Great Escapes: Get Crafty With Your Girlfriends

A shared craft project can be the perfect excuse to bring a group of friends together and blow off steam with a little conversation and creativity.

Say, for example, that you and your girlfriends love to sit around and gab about diamond rings and strands of pearls. Have you ever thought about making your own baubles? At family-owned  in Berkley, you can. The shop offers supplies for a variety of crafts, including beads and crystals, as well as classes such as jewelry design.

Or, you and your circle of friends can form your own quilting bee. Just swing by  in Berkley to pick up the fabrics, patterns and other supplies you'll need. What's that? You have no idea how to quilt and find it challenging to sew on a button? No problem. Guildcrafters has you covered, with classes for beginners to more experienced quilters.

If you are looking for an escape from life, a good craft project can be the perfect way to relax. In Royal Oak, the Creative Arts Studio, 114 W. Fourth St., is the perfect place. From wheel throwing to painting to beading, the available projects are endless. The studio accepts walk-ins or attend a class with friends. You can even rent out a room for a private party with your girlfriends.

Also in Royal Oak, check out on the lower level of the the Old Church Building. This artisan yarn and hand-spinning store offers a wide array of specialty yarns, tools and accessories for knitters and crocheters of all levels. It is beautifully decorated with rustic warmth to suit the unique spirit of the store. Bring a friend and join the mother and daughter owners and other knitters from 6- 9 p.m. the last Friday of each month for Charity Knitting. 

Scrapbooks are a perfect way to save your memories with creativity and Clawson's I Luv Scrapbooking, 420 S. Main St., is stocked full of colorful paper, embellishments, crafty stickers, die cuts, stamps, funky scissors and more. The store offers an array of classes for scrapbookers including holiday card-making and cricut classes. The fee for each class is $15. If you're looking to mix and mingle with other scrapbookers, I Luv Scrapbooking also hosts crops where people bring their own supplies and a dish to pass.