Finding inspiration

It’s strange how sometimes you think you’re not creative, but with the right person in the right circumstances you can channel your inner creativity to produce something amazing. Or something not as amazing as it could be — which sometimes is the case with my Pinterest crafting ambitions.

Despite the fact that the library has a variety of instructional videos or books to give you one-onone tutorials on creating crafts, or tackle do-it-yourself projects, sometimes the best way to create something unique is to jump into it head-first. Get messy with paint, sticky with too much glue and who knows what you’ll create with a little help from your friends.

With some of the 150 Library Makers workshops and programs going on that I’ve been witness to, I’ve heard attendees underestimate themselves. Yet by the end of the workshop, sometimes with help from artists and staff leading them, they’ve looked at their creations and were amazed that they had it in them this whole time.

Others look for help and encouragement from those sitting beside them, or with friends through their buddy system. There’s no harm in trying something creative, and there are plenty of low-cost ways to get creative with a little help from us.

Calling all crafters

For crafters of all abilities, this month the New Glasgow Library will be starting its Get Crafty monthly program on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Each month features a new craft and is geared towards all levels of crafters from beginners to experts.

This month’s craft is an altered book craft, a form of mixed media artwork that changes a book from its original form into a different form, altering its appearance and/or meaning. For more information, stop in or call the library at (902) 752-8233.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

From programs this summer on painting rocks, to helping people incorporate their rocks, pebbles and beach glass into a unique piece of artwork; making something as simple and cheap as backyard objects into art seems to be gaining some serious popularity.

Our first Community Café of the year in Westville challenged people to create a decoration out of recycled wood from pallets, rocks and paint — an idea hijacked from Pinterest of course.

If you have any ideas for crafts with supplies found around the house that you think would be a good library program, get in touch with us by stopping in at any of our locations, through social media or by email at info@ parl.ns.ca.

A creative outlet to let your imaginations run wild on a Saturday can also be found during open hours at libraries in Pictou, River John and Stellarton with their Imagination Saturdays, as well as Westville’s Makerspace Saturdays and the monthly Crafty Saturday at the Trenton library.

Combining technology with creativity, the 3D printers located at libraries in River John, New Glasgow, Westville and Antigonish also give users the opportunity to get creative and print pieces that they can customize with paint later on.

There is a small cost associated with the use of the 3D printer ($1 an hour) to cover supplies, but it’s a small price to pay for printing out something unique.

For more information on upcoming library programs, special events and services, please drop by your local library branch, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or visit us online at www. parl.ns.ca.

Holly MacLean is the Community Outreach Assistant for Pictou County.