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As an artist and overall creative person I LOVE to stretch my knowledge and learn new art mediums and techniques. Ho Chi Minh is lush full of art and creative workshops and classes available for people of all levels. Over the year and a half I’ve been in the city I have attended quite a few and have had nothing but fabulous fun experiences! Let me share them with you so you can ignite your own creative spirit.
Papercutting
First, please allow me to share a plug for my own workshop/classes. I am a well known papercut artist who creates intricate layered papercut works. You can see my artwork on my website: Alisa Creates or find me under the same name on social media. In the spring I held a papercut workshop for my friends as a fun activity during lockdown and it was a lovely time. If you are interested in learning the art of papercutting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Contact: Email me at alisablundon@gmail.com or through one of my social media pages:
Alisa Creates Facebook
Alisa Creates Instagram
Alisa Creates Facebook
Alisa Creates Instagram
Macrame
The first workshop I attended after moving to Saigon was a Macrame plant holder workshop by CaBin Macrame. My holds workshops throughout the city and she is continuously changing them to offer different items that you can make. I have also attended her macrame earring workshop. Both times I left feeling proud of my creation. My is a very kind and patient teacher who knows her craft extremely well. She can also lead you in creating a design you find on your own. Check out her amazing macrame pieces she sells as well.
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Terrarium Workshop
This workshop was certainly the most unique of all the workshops I’ve attended. The teacher shared with us the history of terrarium making and the theory behind it before showing us the steps to make our own. (He spoke in Vietnamese and it was translated by another teacher) There were a variety of glass containers to choose from and the plant selection was plentiful - it was so hard to choose which ones to put in my own. I was super in love with my little terrarium after I finished. Unfortunately, despite spraying it with water twice a day religiously, it didn’t last past a few months. However, I would still recommend the experience.
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Pottery
Spin & Gogh is right down the block from where I live in D7 and I don’t know why I don’t get there more often! It is such a fun place. Their most popular workshops involve learning to throw on a wheel but you can also work with hand building. They have a very knowledgeable staff and if you go more than once or twice, you can have them help you create clay objects of your own design. Most workshops involve you returning after a few weeks to glaze your objects. This is fabulous for children as well! One of the great things is that you don’t need to wait for a workshop time, you can go anytime they are open.
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Candle & Perfume Making
Note - The Scent Lab has a variety of different scent-based workshops. I attended the candle making workshop and enjoyed learning about scent theory. The instructors were so knowledgeable about the world of scents. We mixed our own scent and poured our own candles. You can also purchase their brand of candles and perfumes. There are many other scent workshops in town as well. A lovely way to spend an afternoon.
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Terrazzo
This workshop certainly required the most physical effort and thus was very rewarding. Terrazzo is an artform that involves a cement-like material poured with chips/pieces of colored materials, then ground down to reveal the pretty designs. I grabbed a group of friends and booked a private time with Cassandra Kellam of Earth Ling arts. She is an amazing terrazzo artists who works out of her home studio. In our session we each created two terrazzo coasters over a two session period (held on two different weekends).
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Crystal Jewelry
In the spring, I invited Sally from Crystals Macrame to my house to do a workshop for me and some friends. She did an amazing job leading us to create crystal macrame bracelets and necklaces. Sally shared with us the different strengths of the crystals and helped us pick matching thread before patiently showing us how to make our desired item. Each person left with a piece that they really liked.
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Silver Jewelry Making
I had been wanting to try Ddreamers Silver Jewelry making workshop for ages and finally got the chance for my birthday this year. You can tell that Dieu is experienced as a teacher because she knew how to explain things clearly and to let the students work through things on their own without taking over (but of course she was right there if you needed anything). I was amazed that after only two hours I had created my very own unique silver ring. I will definitely be going back to this workshop to make another! There are four workshops held every weekend with only about six people for each one, so book early!
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Mosaic
The most recent workshop I’ve tried was Toong Teng Ceramic studio’s Mosaic workshop. The great thing about the craft of mosaic is that it is very easy to pick up. After choosing a design, picking a frame size, and a short five minute instruction we were left creating. You can really make anything you desire within your design, and if you come back more than once you would certainly be able to improve your skills. They also have hand-built clay options at their studio.
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Other Workshops/Classes
Here are some other art and creative workshops and classes that I would like to try (links are included). If you have any to add or host one yourself, feel free to email me here: alisablundon@gmail.com
Sewing Classes with Saigon Sewing
Polymer Clay Jewelry with Meaning Art
Painting with KULA
Acrylic Pouring with May Studio
Basket Weaving with Hien Vu
Sewing Classes with Saigon Sewing
Polymer Clay Jewelry with Meaning Art
Painting with KULA
Acrylic Pouring with May Studio
Basket Weaving with Hien Vu
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