Artsy Crafty Library: More crafting, less scrolling

If you're like me and spend too much time on your phone, try assembling an "analog bag" of craft supplies. Many crafters find that working with their hands is a good way to lower stress levels and contribute to their general wellbeing. Whether you're looking to learn new craft skills or to further your knowledge, the library has resources to help.

Arts & Crafts Kits

Learn a new craft by checking out one of the library's Arts & Crafts kits. We have kits on a variety of crafts from knitting to drawing to weaving and more. Each kit contains instructions and the materials necessary to help you learn a new craft. The best part is that if the craft you check out isn't for you, you can just check out a different one without buying a bunch of supplies you'll never use.

Creativebug classes

We offer free access to Creativebug with your library card. Creativebug has thousands of arts and crafts video classes taught by experienced instructors. If you're interested in sewing, for example, there are more than 300 classes on sewing. The classes range from beginner level to expert and vary in length from less than 20 minutes to more than 3 hours.

While I enjoy in-person craft classes, I really like that I can rewind and watch a technique as many times as needed to figure it out. Creativebug will also save your progress. If you don't have time to watch a whole class at once, you can pick up where you left off.

Books, magazines and DVDs

We have hundreds of print and video resources to help you on your crafty journey. Digital magazines are available through Libby for free with your library card. You can find the newest issues as well as peruse back issues, with some titles going back 10 years. 

Once you've learned a new craft or two, try assembling an analog bag with all the supplies you'll need to work on a project. Then the next time you feel like reaching for your phone, pick up your bag and start crafting instead.