Are you crafty? Then most likely you have shelves of uncompleted projects and unopened craft supplies. We know you had the best intentions, but life gets in the way and new hobbies don’t find an opportunity to flourish. If you need help using up your craft supply hoard of yarn, ribbon, stickers, or paper, you should join the Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) Loose Ends Craft group at the Eola Road Branch. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21.
Loose Ends Craft Group is an informal crafting and hobby group where attendees can socialize with other crafters, get sneak peeks at upcoming Library programs, and receive helpful tips. Crafters of all levels, particularly those who knit, crochet, or cross-stitch, will meet several like-minded persons in attendance. Many of our regulars are knowledgeable on their preferred-art form and are a great resource for those looking to get connected with ideas, patterns, or other crafting groups. We have a few members who do papercrafts. All crafts and crafters are welcome to attend!
The group has been meeting at the Eola Road branch for several years and even met virtually with the disruption of COVID in 2020. Librarian Megan Cavitt organizes the meetings and sometimes leads participants in a group activity. “Occasionally I set up a craft project that we can all learn as a group, for example, in May we made Remembrance Day luminaries with poppies painted on them. Sometimes I give Loose Ends members previews of the craft programs I plan to run later in the year for Library customers. They provide feedback and inspire me to try out new and different craft programs.”
Some participants really enjoy learning a new craft, but others are apprehensive about stepping outside their preferred crafting niche. A Library program is a great place to try out a new crafting technique without committing to a purchase or worrying about making something perfect and have fun in the process!
If you need inspiration to bring a new craft to the group, the Library has wonderful resources available for our cardholders. In addition to the hundreds of crafting books lining our shelves, our new subscription to the database Creative Bug has provided library staff members and customers with great, new, ideas. Creative Bug provides instructional videos on how to do all sorts of different crafts, and it’s free with your library card! We have paper crafting kits available for check-out in our Creator’s Collection. These kits include a Silhouette craft-cutting machine, tools for paper quilling, lots of fun scissors, and punchers.
With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, now is a great time to utilize these Library resources to make presents for your loved ones. Loose Ends Craft Group attendees frequently make gifts for others, which is lovely to see! One woman cross-stitched a welcome sign for her son’s wedding, and another made her three nieces and nephews matching sweaters. We even have a Library staff member who attends and makes holiday gifts for other staff members during Loose Ends, although but I’m not allowed to tell you what she’s working on!
The Loose Ends Craft Group meets on the third Monday of each month at the Eola Road Branch at 6:30 p.m.. For more information on Creative Bug, or to check out items from our Creator’s Collection, please visit our website at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org or contact the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.