Not sure what to do with your slowly accumulating “circuit breaker” boredom? Why not channel it into some new projects? Here are the resources we use to stay equipped with practical tools, knowledge and inspiration…

Screenprinting supplies and in-depth workshops led by Blim director Yuriko Igo are ongoing, and available in-person at their Chinatown location, as well as online. Also: Blim offers 24-hour button making machine rentals and button parts for purchase – a great way to spend a rainy day! Get details and sign up for spring classes here.

DIY definitely doesn’t have age restrictions. Case in point: the wonderful Collage Collage on Main Street is full of supplies, kits and online classes for all your family friendly crafty activities. Find out more.

Need a ribbon, a zipper, a bobbin, or a button? Dressew can sort you out. Somewhat like a grocery store for sewers, this Vancouver institution has aisle after aisle of every kind of textile, as well as decorations, notions and tools. Find out more.

Registration for spring pottery classes is now open! Classes for wheel throwing, hand building and glazing, suitable for beginner to intermediate level students. Find out more.

Ready to start a garden but not sure what kind of soil to source, what vegetables to plant or how to pull it together? The fine folks at Figaro’s Garden have everything from dirt and seeds to planters and pots, plus staff have a crazy amount of garden-based wisdom to share. Pro tip: this Victoria Drive shop is a very popular destination on weekends, if you can swing a mid-week visit you may have better line-up luck.

Got a niggling interest that you want to indulge, or just a persisting general curiosity? From mathematics to printmaking, embroidery to model making – The Learnery’s got it all. Also cool: pique your curiosity and re-engage with the world around you with one of The Learnary’s themed ‘Boxes of Curious Noticing‘. Find out more.

Located in the Net Loft on Granville Island, Maiwa’s supply store will get you sorted for all of your textile related projects, including a rainbow selection of natural dyes and yarns, and kits for everything from indigo and Shibori, to Mendhi, tie-dye and wood block printing. Also: head to the Maiwa School of Textiles for free online tutorials, and to sign up for one of their intensive workshops (registration for workshops beginning in June 2021 opens on May 3rd). Find out more.

For a carefully curated selection of quality art supplies, hit up Rath at its original Main Street location, and scope out the rotating display of locally made art in the window for extra inspiration. Find out more.

Everybody loves mail! That’s probably why the Regional Assembly of Text’s Letter Writing Club has been holding strong for more than a decade. Whilst Covid-19 restrictions on gathering persist, check out their Instagram for prompts for your next correspondence. Also: stationery supplies galore to inspire all sorts of other handwritten and hand drawn activities. Find out more.

Vancouver’s OG refill store is the place to stock up on ingredients and tools for various apothecary/self-care and kitchen experiments, spring cleaning projects, and snacks to keep you fuelled while you’re at it…plus much, much more. Find out more.

A community of borrowing libraries located in various locations across Vancouver neighbourhoods, each individual Thingery is self-service and stocked with a unique, community sourced inventory of everything from musical instruments to sports equipment. Find out more.

Got a more elaborate project in mind? East Van’s collective-run Hack Space is stocked with the tools and machinery – from 3-D printers to laser cutters, sewing machines, electronics, woodworking and metalworking machines, and more – plus the space to to make it happen. Work your way up through the VHS membership ranks to gain 24/7 key-holding access. Find out more.

Got a project in mind but lacking all the proper tools to do it? Before you hit the hardware store (or make excuses), considering becoming a member the Vancouver Tool Library. The VTL has an inventory of over 1000 tools available to borrow for a super reasonable annual membership rate. Find out more.

For unexpected and unique art materials, Main Street’s long-standing Urban Source is a must stop. A regularly replenished emporium of all manner of crafty things (many available in bulk), sourced from local manufacturers, and great for inspiring collage-making, decorations, and more. Find out more.

From honeycomb sheets and candle molds to delightful scents and colourful dyes, Wicks and Wax is a local purveyor of everything you need to get the job done. Order online for contactless pick-up. Want to browse in person? Hours are Mon-Fri 9-5:30, Saturday 9-1, and closed Sunday with a maximum of 6 people in the store at a time. Find out more.