Getting Crafty with Creativebug

Let's all resolve to be more creative in 2021. Scientists are uncovering encouraging evidence that engaging in creative activities — from painting to potting plants to planning parties — is beneficial to your mental health and well-being. The library can help you on your creative journey with Creativebug. With free video classes on everything from drawing to cake decorating, there's something for everyone.

Hello Creativebug!

While we aren't able to have in-person arts and crafts classes right now, Creativebug offers all kinds of ways to help you feel connected to the craft community.

Creativebug is a bit like YouTube, but without having to wade through hundreds of amateurish videos to find the good ones. If you're looking to learn a new craft or to expand your skills in a craft you already know, Creativebug has top artists and designers ready to help.

To access Creativebug you'll need your library card number. Once you're logged in, you can search for classes or instructors by typing in the search box. If you just want to take a look around, hover your mouse over the word "Classes" to see a menu of classes organized by subject. You can also find the newest videos listed in the calendar under "Inspiration."

Everyone is Creative

Yes, you are creative! As adults, we often don't give ourselves permission to make mistakes and to learn from them.

When someone tells me they're not creative, what I hear is that they're too hard on themselves and expect perfection from the start. No one is born knowing how to knit socks or sew a quilt, we all need to learn.

Daily Practice

Creativebug has many Daily Practice classes that can help you get past the "I'm not creative" stage. Each class is made up of one video for every day of the month. Each lesson teaches a different material, concept or technique.

I like that rather than watching a 2-hour video all at once, you can watch a shorter video every day to really focus on one technique before you move on to the next one. The best part is that it's self-paced. If you want to spend a week on one topic, you can take your time before you move on to the next video.

Make Art Where You Are

There are some really great Daily Practice classes! My favorite one so far is "Make Art Where you Are" with Courtney Cerruti. In this class she goes over her favorite materials, like watercolor paints and colored pencils, and shows you how to find inspiration in the world around you.

Cerruti really advocates getting rid of what she calls "preciousness." So go ahead and use that beautiful sketchbook that you worry is too special to draw in. It'll be even more special when you add your own artwork to it.

A Crafty Community

Creativebug is not just videos. Each class offers opportunities to connect with other crafters who are working on the same projects.

A discussion section allows you to post comments and questions for the instructor and to interact with other students. Each class has a gallery of work by the instructor. There is also a member gallery so you can upload photos of your own projects to share with others.

Learn Something New

Creativebug offers ways to explore your creative side and connect with other crafters. It's just one of the resources the library has to help you learn something new. See the booklist below for some great beginner-level books on all kinds of crafts. Also check out our Arts & Crafts kits. Each kit has the supplies to let you try out a craft to see how you like it.