If you are looking for creative ideas for your weekly artist date as suggested in the book, “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron is Airbnb Experiences is a good place to find interesting things to do. Airbnb Experiences are in-person or online activities hosted by inspiring local experts. They go beyond typical tours or classes by immersing guests in a Host’s unique world.
There are Airbnb experiences in most major cities. Below is a curated list of Airbnb experiences in the SF Bay Area that involve making something by hand.
The reason I selected these type of activities ( as opposed to spending time in nature) is because this article on NPR said that making art is good for your mind and body. So I thought why not get the most of your artist date activity by doing something creative that engages all your senses!
I specifically eliminated cooking related experiences on the list because I wanted you to leave the activity with a tangible reminder of the time spent. Every time you look at what you made you will have a pleasant reminder of how important it is to take time to play and learn something new.
Click on the hyperlink of each activity and you will be taken to the Airbnb Experience page for more information and booking details.
1 Pottery Class
2 Japanese Spoon Carving
3 Make a Flower Crown or Cosplay Headdress
4 Woodworking: Wedge Table
5 Create a Great Smelling Candle
6 Visit SF MoMa and Paint a Canvas
7 Easy Metal Sculpture
8 Dying a Scarf with California Plants
9 Paint on a Rooftop in Oakland
I read the Artist Way for the first time shortly after it was published – 25 years ago. Every couple of years I re-read it. Well it is not really “reading” but rather writing the morning pages and doing Artist Dates. To say the book has been life changing for me is an understatement. And I am someone who never considered myself to be creative.
At the beginning of 2022 I started reading the book again with a group of friends from all over the world. We meet via zoom once a week to share our breakthroughs/challenges/insights from whatever chapter we completed (everyone started reading it at different times).
On our last zoom call we brainstormed ideas for Artist D atesand I suggested Airbnb experiences. Most Airbnb Experience hosts are really passionate about what they are doing, which is bound to make the activity for the guests more interesting. (I have been an Airbnb Experience host for several years. See #3 on the list above.)
Booking an Airbnb Experience supports your local economy and provides a source of income to the host – many of whom are doing this as a side hustle.
If you try any of the experiences on the list, leave a comment. And if you come to my experience, I would love to chat with you about the benefits I have received from reading the book.
