Crafts Blog

Crafts information at the library can encompass knitting patterns, quilting designs, basketweaving instructions, cross stitch diagrams, fine wood-working techniques, step-by-step watercolor painting, advice for sketching human figures, scrapbooking and cardmaking inspiration and many other crafty topics. Whether you are a novice looking to try something new or a life-long crafter checking out the newest titles in your area of expertise, the library supports your enthusiasm for your artistic hobbies with books, DVDs, magazines and even a database of information on craft topics.

Recent Crafts Blog Posts

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Why I Like It: Art Review of The Waiting Room

Using crochet and tear-shaped beads, artist Stephanie Lanter created a Victorian-style opera glove to complement the Melancholia chair tableau – and convey the psychological weight of depression.

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Journaling with Words and Images: Validation

A monthly journaling workshop offers ideas and encouragement for people pursuing personal writing with words and images. Handouts including writing prompts about validation are archived here. The workshop meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am at the library.

New Year’s Resolutions

Journaling ideas: Goals and plans

A monthly journaling workshop offers ideas and encouragement for people pursuing personal writing with words and images. Handouts including writing prompts for goals and plans are archived here. The workshop meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am at the library.

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Journaling ideas: reflecting back on the past year

A monthly journaling workshop offers hands-on projects, ideas and encouragement for people pursuing personal writing with words and images. Handouts including writing prompts for reflecting back on your year are archived here. The workshop meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am at the library.

Crafting with Kids

Ideas for crafty parents

When people who love crafts become parents, their priorities and time for hobbies may shift, but crafting with kids is a way to continue to creating together. Find and share ideas of how to continue crafting by including your whole family in the experience.

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Around the World with Gourds

It all started in Africa. At this upcoming program learn about gourds and their uses in many countries. See amazing gourd art influenced by different cultures. Thursday, July 28, 7:00–8:30 pm

Respect the Spindle

Unwind with a drop spindle

The most common question I hear when I’m spinning on a drop spindle is “WHY would you spin yarn on something so slow and small when you could just go buy yarn?” It’s a legitimate question and spinning in this way isn’t for everyone, but here’s my answer.

Brown v. Board of Education Art Contest

“Commemorating Our Nation’s Struggle for Freedom: A Juried Art Competition” – no fee for submission. Kansas artists 18 and older are invited to submit one piece, in any two-dimensional medium, that addresses the theme. “Since the founding of the United States in 1776, the American people have struggled to overcome racism, prejudice, and discrimination. There [...]

Book Arts for Schools handouts

Jeanne Drewes gave her program last Tuesday, and asked us to share her list of websites and handouts. Below are some of the sites she used to gather instructions for different bookbinding styles. Step-by-step instructions go with many of them. Other sites are good resources.  Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Celebrates Preservation Week April [...]

Still space for “Family Treasures” workshop

Jeanne Drewes, the Chief of the Binding and Collections Care Division and Program Manager of the Mass Deacidification Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress will lead a workshop on caring for your collection Thursday, April 28 from 6 – 8:30 pm in the Marvin Auditorium, 101B. Along with other archivists and preservationists, Jeanne will show you what [...]