I Tried the 7 Biggest Craft Trends of 2023. You Can Too

This year I set out to try the 7 biggest craft trends of 2023. Why you ask? Partly because it’s my job as ClassBento’s Editorial Manager to stay on top of all that’s happening in the craft world. And partly because I, like many, have lost hours of my day to #crafttok, immersed in the mesmerising worlds of everything from tufting to cake decorating.

My biggest takeaway? Anyone can give these trending crafts a go—yes, even you! I promise the hardest part will be picking which one to try first.

Time to try tufting (because it’s not going away anytime soon)

Remember when we told you that tufting was the craft to try last year? Well, we have some good news. If you didn’t get around to it then, you’re certainly not too late to the party. Since creative hub Work-Shop listed their first tufting class in 2022, we’ve had seven new tufting studios across Australia grace us with their shaggy patterns. From tufted rugs to mirrors, coasters, pillowcases and even handbag workshops it’s no surprise these classes have fast secured themselves as some of our best sellers.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

Swooned by our community’s creations, I vowed that 2023 was the year I finally pick up a tufting gun. Let’s just say when I left TUTU Studio in Haymarket, Sydney, I was quite literally buzzing. Despite the odd yarn jam and a bit of unpicking, I had no idea a first-timer like me could make something I was so genuinely proud of. Not to mention it felt pretty damn cool to shoot yarn with a bright yellow gun. Don’t forget to bring a few snacks for an energy boost! Who knew tufting doubled as an arm workout?

Try this if you’re…

Looking for a crafty full-day adventure!

Jump on the pottery painting trend

It's back, but this time it's adult-friendly. Gone are the piggy banks and fairy ceramics that once filled the shelves of 90s pop-up painting studios—pottery painting is now about transforming bisque-fired cups, planters and platters into statement homeware pieces. And we think it’s here to stay.

Data and craft aren’t usually two words you hear in the same sentence but the numbers don't lie. Sales for pottery painting workshops have risen more than six hundred per cent since 2022. And with customer reviews like “It was one of the best classes I’ve done in a while” from Anisa O and “We want to do it again” from Alessia S, this is only the beginning of the pottery painting resurgence.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

Painting ceramics is one of the most therapeutic crafts I’ve tried to date and now in my fourth year on the ClassBento team, it’s safe to say I know my way around a workshop. Shoutout to Mennt. Studio in Marrickville who made my pottery painting come-back experience nothing short of ultimate relaxation. The complimentary mimosas were also a welcome touch!

Try this if you’re…

After a screen-free way to switch off.

Give cake decorating a go… but not as you know it!

Pinterest predicted cake decorating would flourish in 2023 and they weren’t wrong. We're officially in the dawn of a new Women's Weekly cake era, only this time the recipes are on TikTok and in the place of jelly pools and train cakes we've got shoes that look like cakes, vintage frosting circa the 1700s (thanks Marie Antoinette) and 2D cartoon cakes. We’ve seen a 100 per cent increase in bookings for cake decorating classes compared to the start of last year. Proof that a little sugar goes a long way!

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

Is there anything more satisfying than eating something that looks as good as it tastes? The best part of a cake decorating class is knowing you get to enjoy it at the end, no matter how it turns out. Be sure to snap plenty of photos to ensure your masterpiece is remembered long after it’s eaten!

Try this if you’re…

A sweet tooth looking to learn a fun new skill.

Make personalised jewellery with silversmithing

Silversmithing might sound like something best left to the pros, but it turns out creating simple, statement jewellery is totally beginner-friendly. A quick scroll through the student reviews on Heecho Oh's silversmithing classes are all the proof that first-timers can create something to wear for years to come.

Ring making in particular has made it out of the studio and into the mainstream, with Google searches for the term lifting 85 per cent in the past year. From stackable rings to customised lettered rings and even DIY wedding bands, there’s no shortage of what you can make with some basic silversmithing techniques.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

When I found out minimalist jewellery label blonde. had kickstarted ring making classes in Sydney this year, I knew I had to go. What I didn’t expect was to leave the workshop with two nine-carat gold rings I couldn’t take my eyes off. Not only was the end result one-of-a-kind, but the process of sizing, sawing and soldering, was even more captivating. This experience opened my eyes to the intricate detail that goes into even the smallest works of art. New level of maker appreciation unlocked!

Try this if you’re…

Searching for fun new things to do with a partner, friend, loved one or neighbour.

Give your walls dimension with DIY textured art

Painting and sipping has been a long-time favourite with our community—what’s not to love? If you’re looking for a fresh spin on this cult classic, textured art might be exactly what you’re after. It's just like painting, but with some added dimension! With Google searches for “textured art” lifting 50 per cent in the last year, it’s clear that this once lesser-known medium is having its moment in the spotlight.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

When Paint For Fun introduced me to the palette knife a few months ago it was almost impossible to put down. What felt like smoothing frosting over a cake was actually Impasto, a thick paste which allowed me to swipe a rainbow of colours in splotches across the canvas, bringing my peacock’s colourful tail to life. The end result? An artwork that jumps out of the canvas and a potential (in my case, a guaranteed) new obsession with palette knife painting.

Try this if you…

Love adding statement pieces to your living space.

Uncover crafty money-saving hacks at a sewing class

When I think about sewing it usually involves fond memories of my grandmother and watching her lovingly handmake one-of-a-kind pieces. While I’d never needed to pick the skill up myself, the last few months had me reconsidering. Combine the rise of slow fashion with cost of living pressures and knowing how to sew is suddenly not only relevant but at the top of everyone’s to-learn list.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

The complexities of a sewing machine have forever puzzled me, but it turned out all I needed was a beginner’s sewing class at Sydney Creative in Redfern. Founder and sewing master Sophie Parry guided us newbies step-by-step through the process and three hours later not only was I confident using the sewing machine, but I also walked away with a leafy green cushion cover that now sits proudly at home. 

Want to know Sophie’s top tip for building the habit? Get back on the machine as soon as possible for the knowledge to stick. Thankfully, her wide range of sewing classes can help with that.

Try this if you’re…

Keen to start saving money through DIY.

Pick up the hammer and get good with wood

When bingeing leads to inspiration I feel like it's time well spent. And this is exactly the case with UK reality show Good With Wood. When season two aired mid-last year, people were visiting our classes in droves, bringing this age-old craft out of the woodwork (pun intended!) Whether it was the cathartic experience of watching carpenters transform a humble log into a beautiful cabinet or a desire for people to DIY, woodworking is one of the hottest new crafts for 2023.

Why I loved it (and you will too!)

Okay, I may have exaggerated a little. I haven’t actually tried woodworking (yet) but I promise it’s next on my list. And when I do finally pick up the hammer, I know exactly where I’ll be heading—community studio Among The Trees in Marrickville, a Sydneysider’s one-stop shop for learning woodworking projects for beginners. Think hand-crafted timber spoons, rolling pins, and even wooden ramen dinner sets. And when a past student says the teachers are “buzzing with passion to share what they know”, you can be sure you’re learning from the best. I’ll report back soon!

Try this if you’re…

Eager to get outside your comfort zone.