CHOCOLATE MAKING

Chocolates already sell like hotcakes around Valentine’s Day, but did you know it’s popular to make your own in some parts of the world? In Japan, Valentine’s Day is reserved for women presenting gifts to men. (Men return the favor on White Day, held one month later.) One of the most popular gifts is homemade chocolate, which already works as a different and heartfelt present. However, making chocolates together with your significant other could also work as a fun date, whether alone at home or at a class.

POTTERY

If the 1990 film Ghost taught us anything, it’s that couple’s pottery is one of the most romantic date ideas in history. If you’d like to recreate the iconic scene between you and your date, many pottery classes are offered around or on Valentine’s Day. A quick search should help you find a session held near you. For a more intimate experience, purchase some clay and sculpt together at home. Make sure the clay is oven-safe or can otherwise be hardened without a kiln.

GOGGLEWORKS DATE NIGHTS

For those in and around Reading, PA, the GogglleWorks Center for the Arts facility is offering special Valentine’s Day classes for couples. These include fused glass and ceramics and offer drinks and snacks during the two-hour program. Also included in the price are a studio tour and unique molds for your heartfelt project. There’s even chocolates and a champagne toast to really make the evening pop! (No pun intended.)

JEWELRY MAKING

It’s surprisingly easy to make funky and one-of-a-kind jewelry using materials around the house. Some supplies may need to be bought, but most are easily found at craft stores. Use guides available online or the aid of an instructor to craft a wearable masterpiece. Then, if the moment is right, use your newly-minted jewelry or another piece entirely to ask that eternal of questions. Or don’t- do what feels right for you as a couple. No pressure.

MAKE A CUSTOM PERFUME/COLOGNE

This is another option that works either at home or as a class. Our sense of smell is linked closely with our memory, so try making a perfume with elements that remind you of your partner. Their favorite flower or food, or maybe something that reminds you of your first date with them. Alternatively, you could make scented candles, if colognes and perfumes aren’t your style.

PAINTING

Painting is a fantastic date idea as it can be modified to fit any couple. Keep things simple at home with a few brushes and a couple of episodes of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross or take a class with other groups. Bring out the wine or champagne for a little extra fun. For the especially daring, body paints are a wonderful way to bring some sensuality and intimacy to your artwork. Speaking of wine…

WINEMAKING

Well, it may be difficult to age an entire bottle of wine in time for Valentine’s Day, but sealing one away on the day itself could be an interesting date of its own. As a couple, prepare the wine for fermentation or bottle it and put it in storage. On a special date in the future- your anniversary, for example, or even next Valentine’s Day- enjoy it together as a testament to your enduring romance.

What are your ideas for maker Valentine’s Day dates? Let us know in the comments!

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WATERCOLORS

Watercolors are likely to be the kind you see attached to kids’ activity books, but they can also be used to create beautiful paintings on their own. A pigment is mixed with gum then diluted with water. The result is translucent and builds up darker colors through repeated layers, a unique trait for paint. Fun fact: a primitive version of watercolor was used by Neanderthals to create cave paintings.

ENCAUSTICS

When you mix pigments with melted wax, you get encaustic paints. While it behaves similarly to oil paints (discussed below), it is favored for not being affected by moisture and for its overall longevity. However, encaustic paint must be kept warm during painting, which can be difficult to master and easy to mess up. They’re also expensive, making them less-than-ideal for many.

OIL PAINTS

Considered by many to be the default paint type, oil paints are exactly what they sound like: pigments mixed with oil. They’re incredibly versatile, can be both translucent or opaque, and capture a great many textures. Despite its ubiquity, oil painting never reached Europe until the 11^th century, although it was first documented in Afghanistan in the 7^th century.

ACRYLIC

Acrylic is unique in that it can be as transparent as watercolors, but also as bold and dark as oils. It also dries quickly, thanks to the synthetic acrylics used. They are more susceptible to warping, however, and fumes can be toxic if not dealt with properly. Still, the ability to use acrylics with other mediums such as pastels and graphite makes it great for experimentation and layering.

GOUACHE

The untrained eye might mistake gouache paintings for watercolors, and for good reason. The two are made almost the exact same way, but gouache paints are mixed with opaque white. This creates a smooth layer that reflects light and has the richness of oil paints. They are still vulnerable to moisture, however. This kind of paint was very popular with Rococo artists in the 1700s.

These are all paints you would use on a canvas, paper, or other surfaces to create fine art. If you want to paint your walls, however, it’s better to use one of the following.

MATTE PAINT

This is the most common kind of interior paint. While there’s no shine or texture to the finish, it’s ideal for walls and ceilings without distractions. It’s easy to apply, even if it sometimes takes multiple coats. It also requires regular retouching since it’s very susceptible to marking.

EGGSHELL

An eggshell paint is defined by its subtle shine but lacks the smoothness associated with satin. It doesn’t bring attention to imperfections quite as much and can cover in a single coat. Oh and contrary to popular belief, it does not contain any actual eggshells.

MATTE ENAMEL

Matte enamel, as the name implies, is very similar to regular matte paint. It’s more durable and easier to clean, so it’s great for kitchens and families with children. However, it still needs multiple coats to get full coverage, but overall is less limited than traditional matte.

SATIN

If you don’t understand satin paint, you’re not alone. It’s somewhere between gloss and matte, resulting in a softer sheen. Imperfections jump out even more when covered by a satin finish, and you’ll need to clean your walls regularly. It’s probably best to use as an accent rather than the main color.

GLOSS/SEMI-GLOSS

These shiny paints are appealing but bring flaws to the forefront and require multiple coats. They also take much longer to dry due to the shine. Semi-gloss is less shiny than a regular gloss, although regular gloss paint is more common.

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