Did you know that the library offers take-and-make kits for adults? Each month we have something different. Whether it’s a tiny fabric gnome, a Mother’s Day flower, or a homemade notebook, we’ve always got something interesting for you to make. Take-and-makes are located on the shelves behind the reference desk.
This month we’re featuring a papercraft pop-up house. All you need are scissors, colored pencils, and a little bit of glue, and you’ll be able to create a one-of-a-kind project!
Not your thing? No worries! We’ve got lots of resources to make papercrafts that fit your style.
Origami is probably the most popular form of papercraft today. Projects can be as simple as a paper airplane or very complex. A good place to start is Michael G. LaFosse’s Easy Origami for Beginners. It takes you step-by-step through simple and intermediate projects, from flowers to seahorses. Up for a challenge? In 3D Origami Fun by Stephanie Martyn, you can learn how to make intricate 3D animals and plants.
Origami is just one type of papercraft you can learn from materials at the library. Paper cutting is a skill that creates stunning images with just paper and some cutting tools. The Book of Paper Cutting by Chris Rich gives a history of paper cutting and a guide to many popular techniques, as well as basic, beginner, and advanced projects. If you’re interested in paper cutting and want to make something unique, check out Handmade Houseplants by Corrie Beth Hogg. Create plants that look beautiful, but never need watering!
The possibilities for papercrafts are endless. If you’ve got candy wrappers, junk mail, or paper bags lying around, you might want to look at Paper Made! by Kayte Terry. She takes paper that might otherwise go in the recycle bin or trash and makes it into jewelry, gifts, home decor, and more. One of my favorites is a book bag made out of a large hardcover book. Have some old encyclopedias sitting around? This might be a good thing to do with them!
Are you interested in getting start with papercrafting using a Cricut machine? We’ve got two upcoming classes in 309 Creative – one for a Mother’s Day bouquet on May 8 and one for creating your own stickers on May 15. Neither program requires registration. Just show up! Spots are first come, first served.
The library is a great place to explore your creativity. We’d love to help you find the perfect project for you.
For more questions or more information, contact the reference desk at [email protected] or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150