Edaywow is a fashion and lifestyle store that offers in-depth workshops where you can make your own handbags, headbands, and more.

To get to the DIY workshop stations you first have to take a walk through all the cool merchandise on offer.

With fully stocked shelves of stationery, blind boxes, makeup, home goods, accessories, and so much more, the store carries all the pastel and cute products you could dream of. (Note their wide range of Sanrio products — Sanrio lovers, this is for you!)

Manager Winnie So says people as young as three and as old as 80 are drawn in by the colourful displays in the storefront window.

Beyond sharing their products with the local community, Winnie says there's another reason they opened a brick-and-mortar shop last year — to share their love of DIY.

"We want people to come away being able to show off their item and say, 'I made that!'"

Brightly lit at the front of the store, you can see a display of all the things you can make, including purses, keychains, and light-up displays.

I opted to try out their purse-making workshop, choosing a Sanrio Cinnamoroll-themed purse to make, while our photographer Fareen chose a black bunny-themed purse.

Winnie quickly laid out all the materials that I would need for the experience, and off I ventured into the world of sewing and decorating.

Winnie was warm and friendly, and an incredibly knowledgeable teacher during the process. She was quick to share new tricks and techniques, making everything super simple for even the most novice crafters.

She was always available when people needed help, maintaining a calming presence. Even when I thought an irreversible mistake had been made, she was quick to say, "Stay calm, don't worry — I've got this," fixing my mistake in less than a minute.

Edaywow manager Winnie So puts the final touches on a handbag. 

Through the experience, she shared why she loves to teach these workshops to the Edaywow guests. "We want to open people's minds and help them be inspired," she says. "Maybe in the future, they'll be a designer of jewellery or handbags."

She says she's had many positive experiences with the workshops so far. Some people come for a peaceful time, opting to listen to music or watch something on their phone to relax. For others, it's a social activity; they bring their friends to catch up and gossip while they craft away.

Winnie and her staff were extremely accommodating throughout the workshop, offering bottles of water and even music changes to help customers feel as comfortable as possible.

Though their website lists the workshop as around two hours long, Winnie emphasizes that she's committed to letting people feel relaxed and creative and doesn't like to rush them through the experience.

A highlight was definitely how customizable the purses were, from the placement of hardware to how they were decorated. It was an experience you wouldn't get just by buying a handbag at a store. 

The workshops aren't just limited to purse-making, either. If you're short on time, you may want to opt for their sticker keychain-making workshop, or one of their pipe-cleaner craft workshops.

Winnie says kids are especially fond of their Sanrio-themed pipe-cleaner headband workshops — a perfect starter craft for little hands.

She pays close attention to the products people are drawn to when entering the store and develops the workshops based on that. 

Edaywow jewellery selection. 

Beyond a solo arts and crafts trip, the workshop experiences could also be a fun way to hang out with friends, a cool date with keepsakes, or even a birthday party.

Edaywow even offers discounts when you bring more people to the workshop, making things affordable.

The purse workshops currently range from $39.99-$59.99. Other workshops include the sticker keychain workshop ($12.99 for two) and headband-making workshop ($24.99).

Edaywow mug collection.

Whether you're there to check out the trendy merchandise or stop by for a workshop, you'll leave feeling happy and relaxed, most likely armed with something you can show off. 

Edaywow is located at 269 Danforth Ave.