In this hands-on class, students will learn how to make their very own handmade books—from cover to cover! 

We will start by going over the basics of bookbinding using easy-to-learn techniques and tools. Then, students will get creative decorating canvas covers with paints, markers, stamps, and stencils to make a book that’s totally their own.  They will choose from a variety of papers for the inside pages, fold them into sections (called “signatures”), and hand-sew everything together using a simple binding method.

By the end of the class, everyone will walk away with a one-of-a-kind book they can use as a journal, sketchbook, or even to write their own stories—plus the skills to make more books in the future!

Taught by Nikki Mason, the workshop meets from 10am-12pm on September 7 & 14, and is open to kids ages 10-15. No experience is necessary. All materials provided by Happy Time.

Register Here

Discover the joy of sketching in Viewfinder, a four-week outdoor workshop that invites participants to explore shape, perspective, and imagination across four distinct landscapes. Each session focuses on a different visual theme, guiding artists of all levels to sharpen their observational skills and creative expression.

Each two-hour class is $40 and can be purchased separately through the links below.

Alternatively, the entire four-class series can be purchased for $120 - register here.

• Sept 7 – Confluence Park
  Organic Shapes in Nature
  Begin with the gentle curves and layered textures of leaves, branches, and landscape. Learn techniques for capturing natural forms with fluidity and confidence.

• Sept 14 – The Historic Shell Station
  Retro Curves, Perspective, and Angles
  Explore the charm of Issaquah’s iconic vintage downtown. Practice drawing dynamic angles and curved structures with a focus on linear perspective.

• Sept 21 – Jakob Two Trees
  Nature with a Fantastical Twist
  Let imagination lead as we sketch the famous Issaquah Troll! Explore and embrace playful distortion and surreal elements.

• Sept 28 – Issaquah Train Depot
  Perspective, Railroads, and Historic Buildings
  No series in Issaquah would be complete without the strong lines and rich textures of the railroad. Refine your understanding of vanishing points and structural detail at this historic site.

Students need to bring their own seating and supplies (sketchbook or paper, pens, watercolors, etc.). Please dress for the weather!

Happy Time will provide viewfinders and bulldog clips (in case of wind).

Taught by local artist Blayne Fox, these workshops meet from 10:00am - 12:00pm on Sundays in September, and is open to adults of any skill level. All fees are nonrefundable.

Register Here

Guitar workshops are collaborative group experiences where you will learn technical skills as well as the pleasure of musical collaboration and peer learning.

You will learn to pick up your instrument and play a melody, strum songs and maybe sing along if that’s something you like to do. Your peers will be there to support you every step of the way!

We make sure you know how to tune and maintain the instrument, and that you gain knowledge of music theory, tab notation, chord charts, and more, to help you figure out where you’d like to take your practice next. For some people, a songwriting workshop is the natural next step.

Workshops are tailored to three age groups: elementary, teen, and adult. We can further specify groupings based on scheduling availability, if possible.

We also offer parent/child workshops when possible, please inquire for details!

These workshops are custom designed to the students in order to be the most effective and enjoyable. Reach out today to inquire about forming or joining a class!

Songwriting workshops have a dual focus on inward reflection and collaborative peer learning. Together we will build the muscles we need to be patient, kind, and confident with ourselves, as well as supportive and inspired by one another.

You will have the opportunity to work solo as well as collaborate, and develop long-term peer relationships around a shared interest and inspiration. We will study well known and not-so-well known songs, learn techniques for expressing ideas and emotions through music and words, and build a repertoire unique to your understanding of the world. You may also learn to see things in new ways, thanks to your peers!

Workshops are tailored to three age groups: elementary, teen, and adult. We can further specify groupings based on scheduling availability, if possible.

These workshops are custom designed to the students in order to be the most effective and enjoyable. Reach out today to inquire about forming or joining a class!

Ukulele workshops are collaborative group experiences where you will learn technical skills as well as the pleasure of musical collaboration and peer learning.

You will learn to pick up your instrument and play a melody, strum songs and maybe sing along if that’s something you like to do. Your peers will be there to support you every step of the way!

We make sure you know how to tune and maintain the instrument, and that you gain knowledge of music theory, tab notation, chord charts, and more, to help you figure out where you’d like to take your practice next. For some people, a songwriting workshop is the natural next step.

Workshops are tailored to three age groups: elementary, teen, and adult. We can further specify groupings based on scheduling availability, if possible.

We also offer parent/child workshops when possible, please inquire for details!

These workshops are custom designed to the students in order to be the most effective and enjoyable. Reach out today to inquire about forming or joining a class!

Happy Time Together: Read Books and Make Art!

Age Range: Ages 3-5

Happy Time Together is a joyful class for preschoolers and their caregivers that blends early literacy with creative exploration. Each session begins with a beautifully illustrated picture book, thoughtfully chosen to spark curiosity, conversation, and connection. After the story, children and adults work side-by-side on an art project inspired by the book’s themes, characters, emotions, and other artistic elements.

This class supports:

• Early literacy by building vocabulary, listening skills, and print awareness

• Explorations of self-expression through open-ended art materials and guided prompts

• Creative confidence as children make choices and explore their ideas visually

• Quality time for caregivers and kids to connect through stories and shared creative adventures

Projects are developmentally appropriate and designed to encourage exploration and human connection.

Caregivers must accompany all young artists, and babies are welcome without any tuition fee if necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Taught by teaching artist Dani Flanary, this class meets at the Issaquah Community Center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:45-10:30am. These are the session dates:

• September 8, 15, and 22

• September 9, 16, and 23

• September 29, October 6, and 13

• September 30, October 7, and 14

• October 20, 27, and November 3

• October 21, 28, and November 4

Cost: $60-72 per three-week session

If you are an artist or part of a small art organization that is looking to jumpstart or refresh an approach to grantseeking, these workshops are for you!

Art grants in King County and in WA State as a whole are changing rapidly, due to the advent of Doors Open, the Creative District program, and the changing post-pandemic philanthropic landscape, including widespread funding cuts at the federal level.

At Happy Time, you can learn with Ali Marcus, who has coached and trained grantwriters for 13 years, and taught workshops across the state. She brings deep experience working in all manner of fundraising and strategic planning, facilitating board discussions and retreats, as well as serving on boards.

Moreover, she is a serial small business entrepreneur and lifelong professional artist who has lived and breathed your experience as a creative person who has stumbled into the world of fundraising, nonprofits, business, and administration out of necessity. She knows - you can learn how to thrive here!

Sign up for workshops a la carte, or choose the discounted option for the whole series of four workshops. As with all Happy Time workshops, these groups are kept small and designed to foster personal connections among the attendees. All workshops are in person only.

Each workshop meets on a Thursday from 1:00-2:30pm. The first 15 minutes are meet-and-greet, and the workshop is 75 minutes long.

Individual workshop fee: $75 per person (select the workshop of your choice to purchase)

Full series fee (for all four days): $250 per person

Sign up for all four sessions here!

October 2 - Art Grants: Prospects and Plans

In the sea of possibility, how do you focus in on the right opportunities? One of the biggest time crushers in grantwriting is spending hours on a grant proposal for an opportunity that was never a good fit for your needs. Learn how to find and qualify prospects, and what types of approaches help you make the most of your very limited time.

October 9 - Art Grants: Strong Goals and Case for Support

There are fundamental building blocks that grantmakers look for when they decide what merits funding, and surprisingly little of it has to do with the artistic process or the creative spark. Explore what makes a strong case for support and how your project or program can build one.

October 16 - Art Grants: Budgets

The way you envision and share financial information is a core piece of the puzzle. In this workshop you will learn about different types of budgets and how to build a budget that highlights your work in a clear and easy to digest format.

October 30 - Art Grants: Long Term Success

Securing funding for one project, as artists often do, is often much simpler than looking at the bigger picture. In this workshop, you will learn about some keys to long term success in grantseeking, such as strong outcomes, diversified funding sources, and the role that relationship building plays in your ecosystem.

Join us for a two day workshop exploring how to use value and color with acrylic paints. The first day will focus on studying the concepts of value and color, and the second day we will apply what we learn to create individual compositions.

Taught by local local artist William Cook, this workshop meets from 5:00pm - 7:00pm on October 6 & 13, and is open to adults of any skill level.

All materials provided by Happy Time. Class fees are nonrefundable.

Register Here

This drawing class gives preteens the tools to grow as artists while developing their own style and voice. Students will learn foundational skills—like shading, proportion, and perspective—while also exploring creative exercises that stretch their imagination.

We’ll work from observation and imagination, helping students:

• Build drawing confidence

• Improve technical skills

• Learn how to plan and develop their ideas

It’s a supportive space where students can take creative risks, refine their technique, and express themselves through art.

This class is open to new students as well as students who have already taken a drawing class – all are welcome!

Taught by teaching artist Adam Kenney, this class meets on October 11, 18, and 25 from 10:00-10:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

Gelli plate printmaking is a fun, hands-on art activity where students get to make their own unique prints using a soft, squishy surface called a Gelli plate. It feels kind of like firm Jell-O and lets kids roll paint on it, then press paper on top to lift a colorful image.

Children love it because they can:

• Experiment freely with color and texture

• Use everyday objects like leaves, bubble wrap, or stencils to make cool patterns

• Pull a surprise print each time—it’s like magic!

It’s perfect for developing their artistic confidence and fine motor skills.

Taught by teaching artist Nikki Mason, this class meets on October 11, 18, and 25 from 11:00-11:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

This drawing class gives preteens the tools to grow as artists while developing their own style and voice. Students will learn foundational skills—like shading, proportion, and perspective—while also exploring creative exercises that stretch their imagination.

We’ll work from observation and imagination, helping students:

• Build drawing confidence

• Improve technical skills

• Learn how to plan and develop their ideas

It’s a supportive space where students can take creative risks, refine their technique, and express themselves through art.

This class is open to new students as well as students who have already taken a drawing class – all are welcome!

Taught by teaching artist Adam Kenney, this class meets on November 8, 15, and 22 from 10:00-10:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

Do you know a creative kid who loves manga and comics and dreams of making their own, but doesn’t know where to start? Then this is the exciting comics class for you! Together, students will learn how to bring their characters, stories, and worlds to life - one panel at a time! From silly superheroes to slice-of-life adventures, students will explore how to write, draw, and design their very own comic pages. 

In this class, we delve into the fundamentals of creating a comic with a professional comics artist guiding the way. Each week, we will focus on different parts of creating a comic, ultimately writing and illustrating an eight-page zine! 

• Writing stories, characters, and settings 

• Drawing panels, gutters, and page layouts

• Building an eight-page zine to tell your own story! 

Whether your child loves graphic novels, doodles in the margins, or dreams of becoming an illustrator, this class gives them the tools and confidence to tell their stories their way. All levels welcome—no fancy drawing skills required, just imagination and a sense of humor!

Taught by teaching artist Kat Klockow, this class meets on November 8, 15, and 22 from 11:00-11:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

In this unique workshop series, students will explore the colorful world of fiber arts through creative projects that build patience, focus, and personal expression. Using yarn, thread, and even paper as our tools, we’ll dive into a mix of traditional and modern techniques including:

• Macramé – learning to tie simple knots to make decorative hangings and keychains

• Bargello – a bold, geometric embroidery style using vibrant patterns and stitching

• Paper Embroidery – stitching on paper to combine drawing and fiber in fun, textured designs

This class is perfect for kids who enjoy crafting, working with their hands, or trying new materials in a relaxed, creative environment. Projects are designed to be age-appropriate and confidence-building, with lots of room for individual style.

Taught by teaching artist Priya Mutha, this class meets on November 8, 15, and 22 from 12:00-12:50pm at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

This drawing class is all about building confidence and having fun with art! Students will explore a variety of drawing tools and techniques while learning to see the world like an artist. Through playful exercises, they'll practice shapes, lines, shading, and imagination-driven drawing.

We focus on:

• Encouraging creative thinking

• Developing hand-eye coordination

• Trying new ideas in a low-pressure environment

Every child will leave with drawings they’re proud of and the skills to keep creating at home.

This class is open to new students as well as students who have already taken a drawing class – all are welcome!

Taught by teaching artist Adam Kenney, this class meets on December 6, 13, and 20 from 10:00-10:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

Do you know a creative kid who loves manga and comics and dreams of making their own, but doesn’t know where to start? Then this is the exciting comics class for you! Together, students will learn how to bring their characters, stories, and worlds to life - one panel at a time! From silly superheroes to slice-of-life adventures, students will explore how to write, draw, and design their very own comic pages. 

In this class, we delve into the fundamentals of creating a comic with a professional comics artist guiding the way. Each week, we will focus on different parts of creating a comic, ultimately writing and illustrating an eight-page zine! 

• Writing stories, characters, and settings 

• Drawing panels, gutters, and page layouts

• Building an eight-page zine to tell your own story! 

Whether your child loves graphic novels, doodles in the margins, or dreams of becoming an illustrator, this class gives them the tools and confidence to tell their stories their way. All levels welcome—no fancy drawing skills required, just imagination and a sense of humor!

Taught by teaching artist Kat Klockow, this class meets on December 6, 13, and 20 from 11:00-11:50am at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here

Gelli plate printmaking is an engaging and creative art technique where students use a soft, reusable printing surface to make one-of-a-kind prints. With just paint, paper, and a few tools, they can explore layering, pattern-making, and color blending in a hands-on way that feels both playful and sophisticated.

Using rollers and found objects like leaves, stencils, or textured materials, students design on the Gelli plate and then press paper onto it to reveal a surprise print. It’s a great way for preteens to:

• Experiment with composition and design

• Express their individual style

• Build confidence through a process that’s open-ended and low-pressure

Gelli printing is perfect for curious artists who love trying new techniques and seeing immediate results.

Taught by teaching artist Nikki Mason, this class meets on December 6, 13, and 20 from 12:00-12:50pm at the Issaquah Community Center. No experience necessary. All supplies and materials provided by Happy Time Studio.

Cost: $80-$96

Register Here