6 weeks into lockdown, even our favorite hobbies might start feeling old. This is the perfect time to learn a new skill and find your next hobby!

My favorite learning platform is Skillshare. If you’re not familiar with it, think of Skillshare as YouTube, but with only the highest quality, highly curated content.

“Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, freelancing, and more. On Skillshare, millions of members come together to find inspiration and take the next step in their creative journey.”

I’ve been a member of Skillshare for 6 years now and have loved every single class I’ve taken. And last year, I had the pleasure of teaming up with them to teach a 2-part series on how to make one of my favorite crafts, Tiny Wire Earrings: 

If you don’t have a Skillshare membership yet, you’re in luck, because as a Skillshare teacher I get to give you two months FREE to get you through lockdown!

MY FAVORITE WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Skillshare has a class on almost every subject you could be interested in. The class durations can range anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours. Each class is broken up into segments, so you can watch and pause as you go – no need to watch all in one sitting.

I’ve found myself taking classes on random subjects such as stop-motion, flower arrangements, and entrepreneurship. In fact, I built this very website thanks to their classes. I knew NOTHING about website building or coding before I started.

Skillshare has great classes on Journaling, Gratitude, and Self-Discovery. I particularly enjoyed “Creative Transformation: 9 Exercises to Draw, Write, and Discover Your Future” taught by illustrator and writer Mari Andrew. If you are new to journal-drawing, Mari’s other class, “Drawing for Self Discovery: 5 Ways to Start” is your class.

MY FAVORITE TEACHERS

Ana Victoria Calderon – MODERN WATERCOLOR

Ana is a fellow Mexican and a watercolor extraordinaire! I took a live watercolor workshop of hers and fell in love with her style! When I found out I could take more of her classes on Skillshare, I was stoked and joined that same night! She has classes for all levels so don’t be afraid if you are a beginner.

If you like watercolor, I also recommend Julia Henze. I loved her class on “urban sketching”:

Tabitha Park – PHOTOGRAPHY

Tabitha is also one of my favorite teachers on the platform. She is a professional photographer who specializes in photographing chocolate. Yes, you read that right! Who wouldn’t want her job?! Tabitha is super fun, a fantastic teacher, and has a really cute kitty that makes guest appearances. I’ve taken (drooled during) most of her classes. Since a lot of people are baking right now, this is the perfect class to pair with your baked goods.

Dale McManus is also an excellent photography teacher, his “iPhone Photography” class is full of tips & tricks you probably haven’t heard of.

Happy learning friends! Let me know if you end up trying a class or two!