The other day, at District DabbleLab, I rediscovered the joy of arts and crafts, something I haven’t had the time to enjoy since I started high school. District DabbleLab is an arts and crafts studio that opened on March 30 in Bethesda’s Westbard Square. District DabbleLab hosts a mix of open studios, art classes and parties for birthdays and group events.
When I first saw District DabbleLab’s website, I was skeptical, thinking that I might be able to create art projects more easily and less expensively at home. However, after visiting, I can say that District DabbleLab is a superior place to do arts and crafts because it has far more materials, expert coaching and a calming environment. Other benefits are that they clean up the mess for all customers, and going to the venue provides for a fun excursion with friends or family.
The items available to decorate include coasters, lap desks, vases, trucker hats and much more. District DabbleLab also welcomes customers to bring in their own items, such as a jean jacket, to decorate. District DabbleLab stocks a vast number of paint colors to decorate with in a variety of types including acrylic and watercolor.
First, customers choose their project from three differently priced tiers. Tier one is priced at $35 and has options including canvas journal decorating and painting a pencil box. Tier two costs $38 and offers projects like tin box collaging and painting a papier mache vase. Tier three is $42 and has projects such as tote bag designing and tissue box decorating.
Studio owner Emily Rubin leads the expert coaching at District DabbleLab. She ran a similar studio out of her house for seven years before moving to the new Westbard shopping center. When a friend and I sat down for an open studio session, I decided to design and paint a set of four coasters while my friend decorated a papier mache vase. Rubin was there to guide us every step of the way. The expert coaching gives customers the confidence to undertake projects that they might not have had the courage to attempt on their own.
Rubin was very friendly and made a point of getting to know every one of her customers, including my friend and I. Her enthusiasm for arts and crafts is apparent both in person and in her numerous videos on the District DabbleLab Instagram.
The calming environment of the studio, with its soft lighting and cheery colors, made it possible for us to lose ourselves in our projects. Without the distractions of being home, customers can focus on being creative and in the moment.
District DabbleLab offers many opportunities for all ages to enjoy. For instance, there is a program for adult women called “Ladies Who Lab.” There are also various classes like “Spring Mondays,” primarily targeted at kids between the ages of four and 12. However, District DabbleLab also welcomes teenage groups and individuals. Classes come in packages of eight sessions and cost $345 a person.
My friend and I had a great time at District Dabble Lab and saw many projects we would enjoy making on a future visit, such as decorating trucker hats or designing tote bags. We both found that the hour-long open studio session we booked was not enough time to complete our projects in the way we wanted. On a future visit, I will make sure to book a double session, as there is no additional cost for extra studio time.
After leaving the studio, I thought to myself, “Wow, that was really calming,” and immediately started thinking about my next visit. District DabbleLab is the perfect place to get lost in one’s creativity.
