When is Crafternoon offered?

Crafternoon will be held on Saturday afternoons at Perennial, typically starting at 1pm. Themed sessions range from 1-2 hours, and Open Studio sessions include two time slots to choose from (1-3pm and/or 3-5pm).

How much does Crafternoon cost?

Themed Crafternoons typically cost $15 for non-members (and 20% off for members!), unless otherwise noted.

Open Studio is $15 for a 2-hour session in either the Woodshop or ReUse Studio. You may register for the full 4-hour day (2 sessions) for $30.

Do I need to bring my own materials to Crafternoon?

Most Crafternoons will supply all the materials you need, but you are always welcome to bring in your own materials or an in-progress project if it relates to the Crafternoon theme! Occasionally, a Crafternoon will note materials you will need to bring in or buy from Perennial to complete a project.

Materials are not provided for Open Studio. Please bring in your own, or you can buy salvaged and secondhand materials from Perennial.

Which Crafternoon is right for me?

If you’re interested in casual crafting with some socializing, you should come to one of our themed Crafternoons! From woodburning, to printmaking, to sewing + snacks, browse through our current schedule to find the theme that speaks to you!

If you’re looking to use our space, tools, + supplies for your own creative reuse project, then reserve a spot during one of our Open Studio sessions! Open Studio is perfect for folks who have taken Perennial classes and are looking for space to work on independent projects in the company of other creative + eco-minded folks. Since this is a self-led session, we require that you are trained on the tools you plan to use (please see the next question for more information). Open Studio now takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

What tool training do I need to attend Open Studio, and how do I get it?

To use the Woodshop at Open Studio, you must be trained on any power tools you hope to use by taking a project-based class that uses the tool(s) and/or by attending one or more of our Tools 101 classes. We offer Tools 101 classes every month in the following categories:

Tools 101: Table Saw – for training on the table saw + circular saw
Tools 101: Power Saws – for training on the band saw, miter/chop saw, and the jigsaw
Tools 101: Drills + Sander + Planer – for training on using the drill press and cordless drills, the belt/disc sander and palm sander, and the planer
Tools 101: Lathe – for training on the lathe
Tools 101: Router – for training on the router

You must register for and attend a Tools 101 class and/or attend a project-based woodworking class before attending an Open Studio Woodshop session. See all upcoming woodworking classes here.

*Hand tools are available for anyone to use, but previous training/experience is strongly recommended.

To use the Reuse Studio at Open Studio, you must be trained on any tools you hope to use by taking a Perennial class in that tool. Perennial offers classes every month to help train you in these areas:

Sewing Machine Basics – available as an online class at any time, or in-person bimonthly to train on using a sewing machine
Soldering – a variety of soldering classes are offered each month, and any will certify you to use our soldering irons, glass grinders, and cutting tools
Glass + tile cutting – any mosaics or soldering class will certify you to use these tools
Leather tools – any leather class will certify you to use these tools

*No training is required to use pots + burners, papermaking supplies, paper cutting/crafting tools, candlemaking supplies, and mosaic supplies, but Open Studio does not take the place of a class.

What tools are available for me to use during Open Studio?

The Woodshop is equipped with a table saw, chop saw, band saw, jig saw, drill press, power drills, belt sander, planer, lathe, router, air compressor with brad nailer, carving tools, and traditional hand woodworking tools.

The Reuse Studio is equipped with sewing machines and sewing/quilting tools, a serger, soldering irons, upholstery tools, leather working tools, mosaic supplies, blenders, dye pots, pans and bowls, hot plates, measuring spoons, cutting mats, tapestry looms, papermaking supplies, wine bottle cutters, spinning wheel, mark-making tools, and more!

Are the tools reserved just for me during Open Studio?

Perennial is a community space, and we value sharing tools and working together. While you will indicate the tools you plan to use when you register, you may be sharing those tools with other folks that are using the space at the same time. We consider this to be a strength of our program — folks working together and offering each other feedback + ideas!

Is my project a good fit for Open Studio?

It is required that you take a Perennial class before coming to Open Studio. If you want to learn a new tool, we’d love to teach you in class! Open Studio is designed for folks that know how to use tools, and want to use our space + tools to work on independent projects. Staff can assist with troubleshooting your project and they always love to brainstorm, but are not able to train you on tool usage during Open Studio time.

A good first-time project will look similar to the projects you can see in Perennial classes! A shelf, home decor, soldered pendant, sewn garment, etc are all possible! Something like building a full desk with dovetail joints is probably an unrealistic first project for Open Studio at Perennial. If you are more experienced, please speak with Open Studio staff to ensure that your ambitious project is still possible in our space!

How much time should I register for during Open Studio?

If this is your first time registering for Open Studio, we recommend registering for one session, and using part of your session to create a plan with the assistance of our staff. Projects will vary in length depending on your skill and the ambition of the project, so it is sometimes hard to predict! A paper project could be completed in one session, whereas a woodworking project will likely need multiple days. When choosing your session, give yourself enough time to set up, work on, and clean up your project.

What happened to Community Workshop?

If Open Studio sounds a lot like Community Workshop, you’re onto something! If you’ve attended Community Workshop in the past, you can expect the same experience during Open Studio. We’ve changed the name and scaled back the frequency based on feedback and demand, but we’ll still be here one Saturday each month for your creative reuse project needs!

Still have questions? Send us an email at classes@perennialstl.org and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.