If you are crafty…and you crafty people know who you are…Salem Oregon has activities to keep you occupied depending on what you want to do.
7. Quilted Forest. When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I “decided” I wanted to make him his baby quilt…well that is until I realized that I can’t sew worth beans. Seriously, the pioneer women that traveled to Oregon would be shaking their heads at my crooked stitches and be muttering about how I would never get married with sewing skills like that…For those of you that can sew quilts, Greenbaum’s Quilted Forest is where you want to be. I just walk into that store and drool over the beautiful quilts that have been made and have added taking a quilting class to my “things to do before I leave this planet list.” The folks over there are really friendly and it’s a great local resource for our local quilters.
I don’t know if you all consider this an art, but I do. For those of you that want to try something different, consider joining this group. They display their work at several shows and even if you have never done calligraphy you are welcome to come to their group. It is meant for beginners through experienced folks. Their art work is varied and beautiful. They have some samples on the website.
5. Scrapbook Fever. I do like to scrapbook and this is one of the places in town I like to go to for things. They tend to have trendier scrapbook items, and you scrapbookers know what I am talking about. They have several classes and often have kids classes as well. It’s a great way to meet fellow scrapbook lovers, especially for those of you that are just relocating to Salem Oregon from other areas.
4. Craft Warehouse. Pretty much if you need something for a craft they have it here. Shadow boxes, frames, candles, beads… The Salem stamp club meets the second Tuesday of the month and the Salem Scrap Club meets the last Monday of the month. The crafts these folks come up with are just beautiful. This is my go to place for a good chunk of my crafting needs.
3. Beads a Bazillion. If you want to make jewelry and aren’t sure how, or just want to go and learn something new, this is the place in Salem Oregon. They have classes, even ones for kids, about everything related to making your own jewelry.
2. Stampin’ Cat Studio Like scrapbooking (is that a verb or can I just make it up?) , stamping is an addiction with some of you. If you are addicted to stamping then this is the place for you. Some of the creations in there are really incredible and if you lack inspiration just head to their website or walk in the store. They have regular classes, even for beginners.
1. Willamette Art Center– Family Clay Sunday was gone for a bit, but has returned due to some grant funding. If you are a pottery making, glass blowing kind of person, this is the group for you. They offer classes and this is a great thing for local artsy folks.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means of what Salem Oregon has to offer on the arts/crafts front, but if I gave you more then my cool title won’t rhyme anymore. You think I jest, but cool titles are everything in blogging. Seriously ;-D
Salemites, if you have a favorite place you like to do arts or crafts add it in the comments so people that are considering relocating to Salem Oregon can see what we have to offer.
You can also read my top list about top things for kids in Salem Oregon.
Love it Melina! – I thought I was a crafty person, yet there were several businesses I hadn’t heard of. I’d also have to add JoAnn’s Fabrics on my list of places to go to when I’m crafting. I know its not locally owned, but its a resource I use all the time when trying to find craft things in Salem! (and cheap home decorating items too!)
Yes Margaret you are a crafty lady. Have you been to the new Michael’s in Keizer Station? That’s nice too. It is much improved over their old space on Lancaster.
Art Department has some really amazing handmade papers in the back and nice supplies up front.
I have been by the Art Department many times and I think it’s the go to place for serious artists, right?
I AM that crafty person you were talking about, but I learned a couple of new places from you too – love those locally owned options! I would add one – Bead Trunk downtown (www.beadtrunk.com). They have an amazing selection and the monthly project tutorials on their website are fun.
Since I live 1/2 mile from Michaels, that’s usually my go-to, but I never overlook the great (and CHEAP) craft section at Wallymart. Also, I can never resist stopping at PaperZone on NE Commercial when I pass by. They have lots of handmade papers and loads of really cool tools and kits.
Thanks for the great post!
The bead trunk is in Keizer I think, for relocating folks. The new Michael’s at Keizer Station is really nice so I can see why you go there a lot.
I don’t know why, but I totally see you being that crafty person.
Yeah, good for serious artists, but they have some fun stuff too, like little kits for kids. We use papers from them a lot, for origami bouquets, book covers, etc.
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