Best Places To Create Your Own Holiday Gifts In Detroit

Finding just the right present for the people on your Christmas list can be difficult at times. Consider giving unique handmade items to your deserving recipients this year. These Detroit-area shops allow you to add a personal touch to your holiday gift-giving.

More than just a pottery painting place, The Bee's Knees also offers make-your-own mosaic, fused glass and silver clay projects. Classes on creating hand-sculpted clay items are also available. Projects at The Bee's Knees are suitable for all ages, ranging from handprint designs for young kids to intricately detailed items for teens and adults. Spend an hour on your own or arrange for a group gift-making session. The wide variety of starter pieces, paints and other materials allow for highly personalized gifts for every Christmas list.

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The Creative Arts Studio expands on the paint-your-own-pottery concept by adding glass fusing, mosaics, precious metal clay and beading projects. Classes in Raku, a Japanese clay firing technique, and wheel throwing are also offered. Young kids will love making waxed hand sculptures in bright rainbow colors. Girls can make coordinated beaded jewelry for all their friends and adults will find a variety of projects to meet almost any gift need. The Studio also offers special events and classes throughout the year, many focused on creating holiday items.

For a unique handmade Christmas gift, sign up for a class at the Glass Academy in Dearborn. Create unique beads in the "Torchwork/Beading" class and then use them to make or add to a necklace or bracelet for a special someone. Learn to work with and blow molten glass in the "Hot Glass Experience" and create a colorful paperweight or pulled flower to take home. For a less intense experience, the "Glassblowing for Fun" class covers the basics of working with glass, leading to a take-home swirled glass paperweight. Mini-workshops to create a paperweight, pulled flower or stamped glass coin are offered during the Academy's Coffee Nights, held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month.

A special program designed to inspire and motivate teens, H.Y.P.E. at the Detroit Public Library offers a range of programs that include a variety of handmade gift possibilities. The "DIY Crafting" program allows teens to create items from a variety of craft styles, such as knitting or paper crafts. Those interested in fashion and clothing can take the "Sewing/Wearables" workshop, while the "Arduino Robotics" allows teens to design and build their own robot. The "Graphic Design" program includes possible gifts such as vinyl stickers and decals or silk-screen prints. Teens will take pride in making gifts for their family and friends while exploring potential future educational and career options.

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For the person who has everything, a custom bottle of wine can be a unique gift. Visit Vine 2 Wine in Northville to create a batch of wine based on individual tastes and preferences. One batch makes 10 to 30 bottles, depending on the type of wine, which can be ideal for corporate or organizational gift-giving. Add custom labels for a personalized touch or to commemorate a special occasion. Gift certificates are also available to give to those who would enjoy the winemaking experience as much as, if not more than, the wine itself.