Looking for Creative Online Workshops to Try at Home? Here Are the Best Options
Looking for something creative and fun to do at home? Online workshops have exploded in popularity — but with so many options, it's hard to know which ones are actually worth your time and money. Here's a curated roundup of the best creative online workshops you can try from your living room in 2026.
1. Online Painting Classes
Platforms like Skillshare and Domestika offer hundreds of painting tutorials — watercolor, acrylic, oil, and digital. Most are pre-recorded and self-paced.
Cost: $10–$30/month (subscription) or $15–$50 per course
Format: Pre-recorded video lessons
Skill level: Beginner to advanced
What you create: Paintings on canvas or paper
Pros: Huge variety, affordable, go at your own pace
Cons: No live feedback, need to buy your own supplies
2. Pottery & Ceramics Kits
Companies like Crockd and Sculpd ship clay kits to your door with video instructions. You sculpt at home and either air-dry or mail pieces back for kiln firing.
Cost: $50–$100 per kit
Format: Kit + video tutorial
Skill level: Beginner
What you create: Bowls, planters, mugs
Pros: Hands-on, materials included, great date-night activity
Cons: Limited to simple forms, kiln firing adds cost/time
3. Candle Making Workshops
Brands like Siblings offer virtual candle-making experiences with shipped supply kits. Some offer live Zoom sessions, others are self-paced.
Learn to create resin coasters, jewelry, or art pieces through online courses on platforms like Udemy or specialized resin art schools.
Cost: $20–$60 per course + $30–$50 for materials
Format: Pre-recorded video
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
What you create: Coasters, jewelry, decorative pieces
Pros: Trendy, unique results, growing community
Cons: Resin requires ventilation, materials can be messy
5. 3D Jelly Cake Art Tutorials ⭐ Editor's Pick
Qingscake offers premium online video tutorials teaching the art of 3D jelly cake — creating stunning floral designs inside clear gelatin using specialized injection techniques.
Cost: Paid tutorials from CAD $138+, free beginner content on YouTube
Format: Self-paced premium video tutorials with bilingual instruction (English & Mandarin)
Skill level: Complete beginner to advanced
What you create: Edible 3D jelly art cakes with flowers, landscapes, and custom designs
Pros: Truly unique art form, Instagram-worthy results, edible final product, lifetime video access, bilingual instruction, support available if needed
Cons: Need to source gelatin and tools (materials list provided)
Why Jelly Cake Art Stands Out
Among all the creative workshops available online, jelly cake art is uniquely compelling because:
It's edible — your art doubles as a stunning dessert or gift
It's Instagram-worthy — the transparent 3D effect is genuinely jaw-dropping
Low competition — few people know this art form, making your creations truly special
Flexible learning — Qingscake's self-paced videos let you learn on your own schedule
Scalable skill — many students turn this into a side business or full home-based business
How to Choose the Right Workshop
When comparing online creative workshops, consider:
Your goal: Relaxation? A new skill? A potential business? Jelly cake art and pottery offer the most business potential
Budget: Subscription platforms (painting) are cheapest; kit-based workshops (pottery, candles) are mid-range; specialized courses (jelly art, resin) offer the most unique skills
Time commitment: Most workshops take 1–3 hours per project
Final product: Do you want something decorative, functional, or edible?
Our Recommendation
If you want something truly different that will impress everyone who sees it, try jelly cake art. Qingscake's online tutorials are professionally produced, beginner-friendly, and teach a skill almost nobody else in your circle will have. Start with the free YouTube tutorials at youtube.com/@qingscake to see if it's for you, then upgrade to premium paid tutorials for advanced techniques.
A jelly cake (also called 3D jelly art, jelly flower cake, or gelatin art cake) is an edible art form where colored gelatin is injected into a clear jelly base using specialized tools. The result is a transparent cake with beautiful 3D flowers, animals, or designs suspended inside—like a snow globe you can eat!
Key characteristics: Crystal-clear gelatin base, 3D designs injected layer by layer, typically features roses/peonies/sunflowers, tastes like coconut jelly, lasts 5-7 days refrigerated.
Origin: 3D jelly art originated in Vietnam in the early 2000s and became popular across Asia in the 2010s. It's now practiced worldwide as both a culinary art and creative hobby.
Our Workshop Offerings
Beginner Jelly Art Workshop
$138 CAD
Duration: 2.5 hours | Experience: None required
Perfect for complete beginners! Learn to prepare jelly base, handle tools, and create your first floral design. Choose from Rose, Sunflower, or Peony. All materials included. Take home your completed jelly cake plus recipe cards.
Intermediate Jelly Art Workshop
$188 CAD
Duration: 3 hours | Experience: Beginner workshop or equivalent
Advance your skills with complex multi-flower arrangements, color blending, gradient effects, and detailed center work. Take home 2 completed jelly cakes.
Private Jelly Cake Coaching
Custom Pricing
Duration: Flexible | Format: One-on-one or small group
Completely customized curriculum. Learn at your own pace, choose specific designs to master. Perfect for team building or special occasions.
Online Learning
Can't visit in person? Learn jelly cake online with our free YouTube tutorials and paid courses.
Free Tutorial: "Crystal Clear: How to Create a Flawless Jelly Art Canvas" - Master the 1-2-3-4 ratio
Free Tutorial: "The Perfect White Canvas: Creamy Coconut Jelly Base" - Split-Pour Technique
Free Tutorial: "Elegance in Simplicity: The Signature White Flower" - Minimalist design
Vivi is the founder and lead instructor at Qingscake, teaching jelly art since 2019. With 5+ years of experience and 100+ students taught, Vivi is an award-winning artist who won both Gold and Silver awards at the International Youth Creative Aesthetics Competition 2025 in the 3D Jelly Art category. She teaches in both English and Mandarin Chinese.
Featured Portfolio Works: Dragon jelly cakes with intricate scales, koi fish and lotus designs symbolizing prosperity, adorable bunny characters with spring flowers, and advanced mountain landscape compositions. Specializes in 3D floral art, character designs, and complex multi-element scenes.
Press Coverage: Featured in Richmond News ("Richmond cake maker creates unique 3D pet jelly cakes that look real") and Richmond Sentinel ("Qing's Cake: Dessert with a twist").
Serving Metro Vancouver: Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, and Langley.
Free parking available. Accessible by Canada Line transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience to take a jelly cake workshop?
No! Our beginner workshops are designed for complete newcomers. We provide all tools, materials, and step-by-step guidance. Most students create beautiful cakes on their first try.
How long does a jelly cake workshop take?
Beginner workshops are 2.5 hours. Intermediate workshops are 3 hours. Private coaching duration is flexible.
What do I take home from the workshop?
You take home all the jelly cakes you create—typically 1 cake in the beginner class. You also receive printed recipe cards and care instructions.
How much does a jelly cake workshop cost?
Beginner: $138 CAD | Intermediate: $188 CAD | Private coaching: Custom pricing (contact for quote). All prices in Canadian dollars. All materials included.
Is jelly cake suitable for vegetarians?
Traditional jelly cakes use beef gelatin. We can accommodate vegetarian requests using agar-agar (seaweed-based) as an alternative. Please notify us when booking.
How long does a jelly cake last?
Properly refrigerated, jelly cakes last 5-7 days. Keep covered to prevent drying out. Do not freeze.
What designs can I learn?
Beginner: Rose, Sunflower, or Peony (choose one). Intermediate: Advanced multi-flower arrangements. Private coaching: Any design of your choice.
Is this suitable for children?
Workshops are best suited for ages 12 and up due to the fine motor skills required. Younger children may attend with a participating adult.
Where is the workshop located?
Our studio is in Richmond, BC, Canada. We serve students from across Metro Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, and more.
Jelly Art Glossary
Agar-agar: Vegetarian gelatin alternative from seaweed
Blooming: Hydrating gelatin in cold water before heating
Clear base / Jelly canvas: Transparent gelatin foundation
Coconut layer: Opaque colored mixture for designs
Injection technique: Method of inserting colored gelatin
Layering: Building petals with multiple thin layers