with their creativity produces some really incredible, diverse results! What people can produce and create when they are feeling safe, equitably supported and encouraged is awe-inspiring.” Sampada Gurung “Everyone should have equal opportunities to pursue their passions and to access resources that can help them grow and develop. We're committed to providing accessible and affordable learning experiences that empower our students to discover their creativity and pursue their goals.” ...

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Need a Boost? This Creative Summer Checklist Can Help

Did you know that creative activities are some of the best ways to boost your wellbeing? In fact, staying social, finding a routine and keeping activeDid you know that creative activities are some of the best ways to boost your wellbeing? In fact, staying social, finding a routine and keeping active come highly recommended by health experts. Start your year off right with our to-do list of summer workshops and experiences and you’ll see for yourself! Mid-January: Stay social with cocktail classes After the adrenaline rush of Christmas and New Year’s, it’s only natural to start feeling a little social burnout by mid-January. You’re not alone! nf!The Black Dog Institute has some top tips for combating this, like focusing on what you enjoy, being in the moment and having fun. Luckily for you, we think we have a summertime experience that ticks all those boxes. Literally shake it out and get reinvigorated in January with cocktail classes. From zesty margaritas to sweet Pina Coladas, learning how to make cocktails with the people you love is the perfect summer activity for keeping spirits high! Late January: Get crafty with the whole family You might not expect that among all the excitement of the school holidays, this time of year can actually be quite challenging for young people. According to nf!Headspace, kids and teens may be left feeling “bored, unsupported, upset and sometimes anxious” during this period, as they’re out of their usual routine and not seeing their friends as much. As the school holidays come to a close, there’s no better time to get the kids (and bigger kids) together over a fun and crafty activity so they can keep exploring and stay socially active. The key is to find something simple that everyone can enjoy like a terrarium workshop or a polymer clay class. These crafty experiences are a fantastic way to check in and bond with the family beyond Christmas Day and make everyone feel special and included. Early February: Slow down with a mindful experience Make time in February to slow down, embrace the moment and check in with yourself as summer starts to wrap up. This is a great time to think about new habits you want to make for yourself, as nf!“the key to great health is in positive habit formation.” Why not try something different this year and pick up a new mindful hobby or skill? Unwind at the potter’s wheel and make ceramics, twist and tie cord into a macrame wall hanging or plant hanger or let loose with colourful fluid art. Mid-February: Connect and save at a Valentine’s Day cooking class We hear you, you want to do Valentine’s Day differently this year. As you recover from holiday spending, transform the usual dinner and movie combo into a date night activity with added value. This is where cooking classes come in. Not only will you learn lifelong cooking skills with an experienced chef but you’ll also get to sit down and enjoy your handmade meal together—it’s like two presents for the price of one! Turn up the heat with a sizzling BBQ class or knead fresh dough together at a pasta making class. Late February: Prep for autumn with a new hobby We know what you’re thinking—how do I stop the post-summer blues from sinking in? Well, the answer is simple, be kinder to yourself and nf!adopt smaller, more achievable goals that will make you feel productive and accomplished. It’s actually very normal to feel a bit down after the holiday period and according to research from nf!Deakin University, it’s actually a sign of good health. To stay motivated, keep the warm and fuzzy feelings you associate with summer alive by trying your hand at a new hobby. Piece together mosaics, arrange flowers into bouquets or melt and pour fragrant candles. You might not find your creative calling right away, but you’ll be keeping your mind stimulated and fostering your creativity as the weather gets cooler. ...

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At the End of This Quiz You'll Know Exactly What to Gift Your Partner

What if we told you that you could avoid the shops this Christmas, lock in some much-needed quality time with your partner and each get a handmadeWhat if we told you that you could avoid the shops this Christmas, lock in some much-needed quality time with your partner and each get a handmade gift to take home? Hold onto your crochet balls because you’re just five questions away from the answer to all your gifting problems! An ideal date night for you both looks like… A - A trip to a theme park or local arcade B - A relaxing couples massage C - A romantic dinner by candlelight D - Lying on the couch and sending each other memes Your partner’s drink of choice is a… A - Energising cup of coffee (or espresso martini) B - Revitalising herbal tea C - Glass of wine, any kind! D - Negroni sbagliato It’s movie night! Which film do you flick on? A - A fast-paced action movie B - A timeless classic like Ghost C - A soul-warming rom-com D - The newest release on Netflix You’re going on an off-grid getaway for the summer. Which items are a must-bring? A - Games, and lots of them B - A book each to lose yourselves in C - Hiking boots D - Your phones and a portable charger If you had to pick one word to describe your relationship it would be… A - Spontaneous B - Uplifting C - Secure D - Fun The results are in! It’s time to surprise your partner with… Mostly As: The Thrill-Seeking Duo Your relationship is fast-paced and energetic and that’s the way you both like it. This Christmas, gift your passionate partner an experience that excites them just as much as it thrills you. Lift their morning spirits with nf!barista courses across Australia, strap on your walking shoes and adventure through the city with a nf!photography course or play into your partner’s spontaneous side with a nf!resin art class. Megan R gifted their partner a nf!beginner’s photography class and said: “My partner and I had no idea what we were doing going into the lesson and by the end, we understood how to take a great picture and use the camera to capture the light!” Mostly Bs: The Mindful Pair Self-care is a top priority for you and your partner, but did you know you can savour your me-time together? Step inside one of our teacher’s cosy studios and spend a few hours rejuvenating, all while connecting with one another. Immerse yourselves in a stimulating nf!tea blending and tasting experience that will engage your senses, explore the possibilities of creating with just your fingertips at nf!pottery classes or discover the traditional Japanese method of repairing ceramics at nf!Kintsugi classes. Charlie H gifted their partner a nf!freeform clay hand building class and said: “Bettina was a lovely and warm person who went above and beyond to put us at ease and give us the best possible experience. We were immediately met with a calming cup of herbal tea. We then had a super time being creative and handling the clay, with Bettina giving us all the time, resources and techniques we needed.” Mostly Cs: The Comfortable Couple Whether you’ve been together for a month or a lifetime, spending time with your partner will always bring you joy. This Christmas 2024, why not gift them a different experience that focuses on both spending quality time together and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Switch your regular dinner date for a nf!pasta making class, craft a meaningful masterpiece at nf!mosaic workshops or break out of your rut and try something new at nf!paint and sip classes. Nicholas B gifted their partner a nf!mosaic workshop and said: “My partner and I had a blast! Really comprehensive, hands-on and approachable teaching style. Well worth every cent. Shout out to the delicious cookies too.” Mostly Ds: The Social Butterflies Your partner prides themselves on being up to date with the latest trends, meaning your time together is often spent having a laugh doing silly TikTok dances together or sending each other the latest memes. Help them keep their finger on the pulse with these trending experiences that will keep your Instagram stories full of life and have you banking social content for weeks. Dive into the mesmerising viral craft trend of 2024 with nf!tufting workshops, tantalise your tastebuds with the latest concoctions at nf!cocktail classes or make quirky and colourful homewares by yielding fire and flame at nf!glassblowing classes. Neil A gifted their partner a nf!rug tufting class and said: “I gifted this experience to my boyfriend as a date idea and we now own the best memorabilia ever! The class provided the perfect balance of guided assistance and autonomy. A great experience in a cosy artsy space that’s friendly for all!” ...

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ClassBento's blog on workshops, mindfulness, hobbies and more.