I can't say enough good things about Foxtrot Fabrications. I've received two items from Foxtrot,…read moreand I love both. First, I had to get one of the famous butt vases. It's the perfect home for one of my propagations, and people always ask about it! I also got a larger planter with built in drainage and drainage plate. I love the features on this one. The fully functional drainage combined with the modern style makes it one of my very favorite planters. As an added bonus, Foxtrot's owner (Luke) is an absolute delight to talk to. He clearly loves what he does, and that comes through in his work. He even said he could design custom pieces. I'll definitely be on the look out for his new designs, and I may have him customize something, too!

I first heard about The Rivet last year because of their pottery studio, but I think the space…read moreoverall is relatively new (starting in ~2020). Being unfamiliar with makerspaces, I wasn't really sure what to expect but because I was so desperate to do pottery and my previous pottery studio was already maxed out on memberships, I decided to explore what they had and take the pottery clearance class. In case you're new to it like me, a makerspace is sort of a big workshop with tools and supplies for crafts and arts that might be too large scale or expensive for a home set-up. The Rivet has 8 pottery wheels, a laser cutter, a 3D printer, a jewelry studio, a woodworking area, soon will have textiles and sewing, and probably even more that I'm forgetting about! The way it works is you take a clearance class, which goes over some of the basics (very basic!) and how to use the space and clean up after yourself. I think most clearance classes are around $12. They do not go into teaching techniques for those (or at least not the pottery one). However... they do have lots of classes that DO go over techniques! They have wheel throwing pottery classes as well as some handbuilding, but they also have classes for their other stations. I'm taking a jewelry class next month that I'm pretty excited about. Their prices for everything seem very reasonable, course fees and material fees all seem about average for this sort of thing. Since my only experience so far is their pottery area, the access pass is $7 for a half day (4 hours) or $12 for a full day (8 hours). They also offer monthly memberships but those seem pricier and I'm not sure if my visits will make it worth it (at least for now). I really appreciate that the clay is priced based on what you fire, not what you take as wet clay. I'm still pretty new to wheel-throwing and am in dire need of practice, not necessarily making a lot to keep but practicing throwing so that eventually I can fire a lot. Wheel throwing is difficult and takes time so I'm appreciative that I don't have to pay for all my failures, hah! I think their price is $4/lb for things before they go in the kiln for the first time. A little more than some places but that includes glazes and two firings, so I think it ends up being pretty reasonable. The space has always been clean and the people who work and volunteer there are SO nice. This is really a great way to learn new skills and meet new makers in the community. I highly recommend checking it out!

From the owner: The Rivet offers skill-based classes where you can learn equipment such as how to use a 3D printer,…read moremiter saw, drill press, pottery wheel or embroidery machine. The Rivet also offers project-based classes where you can make your own laser cut map, naturally imprinted plates, stackable rings, and more. If you already have a hobby or skill, you can teach a class or use our equipment for your own projects. If you want to learn with your friends, you can schedule a class specially for your group.