Stories

Stylish Party Ideas for a Sophisticated Hens Night

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By ClassBento Team

Plan a hens night that will go down in the history books with our range of classy hens party ideas across Australia!

Simple Self-Care Ideas to Support Your Mum's Wellbeing

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By ClassBento Team

Know a Mum who could do with some spoiling this Mother's Day? Our Mother's Day gift ideas are perfect for those Mums who need some pampering!

Best Self Isolation Activities to Try This Month

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By Sam Bowden

6 Week lockdown in Melbourne doesn't have to be all Netflix and tedium! Here are a few helpful self isolation activities to avoid the boredom.

Gift Ideas for All the Men in Your Life

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By Grace Smith

Find experience gifts for him in Sydney and treat every man in your life to more of his passions and interests. Make memories and celebrate him.

Discover Australia's Top Painting Classes for Adults

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By ClassBento Team

Unwind as you learn painting and dive into a world of colour at some of our best painting classes in Australia.

Make Her Smile with These Meaningful Gifts for Mum

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By ClassBento Team

This Mother's Day, put a smile on your mum's face with a special and unique gift experience. See our selection of Mothers Day gift ideas to getThis Mother's Day, put a smile on your mum's face with a special and unique gift experience. See our selection of Mothers Day gift ideas to get started. ...

Unwind with Your Workmates at Paint and Sip

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By ClassBento Team

Invest in the wellness of your workplace and get your colleagues bonding and connecting with each other at paint and sip classes in Australia.

Make Your Own DIY Garden Bouquet

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By Kellie Maloney

Surprise your special someone with a heartfelt bouquet using flowers from your very own backyard!

Top 7 Hens Party Ideas for Eco-conscious Brides (2025)

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By Kellie Maloney

Opt for eco-friendly hens party ideas! Share laughter and joy with your leading ladies while being kind to the planet.

Experience Gift Cards in Australia Foodies Will Love

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By Katie Milton

Treat the foodies in your life with unforgettable experience gift cards in Australia that will let them go behind the scenes and learn from culinaryTreat the foodies in your life with unforgettable experience gift cards in Australia that will let them go behind the scenes and learn from culinary pros. ...

Learn to Make Ceramics at Your Local Pottery Studio

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By ClassBento Team

Get your hands dirty and discover how to transform clay into works of art with pottery classes in Australia.

Tune Into Something New

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By Charlotte McKewen

Switch up your routine and engage in sensory experiences that will inspire and invigorate you.

9 Presents Your Sister Will Love No Matter Her Niche

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By ClassBento Team

Surprise your sister with these thoughtful gifts for her! Dive into a world of creativity with arts, crafts and cooking classes, tailored to everySurprise your sister with these thoughtful gifts for her! Dive into a world of creativity with arts, crafts and cooking classes, tailored to every unique taste. ...

Nourish, Spoil and Support Her with These New Mum Gifts

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By ClassBento Team

Want to spoil the new Mum in your life? From Melbourne to Perth, our relaxing classes make the best new Mum gifts for those who need some nourishment.

9 Heartfelt Gifts for Your Stepdad in Australia

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By Annie Symmonds

Soak up quality time with your stepdad and get creative together with these gifts for Dad in Australia, from terrarium making to BBQ cooking classes.

Gift Experiences for Your Creative Man

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By Sarah Hinds-Friedl

Inspire the creative man in your life and take him to our gift experiences for him in Sydney that will have him crafting, painting or cooking inInspire the creative man in your life and take him to our gift experiences for him in Sydney that will have him crafting, painting or cooking in no time! ...

Top Ten Experience Gifts for Him

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By John Tabari

Make this the best Christmas ever and surprise the men in your life with the best gifts for him in Sydney, from wine tasting experiences to potteryMake this the best Christmas ever and surprise the men in your life with the best gifts for him in Sydney, from wine tasting experiences to pottery workshops. ...

Dragon Boat Racing Origins

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By ClassBento Team

Imagine the perfect morning on the bank of a tranquil river. The water is slow-moving and glassy. The only sounds are birds chirping and a gentleImagine the perfect morning on the bank of a tranquil river. The water is slow-moving and glassy. The only sounds are birds chirping and a gentle breeze whispering through the grass. You are relaxed.   Now, imagine you begin to hear some distant sounds of movement coming from up river. Maybe you hear splashing, maybe faint yelling, as if a group of people is chanting. You can hear them only shortly before their figures start to become visible in the distance.   Before you can believe it, they are upon your stretch of tranquility. The first thing you notice in detail is the giant carved head of a dragon, painted in vibrant colors, its lips peeled back in an intimidating smile. Sitting directly behind the beast’s white horns, a man straddling a giant drum is facing a crew of what looks like two dozen rowers sitting side by side in the narrow hull of the boat. Each is paddling in time with the drum, each blade slicing into the water at exactly the same time. You cannot believe how quickly and technical their movements are. At the back of the boat sits a woman, shouting orders and counting along with the drum. Directly behind her, the graceful tail of the dragon sweeps up out of the water, leaving a sizable wake behind the boat.   Then, they are gone. In just a few seconds, the boat traversed a space you would previously have thought impossible. The water is still churning behind their frenzied motion.   In the sudden silence, your heart is beating. Your adrenaline is pumping. You don’t want your tranquil setting back; you want to get onboard. The best place to start is to join a dragon boat racing introductory class. Luckily, Naga Spirit Dragon boating in Pyrmont, Sydney offers a beginner’s course that is the perfect way to ease into the complex sport. Before you begin, you may want to review the historical context of dragon boat racing, so that you can impress your new teammates and gain an appreciation for the sport.   Let’s start with the most important aspect of dragon boat racing, the boat. According to Chinese tradition (1), the ornate design of the boat is very specific: an ox-like head, deer’s antlers, a stallion’s mane, reptilian scales, and the tail of a fish. The paddles in between are reminiscent of the animal’s many claws, moving in time while the dragon flies through clouds.   The boats are thought to have ancient religious origins, with some believing their role to be appeasement of the rain god. The Dragon Boat Festival, recorded over 2,000 years ago, boasts of several origin stories, varying by region. A popular one (2) tells the story of Qu Yuan, a beloved advisor to the king turned exiled poet whose suicide by drowning in the river sparked widespread grief. In looking for the deceased hero, his followers rowed into the river and threw rice into the water to distract the fish.   Subsequently, the festival has become a large cultural tradition, and people from all over the world have adopted the invigorating sport.   In accordance with racing rules, there is always a drummer (sitting at the front) and a steer (at the rear.) Traditional festivals can boast of crews of up to 50 rowers, but standard rules allow for 18 to 20 in the large boats, and 8 to 10 in the smaller versions.   So, now that you’re equipped with a foundational knowledge of the sport’s cultural roots, what does an introductory class look like?   Well, you’ll probably spend a lot of a time on land. As a technical sport with some risks, there are a few things to learn before getting into the water, like safety procedures, basic paddle technique, and how to get in and out of the boat (it may sound silly, but that is one squirrely vessel when you’re stepping onto it from dry land.) This class is also good time to go over the rhythm and timing that are so crucial to a cohesive crew.   Speaking of the crew, the initial class, while informative, is a great opportunity for the crew to start bonding. As an inherently social sport, the integration of individual members into a team is an incredibly important element to successful dragon boat racing. In other words, don’t be shy! Get to know your team!   Each subsequent class will incorporate more water time, but be prepared to start most sessions with dry land training. After all, dragon boat racing is an athletically demanding sport, so be prepared to put in that physical training!   During your first few sessions, you will probably experience some of the obvious joys of dragon boat racing. The teamwork. The beautiful setting. The sense of accomplishment that comes from hard work.   Yet, there are a few hidden benefits to dragon boat racing that you may not even realize. For instance, did you know that dragon boat racing can positively affect your mental state and have long-term effects on your physical health?   It’s true: dragon boat racing is shown (3) to decrease stress levels, improve self-esteem and increase energy levels while creating an overall sense of accomplishment and confidence in rowers of all ages. Many agree (4) that that teamwork can have a positive effect on mental health, as well.   Without a doubt, the physical advantages of dragon boat racing are also well worth the effort. Rowing requires the toning of several muscle groups in the body: neck, shoulders, back, chest, abdominals, obliques, hips, and thighs, to name a few. Within a few weeks of intense training, you’ll start to notice the results (try not to break too many fragile objects with your new strength in the process.)   Your practices will increase your overall cardiovascular health as well as heighten your coordination as a result of working so closely with your fellow rowers. Of course, we all know the vast benefits of being physically fit, from reduced risk of heart disease to improved stamina.   So, if you’re looking for adventure, community, and fun, dragon boat racing might just be the sport for you. Look into classes in your area to get training today!   References:   1.idbf.org 2.chinahighlights.com 3.dragonboatco.com 4.journals.lww.com ...

You'll Love Learning to Draw at These Easy Art Classes

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By ClassBento Team

Rediscover the joy of drawing or experience it for the first time at art classes in Australia. See your vision come to life as your art skills iRediscover the joy of drawing or experience it for the first time at art classes in Australia. See your vision come to life as your art skills improve. ...

Aged Health Benefits and Recreational Classes

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By Sarah Hinds-Friedl

The weekend before my great-grandmother passed away at 98-years-old, she took me outside to plant sunflowers. Her daughter and granddaughter putThe weekend before my great-grandmother passed away at 98-years-old, she took me outside to plant sunflowers. Her daughter and granddaughter put up a fuss, claiming that it was too hot outside, and that she should rest instead.   She just waved a hand and motioned for me to help her stand up.    “I’m going to teach my great-granddaughter how to garden,” she said.   I think we were all a little bit surprised. In her old age, Nora wasn’t usually so lucid.   It was hot that day (the sunflowers wouldn’t survive the sweltering heat waves of the next few months,) but my great-grandmother didn’t seem to mind. Under her sun visor, she was all smiles.   As she walked me through the steps of preparing the flowerbed and spreading the seeds in the fresh soil, my great-grandmother was radiating joy. Of course, she was always excited to spend time with family, but this was something different.   This energy and warmth had something to do with gardening.   In the years since her passing, I’ve always been incredibly grateful for the chance to share that afternoon with her. I was able to see first-hand how a simple task, like caring for a garden, could have such a powerful impact on a woman who had lived for a century. The fact that something as small as planting a seed could still put such a radiant smile on her face astounded me and pushed me to find more information on the power of leisure activities on the elderly. As it turns out, the benefits of leisure activities for everyone are vast, but they can have a particularly powerful effect on the mental health of middle-aged and advanced-aged citizens.   Why should we focus on older individuals?   As middle age passes into advanced years, our senior citizens have a difficult transition. The things they took for granted in youth, such as mobility and memory, have become less accessible in older age. Even the most joyful and lighthearted of people have to admit that this loss of function can be frustrating, scary, and depressing. The awareness of this slowing down can be especially accentuated in retired individuals, who can no longer focus on a career or feel a sense of fulfillment in their jobs.   Luckily, there are ways to ease the transition. Researchers across the world have been searching for solutions to the problems associated exclusively with the experience of aging, and what they found was something that community centers and elderly facilities have been saying all along: creative hobbies are good for our mental state and physical health.   Multi-cultural methods: what are they doing in Japan?   A 2015 study (1) from the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan sought to put previous claims of the effectiveness of certain leisure activities to the test. Though they disproved earlier beliefs that participating in social activities could improve mental health in middle-aged and elderly individuals, they did find some overall uplifting benefits to other leisure activities.   Their findings found, for instance, that hobbies, cultural activities, physical exercise, and sports all improved the mental health of elderly Japanese citizens. The effect was compounded when such activities were shared with a companion or group.   What about Australians?   A similar study (2) was conducted by three scholars in 2013 exploring the effect of hobbies on the mental health of elderly women living in Australia. Their impetus for conducting the study was a body of precedent publications that, although dealing with the benefits of creative activities on mental wellbeing, had largely excluded the effects of such hobbies on the older generation.   Their definition of creative hobby was expansive: everything from needlework to photography to china painting was included in study.   And their findings were incredible:   Women involved in such activities were more likely to be socially engaged and showed a lower tendency toward “osteoarthritis, stroke, depression or anxiety/nervous disorder compared with women not involved in those hobbies” (2, page 7). These women were also more likely to be in physically good shape in terms of functionality and enjoy an overall higher quality of life.   The reasoning for these benefits is still somewhat unclear. Experts believe that these types of hobbies probably improve mental health by lowering stress, sparking cognitive activity, and producing feelings of fulfillment and pride in participants.    How can we use this information?   We can all agree that investing our elderly population is a valuable use of effort and resources. After all, they are our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They are future versions of ourselves, as we navigate our own aging process. We certainly wouldn’t be here without them.   And in this vulnerable time in their lives, we should put this scientific knowledge to good use. There are lots of possible workshops that retirees and try out or even start themselves such as paint-and-sip classes, stand up paddle boarding, water aerobics, yarn bombing (the rebellious act of covering public spaces with crocheted or knitted works of art). These are just a few examples of the plethora of wacky, fun, unique hobbies out there.   This is one of the reasons why ClassBento was started, to make it easier for retirees to try out new hobbies and also allow them to teach their passions and get paid, giving them purpose back in their lives.   Our elders deserve it   Based on my personal experience with my great-grandmother, I cannot understate the effect of leisure activities on elderly individuals. Seeing the smile light up her face when her advanced years had caused her so much strain and exhaustion was truly a gift that I would encourage every young person to be a part of.   So get the older people in your lives involved in a creative pursuit. It will benefit you both!       (1) journals.plos.org (2) tandfonline.com   ...

5 Reasons Wine and Paint Workshops Are Trending

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By ClassBento Team

Find out why wine and paint workshops in Australia are having a moment right now and discover five reasons why you too should embrace the trend inFind out why wine and paint workshops in Australia are having a moment right now and discover five reasons why you too should embrace the trend in 2025. ...

Fingerlicking Foodie Gifts for Ladies Who Love to Lunch

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By ClassBento Team

From cake decorating classes to food and drink tastings, discover the top creative gifts for foodies to add to the top of their present list in 2025.

Why Arts and Crafts for Kids Build Self Confidence

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By Sam Bowden

Arts and craft classes for kids in Melbourne are a wonderful way to help build your child's self esteem and confidence. Here's why.

A Guide to Making Your Own Pottery

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By John Tabari

Delve into the origins of pottery and learn how to begin your DIY ceramics journey at pottery classes in Sydney!

Holiday Favourites: Jane Gauger, Content Writer

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By ClassBento Team

Get to know the faces behind ClassBento and discover which workshops have made it to their top of their Christmas wish list!

Holiday Favourites: Pressy Sankaran, General Manager USA

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By ClassBento Team

Get to know the faces behind ClassBento and discover which workshops have made it to their top of their Christmas wish list!

13 Personalised Gifts for Mums Who Live Far Away

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By ClassBento Team

Looking for personalised gifts for Mum? These handpicked gift experiences are the perfect way to show you care, no matter how far apart you are.

Sustainable Stocking Filler Alternatives

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By Tiffany Fung

Looking for something a little less wasteful to stuff in your stockings this Christmas day? Read on for our guide to the best experience gifts inLooking for something a little less wasteful to stuff in your stockings this Christmas day? Read on for our guide to the best experience gifts in Australia. ...

How to Find Happy Birthday Flowers They'll Love

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By Annie Symmonds

Instead of sending Happy Birthday flowers this year, hit up our handy guide and discover the best birthday gifts ideas.

Best Crafts for Kids to Improve Their Focus

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By Sam Bowden

Searching for kids activities in Melbourne that can help improve their concentration and focus? Here's a good place to start.

Best Eco Friendly Candle Making Kits

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By Sam Bowden

As we all become more aware of the ethics behind the way we consume, candle making kits have a few question marks over it. Here's some essentialAs we all become more aware of the ethics behind the way we consume, candle making kits have a few question marks over it. Here's some essential info to help you choose. ...

Best Embroidery Kits for Beginners 2025

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By Sam Bowden

ClassBento has assembled the MVP's of embroidery kits for beginners for you to sink your teeth into at home, in 2020!

Why You Need to Cook with Your Kids Every Single Day

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By Natalie Kemp

Get your child feeling confident in the kitchen with these cooking classes in Melbourne, from hands-on pizza making to washing and cutting vegetGet your child feeling confident in the kitchen with these cooking classes in Melbourne, from hands-on pizza making to washing and cutting vegetables. ...

Top 5 Baking Classes for the Weekend

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By John Tabari

Many pastries may have originated, or gained fame in France, but they’re enjoyed around the world. There are many reasons to take a pastryMany pastries may have originated, or gained fame in France, but they’re enjoyed around the world. There are many reasons to take a pastry class; to enjoy your favourite treats at home, to entertain friends or simply hone your baking skills. Check out these five classes that will teach you how to make your favourite patisseries.   1. Macaron Making   You may think that you wouldn’t need to attend a class to make macarons, but they are notoriously difficult to get right. At a macaron class, you will learn the ‘macaronage’ technique. This involves folding the mixture that will make your macaron biscuits. Most bakers agree that getting the correct consistency at this stage will determine whether your macarons turn out well. A good macaron class should put emphasis on this step. You will also learn the piping technique, which is used to produce the biscuit shape and administer the filling.   Some macaron classes stick to the French method and advertise as ‘French’ or ‘Parisian’ macarons. Other classes get a little more experimental and you may use different ingredients or make different shapes. In any case, you will get to take your creations home in the form of a box of delicious treats.     2. Croissants   As with the macaron, it may not seem difficult to make croissants but you should take a class if you want to make the best croissants. Freshly made pastries beat packaged ones any day, so add them to your repertoire with this course. You’ll learn about the secret ingredient, about yeast and proofing. Once you’ve made the dough, you learn how to roll and fold it to keep the classic crescent moon shape. If the teacher is prepared to get experimental, they may teach you how to make an almond or chocolate-filled croissant.   Since proofing takes around 2 hours, you may not get to eat your croissants on the day, but you will be able to take your dough home to cook later. Plus, you're likely to get freshly-prepared croissants during the class, just to give you an idea of what you’re aiming for.   These classes are not as common as macaron courses and as such will set you back a little more.    3. Choux Pastries   Another classic French staple is the choux pastry. Choux pastry forms the base of many favourite desserts such as eclairs, profiteroles, chouquettes and gougères. The defining characteristic of choux pastry is that it looks like it’s going to be dense, but when you bite into it, it’s light and thin. It takes a special technique to get pastry this way, which involves using steam instead of a raising agent. You’ll learn how to do this at one of these classes. Since choux pastry is easier to make than it seems, some classes will involve trying your hand at both sweet and savoury pastries. A choux pastry class costs similar to a macaron classes and they take less time to make than croissants.   4. Danish Pastries & Pain au Chocolat   You will find these desserts offered with croissants as well or as part of a general pastry-baking class. As these sweets are made from puff pastry, they are often covered together. While croissants are also puff pastry based, they use yeast and milk in the dough to create a different effect.     In a puff pastry class, you will learn how to make the pastry, how to proof and then cook it. Proofing can be a delicate process and the baker must ensure that the pastry is proofed at the correct temperature. This class will also arm you with the necessary cutting and folding techniques for the dough. Plus, for Danish pastries, you will learn about the different types of filling.   Since these classes usually encompass several different type of pastry, the cost is usually a little higher at $200. They’re less likely to be offered as experience classes, so you will be enrolling in a baking school; hence the higher cost.   5. Cinnamon Bun   Moving away from France to this North American favourite, you can take a class to learn how to bake the perfect cinnamon bun. You will learn how to make the dough base, the delicious frosting and the sumptuous filling. The class will teach you about the best ingredients and baking method to make cinnamon buns. Not to mention the extra skills you need to produce bakery-standard buns, in the perfect shape. ...

How to Nail Your 10 Year Anniversary Gift

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By ClassBento Team

From mosaic making to wine and cheese tasting, these experience gifts for couples will help you reconnect with your lover, right in time for yourFrom mosaic making to wine and cheese tasting, these experience gifts for couples will help you reconnect with your lover, right in time for your anniversary. ...

Personalised Presents for Couples Who Have Everything

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By ClassBento Team

Think outside the box with these presents for couples who have everything and get them involved in cooking, glassblowing, latte art and more!

Relaxing Ways to Spend Special Time with Grandma

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By Jana Lepojevic

From sewing to soap making, these crafty things to do with your Grandma are the perfect way to spend time together this Christmas.

Why DIY Soy Candle Making Kits Will Transform Your Home

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By Sam Bowden

Needing a bit of a change around the house? Soy candle making kits can help transform the vibe of your living space.

Express Your Gratitude with These Thoughtful Gifts for Her

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By ClassBento Team

From cooking workshops to floristry classes, show the special lady in your life just how much you care with these thoughtful gifts for her!

Unconventional Gifts for Friends Who Have Everything

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By ClassBento Team

Give your loved ones DIY presents they'll remember with these unique experience gift ideas in Australia, guaranteed to bring a smile to their faGive your loved ones DIY presents they'll remember with these unique experience gift ideas in Australia, guaranteed to bring a smile to their face. ...

Hand-Picked Gifts for Mum to Help Her Relax and Unwind

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By ClassBento Team

Discover the best personalised gifts for Mum, from calming flower arranging classes to fun cake decorating and cocktail classes.

5 Evening Hens Party Ideas to Wrap Up the Perfect Day

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By Annie Symmonds

Spoil the bride-to-be with an unforgettable evening—explore hens' party ideas featuring professional makeup, arty experiences and cocktail shaSpoil the bride-to-be with an unforgettable evening—explore hens' party ideas featuring professional makeup, arty experiences and cocktail shaking! ...

Untraditional Wedding Anniversary Gifts They'll Love

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By Annie Symmonds

Defy convention with these untraditional wedding anniversary gift ideas and shine a spotlight on quality time and romance.

Everything You Need to Know About Pottery

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By Julia Carr-Catzel

Get the lowdown on how to play with clay before getting hands-on at pottery classes in Sydney!

Make Your Own T-shirt with Screen Printing

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By ClassBento Team

As a teenager in a primary school art class, I had no idea what screen printing was, but from what I could see of the press in front of me, it wasAs a teenager in a primary school art class, I had no idea what screen printing was, but from what I could see of the press in front of me, it was going to be complicated.   The contraption had several limbs branching out at different angles like some kind of advanced, spinning robot ready for take-off. The metal base was dripping with ink in various bright colors.   “I’m going to use that?” I asked my teacher.   She shook her head with a smile, “That’s a little advanced for you. Don’t worry, we’re going to be working with individual screens for now. It’s still a little complicated, but you’ll have fun.”   Over the next two weeks, I spent hours designing, cutting, aligning, and squeegee-ing on various types of paper and fabric. There were times when I wanted to pull my hair out and times that I was ecstatic with the outcome, but usually I was just extremely focused on my work.   By the time I had completed my first project - a tricolor work that would probably make Andy Warhol cringe - I was hooked on the hobby. I couldn’t wait to show off my freshly-pressed artwork to friends and family. I actually started to make my own t shirts with screen printing!!   “Just wait until you learn more about the history,” my art teacher prodded.   Indeed, screen printing has an interesting tale to tell.   The art form has a surprisingly long history, with Polynesian Island natives producing the first images by seeping ink through banana leaves over 1500 years ago (1). Similar techniques popped up in China and Japan, where they developed in sophistication and skill. At the 1853 World’s Fair, Japanese goods were lauded by European and American artists, who sought to learn and commercialize the art form.    Though screen printing wouldn’t show up in Australia until the second World War, other forms of printing have always been a crucial part of the country’s history (2). For instance, a humble little device came over with the first fleet in 1788, though it was incomprehensible to all crew members.   Once the newcomers learned how to use the press, printing exploded in the form of newspapers and informative books on exploration of the continent. This type of production was usually relegated to the commercial sector, and wouldn’t become popular as an art form until the 1970’s, as a result of Andy Warhol’s explosive entrance into the art world.   As an American artist, Warhol’s most famous works depict American popular culture, such as his iconic renditions of actress Marilyn Monroe in the 1960’s. As a result of his pioneering endeavors, artists all over the world began experimenting with silk screens.   The craft became particularly popular in Aboriginal communities, specifically in Bathurst Island and at Gunbalanya, where much of the printmaking took place on fabric instead of the otherwise popular paper (3). Over the next few decades, this style would become an integral piece of Aboriginal fashion design, with artists showcasing their work in art galleries, Parisian fashion venues, and international cultural exhibits.   Considering its humble beginnings, screen printing has certainly had an interesting journey. Today, many individuals, with or without an artistic background, are exploring the craft by attending printing classes. In fact, ClassBento offers a class in Marrickville lead by Carizza Teague who studied the art form at the Eastern Sydney Institute of Technology and has been teaching it for seven years.   You may be as surprised by a beginner’s class as I was the first time I saw a screen printing press, but there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy your first experience. Here are a few fundamental aspects to the process that may help you prepare for your first class.   First, the materials   This type of printing requires a pretty particular set of objects. Most notably, the screen, which is generally a wooden frame fixed with a thin semitransparent film. You will also be provided with a squeegee, emulsion liquid, printing ink, and testing fabric (although you should bring your own fabric for the finished project: think tea towels, tee-shirts, or tote bag.) Your instructor will have a light box to help the emulsion process along quickly.   If most of these items seem foreign to you, that’s okay. Your instructor will explain everything!   Churning out your work   So, all you need is a screen and some ink right? Why all this other stuff?   Well, it’s a little more complex than just seeping ink through a film. Carizza’s class uses a photo emulsion method, which requires the following steps:   1.     You design a creative graphic. Anything you want! Elegant lettering, your dog, your best friend, the sky’s the limit. 2.     You create a transparent version of your beautiful image that will be stripped away after the emulsion process (your teacher will help you with this part.) 3.     You prepare for emulsion by fixing your image to a screen, which has been covered with the emulsion liquid. 4.     When you expose your screen to light, the emulsion will harden where the liquid is exposed, allowing you to eventually strip away your transparent image. 5.     What is left is a kind of stencil through which you can squeeze ink onto fabrics, shirts, and paper products!   As a beginner, you will probably be satisfied with sticking to one color for your graphic, creating a minimalist work of art that will astound your friends and family. But, as you advance in your practice, this method can incorporate more and more colors into your work (just remember, each step usually requires a completely new graphic!)   In other words, whether you're interested in a novice understanding of screen printing, or you want to take it to the next level, you can be sure that there’s never going to be too little or too much that you can do with your art. You may even advance to larger printing presses!   So, don’t be shy! Anyone can make a beautiful graphic using this method, and there’s nothing quite like showcasing your work as part of your daily wardrobe.         References:   (1)  georgerodriguefoundation.org (2)  neram.com.au (3)  digitalcommons.unl.edu ...

Surprise Your Partner with Gift Experiences for Couples

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By Annie Symmonds

Wondering how to surprise your partner in 2023? Give an experience gift voucher and try anything from pasta-making classes, cocktail courses, kintsugiWondering how to surprise your partner in 2023? Give an experience gift voucher and try anything from pasta-making classes, cocktail courses, kintsugi and more! ...

Best Interstate Hens Party Ideas in Australia (2025)

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By Annie Symmonds

Looking for getaway destinations for an epic hens party? Uncover the best interstate hens party ideas around Australia to celebrate love in 2025Looking for getaway destinations for an epic hens party? Uncover the best interstate hens party ideas around Australia to celebrate love in 2025! ...

7 Productive Fun Things to do in Self Isolation

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By Sam Bowden

Fighting the tedium is crucial when looking for things to do during self isolation, so we've compiled a couple of pro-tips and suggestions to helpFighting the tedium is crucial when looking for things to do during self isolation, so we've compiled a couple of pro-tips and suggestions to help you push through quarantine season! ...