Buzz

About two years ago Make Meaning opened up on the West Side. I thought it sounded like the Disney World of craft places when I first heard about it-ceramics, paper crafts, candles, glass, soap, and jewelry so much to choose from. However living on the Upper East Side of NYC I just could never seem to bring Julia over to Make Meaning.

A few months ago rumors started circulating that Make Meaning was coming to the Upper East Side. Even better-it was opening two blocks from our apartment-my friends and I were all so excited. A week before the opening I snapped this picture!

I reached out to Amy Kotulski-VP of Marketing to see if I could come in and review the store. She was super enthusiastic-even telling me they are often referred to as being similar to Disney World.

Upon walking in with Julia I could immediately see why Make Meaning could be compared to Disney World. You walk in and there is so much to take in-you don’t know where to look first. Everything calls out to you-and it is all sparkly, shiny and inviting.

No sooner had I walked in and Amy was walking up to greet us. Julia had been a little grumpy on the way over-it was rainy and she was tired. But upon walking into the store and meeting Amy she started perking up. Amy brought us to the second level where they have stroller parking.

Then Amy gave us a whole tour of the store-and explained to Julia everything she could choose from. Both of us were wide eyed from the array of choices-and how inviting everything looked-I wanted to try everything!

The choices-ceramics, paper crafts, glass items, jewelry making, soap, candles and cake decorations. Julia looked like she wanted to do everything-but she made a decision-cake decorating. This is Make Meaning’s newest activity-and it is fun, amazing and yummy.

Cake Decorating at Make Meaning

You get a choice of a 4, 6 or 8 inch round pre made cake. The cakes are covered in white fondant icing. Want a canvas different than white-no problem the cake takes a whirl on a spin machine, and is transformed into the color of your choice-no surprise Julia wanted PINK!

The cake going from white to pink!

Once it was transformed into pink the fun really begins. You get to choose from a vast array of fondant colors that you can shape into almost anything you can imagine, plus decorate with a huge assortment of embellishments.

The staff is very helpful in offering any help you might need. We had a spacious table to work on our cake.

Julia had a blast decorating her cake. She left no space unadorned (we were offered a choice of any of the three cakes, but since her birthday was the next day and I knew there was a lot of cake in our immediate future I chose the 4 inch).

It Looks Great-but How Does It Taste?

I have always been prejudiced against fondant. To me fondant was popular because it allows for exquisite decorating of cake, but that the taste was not great. I think I got this idea when picking out my wedding cake. I am not sure I have ever tasted fondant. Well let me tell you-this cake tastes AMAZING. Julia wanted a slice once we were home-so I tried some-and ended up eating a whole slice. It was so good. Jason, my husband, ended up finishing it. I want to go back to decorate one not just because it is fun-but because the cake is so delicious.

Make Meaning is a true family place because it can be enjoyed from the youngest member to the oldest member. Don’t have a significant other and/or children-you will still enjoy this place. In fact, while they host a lot of kid parties they also appeal to adults who want to throw parties. On the third floor they have their private party spaces.

A Clean and Sparkling Crafts Place

NYC  has a number of places where you can make pottery and other crafts. This is no secret. However in all the ones I have been on there is paint all over the place-yes it is dried-but it still is unnerving. You won’t find that at Make Meaning which I loved!

In addition to all the choices of crafts that I mentioned you can also come in for glittery tattoos and feathers for the hair.

Membership Has Its Privileges!

There are two memberships to choose from.  When one goes into Make Meaning there is a 12 dollar Creativity Day Pass. You can stay a half an hour or the entire day, but you will pay 12 dollars plus the cost of whatever projects you make. However if you have a membership that Creativity Day Pass is waived. There is a 36 dollar membership that covers a single person for a year, or  you can pay 149 dollars, and cover 5 people of your choosing-kids, parents, nanny, manny, grandparent, etc for a year. The membership will definitely pay for itself because once you go you will want to go again and again. I purchased a membership as I see many trips to Make Meaning in our future.

A Make Meaning Near You!

Right now there is a Make Meaning on the Upper East Side and the Upper West Side. At this time the Upper West Side does not have Cake Decorating but it is coming soon. There will also soon be a Make Meaning in Scottsdale Quarter in Arizona and Legacy Place in Massachusetts.

Reservations

You can make a reservation-walk ins are welcome, but Make Meaning can get busy, especially on the weekends.

Food and Gifts

Besides all the craft options Make Meaning knows concentration can work up one’s appetite. They have a snack bar where they have a variety of goodies to choose from. They also have a gift shop with a wide variety of craft projects, plus other items to choose from.

Appealing for Children and Adults

While I am definitely looking forward to going again with Julia-I am also looking forward to going with friends. Everything they offer is appealing for both children and adults-and I look forward to trying everything with Julia and friends. In addition to just going and choosing what you want to make, both children and adults will be able to soon take classes. How great is that?

Click on the link below and make your reservation today!

Make Meaning Upper East Side: 1501 Third between 84th and 85 Street

Make Meaning Upper West Side: 329 Columbus Avenue between 75th and 76th Street

Happy crafting and cake decorating!

I was not paid for this review. Our visit was free of charge-no sitting fee and we were provided with the 4 inch cake plus all the decorations that were used. The opinions expressed are as always strictly my own.