As of April 1st 2025, the mall hours are changing to close early on Thursdays which means workshops will move to weekends. We'll also be losing access to our Community Event Space for the entire month of April because the local paper, the Times Colonist, requires the space for some fell ritual involving running. For the month of April we will be hosting workshops in a different space, and then be back in the Community Event Space in May.
Workshop Registration
Workshop Updates
Learn Hobby Skills in Community-Led Workshops
One of the joys of any hobby is sharing it with others. We’re partnering with hobbyists, artists and craftspeople in our community to teach a variety of workshops about painting models, crafting and more. These talented people will be teaching their tips and tricks, do's and dont's and other helpful information regarding a variety of hobbies.
How It Works
Our workshop program is organized and hosted by BC Hobbies with the help of local artists and creators. Workshops will be hosted within Hillside Shopping Centre at a temporary location. Your facilitator will roll call attendants to the front of BC Hobbies and will lead the group to the workshop location together. It’s advised Show up a few minutes early!
Some basic supplies like paint & paintbrushes will be provided by BC Hobbies for the duration of the workshop, but some requirements outlined by the facilitator may require attendees to bring their own.
Signing Up
To sign up for a workshop, check the available listing below. All our signups are handled via Eventbrite below. The ticket price for a workshop is $20. If we have to cancel a workshop, all tickets for that workshop are automatically refunded to their original method of payment via Eventbrite. Workshop attendants must be 14 years or older.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are workshops taking place?
Workshops are hosted within Hillside Shopping Centre. Meet at BC Hobbies and your facilitator will escort the group to the event space! Check the listings below to see when each workshop is held.
How much do workshops cost?
Ticket prices are $20 via Eventbrite.
Can I sign up for a workshop in-store?
No, you will be directed to this page. Tickets are available online only via Eventbrite.
Are there any specific rules or age limitations for workshop attendees?
All attendants must be over the age of 14. Other than that, be polite and courteous to other attendees and the facilitator. Do not disrupt the workshop - your facilitator will answer your questions after they have explained their points. Rudeness and inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in immediate ejection from the workshop.
Will I be filmed or photographed?
BC Hobbies will not be filming or taking photographs at these events. There is a possibility of photos or video being captured by your facilitator. If so, you will be told by your facilitator at the start of class and presented with a waiver. Your facilitator is responsible for any concerns around the media they capture during a workshop.
Are tickets refundable?
Tickets can now be refunded if necessary. If a workshop needs to be rescheduled or cancelled, eventbrite will automatically refund all tickets to any attendees that purchased one for that workshop.
Still Have Questions?
If you've still got questions, direct them to liam@bchobbies.com with the subject line "Workshop Questions" and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Do not call the store with workshop questions, you will be referred to this page as organization is handled by our office team.
Help! The page isn't loading properly!
If you're viewing this page on a tablet you will likely encounter a few errors. Switch to your phone or a computer to view the page properly and sign up for workshops. There is no fix for this issue, unfortunately.
Available Workshops
More 2025 Workshop Dates Coming Soon - Stay tuned for an update on social media!
March 27th: Terrain Crafting Animated Flaming Ruins
Terrain Crafting: Animated Flaming Ruins
Join Greg's workshop and learn how to bring your Warhammer games to life by crafting animated terrain pieces. In this workshop, you'll be constructing a set of tabletop terrain - by starting with simple LEDs you will learn how to add special effects to your terrain without soldering! This will be a hands-on workshop following Greg’s YouTube video on the same topic.
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 8
Facilitator: Greg Amlin (Subscribe on YouTube)
About the Facilitator(s): Greg has been building war-gaming terrain for over 30 years, has played 40k socially and competitively all over Canada. He has worked extensively within the business (including being trained in retail by Games Workshop). Additionally, he has had the great fortune of earning two Warhammer 40k Canadian Grand Champion titles.
Safety: Safety around hobby knives is required, knives will be provided.
What to Bring: Bring a glue gun with glue refills for you to use.
April 11th: Miniature Painting: Slap Chop Method
Miniature Painting: Slap Chop Method with Ariel Moore
Great for beginner and intermediate painters, this workshop will introduce students to a speed hack in mini painting. Using modern paints and a revolutionary method, students will learn to paint exceptionally fast and still get fantastic results.
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 8
Facilitator: Ariel Moore
About the Facilitator(s): Ariel Moore has been painting miniatures for over 15 years. He is versed in teaching miniature painting methods and theory, and has taught in schools, summer camps, independently and within BC Hobbies programs. He has done commission work through BC Hobbies, and has a range of minis on display within the store.
Safety: There are no safety concerns.
What to Bring: Materials will be provided.
April 25th: Fundamentals of 3D Printing (FDM) w/ Kevin
Fundamentals of 3D Printing Feat. Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
In this workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of 3D printing with the Neptune 4Pro. We’ll begin with the basic setup and leveling of the printer, including navigating the UI and understanding the available system tools. You’ll gain an understanding of PLA filament, its various types, and how to adjust printing settings based on filament properties.
We'll also cover the essential process of leveling the print bed, including auxiliary, automatic, and Z-offset adjustments, explaining why these are crucial for successful prints.
Next, we’ll introduce Ultimaker Cura 5.9.0, a slicing software, where you’ll learn how to upload, position, and orient your 3D objects on the build plate for optimal printing. Finally, we'll explore the "Basic" menu in Cura to adjust settings and ensure ideal print conditions. This workshop is perfect for beginners looking to get started with 3D printing!
Disclaimer*
Please note that 3D printing is a broad field, and this workshop is specifically designed to get you set up and printing with PLA filament. Depending on the interest and popularity of this session, we may look into exploring more specialized topics in the future. However, please understand that this is not a forum for addressing individual, specific printing questions. We kindly ask that you respect the time of both the facilitator and your fellow attendees.
Level: Beginner
Capacity: 6
Facilitator: Kevin Elvedahl
About the Facilitator(s): Kevin is a man of many talents, 3D Printing being one of them. He heads our 3D Printer department and repairs all incoming printers too!
Safety: There are no safety concerns, Kevin has been fed.
What to Bring: Something to take notes on unless you have an eidetic memory!
Past Events
If you're curious, here is a list of past workshops hosted via BC Hobbies.
- Miniature Painting: Introduction to Miniature Painting (JR03)
- Terrain Crafting: "Whammertronics" Trenches and Animated Burn Barrel (GA02)
- Miniature Painting: Slap Chop Method (AM04)
- Miniature Painting: Games Workshop Method (AM03)
- Terrain Crafting: "Whammertronics" Animated Flaming Ruins (GA01)
- Miniature Painting 101: Slapchop & Contrast Paints w/ Ariel Moore (ariel_moore_minis)
- Miniature Painting 102: Intro to Value & Contrast w/ Jordan R (little_ghost_minis)
- Rocketeering 101: An Introduction to Model Rockets w/ Mark from BC Hobbies
- Airbrushing 101: An Introduction to Airbrushing w/ Liam (liamshobbyroom)
Want to Teach?
If you're one of our many talented hobbyists in the Victoria area and would like to teach a workshop through the BC Hobbies Workshop program, please reach out to brendan@bchobbies.com with the subject line "Workshop Questions!" Be sure to outline exactly what you'd like to do, and if it fits within our plans we can work together to make it happen. Please be advised that BC Hobbies has the final say on any workshop plans, curriculums or materials and some changes may be imposed to make things fit within our framework.