Tired of the same-looking, typical souvenirs? Here are spots in and around Kuala Lumpur where you can make something special and personal to take home. (Left: Image by @dreammstudio_. Right: Image by @royalselangorvisitorcentre.)
When it comes to the most meaningful keepsakes, nothing compares to those handmade with love. If you are shopping for souvenirs or gifts in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley, you may want to consider making them instead. From clay miniatures to rugs, these places offer one-day workshops that let you try your hand at something new and leave with your handiwork. In addition to getting in touch with your creative side, they make for quality time with your besties, significant other, co-workers, or with the whole family.
The Clay Addict by Tina Chua Atelier
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, university lecturer Tina Chua rekindled her love for sculpting and found a creative outlet in polymer clay. Her irresistibly quirky miniature clay creations celebrate Malaysian identity, inspired mostly by food and her Sarawakian and Peranakan heritage. Chua eventually turned her passion into a side venture where she runs polymer clay workshops for beginners. Since Chua currently runs her workshops from her home, sessions are available by appointment only and slots are limited.
Pakanira
At this handmade ring boutique, you can make your own .925 sterling silver ring from scratch in just two hours. Their workshop is ideal for couples, friend groups, or even just yourself. Choose one of their ring designs and book your slot, then let a silversmith take you through the step-by-step process.
Address: 1034, Jalan Cempaka, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Happy Hour Club Cafe & Workshop
As Malaysia’s first-ever DIY experience workshop in a cafe, Happy Hour Club aims to promote the idea that taking time off to indulge in creativity is essential to our lives. The DIY experiences offered include teddy bear building, ceramic painting, and pottery painting, for both adults and kids. Instead of a structured classroom setting, guests are given free creative exploration while enjoying food and drinks. However, booking a session is required as spaces fill up fast. They even offer craft kits if you prefer to take the DIY experience home.
Address: 16-3, Jalan 27/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
The Fluid Box
The Fluid Box was established in 2020 as an art and events space, where you can experience fluid art for yourself. Fluid art is a unique form of painting that involves mixing acrylic paints and pouring them onto a surface to create one-of-a-kind abstract designs. If you’ve come across videos of fluid art on social media, it’s easy to be captivated by how therapeutic and aesthetically pleasing they are.
Address: GMBB KL, Level 2, Unit 32-33A, Jalan Robertson, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
School of Hard Knocks at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
An interactive space dedicated to all things pewter, the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre provides a glimpse into the pewter industry with exhibits and guided tours for visitors of all ages. Sign up for an hour-long guided workshop to make your very own pewter product from scratch using traditional pewter crafting tools. At the end of the workshop, you’ll get to bring home your masterpiece with a certificate of completion.
Address: 4, Jalan Usahawan 6, Setapak Jaya, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Dreamm Studio
Touted as the ‘place where creativity meets cuteness,’ Dreamm Studio (spelled with a double ‘m’) is like a candy store for individuals seeking relaxing, hands-on experiences at making things they enjoy. Creative hobby classes offered include scented candle-making, doll-making, perfume mixing, and glass art. They have ready-made products for sale too. Private sessions are available for group bookings if you want to enjoy the experience with your friends and family.
Address: Wisma PJ5 Soho, Jalan SS 5D/6, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tuftme
Tufting is a textile manufacturing process commonly used to make rugs, cushions, clothing, and wall art. To create a design, a ‘tufting gun’ is used to rapidly punch loops of yarn through a fabric on a frame, which is then secured with adhesive and trimmed to create a fluffy, textured surface.
Tuftme offers hands-on tufting classes with detailed guidance on operating a tufting gun, transferring a design onto the base cloth, and tufting techniques to produce your own bespoke rug. After finishing your personalised rug, leave it to them to do the finishing touches, which include trimming, shaving, and applying a final backing. So, do note that you will have to wait for two to three weeks after a workshop session to collect your finished piece.
In addition to rug making, Tuftme also offers neon light workshops where you can bend tubes into any shape you want to make a neon sign of your own.
Address: 40-1, Jalan SS 2/66, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
