Injecting fun & creativity into your life with DIY

Translated by Anna Yang

Do-it-yourself (DIY) activities are one of the latest trends for men and women wanting to escape their daily routines. Not surprisingly, a variety of local businesses are now providing all sorts of DIY classes to cater to this growing scene and teach all kinds of related skills, meaning that there's no better time to jump in and reinvigorate your life with some handmade fun and creativity.

Journal Handmade Dessert Place
(04) 2323-0235
603-1, ZhongMei St, West Dist
Hours: Mon-Sun (see Facebook page for the updated opening hours) / closed Wed.

The desserts in this bakery shop don't have any fancy decorations, as the focus is on simply providing great flavors. A comfortable sofa here allows you to sit and relax with a cup of tea and light meal or dessert during brunch hours. For those who want to learn more about baking, the shop also offers baking lessons in a spacious classroom. Students get to spend time with an experienced teacher who studied at the Le Cordon Bleu of Tokyo Campus, learning how to make a just about any dessert they want. Lessons include classic western-style cookies, painted cookies, Frasier fruit puffs, and brownies. Each session is 2-3 hours long and costs NT$400 per person. Subjects vary on a monthly basis, although groups of four or more students can arrange customized classes. Group bookings for bakery lessons are welcome! --By Maggie Chang

Trivium Botanics
0927-567-725
33, XiangShang S Rd, Sec 1, West Dist
Lesson hours: See Facebook page (length 2-3 hours)
Mon-Sun 10 am-6 pm (see Facebook page for unexpected off days)

This shop, filled with flower bouquets and green plants, is near the Xiangshang traditional market. The owner, who studied architecture and urban planning, has applied his previous working experience to creative planting and his business ideology is based on plants, floral design supplies and life. Lessons with her cover various subjects, teaching skills like making your very own bouquet with fresh or dried flowers. During the lesson, you also get to apply and arrange floral design supplies and learn flower arranging skills. In addition, lessons are offered regarding growing indoor plants and handmade seasonal wreaths with dried and plastic flower materials. The combination of rare moldable concrete pots and lush plants found here results in a unique style. --By Maggie Chang

Land of Goshen: The Leather Expert
(04) 2372-9026
34, Lane 125, WuQuan 7th St, West Dist
Hours: Wed-Fri 7-10 pm; Sat/Sun 2-10 pm

Students here make their very own creative leather-art items in a bright and spacious classroom, learning about DIY leather working in a simple way and ending their lessons with their own special handmade wallet or purse (extra charge for materials). Products covered during classes include stitched leather works, business card holders, journal covers, wallets and backpacks. In addition, leather painting and leather working techniques like hot iron and batik are taught. Each month features different topics taught by professional instructors. A spacious classroom and leather design tools for rent are available. --By Maggie Chang

　　
Medium: A wide choice of leather working subjects are taught.
Right: Painting and carving leather increases its aesthetic appeal.

Crescent Phoenix Hospitality Catering School
60, WuQuan 7th St, West Dist
(04) 2376-9755

Grand Crescent Phoenix Hospitality Group's recently-opened catering school has gathered eastern and western cuisine chefs to share cooking experiences with students. Those interested in expanding their cooking skills are welcomed to learn from them, with 6-8 lessons offered per month at a cost of NT$1,500 per lesson. Content includes the chef-made creation of three eastern and western dishes in each class. Ingredients are provided by the school and students get to try the food as part of the lesson. Classes are held with at least four participants and everyone also gets to choose their favorite dishes to prepare. The curriculum ranges from distinguishing ingredients to cooking methods, including heat control, proper oil amounts, cooking times and other aspects. This, combined with the chance to observe a professional in action and freely ask questions, promises to help you on your way to greater expertise in the kitchen. --By Niang Chen

Porcelain ceramic painting

Porcelain ceramic painting is a recent trendy art that beautifully decorates porcelain vases, cups and plates while enhancing the aesthetics of one's life. Teacher Jane Teng, from New Zealand, who also has served as vice president of the Auckland Porcelain Art Association, notes, "Porcelain art in Taiwan is not as popular as it is in western countries." Exquisite painted chinaware depicting the beautiful images of flowers and birds results from painting on top of glazed porcelain, which is baked 3-5 times in a kiln. The teacher provides learning materials and starts with the basics, with one-on-one instruction also available for individual students (call Teng at 0988-676-399). These lessons are also offered via National Taichung University of Education's Division of Continuing Education (6, XiangShang Rd, Sec 1, West Dist; tel. 04-2218-3258). --By Uvia Chang

　
Left: An artist famed for "eggshell porcelain", Ho Tien Yo learning painting porcelain with Teng.
Right: Instructor Jane Teng

Jo Angus Jewelry School
(04) 2202-8811
392-1, TaiYuan Rd, Sec 1, North Dist
9 am-6 pm

Jewelry and fashion accessories are a female favorite, with self-designed pieces of jewelry being even more satisfying. Besides selling jewelry accessories, this school also teaches DIY jewelry-making lessons. The two types of lessons--professional and basic levels--are held daily. If you are interested in DIY silver accessories, material fees start at NT$1,000 with a selection of design possibilities. Basic classes begin with a piece of silver lettering and include a three-hour silver ring-making lesson while dressed in a special working coat for use in the second-floor studio. The teacher's instruction covers professional tools and methods in order to create delicate rings. This professional guidance allows even those who have never studied jewelry arts to produce their own beautiful treasures. In addition, other available classes cover jewelry designing, appraisal, 3D designs, bezel settings, and metal work--all professional-level knowledge that can become part of a regular lifetime hobby. --By Uvia Chang