Crafting opportunities can be difficult to come by in college. With limited supplies and money, many college students have to leave their crafting hobbies at home. Luckily, inside the Memorial Union is the Workspace: a crafting place for everyone. 

Each week, students can find new crafts to try. Drop-in crafts frequently change and don’t require an appointment. In the past, there have been paint-your-own vinyl records and make-your-own Halloween plushies. This week’s craft is paint-your-own ornament, which could be a perfect holiday gift. The Workspace also provides open clay, glass, jewelry and woodworking studios, miscellaneous crafting classes and pottery painting with a new theme every week, all for a low price for ISU students.

This week’s pottery theme is Give Back Week. If you bring in a non-perishable food item, you will get $5 off your pottery painting. Your donation will go to the SHOP. 

SHOP (Students Helping Our Peers) is a student-run food pantry on campus whose mission is to increase hunger awareness and serve the student population. A list of items that SHOP recommends donating can be found here. The cost of pottery painting in the Workspace is determined by the pottery you pick out to paint. So, pricing can be as high or low as you want.

The atmosphere in the Workspace is peaceful and stress-free. Oftentimes, there is a low murmur of conversation and music playing overhead. It’s a great environment to relax in and try something new after classes.

The Workspace is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. There is no need for an appointment; drop in whenever it is convenient. If patrons would rather take their painting to do at home, they can get a to-go kit for an additional $3.

You won’t want to miss the crafting opportunities available in the Workspace. Check out their calendar for a complete schedule of all crafts and classes.