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Your Love Story Mapmaking Class
Your Love Story Mapmaking Class
Your Love Story Mapmaking Class
Your Love Story Mapmaking Class

Your Love Story Mapmaking Class

Created by Brendan Lorber

Spend 90 minutes with a creative cartographer transforming real-life romance into a fantastical realm.

$110.00

Fun class Creative experience Unique gift Engaging instructor Romantic activity Reflective process Easy to follow
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Need to pencil it in? Rescheduling is available until 48 hours before the start time of your experience.

Note:
All classes will be held via Zoom and recorded. Please make sure you’re able to access Zoom prior to class time. The actual class link will be sent no later than 24 hours before class starts.
Please note that the product and class will appear separately in your cart. Both items must be in cart in order for the kit to be shipped.

Independent Maker

Exclusive

Made in USA

Your purchase includes

A 90-minute live virtual experience with an expert instructor

A Mapmaking Kit, mailed to you before the date of your experience

An email sent at least 24 hours before the experience with all the preparation details including experience log-in information

The Experience

Landscape of Love

We can all agree that not needing to rescue one’s beloved from a wicked monster, evil spell, or general fairy-tale peril is a good thing—especially because every love story is the stuff of legend all on its own. Join us for a remarkable 90-minute online experience that will teach you to map the captivating realm of real-life romance. Our guide on this quest is Brendan Lorber, a poet, writer, and artist whose fantastical biographical maps are on display at libraries and museums from Bed-Stuy to Edinburgh. Taking inspiration from classic fantasy fiction and role-playing games, Brendan’s imaginative style is uniquely suited to creating an extraordinary present for a romantic partner or favorite couple—and the class itself makes an unforgettable gift, particularly for someone celebrating an engagement, wedding, or landmark anniversary (like the first—a.k.a., the paper one).

Prior art experience is not required, but everyone will have some fun homework before class: listing the milestones, shared experiences, and memorable moments that make up the couple’s history (these will become the map’s geographic features). Each map can cover the relationship itself or focus on a specific time frame, such as first date to engagement or a momentous year in a marriage. Once the lesson begins, Brendan will get right into it with engaging, practical instruction and plenty of time to work and ask questions. No worries about specialized supplies, since this class comes with our custom Romantic Mapmaking Kit, which includes a template on artist-quality paper, a French curve drawing tool, Brendan’s own cartography guide, a perfectly sized wooden frame, and more.

In an hour and a half, participants will go from apprentice mapmaker to master cartographer as they create a mythic masterpiece worth cherishing for years—drawing new versions may even become a Valentine’s Day or anniversary tradition. While you likely won't finish your map in class, Brendan will equip you with the skills to complete your map with confidence. As Brendan says, Anyone can have a treasure map. In this class, you’ll be making maps that themselves are treasures.

Before class, you must complete the Concepting Your Map project, outlined here.

Giving this experience as a gift? Print out this card to let them know what's coming.

Want more Brendan Lorber? Check out our Fantasy Mapmaking Class.

Experiences make great gifts! To gift this class, simply purchase the class for the date/time you think will work for your recipient. If that doesn’t work for the recipient, no worries! Send an email that includes your order confirmation number to help@uncommongoods.com at least 48-hours prior and we’ll help get them moved into a scheduled class that works better for them. Please note: By default, order confirmations and event details are sent to the purchaser’s email. If you'd like this information to go to your gift recipient instead, select "this is a gift" under your chosen date. Once in your cart, you can enter the recipient's email address and choose a delivery date for the class confirmation email.

Looking to host a private or corporate event? Fill out the form on our Corporate Gifting Page.

Explore more of our upcoming Uncommon Experiences: View the Calendar
More Info

Hosted by

Brendan Lorber

About

Ride the ferry to Brooklyn and make your way to its tallest hill. There, across the street from a vast Victorian-era cemetery, is the little castle that Brendan Lorber and family call home. This atmospheric locale is well-suited to the poet, writer, artist, and, now, maker of hand-drawn maps inspired by classic fantasy world-building. "I've always loved maps," says Brendan of his creative cartography. "They add a layer of intrigue and a sense of achievement when you get where you were going."

In addition to the Map Kit included with the class, you'll need a ruler, some blank sheets of paper, a pencil (a standard #2 works, but a mechanical pencil is preferred), and coffee or dried beans.

get more details

You'll receive an email at least 24 hours before your experience with all the preparation details.

This item is not available to ship outside of the U.S. See International FAQ for more info.

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Need to return? Free returns are accepted forever—no time limits. Within 30 days of delivery, refunds to the original payment method will be available. After 30 days, refunds will be processed to a digital gift card. See our return policy for more details.

Ages

16+

Made from

paper

Measurements

11 in by 14 in

Care

Please use the included frame to mount your map after completion

Notes

Before class, please:
Before class, you must complete the Concepting Your Map project, outlined here.

1-2 people per screen, please (more that that affects the quality of everyone's experience).

Item ID

54994

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Also by Brendan Lorber

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Fun class Creative experience Unique gift Engaging instructor Romantic activity Reflective process Easy to follow

People love this product for its fun and creative approach to documenting their relationship through map-making.

AI generated summary

  • 5 stars out of 5

    We had such a fun time doing this class! Brendan is a wonderful, engag…

    • Jerkinses
    • Indianapolis, IN

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    We really enjoyed the class. Brendan was engaging, didn't go too fast …

    • SacramentoHomestead
    • Sacramento, CA

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    I gave my husband the map making class for Valentine's Day. We had a w…

    • Washington hikers
    • Washington state

    read full review

4.91
4.91 stars out of 5
based on 102 reviews
100%
of respondents would
recommend this to a friend
5 stars
94 users rating this 5 stars
4 stars
7 users rating this 4 stars
3 stars
1 users rating this 3 stars
2 stars
0 users rating this 2 stars
1 star
0 users rating this 1 star
  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Jerkinses
  • Indianapolis, IN

Map making adventure

We had such a fun time doing this class! Brendan is a wonderful, engaging teacher and watching the map come together in real time was such a treat

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • SacramentoHomestead
  • Sacramento, CA

Fantastic!

We really enjoyed the class. Brendan was engaging, didn't go too fast or too slow in his explanations. My only complaint is I wish we had been given everything in the kit (mechanical pencils, rulers, etc, not just a pen, an eraser, and a "squiggly" ruler). I'm not sure why you get a pen and an eraser. A pencil and an eraser would make more sense. I gave it to my husband, and of course, he didn't prep in advance, so we were scrambling a bit. Either way, that's my only complaint. The class itself was a lot of fun.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Washington hikers
  • Washington state

This class was great!

I gave my husband the map making class for Valentine's Day. We had a wonderful time creating a real keepsake together. We would definitely recommend Brendan and the map class - it makes a great gift!

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Lis
  • Undisclosed

Made the mapping very easy by his step

Calls was very loved the energy and style

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • J&E
  • Northern VA

very fun

our son gave the mapmaking class as a gift. It was so special to review all of our memories

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Will & Adelae
  • Boise, ID

Excellent intro to mapmaking!

Great pacing, great mix of guided instruction and independent worktime on our projects, charismatic speaker willing to engage with the audience!

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • M&M
  • Undisclosed

Great Class

We are not artistic people; however, Brendan's instructions on how to draw the parts of the map were easy to follow and he was entertaining as well.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Ambs
  • New Orleans, LA

A wonderful lecture on map making!

This class is a fantastic education on the spirit and practical skills of map making. Brendan shows great skill and humility and does a wonderful job imparting that into his instruction. Whether you're new to the practice or an experienced artist, there is great value in this class!

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • krebs
  • Nazareth, PA

Adorable. Full Stop.

Quality teaching, so much fun to map a relationship together. Well done! I loved all of it. It was a gift to us, and I will surely buy this for someone else. Love!

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • B&Z
  • Aurora, CO

Creative way to connect with your partner!

My husband and I took this class and created a map of our love story! Brendan is so warm and genuine and does a great job explaining how you are going to set up your map. He breaks everything into segments and walks you through all of the areas that will be present on your map. We would highly recommend if you are looking for something fun and creative to do as a date night with your love! No skills required!

customer photos

Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.

photos from reviews

  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Your Love Story Mapmaking Class from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.

FAQs

The map-making class is designed to be accessible for all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced artists. Instructor Brendan provides a well-balanced mix of guided instruction and independent work time, making it easy for newcomers to follow along while still offering enough depth and creative freedom to engage those with an existing art background.

You do not need to be artistic or have any drawing experience to take this map-making class. Instructor Brendan breaks the entire process down into easy-to-follow steps, walking you through each section of the map at a comfortable pace. Many participants describe themselves as non-artistic and were still surprised by how well their finished maps turned out.

The map-making class kit includes a pen, an eraser, a French curve (squiggly ruler), and a frame, along with a cartographer guide that participants find extremely helpful throughout the class. It's recommended that you have pencils and a ruler on hand as well before the class begins to make the experience as smooth as possible.

A map-making class is an excellent couples activity for date night, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or engagements. Couples use the class to create a personalized relationship map — mapping out milestones like where they met, key moments in their journey, and special places they've shared together, resulting in a one-of-a-kind keepsake to display in the home.

The class guides you through the foundational skills and structure of your map, but many couples choose to continue refining and completing their map after the class ends. This is especially recommended for perfectionists or those who want to take their time — the class gives you all the tools and techniques you need, and finishing the map on your own timeline turns it into an ongoing, meaningful project.

1. What skill level is the map-making class designed for — beginners or experienced artists?

The map-making class is designed to be accessible for all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced artists. Instructor Brendan provides a well-balanced mix of guided instruction and independent work time, making it easy for newcomers to follow along while still offering enough depth and creative freedom to engage those with an existing art background.

2. Do you need to be artistic or have drawing experience to take a map-making class?

You do not need to be artistic or have any drawing experience to take this map-making class. Instructor Brendan breaks the entire process down into easy-to-follow steps, walking you through each section of the map at a comfortable pace. Many participants describe themselves as non-artistic and were still surprised by how well their finished maps turned out.

3. What materials are included with the map-making class kit?

The map-making class kit includes a pen, an eraser, a French curve (squiggly ruler), and a frame, along with a cartographer guide that participants find extremely helpful throughout the class. It's recommended that you have pencils and a ruler on hand as well before the class begins to make the experience as smooth as possible.

4. Is a map-making class a good couples activity for date night or an anniversary gift?

A map-making class is an excellent couples activity for date night, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or engagements. Couples use the class to create a personalized relationship map — mapping out milestones like where they met, key moments in their journey, and special places they've shared together, resulting in a one-of-a-kind keepsake to display in the home.

5. How long does it take to complete the map during the class, and can you finish it afterward?

The class guides you through the foundational skills and structure of your map, but many couples choose to continue refining and completing their map after the class ends. This is especially recommended for perfectionists or those who want to take their time — the class gives you all the tools and techniques you need, and finishing the map on your own timeline turns it into an ongoing, meaningful project.

Customer questions

  • New York

Do you think this works better if I gift the experience to my partner as an activity we can do together? Or can I also attend the class solo to make a map as the gift to be given later?

Verified reply from Maxienne

This class works equally well in both scenarios.

  • Iowa

I would like to do the romantic map making one. The only Internet we have is on our phones. Can we do the class ok streaming it on an Android or is a computer/tablet required?

Verified reply from Ashley

Great Question! The Experience classes are help via Zoom, so as long as your Android is equip with that, it should work just fine! You would receive a link in your email 24 hours before the class is held.

  • undisclosed

Can we change the date of the class after we purchase it if something comes up and we can't make that date/time?

Verified reply from Jasmine

Yes!

  • FL

If I purchase for 2 people, do they each get a kit or is it just 1 kit they will have to share during the class? It says it's a 2 in 1, but what is the end product?

Verified reply from Allison

The class can be up to two people per screen. One kit is included in the class but it's possible to add another kit at check-out! You can change the quantity of the kit and still keep the class at one.

  • undisclosed

Is this a one on one class or is it a group class?

Verified reply from Coralie

This is a group class, if you would like we also offer private classes as well.

  • Portland, Oregon

If I am purchasing this experience for a couple as an engagement present, do I need to buy 1 or 2 tickets?

Verified reply from Melise

You only need to buy 1 seat for a couple!

Our gifting team recommends leaning into wedding season with a playful surprise that turns memories into a keepsake. For ideas that feel personal (not predictable), browse our thoughtful wedding gifts.

If you like the idea of crafting a shared keepsake, we’ve got plenty more ways to make it memorable. Check out our gifts for the couple and thoughtful bridesmaid gifts—all fun, all with heart, and none of the usual clichés.