14 Creative Classes to Cozy Up with This Winter

Feeling a bit frosty? Dive into a new hobby indoors

By Ellen Miller | Jan. 4, 2025

'Tis the season…the post-holiday season, that is, when the days are short, the light is weak, and a creative project is a welcome distraction. Whether you’re looking for a one-off crafting session or hoping to achieve a lifelong creative dream, there are a bevy of creative classes, workshops, and communities to dive into Up North while you’re staying warm inside.

1. Yoga & Bracelet Making Workshop
Jan. 5, 2:30-3:45pm, Yen Yoga & Fitness, Traverse City
This rejuvenating yoga workshop is designed to help you set clear intentions for the year ahead. This workshop combines a gentle yoga practice and meditation with a unique intention-setting ritual, culminating in the creation of a personalized bracelet using semi-precious healing beads.

Registration is $45; yenyogafitness.com/specialevents

2. Empowered Movement: Belly Dance Basics
Jan. 7, 14, 21, & 28, 6-7pm, Up North Arts, Cadillac
This beginner-friendly class is open to all, regardless of dance background. You’ll find a supportive environment to grow and focus on the fundamentals of belly dance, including basic movements, isolations, and combinations. The class will also incorporate elements of yoga to enhance flexibility and strength. Instead of memorizing complex choreography, Up North Arts aims to prioritize the joy of free expression.

Registration is $65 (member discounts available): upnorthartsinc.com

3. Improv for Fun
Jan.8-Feb. 25 (Wednesdays), 6:30-8:30pm, Full Tilt Comedy, Traverse City
Want to dip your toe into comedy? Join Full Tilt Comedy for improv classes! This series of classes is ideal for those trying improv for the first time, or for those dusting off their improv chops.

Registration is $156: fulltiltcomedy.org

4. Open Acoustic Jam
Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland
Every Wednesday, Jim Redmond offers relaxed acoustic play at the Old Art Building as an opportunity to share techniques, talents, and good vibes. The group plays pop, blues, rock, jazz, and bluegrass, and all levels of ability are welcome (though knowledge of basic chords is helpful). And, of course, you are more than welcome to just hang out and listen.

Free; no registration required: oldartbuilding.com/events/open-acoustic-band-jam

5. Community Clay Workshop: Winter Lanterns
Jan. 11, 10am-12pm, Commongrounds Cooperative, Traverse City
Family friendly alert! In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn handbuilding techniques to craft a winter lantern. Great for all ages; kids five and up can create on their own, while littles under five need an adult to register too. Find additional dates and projects throughout the year, including building Love Bugs on Feb. 8.

Registration is $15: clayspacetc.com/class-sign-up/community-clay-workshops

6. New Year’s Art Bash
Jan. 11, 10am-3pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort
Join local artists Jessica Kovan and Lauren Everett Finn and treat yourself to some guided creative artmaking. The workshop includes hands-on mixed media experiences, cookies for snacking, and supplies included.

Registration is $110 (member discounts available): oliverartcenterfrankfort.org

7. Color Pencil Drawing for Beginners
Jan. 16, 6-8pm, Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Charlevoix
Participants will learn skills in working with color pencil medium and focus on nocturnes, or night scenes. You will walk away with a new appreciation for a seemingly familiar medium!

Registration is $60: charlevoixcircle.org/classes-workshops

8. How to Use a Sewing Machine
Jan. 22, 10 am-12pm, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
Have you always wanted to try a sewing machine, but don’t know where to start or what to purchase? Join this NMC class to learn how to thread the machine, sew basic stitches, and understand the machine’s features. Bring your own sewing machine to each class if you are able—limited machines are available on a first-come, first-served basis if you’d like to borrow one.

Registration is $75: nmc.augusoft.net

9. Try It: Wheel Pottery
Jan. 24, Feb. 21, 6-8pm, Clayspace TC, Traverse City
Love The Great Pottery Throw Down? Want to try out your pottery chops before committing to a longer multi-session class? In these workshops, participants will be introduced to wheel throwing. Price includes clay and instruction, as well as glazing and firing.

Registration is $55: clayspacetc.com/class-sign-up/try-it-wheel

10. 100 Day Project
Jan. 27, 4:30-5:30pm, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, Gaylord
Do you ever feel creatively stumped? Gaylord Area Council for the Arts is hosting a 100 Day Project weekly community meet up. This kickoff session will include ideas and brainstorming, and each member will commit to working on something every day for 100 days. You can create whatever you want: learn something new, work on a skill, capture moments, or start a collection.

Registration is by donation: gaylordarts.org/workshopsclasses.html

11. Decoupage Shadow Boxes
Feb. 1, 6-8pm, Secondhand Social Club, Traverse City
Jump into the world of decoupage using beautiful Japanese chiyogami paper to create a birch tree design affixed in an unfinished wood shadow box. Looking for something less structured? Secondhand Social Club also offers drop-in art and crafting throughout the week.

Registration is $25: secondhandsocialclub.com/pages/workshops-classes

12. Mosaic Heart
Feb. 6 and 7, 12 pm, Art & Connection, Elk Rapids
Learn the art of mosaic-making with techniques such as prepping a wood surface, cutting and nipping glass, composing designs, achieving color balance, and mastering adhesive and grouting methods. In this two-day workshop, you will create a stunning mosaic heart, perfect to give as a heartfelt gift to a loved one (or keep for yourself!).

Registration (no cost) opens a month in advance: artandconnection.org/service-page/mosaic-heart

13. Jewelry/ Metalworking: Silver Beach Stone Ring or Pendant
Feb. 8, 9am-5pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City
At this one-day workshop, students will learn the basics of working with silver with Janet Ryan, jewelry artist and silversmith, to create a custom beach stone ring or pendant. Note: There is a materials fee in addition to the registration fee.

Registration is $175 ($125 for members): crookedtree.org/class

14. Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread
Feb. 20, 6-8:30pm, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
Hungry? Let’s make delicious gluten-free sourdough bread! This workshop covers sourdough starters, different grains and flours, and how to blend them for the best texture and flavor. Participants will taste bread in class as well as take home an active starter and dough to bake at home.

Registration is $99: nmc.augusoft.net