Outstanding art classes for children and adults. Bare Knuckle Arts offers a wide variety of…read morecreative opportunities. I have loved learning how to make a mosaic, watercolor, acrylics, box making, bracelet making, mixed media.... I even made a Peace pole and did silk scarf marbling. Amy is an inspiring and patient teacher. I can't speak highly enough of her professional teaching style. I have even learned some art history and discovered types of art that I never knew existed. I highly recommend Bare Knuckle Arts. She will even travel to your location and do art parties and lessons.

From the owner: Bare Knuckle Arts offers studio visual arts classes for people of all ages and experience. We offer…read moredrawing, painting, after-school art, home-school art, art birthday parties, weekend workshops, and a variety of adult evening classes. A great place to create, dream, imagine, make meaning as you or your child understand and frame the world.

Not something I would normally elect to do but my daughter gave us the groupon for two so why not?…read more I'm really glad we did this, I think you will too if you are thinking about it. Park in the Frances Street ramp and walk a short distance to the basement of the white house just before State Street Brats. No bathrooms but it's just an hour for the beginner class. Reservations were a bit funkie and it is a cramped head-shop with a workbench in the back. Nothing unexpected for down town Madison. The class was awesome, the instructor Adrian is the one that made it that way. Knowledgeable, informative, patient and engaging. Not only explained what he was doing but the why, including some of the physics & chemistry that go into glass blowing. It's not as easy as he made it look but you come away with something you made that you will likely keep forever including the experience you had doing it.

Bought a Groupon for a 1hr Glassblowing Class for 2, great deal especially since I got it with a…read more20% discount. Pros: -Adrian was a great instructor/coach, patient and highly knowledgeable. He was chill and safely guided us through the various techniques to properly use/apply the blow torch, thermal art theory, and glass properties. -Total active time including instruction and making glassware is about 1hr, then about 20-30min wait to collect your art. The glass needs to cool down gradually in a blanket to avoid thermal shock: good thing the class is located off of State Street, so wander off but don't forget to come back. -The class is in a small room in the back of a CBD store. Small workbench and 2 stools to sit on during demo with a spot in the corner to hang your coat. Plenty of space to work in. -During creation, you will be standing in front of the blow torch. I don't think you're allowed to sit, due to safety: proximity to the fire and gasses. -One stop shop for some people. Curious place for those new to functional glass art. -Small private class for 2, special request for bigger groups. Good idea for a date night, everyone walks away with something cool! -During introductions, Adrian showed us a tray of the things we could make (pendants, stir sticks, ornaments) to showcase beginner class techniques we would learn. Cons: -Location is a little bit hidden, the shop is in the basement of the white house looking establishment NEXT to State Street Brats on N. Frances St. watch for the small street sign next to the sidewalk. -The CBD Store has a lot of locked displays on the floor, so it can get pretty cramped in there. -Originally made our reservation online, the site said it was confirmed but I never got the email confirmation. I had to email them to verify the reservation (48hr response), by the time they replied my chosen time was booked by someone else so the shop gave me the next available time slot which, luckily, turned out to be a better option for us. But still, when you register online take a screen shot of the preliminary confirmation page before you exit the page, then double check your inbox for the confirmation email. There are penalties for cancelled reservations and no shows, read the MGA policies. -No restrooms in the shop. If you need it, go to State Street Brats: use the closest entrance from MGA, go through the door on the left, and the ladies' room will be immediately on the left.

Word has it that Torn Edge Arts' owner is affable, affordable and talented. Let me just say…read more.. that's the truth, and an asset to Monroe Street shopping. Sue Moberly's creative metal-smithing fashioned a pair of earrings from an old pair of mine.They are splendid! While visiting her studio, I enjoyed watching stained glass students at work. Now I plan to sign up soon for my own turn at making jewelry. Check out her website to see all that she has to offer. Bobbi Zehner

Word has it that the owner is affable, affordable and talented. Let me just say... that's the…read moretruth! Sue Moberly's creative metal-smithing fashioned a super pair of earrings from an old pair of mine! While visiting her studio, I watched stained glass students at work. Now I plan to sign up soon for my own turn at making jewelry. Check out her website to see all that she has to offer.

I'm surprised to be the first to review Wheelhouse! This is a wonderful perk of being a Union…read moremember and a student at UW Madison. In the basement floor of Memorial Union, there are 3 artist spaces that make up "wheelhouse studios" for people to use and make crafts. I've used the pottery studio and it is a great way to relax and make beautiful projects. You can buy and store clay, but then all the supplies and tools are FREE to use, including have projects fired in the kiln. Make sure you clean your spaces afterwards for the next artist, but go use Wheelhouse if you can!

Tried taking a photography class. Last week with bad weather (even clinics closed so shouldn't be…read moreon roads) wasn't able to get to class. Asked for the information so that I could catch up, 5 days later still waiting to hear anything. Found out today that I will be on jury duty for class two. Asked to be deferred to another class. Was told NO we are too far into the class. Really 1/3 of the class happened and really shouldn't have because of weather. So asked for the handout so I would get something for my money. Was told we don't have anything like that. Again, really nothing for me to make notes on during class. Nothing handed out. REALLY should be a refund. It doesn't sound like the class is very well organized.

Higher fire is a great studio in the Madison area. The people who work there are really friendly…read moreand customer service oriented. I started a class there this summer, but was unfortunately unable to finish it out due to outside circumstances. Linda was willing to work with me on the money I had paid for not being able to complete the course. I was really pleased with their responsiveness. The class itself was very informative. The teacher was attentive, and able to answer any questions. I think that others would enjoy taking these classes.

This is a great little art studio, gallery, and retail/gift shop on Regent St. They offer pottery…read moreclasses for adults and children - a unique idea to get out of the house in the winter and the lessons make a great gift for that person or kid that already has everything. Linda was extremely helpful and patient with our group lesson. She fired the pottery and we came back to glaze it before she fired it a second time. You can also buy a variety of gifts including from the adjacent jewelry and pottery studio or, better yet, make your own gift for someone special. It's a laid back atmosphere and they offer as much or little assistance as you prefer. Keep your eye out for the Gallery Nights they host complete with snacks and occasional live music. We bought 4 really cool hand made cups intended for Sake wine (but they're also ideal for espresso and baby food!) at the one we attended recently. Higher Fire is a place you've probably driven/walked past dozens of times but never stopped. Next time check it out and I bet you'll be glad you did! Plus it's always nice to support our local small businesses.

Really wonderful experience--great advice about a broken gold chain and high quality work on a…read morecustom replacement chain at a reasonable price. Would definitely go back with other pieces!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for my beautiful wedding band Hiroko created for me. I wish I could…read moretell her in person but I was not able to be there when my fiance picked it up. The band is gorgeous and exactly what we had in mind. It fits my existing engagement ring perfectly - even when other jewelers told us it would be impossible to have something made to fit it. The set better than we ever could have imagined and I am so excited that I get to wear something so beautiful! Thanks again!

Such an awesome spot!!! My friend and I went here for a cake candle workshop, and it was so fun…read more The instructor was so friendly and walked us through every step. They had a looot of toppings to choose from including some holiday ones! Super cute activity