Left or Right? Why not both?

In case you're looking for something more productive for the weekend other than shopping or Netflix-binging, we're here to help. We've noticed a rising number of spaces -- physical and online -- where you can unleash your creativity and/or get inspired.

To help awaken your hidden talents, this week we present you with our selection of outlets for productive and creative pursuits in no particular order. Just don't forget us when you make it big and famous.  

Hub of Makers

HUBBA-TO is a brand new space for co-working and creating by the same team who brought you -- yep, you guessed it -- HUBBA, the well-known and the first co-working space in Bangkok. It's a joint venture between HUBBA and developer Sansiri. This new spin-off is aimed for the creative crowd, whether they aspire to become a chef or a product designer.

Besides the usual facilities and the synergy of working with other creative minds, members also have access to the ceramic room, the dark room (to develop white and black photography), the food lab, the craft room and the 3D printing room. Equipment is provided but you need to bring your own materials. It will officially open on Jul 1 but you can sign up for membership at introductory rates. Until Aug 31, a one-day pass costs B299 while unlimited access per month costs B2,990.

Moreover, the Artist Residency Program will offer budding artists and craftsmen of any discipline a free space to work for four months, starting from July to August. They will receive various perks, including full access to all rooms within HUBBA-TO's 800m² of space, an opportunity to showcase their work, free access to workshops and, most importantly, opportunities to present their ideas to investors.

What they will have to give back in exchange includes offering advice to fellow members, organising occasional workshops and co-organising an exhibition with other artists by the end of the programme. Apply for free by sending your resume, portfolio and a letter explaining your dream to hubba-to@hubbathailand.com.

+ HABITO Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 77. http://fb.com/hubbato.

Craft Your Dream

Located on the second floor of Siam Discovery, the fourth branch of Pinn Creative Space caters to those who want to turn their craftsmanship into a career, or those who just want to make a cool and personalised item.

The co-working space turned creative venue offers facilities for those who wish to turn their designs into tangible objects. Equipment provided includes a 3D printer, laser cutter, embroidery machine and more. You can: create a coffee mug with your own design on it; make a T-shirt, scarf or tote bag with a cartoon version of yourself on it; or, you can create a prototype of the next "it" item that you designed yourself.

Pinn also holds small-group workshops and classes to help sharpen your creativity further. If you dream big, Pinn can advise you on crowdfunding sources and help sell your items. Follow the Facebook page for updates.

+ Daily 10am-10pm, Pinn Creative Space, Siam Discovery, 2/F, Rama I Road. http://www.pinncreative.com, http://fb.com/PINNCreativeSpace, 099-294-3555.

Inspiring Talks

Discovery HUBBA, another new co-working space by HUBBA, is located on the fourth floor of the revamped Siam Discovery. It's geared towards freelancer and those who're interested in retails, e-commerce and app development. Free and paid events take place every weekend for those who want to meet experts in their respective fields, starting tomorrow.

For example, on Jun 23, pick the brains of the author of New York 1st Time, Benz Thanachart and Salmon House's creative director Vichai Matakul during their session on creative storytelling for advertorial, for free. Go to HUBBA's Facebook page to find out more about upcoming events and how to register.

+ Daily 10am-10pm, Siam Discovery, 4/F, Rama I Road. http://fb.com/hubbathailand, 02-658-0017. 

Learn from the Master

Want to create something worthy of showing off via your IG? Consider learning from the masters at Bangkok Art of Pastry School. The school offers one-day classes covering various aspects of pastry art from making the perfect croissant to creating jaw-dropping chocolate showpieces.

All small-group classes are conducted by a team of experienced chefs, including the school's executive chef Sarath Nimlamai who competed in Iron Chef Thailand in 2015 and earlier this month got into the top 30 at Savour Patissier of the Year in Sydney. The school has classes every day and some of them are fully booked in advance. You'll get to make 3-4 recipes during each class. Check out the monthly class schedule on the Facebook page.

+ Bangkok Art of Pastry School, 5/F, Siam Square One, Rama I Road. http://www.bangkokartof pastry.com, http://fb.com/bangkokartofpastry, 087-681-8843. B5,500-6,500 per person.

Make Your Cake and Eat it Too

Dandelion is known for its cute atmosphere, great selection of desserts and sold-out tea parties. The restaurant also hosts workshops on Friday and Saturday for those who are looking to create specific desserts rather than signing up for a long course.

You don't need to bring anything as all ingredients and equipment are provided. No prior experience is needed either. The fee also includes recipes, drinks and, of course, you get to bring home what you made.

Each workshop in the morning or the afternoon lasts 2.5-3 hours. If you aren't available during the designated times, you can arrange with the restaurant to have the workshop take place at your convenience so long as you pair up with at least one another student. A baking date, perhaps?

For June, you can sign up to learn how to make Oreo brownies, caramel scones, "Love spell" cupcakes, Nutella chocolate chip cookies, Galaxy cupcakes and Gem rocks cupcakes.

+ Daily 9am-10pm, Dandelion, between Sukhumvit Soi 49-51 (5-min walk from BTS Thong Lor). http://goo.gl/kmFxZt, 085-145-3181. From B,1690.

One-stop Art Show

Artwork can be found outside galleries and museums too. Farmgroup, a Thai creative and design consultant firm and 20 top galleries nationwide bring art pieces into guest rooms for the third time during the Hotel Art Fair 2016 from Jun 25-26.

Ad Lib Hotel will play host to this free art event which will feature a selection of art pieces from well-known galleries as well as those of independent artists. Selected pieces from private collections of noted curators will also be on display.

The highlights include live drawing by Douglas Diaz and artwork by renowned artists, with rattan sculptures by Cambodian Sopheap Pich and paintings of pop surrealism by Atipong Padanupong. Let's get inspired.

+ Jun 25-26 11am-midnight. Ad Lib Bangkok Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 1. http://www.adlibbangkok.com, http://fb.com/HotelArtFair.

Sneakers on Fleek

Join a sneaker painting party by Kraftka and you'll never wear the same pair of sneakers as anyone else again. Why? Because you'll get to paint a pair just for yourself, duh.

Kraftka is co-founded and owned by Chanasinj "Sunny" Sachdev, who you may remember as the co-creator of The Roach comic books. His brand is about marrying sneakers and art in every stride you take. Browse through Kraftka's online store for sneakers featuring illustrations and designed by hip Thai artists like Koranan and Benzilla and many more from around the world.

If you already have your own designs, why not use Kraftka's website to publish your own work. When someone buys your shoes, you'll get US$10 for each pair sold without any extra work. In the near future, Kraftka will extend its line of products to include flips flops, espadrilles, sweatshirts and socks. And yes, you will then also be able to put your own designs on them and wait for the royalties to come in (like a boss) too. Also, you keep all the rights to your work, if that's what you're wondering.  

Kraftka recently held its first sneaker painting party at Paintbar Bangkok on Jun 4 and the next one is coming soon. Get on the waiting list at http://www.artsxsnakers.com. A pop-up store in Siam Center will open in July and run through to October with workshops and painting sessions taking place every week. 

+ http://www.kraftka.com, http://fb.com/kraftkarepublic.

Learning on Rotation

The Reading Room is a multi-faceted space that serves as an art library, project space and cultural platform. Until October, the dynamic and brain-stimulating space will be holding the "Sleep Over" project, offering its space to diverse figures and groups in the art and culture scene. Each participant will be organising different activities to encourage the discussion of contemporary topics and the exchange of knowledge in their respective fields.

Southeast of Now, a group of SEA art historians, will take over The Reading Room until the end of this month. Illustrator and writer Teepagorn Wuttipitayamongkol will take charge in July. Writer Prabda Yoon in August. Three media and technology organisations will take September. Last but definitely not least is the talented independent film director Apichatpong Weerasethakul who will conclude the project in October.

On Jun 25-26, The Reading Room will be screening seven programmes, ranging from huh-inducing experimental features to documentaries during its annual "Filmvirus Wildtype 2016". Check out The Reading Room's Facebook for more details.

+ Wed-Sun 1-7pm, The Reading Room, Silom Soi 19. http://www.readingroombkk.org, http://fb.com/thereadingroombkk, 02-635-3674.

Creative Campaigns

You don't have to be a starving artist to make your dream project come true. If you believe you have a brilliant idea but need some financial help to kick start it, then log on to Asiola.

The online crowd-funding platform allows you to create an online campaign -- whether it's about music, food, fashion or art -- and garner monetary contributions from your supporters in order to make it happen. After you submit your proposal, the Asiola team will collaborate with you through the rest of the process from coming up with rewards for your supporters, the delivery of supporter rewards as well as marketing and publicity plans for your campaign. If a campaign doesn't reach its funding goals within a specified period, supporters will receive their donations back in full.

Asiola is behind the recent success of Thaitanium's rap boot camp and street artist Alex Face's public mural near BTS National Stadium. Actor-turned-DJ/musician Montonn Jira recently had success in crowd-funding his upcoming techno pizza party.

Could this mean our durian bossa nova morning rave might come true, too?

+ http://www.asiola.com.