Los Angeles - April 25, 2006

Tinker Belles

Classes at Tinker

It’s all fun and games until someone loses control of the puffy paint — and suddenly your couch looks like the love child of Jackson Pollack and Cyndi Lauper.

Sometimes it’s just more fun to make a mess somewhere else. Like Tinker, a creative space where kids and grown-ups can go to do art projects.

They’ve been open for a little bit but have just started offering classes for all ages using all different mediums — from basic drawing to putting on a play. Useful workshops like How to Babysit and Future Fashion Gurus (learn to make old clothes cool again) are also designed to be fun. And if the class schedule doesn’t fit yours, all you need to do to create your own group class is get a couple of kids (or adults) together and talk to one of the guides.

Artsy urges can also be sated during open studio, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Do a project from the standard list or make up your own; Tinker’s walls are covered with art supplies.

Which may prevent crayons from covering yours.

Tinker, 4337 Woodman Avenue, between Ventura Boulevard and Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks (818-784-7991 or tinkertinker.com).