BY MATT KITE

School never ends at Craftopia, Tacoma’s creative hub for people who like to create with their hands, hearts and minds.

“I’ve always been a very crafts-oriented person,” explains owner Cora Wells. “I like to learn new things and try new things. and there aren’t a lot of opportunities for adults [to do this] outside of YouTube and books. As I was exploring and talking to people, I discovered they were struggling with similar problems. They would spend hundreds of dollars on all the supplies they needed to try this new art or that craft form, and then they get home and go, ‘Shoot, where do I start?’”

Have you always wanted to know how to make soap, craft a dragon out f resin, or crochet a pair of pink booties for your wee one? Craftopia has you covered. Located in the back of the old Provident Building, a six-story historical landmark on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, Craftopia first opened its doors in 2021. It’s a small space, Some might say a cozy space. Which makes it perfect for educational encounters and one-on-one instruction. In addition to Wells, six experienced instructors teach people how to make everything from clay earrings to leather coin purses.

All told, Craftopia leads forty to fifty classes a month. Wells, a 42-year-old data analyst at Boeing, moved from Colorado to Tacoma 24 years ago to escape the snow. Craftopia is her “passion project,” as she puts it, and it keeps her hopping most evenings and weekends.

“I’m a very busy person,” she says, “but that’s the way I like it.”

A typical student doesn’t exist at Craftopia. Teenagers and retirees alike make use of the space, as do young families and first-time dabblers. Most classes are aimed at students 13 years and older, but younger crafters can participate with proper adult supervision. Those gearing up for the school year can learn how to make their own paper, decorate their writing utensils, and even make pens. Some classes, including the pen making class, are conducted off-site, but most are hosted by Craftopia in their downtown space, which can squeeze in no more than ten students at a time.

One of Well’s goals is to eventually expand to a bigger space, so she can host large events. Another goal? Provide a space for young artists to display and sell their wares.

Wells considers paper-making one of the more esoteric classes on offer. Students bring upcycled or recycled paper products, like toilet paper, paper towels, or junk mail, and then follow a simple process of soaking them, breaking them down in a blender or something similar, and pouring them over a fine strainer. Once that’s done, a student pressed for time can microwave the pulp, but that might produce bubbles. The best approach is to let it dry overnight.

Craftopia, which began as one woman’s dream, is bursting at the seams with classes, students, and creative energy. Although the space is small, it boasts enough room for a community craft room, a craft vault, a retail shop, and a party space. Tickets for classes and events can be purchased online at craftopiawa.com.

“I have a group of regulars who are constantly coming in for this class or that class and bringing in their friends,” Well says of the growing community of students and teachers at Craftopia. “It’s so fun to watch a group of people come in and do something they haven’t done before. Everybody seems to leave really happy. To offer that to people—just being able to play again—means a lot.”

Wells runs Craftopia as a nonprofit organization, which means she charges just enough tuition to cover the costs of doing business and paying her instructors. According to Craftopia’s website, “Any profits are used to pay for our free activities and to make our craft kits, which are distributed through the Tacoma Public Library.”