Howdy, Dabblers!​
​*sharp inhale* Holy-sheeeeet-welcome-to-the-very-first-issue-of-The-Dabbling-I'm-freakin'-stoked-you're-heeeere!
​
Before we get stuck into what to expect weekly from The Dabbling, allow me (well, you can't stop me) to take a moment to explain why I'm creating a free neighbourhood newsletter, all about hobbies, interests, and being a (terrible(-ly awesome)) beginner, right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch...

(If you've read your welcome email, this part will be familiar - don't tell me you've never copy/pasta'd)

1. As a nudge for us to try ("badly") the things we've "always wanted to" (but clearly haven't made a priority, even with the most grown-up money and freewill we've ever had)​
2. To connect with and support local businesses, "doer"s, and other creatives 🤜🤛 (heyyy, new friends!)​
3. To experience this beautiful city through DOING 💪 (we have SO MUCH rad stuff and SO MANY rad people here)​
...and a secret hope that you light a match to your stale career, to master the art of miniature, cat-shaped topiaries?!

The guiding principle is simple - ✨ FOLLOW THE EXCITEMENT ✨

​
..."But can't we just follow the existing council pages and FB events to find out what's on"?​
Of course! But this curated publication aims to be more interactive (doing vs viewing), more niche (the hyperist of all fixations), more intimate (like, actual opportunities to make new friends), and less "ah forkballs! I wanted to try that, but it got lost in the doom-scroll and was 2 weekends ago..."

​
Oooh-weee! Back to the present (speaking of which, thank you again for being here), let's gooooo!
With Matariki and the shortest day behind us — it’s now socially acceptable to start dreaming about hobbies that don’t involve being horizontal under three blankets. Snorkels may be premature, but hope is alive... 🤿
​
​Side note: Something I absolutely adore about this time of year, are the clear-as skies giving stunningly smooth ombré sunrises (please send me your pics 🤩 and tell me what you're loving right now!) 🌄
​
Right-o! Let's see what's going on in the district, then we can search for gently used pasta makers on Marketplace 🍝 ("one careful lady owner")​
C.x

Thursday 10th July

📸 Studio 101: Basics Workshop​
Level up your photography dabbling - learn the basics of using studio equipment (basic strobe and continuous lighting set-ups) to create profesh-level pics.
​Where: Photosynthesis, 10/400 Saint Asaph Street
​When: Thu 10th July, 7:30pm-9pm (1.5hrs)
​Entry: $25 (limit 6 spots, book for next month if you miss out)​
​Tickets: https://www.photosynthesis.nz/events/studio101-jul2025
​(also catch their open studio days once a month)

Friday 11th July

🎪 Circus Life Drawing​
Support our local Circus School with this 'sketchy' fundraiser (and check out their adult-beginner classes and block courses, for a new obsession).​
​Where: Circotica, 4/235 Waltham Road
​When: Fri 11th July, 6:30pm-8pm (1.5hrs)
​Entry: $40 (BYO art supplies)​
​Tickets: https://www.circotica.com/event-details/circus-life-drawing-2​

🔭 Heritage Stargazing​
Chuck a coat on and peep our magical moon, planets, and star clusters (including the stunningly colourful Jewel Box star cluster)​
​Where: The Arts Centre, Observatory tower on Hereford St
​When: Fri 11th July, 7:30pm-8pm (30min) (Runs every Fri eve in Winter)​
​Entry: $10 adults ($5 kids)​
​Tickets: https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/heritage-stargazing/​

Saturday 12th July

🐛 Insect Inspectors: Bugs of Aotearoa​
Explore the Amazing Colours of NZ Insects! Join the Canterbury branch of the National Entomology Society for a vibrant, bug-filled adventure celebrating Aotearoa’s incredible insect life.
​Where: The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens
​When: Sat 12th July, 10am-1pm (3hrs)
​Entry: Free, family friendly (I don't even care if this is aimed at kids, it sounds cool and I'll see you there)​
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/16iKt9nTyR/​

💍 Beginner's Weekend Workshop (jewellery making)​
Get on the tools and treat your fingies to a 2-day metalsmithing workshop, and come away with a brass/copper ring and a silver piece (or more).
​Where: Workspace Studios, 49 Ferry Road
​When: Sat 12th and Sun 13th July, 10am-1pm (3hrs each day)
​Entry: $248 (includes materials, extras available for purchase)​
​Tickets: https://www.workspacestudios.co.nz/service-page/beginner-s-weekend-winter-session​

Sunday 13th July

⛸ Beginner Lesson Session (ice skating)​
Participate in the low-key beginner lesson, or practice on your own in a quieter session (with extra staff nearby for support)
​Where: Alpine Ice Sports Centre, 495 Brougham Street
​When: Sun 13th July, 10:30-11:30am (1hr, but can extend)
​Entry: $13, all ages and fitness levels welcome
​Info: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AfkBWmagM/​

🚲 Wrenching Women: Bike Maintenance Workshop (wheels & tires)​
Understand how to service your bike and keep it in tip-top shape!
​Where: Be-Spoke HQ, Tussock Lane, Ferrymead
​When: Sun 13th July, 2-3:30pm (1.5hrs)
​Entry: $35 (plus any tools/accessories you might want)​
​Tickets: https://be-spoke.co.nz/product/wrenching-women-bike-maintenance-workshops-wheels-and-tires/​

OTHER STUFF COMING UP SOON THAT YOU MIGHT WANNA BOOK ASAP:

🎙 Podclass: Learn to Podcast Like a Pro​
Launch your own high-quality podcast with confidence, led by NZ podcasting legend, Tim Batt.
​Where: Canterbury Workers' Educational Association, 59 Gloucester Street
​When: Sat 19th July, 9:15am-1pm (3.5hrs)
​Entry: $150
​Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/podclass-learn-to-podcast-like-pro/christchurch​

🍸 Garden City Pour: CHC Made Gin Tasting​
A behind-the-bottle peek and sampling of 5 local distilleries' drops. Grazing and garnishes included.
​Where: Juniper Collective, 2B/112 Cashel Street
​When: Fri 25th July, 7-9pm (2hrs)
​Entry: $60
​Tickets: https://junipercollective.co.nz/products/garden-city-pour-a-chch-made-gin-tasting​

​
​This is where you pipe up if you (or a mate) have a community event coming up - smash it through here and/or share this newsletter with them! 🤜🤛

This part is for the quiet, the solo, the low-key, and the close-to-home stuff 🐌 (Note, 'kitchen dance party' still fits here)​
​

🎲 Borrow a board game from the library (for a whole fortnight for only $5!)(New Brighton, Papanui or Turanga) and host a mini-championship.
Winner gets bragging rights (obvs), pick of the next game, and a snack of choice bought for them.​
NB: A bunch of board/indoor games are also available to play in most of the libraries, or join one of the clubs (more info on that page link above)!

SHOW US YOUR ___ ?​
​- Stash: Messy or methodically labelled, we wanna see what gear you're running!
​- Project: Half-finished, and need help with the next bit? Completed and proud as heck? Crowdsource and/or celebrate, we're here for you!
​- Slooow hobby: Think time-testing Bonsai keeping, or aged-sauerkraut (is all sauerkraut aged?). Let us swoon over your patience.

Hit reply and send through some deets and pics!

✏️ Unscramble this: ROSL KLED ILGAIF CPEJ

Hint: 2-word activity, 2-word (related) location.

(Answers for both at the bottom of the newsletter)

Buy it. Sell it. Trade it. Forget why you bought it... Repeat.
Whether you're after a secondhand easel, a bulk-lot of sourdough supplies, or want to flog your unicycle, this is your space. Local businesses welcome — especially if you’ve got a sweet deal or weird inventory.

✨ Special intro offer: Business classified $20, Personal classified $10 ✨

Disappointingly(?) there are only 10 listings for pasta makers in CHC on TradeMe right now. This would be my pick out of those.

If you're quietly plotting your escape from a life that feels like beige wallpaper…​
Stick around, coz we'll have spicy job listings, study/re-training ideas that don’t involve a 3-year degree, and stories from locals who blew up the script and wrote their own damn plot twist.

VOLUNTEER: Our wonderful parks and outdoor spaces need some treeees planted, if you wanna get dirty! Sat 12th July:​ ​Bowenvale Reserve, Cashmere - 1pm ​Sheldon Park, Belfast - 9am ​Sun 13th July:​ ​Brooker Reserve, Burwood - 10am ​Urumau Reserve, Lyttelton - 1pm ​Sun 19th July:​ ​Halswell Quarry Park, Halswell - 10am

Fun fact: The first issue of the Lyttelton Times was published on Jan 11th 1851 (26 days after the printing presses arrived on board the Charlotte Jane on December 16th 1850). Read it here!

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

This one's for the community to have a little fun. Anyone can buy one, and anyone can roast anyone else—so long as it's clean and in good fun. 😁

Zing your rival Bowling team that you obliterated last weekend 🎳
Call-out your best mate for their paint-and-sip portrait looking more like a Bulldog eating custard 🧑‍🎨
Or shout out your mum for gifting you a pair of new-to-you hiking boots 🥾

✨ Special intro offer: Only $5 ✨

This is just the beginning — a tiny toe-dip into the chaotic pool of hobbies, side quests, and creative mischief still to come. Thanks for being here at the start!
Here are your quick links:
Got a community event/fun thing to share? That's this one​
Classifieds, paid events or newsletter sponsorship? Intro offers active​
Keen to share your deepest hobby-love? Brag away here​
​
And if you know someone who needs a gentle nudge (or a loving shove) toward something new, feel free to forward this their way.

Now go build a blanket fort (pics or it didn't happen)!

C.x​
​Publisher, The Dabbling​
​Ōtautahi’s Unofficial Hobby-Hypewoman

Fun answers:

⛳️ Word jumble: DISC GOLF JELLIE PARK

🤖 Burnside High School has an award-winning ROBOTICS club! Check it out here​

⛵️ NZ's oldest MODEL YACHT CLUB is here! Established in 1898 - More info here​