Glitter, glue and a glossy coat of resin can turn a Saturday afternoon into a handmade present. That's the whole idea at Create Studios in Mid City.

Artist Tanya Ruffin founded the arts and crafts studio in 2011, and it now operates at 546 Bienville St. Ruffin holds a master's degree from LSU and a bachelor of fine arts in painting and drawing, and she has spent years building a catalog of projects she believes anyone can finish in one class and repeat at home. She has also worked on design teams for craft brands including Sakura Hobby Craft and Amazing Casting Resin. The studio's other instructor, Cindy Wonderful, is an artist, DJ and rapper who runs the creative arts space Chez Fab.

Holiday projects on the calendar

Sugar, Spice & Everything Iced kicks off Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m., with guests painting and decorating a gingerbread-style dollhouse with candy details, snowy icing trim and peppermint swirls. The houses are for display, not eating, and tickets run about $54 to $61. On Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m., the Painted & Lighted Ceramic Christmas Car class has you paint a pre-fired ceramic car that lights up, with paints, glazes, a light kit and step-by-step instruction included, for about $45 to $50.

Year-round favorites

Pet lovers can send in a photo for a Warhol-style pop art portrait or a personalized wooden pet sign. Other workshops cover resin pours, faux resin geodes, mosaic stained glass, metal-stamped charms and Kinusaiga, a Japanese no-sew fabric mosaic technique with Louisiana-inspired patterns. Classes run two to four hours and start at $35, and some invite you to bring your own drinks.

Make it a party

Every class can be booked as a private event, whether it's an office holiday party, girls' night, shower or birthday, with a $250 minimum. There's also Create Calm, a monthly gathering built around making art to unwind.

The studio is open when classes are scheduled, so book ahead on its online calendar or email [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Create Studios.