Brooklyn Brainery

Introducing Brainery Annual Memberships

Jen Messier — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:12:19 -0400

We're super excited to officially announce our annual membership program! Sign up at this link: https://brooklynbrainery.com/courses/brainery-annual-membership

Membership is $130/year until April 1, 2026 ($160 thereafter) and includes the following benefits:

- Get a $225 Brainery gift certificate that can be used for any classes or events you like, whether you want to take a class each month yourself and explore new skills, treat a few friends to an event, or splurge on a couple pricier classes.

- tote bag + sticker + notebook (pick up at our first member event in April!)

- members-only giveaways (books, products from local businesses, art kits and more!)

- special one-off events that are free for members only, like our April 20 tour of the Red Hook Pinball Museum. We'll aim to do 6-10 special events per year.

After signing up, you'll receive an email with your gift certificate information within 5 days. When signing up for monthly social events, use the "free for members" ticket option to RSVP.

Upcoming (free!) member events:

- Private tour of the Red Hook Pinball Museum on Monday, April 20th

- Spring happy hour + tote bag pickup party on Friday, April 24th

Membership valid for one year from date of purchase. Right now we only have an annual option available, but may add a monthly option for the future. I'm hopeful that with a solid base of member support, we can lower prices for some classes going forward, making them more accessible for everyone.

Thanks for all your support!

Supply List: Watercolors

Jen Messier — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:05:23 -0500

Paper

100% Cotton Paper is key, but don't feel like you have to spend a ton. Buying online is your best bet, as cotton paper sold in stores is mostly always really expensive, like Arches. Meeden is a good budget brand, but stay away from Strathmore and Canson, or any paper that doesn't specifically say it's 100% cotton.

Paints

Meeden is really decent for the price ($12 for 12 tubes). A good "student grade" set is Windsor & Newton Cotman, and for professional paints I love Daniel Smith and Windsor & Newton, but there are a lot of good brands out there.

Kayaking Jamaica Bay (for free!)

Jen Messier — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:08:34 -0400

A couple years ago, we bought some cheap kayaks on a whim at Tractor Supply and decided to take to the water. I had just moved down to South Brooklyn, near Jamaica Bay, and wanted to embrace my new water-adjacent life. I have to say these silly kayaks have been one of the best impulse purchases of all time, and exploring Jamaica Bay by boat has become a favorite hobby.

If you want to get out on the water and kayak the Bay without investing in a ten-foot piece of molded plastic that you also must store for most of the year, check out some of the awesome free programming offered by the National Parks Service and volunteer groups. There's still time to get out there in 2025, and the water and weather is warm and perfect right around now.

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2025 National Park Service Jamaica Bay Kayak Schedule - a huge variety of paddles are offered weekly through September 12th. Free, but register at nps.gov/gate

Free Paddles at the Community Boathouse - located in Rockaway Beach, this nonprofit offers several weekly paddles around the calm waters of Jamaica Bay. Free, but registration required! They also have some tandem kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

Sebago Canoe Club - though membership is currently full at Sebago, located in Canarsie, you can still attend one of their free open house days. The next (and last) for the season is September 6th.

Supply List: DIY Coasters

Jen Messier — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:39:00 -0500

Making your own coasters is a lot of fun and easy to do without resin. You can "fill" them with a collage, a painting, pressed flowers and more. The coasters are made from two 4 inch acrylic discs, which are then stuffed like a sandwich and taped around the edge with copper tape. The copper ages over time and provides a fun effect.

Here's what you'll need to make your own coasters at home.

4 inch acrylic rounds: these are super nice and high quality, but quite expensive at onver $1 per round

4 inch acrylic squares: these are thinner than 1/8" but still sturdy enough! The copper tape will wrap around the edges a bit!

1/4 inch copper tape

Pressed Flowers

Watercolor paintings or collages you make yourself!

(incldues Amazon affiliate links)