Making It Your Way in Flint & Genesee

The Do-It-Yourself ethos can often give things more meaning and leave a strong impression, not just on someone else, but on yourself as well. As is often said, it’s the journey, not the destination, and the journey to doing it yourself starts in Flint & Genesee.

For those looking to really get involved in making something, the first place to look should be Factory Two in Flint. This maker is where you can learn to blacksmith, make pet collars, create stained glass, learn design work, master screen printing, discover how to blade smith, and so much more. With classes for adults, and some even for young adults, this is a great place to try out something new and create something amazing.

Flint Handmade has become the go-to for hip crafting events and their Yarn Brigade meetups welcome all crafters to bi-monthly get togethers where you can craft, talk with other passionate folks, and maybe learn a new.

Maybe you have something more business oriented in mind. If so at the Mott FABLAB they offer space that can help support your business vision and provide access to equipment you may not be able to afford to access otherwise. To work with them you will need to take a tour of the space and a workshop, seminar, or class. But it will get you moving toward creating a prototype for your dream product.

At the Sloan Museum of Discovery, you will find an updated facility that has areas meant to stimulate the minds of kids in the hopes of inspiring them to learn and create. Sloan, along with Longway Planetarium, hosts occasional Make Space Saturdays that offer kids a chance to do projects that offer opportunities to create things using engineering and problem solving.

Perhaps you prefer the art of cooking. Well at Feast Gourmet Kitchen Shop in Fenton, there are several cooking classes you can take through their Feast Cooking School. Whether you are an experienced cook or just starting out, there are classes for you. From making croissants, to creating pizzas, or just learning the basics of how to properly use a knife and refine your palette. Whatever your cooking goals, you can start working toward them here.

If you’d rather work in the garden, there are options there too. Edible Flint offers not just advice on gardening but also offers workshops on different methods and techniques you can use. You can even get your own gardening kit from them if you sign up before they sell out each spring. For more gardening techniques you can check out their Educational Farm.

For the kids, the Genesee County 4-H offers Junior Master Gardener classes. In these classes kids will learn about soil, lawns, flowers, fruits and vegetables, and will develop the basic skills needed to become a Junior Master Gardener.

Lastly, if you are more of an artistic soul, you can find solace here as well. Flint Handmade also offers Coloring Parties to help you unwind with friends. If you prefer painting, then there are several businesses that let you paint – and often drink as well. Paints, Chalices & Hues, and Painting with a Twist among others let you schedule private events or take part in public events that offer guided painting in a laid-back atmosphere. The Clio Center for the Arts, Inc. and the Swartz Creek Area Guild and Gallery offer art classes you can take that will help you build your skills and confidence. The Flint Institute of Arts also offers many classes you can sign up for that will teach you everything from painting to drawing, photography to glassblowing, and much more. They even offer Studio Parties where you can book space for yourself and your friends to learn some new arts together.

The Flint Public Library often offers workshops for young people who want to learn how to write better or classes and space for anyone that might want to try their hand at podcasting.

Finally, if you are looking for something along the lines of woodworking you can head to Board & Brush in Grand Blanc for one of their DIY workshops.

Whatever your interest or passion, there is something here to help you pursue it, all in Flint & Genesee.