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Melbourne has a way of keeping life endlessly interesting. Alongside its charming cafés and laneway galleries, the city also brims with creative workshops where you can dive into something new. From jewellery making to tufting to throwing clay, there’s no shortage of fun and unique things to do in Melbourne. Here are a few inspiring classes to spark up your calendar next month.
Make your own gold charm jewellery in South Yarra
The people have voted: charm jewellery is back in style, quickly becoming a popular activity to do in Melbourne! Head to the gold charm bar at Miss Mariadas Jewellery in South Yarra and you’ll settle into a bright, welcoming workbench with trays of charms, chains and gemstones sparkling in front of you.
You’ll get to choose from a wide range of charms, pendants and delicate pieces that you can mix and match to suit your style, whether minimal and timeless or bold and playful. By the end of the class, you’ll feel stoked with your new finished bling you’ve made yourself!
After crafting away… Treat yourself to a peaceful escape at Como House and Garden. A short drive (or tram ride) away, this elegant Victorian-Regency mansion is a beautiful spot to stroll, debrief the experience and simply breathe—for a little reflective calm after your creative buzz.
Tuft a DIY rug in Carlton
Tufting has taken over social media in recent years and it’s still one of Melbourne’s most fun DIY trends to try. Tufttea gives you the chance to experience it firsthand in their tufting 101 class. Forget buying another mass-produced rug—here, you’ll get to design and tuft your very own custom creation.
Armed with a tufting gun and plenty of colourful yarn, you’ll map out your design and watch as it comes to life, stitch by stitch. Tip: Bring an image you would like to tuft to the class (like a pop-culture piece, cartoon characters or a funky print) or if you’re short of ideas, Tufttea’s studio has plenty of colourful inspiration for you!
Before your tufting class… Just a three-minute drive from Tufttea, Brunetti Classico is a famed destination along Lygon Street where you can indulge in Italian-style coffee, pastries and pizza in a vibrant café setting. It’s the perfect warm-up: grab a rich espresso or a creamy gelato, soak in the buzz of Little Italy and centre yourself before diving into a hands-on rug-making adventure.
Spin and throw clay in Box Hill South
Pottery is becoming one of the best things to do in Melbourne and for good reason. Heer Pottery welcomes you into their light, airy studio and takes you through the entire journey, from forming your piece to glazing it with your own personal touch.
Whether you haven’t done pottery since school or your passion is all things clay, everyone is welcome to join this wheel throwing class and love it! With guidance from an experienced ceramicist, you’ll learn the techniques that potters have been using for centuries. It’s meditative, a little messy and incredibly rewarding. Even if your bowl or cup isn’t perfectly symmetrical, you’ll find beauty in the imperfections—proof that you made it.
The added bonus of this workshop is the glazing stage. Once you’ve finished, you’ll choose from a selection of ceramic paints to give it colour and character. The finished product becomes not just a functional object but also a keepsake of your creative day.
For a quick bite… Check out Burgetory located on Middleborough Road, just a four-minute drive from the class. It’s popular for…you guessed it: hamburgers! Choose your favourite burger, order a side of fries and a shake, and you’ll be in heaven (or burgertory!).
Head to a paint your pet class in Kew
We’ve got the perfect class for animal lovers and pet parents—painting your own furry, feathery or scaly friend! Ladder Art Space in Kew invites you to bring along a photo of your beloved furry friend and turn it into a vibrant canvas painting.
Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned painter; this class is designed with total beginners in mind. Your friendly teacher will guide you step by step, from sketching the outline to layering colours and adding those little details that capture your pet’s unique personality—whether it’s the twinkle in their eye or the curve of their ears. Not only will you leave with a beautiful painting to hang at home but you’ll also spend the day immersed in laughter and stories about everyone’s pets.
Can’t get enough of pets? Walk down to… Skinny Dog Hotel. As soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a large mural of dogs and the ‘Skinny Dog’ statue itself. Definitely order their classic chicken parma and a beer to fully unwind after the class.
Learn how to bind your own book in Fitzroy
If you adore stationery or love books and journals, this book binding workshop at Zetta Florence will steal your heart. This class takes you behind the scenes of the centuries-old craft of bookbinding, showing you how to stitch and assemble your very own journal or notebook.
The gift shop itself is a treat—it’s filled with vintage-style papers, decorative prints and creative energy that makes you feel instantly inspired. During the workshop, you’ll be introduced to the tools and techniques that go into creating a sturdy yet beautiful handmade book.
Whether you use it as a journal, a sketchbook or a thoughtful gift, it’s bound to carry extra meaning because of the effort and care you put into it. This workshop is ideal if you’re after a slower, more mindful creative activity that still leaves you with something useful and long-lasting.
If you’re looking for a good book… Head to The Brunswick Street Bookstore. Just five minutes away from the class, this store is a book lover’s haven, offering a range of deliciously good books to sink your teeth into!
Melbourne is bursting with creativity and the best way to tap into it is by trying something new. Next month, swap out the usual plans for experiences that spark your imagination and leave you with something tangible to remember. Your future self will thank you for making the time to explore, create and enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer.
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Abbotsford
1 to 16 guests
$75 - $95
