From The Straits Times    |

MODERN CALLIGRAPHY
Happy Hands Project
www.happyhandsproject.com
WHAT YOU’LL DO Learn the basics of pointed pen calligraphy – using old-style metal-tipped pens and bottled ink – and different letterforms that you can use to design your own framed prints, invitations, pillow covers and bags. Professional graphic designer, Pauline Ibarra, partners local home studios to conduct the workshops. Monthly classes are in the works, so subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates.
COST $80 a person for two hours, refreshments and all materials provided.

INSTAGRAM TIPS AND TRICKS
Bloesem Class, #01-81, 77 Seng Poh Road. Open weekdays, 9am-6pm; Saturdays, 10am-7pm; Sundays, noon to 5pm.
www.bloesem.co
WHAT YOU’LL DO Bloesem often invites creatives from all over the world to conduct intimate classes that last about three hours, for 10-20 people. They’ve previously conducted food styling and photography, modern calligraphy and handicraft lessons. This month, they’ll be hosting Jelito de Leon, a freelance food and lifestyle photographer from Manila for their Be Insta Good! workshop. During the three-hour class, you’ll pick up techniques for capturing delightful images with your smartphone and building up your audience on Instagram.
COST $159 a person. Refreshments and all materials provided.

MINIATURE GARDEN-MAKING
The Plant Story, Level 1, 33 Hyderabad Road (off Alexandra Road), tel: 9722-0438. Open every day except Wednesday and major public holidays, 10am-7pm.
www.theplantstory.com
WHAT YOU’LL DO Get in touch with nature and create your own miniature garden in a glass container during a one-hour session. Choose from four types of creations: rainforest (terrarium), air, water and desert gardens. Private gardening workshops can be organised, with topics such as growing Western herbs and starting your own edible garden, but these require a minimum of 15 participants. Unwind at the garden cafe next door when you’re done.
COST $10 a person. You’ll have to buy a DIY kit too, which may cost from $30 to just under $300. Sessions can be booked only by e-mail.

ARTISANAL BAKING
Baker & Cook, 77 Hillcrest Road, Greenwood, tel: 6469-8834. Open Sunday to Thursday, 7am-8pm; Friday & Saturday, 7am-10pm.
www.bakerandcook.biz
WHAT YOU’LL DO Baker & Cook founder and co-owner Dean Brettschneider conducts evening baking classes for beginners at the bakery chain’s flagship store in Hillcrest Road. Pick either basic bread-making (four hours) where you’ll bake a traditional baguette, or basic tart-making (three hours) where you’ll make a savoury galette. The celebrity Kiwi baker usually holds these classes once every two months, so sign up for the e-newsletter to keep yourself posted.
COST Basic Bread Making, $150 a person. Basic Tart Making, $150 a person. All materials provided.

SCREEN PRINTING AND BLOCK PRINTING
Fictive Fingers, #01-61, 462 Crawford Lane. Open Monday to Friday, noon to 5pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm.
www.fictivefingers.com
WHAT YOU’LL DO This class is run by design house Fictive Fingers, which specialises in handpainted textiles. The founders – sisters Hani and Aisah Dalduri – conduct introductory lessons on fabric printing. They offer two types of classes: one on the screen-printing technique, where you’ll learn to put your design on a woven mesh; the other on the block-printing technique, where you’ll carve the block used to transfer your designs. Classes are usually held once or twice a week, depending on demand. After your lesson, pick up sweet or savoury treats from And All Things Delicious, a bakery that shares the shop space.
COST $89 a person for a two-hour lesson, all materials provided.

BASIC LEATHERCRAFT
The General Company, 150A Tyrwhitt Road, tel: 8444-5589. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am-7pm.
www.thegeneralco.sg
WHAT YOU’LL DO Find out about the different types of leather and their properties, as well as cutting, construction and finishing techniques, during the two-hour class. You’ll also create your own card-holder from a single piece of vegetable-tanned leather that you can personalise by debossing your initials on it. Check their website for class dates.
COST $79 a person; $138 for two people; $207 for three people. All materials provided.