A child shows early signs of creativity by artfully spilling ice cream and denying that a pacifier is a pacifier. Cultivate creativity from a young age with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of DIY craft projects at Little Shop of Crafts, redeemable at the Upper West Side and Upper East Side locations.
Little Shop of Crafts occupies hands and kindles artistic spirits with a wealth of do-it-yourself pottery and plaster painting as well as mosaic projects supplemented by a multitude of paints and supplies. Crafters choose from more than 700 pieces of pristine paintables and 40 paints, gleaning helpful instruction from staff members about tools, layering methods, and fooling archeologists. Studio time is free, so budding artists may stay for any length of time needed to complete their projects without incurring an extra cost. Ceramic bisque ($19.95+) comes in the form of mugs, cereal bowls, and cookie jars, each professionally finished in a food-safe glaze and kiln fired free of charge. Hundreds of plaster figurines ($15.95+) await adornment by talented hands, after which staff members cover each flame-flanked racecar or NFL-themed unicorn in a long-lasting sealant. Alternatively, mosaic kits ($21.95+) swathe picture frames and other keepsakes in a kaleidoscope of colorful tiles, and customizable teddy bears and T-shirts show off the softer side of artistry. Groupon holders also receive 10% off private parties, and more mature imagineers can stimulate creativity with complimentary wine Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evenings, depending on location.
Little Shop of Crafts
Little Shop of Crafts may have "little" in its name, but the creative opportunities that the DIY art center offers are anything but. Bisque pottery pieces, such as mugs, sushi plates, and candle holders, await custom paints and glazes. Mermaids, planes, and other plastercraft figurines receive customized coats in a a variety of hues. The shop also stockpiles a massive collection of glass tiles that can be transformed into stunning mosaics in the form a flower or surrounding a picture frame. Fine arts classes for youngsters teach fundamentals such as composition and shading, and adult functions corral grownups together for team-building exercises or bridal showers that take a break from the usual throwing-the-bride-in-the-shower routine.