Last time our “Crafternoon” project was yarn-covered jars and in June we did mirrored button, bead and mosaic wall art. One of our goals with “Crafternoon” is to provide new skills with a project that hopefully you can use — and maybe even develop an ongoing interest. Imagine my excitement when we received an email from a participating patron with a thank you and pictures of what she has continued to do with these crafts.

“I just wanted to send a quick thank you for hosting the “Crafternoon” sessions. I am really enjoying them and love learning the new skills.  Here is a picture of my completed yarn wrapped jar from Saturday and button projects I have made for my sisters using buttons my mom saved throughout the years.” -“Crafternoon” Participant

This is exactly what we are going for. Yay! Next month, we are going to be using scrabble tiles, and in October we will be doing an “Introduction to Embroidery” class with a part 2 to follow in early 2025. Think “stars” for November and “BYOC” (bring your own craft) for December. And, don’t worry, we have already begun developing other exciting classes for 2025!

These classes fill quickly and registration typically begins 2 weeks before the class. After that, you will be placed on a waiting list to be called when we have a cancellation. And we make those calls often, so be sure to register for the waiting list. Please remember these classes are for adults only as many of the projects are working with items that may not be safe for kids. See you at the next “Crafternoon”!

The library offers a free monthly craft session for adults — we like to call it our Crafternoon program. These sessions are held on evenings, during the day and on weekends to make them available for as many people as possible, and all supplies are provided. This is in addition to other craft events that are held for children, teens and adults. Our craft and activity database, CreativeBug, is available to all library patrons and is available 24/7. There are thousands of craft instructions with new activities added every month, including video tutorials.

We work hard to develop Crafternoons that are not only fun, but help participants learn a new skill skill, develop a finished project that can be used in their home or even given as a gift. Our biggest goal is for people to enjoy these activities and each other.

Some comments received from Crafternoon participants:

• “I used the skills I learned from paper quilling to make Valentine cards for my family and friends.”
• ” I love getting out of the house, doing something fun and meeting new people.”
• “was able to bring in personal mementos of my mother and incorporate it into a craft that I can hang on the wall and be reminded of her…”
• “fun and relaxing”
• “enjoy talking with other individuals that are interested in crafts”

We welcome you to join us! Information on Crafternoons can be found in our events calendar, on our Facebook page and on our website. Registration starts two weeks before each class and these fill quickly, so sign up early. As our registration limit is reached, a waiting list is started so please give us a call if you need to cancel — this allows that spot to be offered to another patron. Hope to see you on July 18 as we “Put a Bird on It.”

Back by popular demand: paper quilling! We did this activity last year and before we were even finished participants were asking for it again.  Paper quilling has been popular since the 15th century and is the art of using paper strips and glue to create simple or complicated shapes and patterns. Strips of paper are quilled onto a skewer, shaped and glued onto a canvas to create a picture. All supplies are provided. This is a more complex process, so fine motor skills win the day here! Join us on Saturday, January 27 from 2- 4 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library. This program is for adults and registration is required — register early as these classes fill quickly.

For more ideas on decorating with paper, check out these library resources. You can also explore CreativeBug, which is our database on arts and crafts activities. You can view tons of creative jewelry ideas with instructional videos, on everything from wire-wrapping to beading to leathercrafts, and more are added monthly! You will need your library card and pin (your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) to use this database.

Stay tuned for our future Crafternoons — bullet journals, basic embroidery stitching and painted rocks to name a few — in our program guide, on the website and on social media!

Join us on November 4 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Friends Room of the Columbia Public Library to create art for your wall. Let your creative expression run free in making a wall clock with painted disks creating a unique ambiance with interesting design shapes that also tell the time. These can be adapted to your color scheme with paint — go bright and bold or muted and atmospheric. All supplies provided. This program is for adults, and we recommend you register early as craft classes fill quickly.

For more ideas on clocks and other wall art ideas, check out these library resources. You can also explore CreativeBug, which is our database on arts and crafts activities. You can view tons of creative ideas with instructional videos and more are added monthly! You will need your library card and pin (your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) to use this database.

There is not an activity planned for December, but stay tuned for the January Crafternoon in our program guide, on our website and on social media!

Learn to make a beautiful luminaria with an intricate mandala design. No previous experience necessary to create some lovely ambiance for the upcoming fall nights. We will be using autumn-colored constructions paper, an awl and your hands to punch designs into paper. All materials provided, including lights to take home. This program is for adults, and we recommend that you register early as craft classes fill quickly.

For more ideas on fall crafts, check out these library resources. You can also explore CreativeBug, which is our database on arts and crafts activities. You can view tons of craft ideas with instructional videos and more are added monthly! You will need your library card and pin (your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) to use this database.

Stay tuned for our November Crafternoon in our program guide, on our website and on social media! In the meantime, you can explore past Crafternoon crafts, too.