Hands-on 3rd

This review is for Art Works at the Larchmont location.

I took the adult acrylic portrait class taught by Julio. Mel was also there to help us. I love and appreciate art, but am a true beginner. This was my first art class. I was not feeling great, had a bad cold, and just came from work, but I am so glad that I motivated and got to class. I am sure that almost everyone there did a better job than me, but I learned so much and Julio was a fantastic teacher. We learned how to select colors, mix paint, and use different brushes and techniques; essentially how to approach painting a portrait from beginning to end (background, subject, nose, eyes, lips, hair). We each received feedback, but it was in the nicest most constructive (non-judgmental) way. I would definitely take another class and recommend this studio to everyone. My class started at 7 pm on a weeknight, so there was ample street parking.

Not only is this place cozy, warm and friendly, but the crash courses are really such a fabulous idea, I think they might be my newest addiction. I just finished with the 2-part mosaic Crash Course taught by Kyle... what freakin fun!

Kyle is a great instructor - laid back, fun and knows her sheot. The course structure is perfect in that they supply all the tools and goodies for the class. I love that you don't have to go buy tons of crap in order to see if you even like the particular technique or craft. I now have 4 cute little mosaics and a hankering to do many more (NOW I might spend the cash on the tools - I know I will be flocking to the sound of breaking crockery any time I am in a store to see if they will give me the bits!)

If you are at all curious about mosaics, knitting, crochet, jewelery making, sewing, needle felting, etc.. go register now. You won't be disappointed.

I've only ever taken yarn-based classes here, but Sasha the knitting instructor is an absolute delight! She is both patient and kind, two very important qualities in a teacher, especially because I'm always a complete confused mess whenever I try to learn something new! Needless to say, I appreciated her calm demeanor and zen-like attitude as I accidentally dropped stitch after stitch! She also teaches a knit-assist on Sundays, and is always super accommodating whenever I come to her with a problem. I would highly recommend this place for her alone, and I'm definitely planning on branching out to some of the other classes in the future.

My only less than stellar comment would be about the parking situation. There are several available spots in the back, but they are stacked, which can get irksome if you're in the middle of a class and someone has to interrupt you to move your car. Also, when they fill up they fill up, and street parking can be pretty annoying with all of the various neighborhood restrictions.

Before the class, I taunted my boyfriend that he's gonna get a colorful sweater for Christmas. I think he's safe. Knitting isn't as easy as it looks on TV!

I had a great time at the knitting crash course. We had 2 instructors for 8 students. Our instructors were friendly and patient and were able to figure out where I had screwed up in knitting. This was a good ratio and we each were able to get personal attention with our technique. I had a lot of trouble at the edges, but I guess that's normal for a first-timer. At the end of the class, we got to take home knitting needles and a ball of yarn for our projects.

Consider that the average Angeleno has a 4 year performing art degree under their belt and qualifications that equate to waiting tables, flipping burgers and being ultra fluffy. Real skills like making coffee and using a turn signal have been neglected far too long.

But don't fret!

Hands-on Third "Real Skills Workshops", has opened along the unpretentiously pretentious West 3rd Street Shopping District. As a community center dedicated to teaching no-nonsense talents like sewing, green living, upholstery basics and much more, Hands-On third is crushing the concept of keeping your hands to yourself and promoting a more touchy-feely locale!

The jewelry crash instructor was a joke. I believe her name was Kristen. She didn't explain techniques well at all. The class was overbooked so I can understand that she would need to show a technique a couple of times for everyone to see. However, she didn't. She didn't explain the wiring well or where to buy the wire. A classmate had to explain where to buy supplies from and even teach the techniques. We all should have been paying that lady instead! At the end, some of the classmates wanted to learn how to wrap wire for rings. It was like pulling teeth to get Kristen to show us. She finally did but demonstrated in between her legs. The table was covering what she was doing. She just kept saying "oh it's easy". Weird, especially when you pay to learn how to do the techniques but the instructor can't even properly demonstrate for you.

PLUS, where is my $15 supply fee going to? The owner's pocket? Because the beads were like beads for kindergarteners. Nothing was cute or worth that price. Especially when some of the beads were from recycled old jewelry! YES, WTF!!! So, again where did the supply fee go? I could have gone to Walmart and got better supplies. That's how sad it was.

Then, a pregnant classmate got poked in the belly by pins jabbed in the side of the table from the previous sewing class. Get that mom and fetus a tetnus shot STAT! SERIOUSLY!

I had planned for a terrarium class in Dec. But after that horrible experience, why waste my time, money, and gas? Plus, it's a $35 supply fee....I can't even imagine what lame plants I was going to get.

Parking is a total bitch too! You have to stack park your car and then get interrupted to move your car when someone needs to bail! Ugh!

Bottom line, I love supporting little shops... but this place is a joke...will not be returning!

I took a Fascinator Class with Jo.

It was fabulous! I was a bit late, and instead of being scoldy about it, they were very sweet, and caught me right up. The class size of 7 was perfect.

Jo was amazing at giving different levels of instruction. She was able to breezily switch between assisting novice sewers and giving me, an experienced sewer, advanced pointers and tips. She was fun and encouraging, and you could tell she was enjoying herself.

I simply love the atmosphere here. It was great to release my creative juices.

Their supplies were excellent as well. I chose some beautiful yellow and orange silk and some vintage wool felt to make my hat.

I can't wait to come back for the Jewelry Crash Course I've enrolled in later in May!

Yay!

Took the Sew Rock workshop. I have only made sad little curtains once with a sewing machine that my grandma gave me. I made a pretty awesome pillow out of a Kanye West t-shirt. Zoe was an awesome instructor and I was really pleased with the experience, the community, the vibe and my new pillow. I brought it home to my fiance, who hugged it for about 20 seconds too long. (He really loves Kanye West).

This was a great class - for anyone that has a little bit of a creative bug in them and needs and outlet for that creativity. I can't wait for my next sewing project - or my next project....period!!

So far so good - I'm in the midst of a sewing class that I brought from Groupon.
When it came time to schedule my class, they were good about excepting the deal no problems. Our class size was smallish - about 12 people. There was an instructor who had an assistant - which was helpful because they each went around and assisted us individually. Everyone worked at their own pace and we were given a basic starter kit - scissors, thread, muslin, etc...

Class #1 was the basics - 4 different types of hand sewing. We practiced sewing a hem, and doing basic stitches.

Class #2 was basics on the machine. Those of us who had our own machines were able to bring them and get taught on their mechanics. We threaded the bobbin and learned basic stitching on the machines.

Class #3 ???

Class #4 ???

I had to miss the next two classes - which I was told I would be able to make up at a later date. When I called to reschedule, turns out they don't have any more classes going on right now. The owner is closing down this location and moving to the Larchmont area. At this point, new classes are on hold - and thus, so are my sewing lessons! :(

I look forward to wrapping up the remaining two classes when they resume teaching them. For the first time ever, I have been able to dust of my machine and have the confidence to practice on my own. I've been searching my house for pants to hem and buttons to reattach so I can practice on anything! Yay sewing!

I've recently had the pleasure of taking Hands on 3rd's Silk Screenprinting Crash Course with Kyle and it was an absolute blast! Not only was Kyle incredibly friendly, witty and encouraging but she brought us through the process of screenprinting with great ease & patience. I finally understand negative space, woohoo! My classmates and I had such a fantasic time that we've all decided to get together again to continue the fun.

I'm an avid crafter always looking for my next "project", I've had the chance to take a few classes around the city and this has been my best experience by far. Definitely worth a try!