Category Archives: Crafts

Updates on any arts and crafts activities or programs.

Access CreativeBug Through The Library!

Did you know that you can access thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes through CreativeBug with just your library card? Visit creativebug.com/lib/clarkmemorial and use your library card number to sign in for free. You’ll have unlimited access to countless projects you’ll love – it’s a great way to learn new skills and find fun ways to apply the ones you already enjoy!

Once you’ve created an account through our website, you can also access CreativeBug on mobile devices by downloading the CreativeBug app through the App Store or Google Play. Contact the Library at clarkmain@bethanylibrary.org or call 203-393-2103 for more info or assistance.

Join us on January 7 for Clark Memorial Library’s Take Your Child to the Library Day Celebration! Take Your Child to the Library Day is an event celebrating libraries’ role in their communities and encourages library visits; it originated right here in Connecticut, but thousands of libraries across the world now participate every year.

We will be celebrating with a special Storytime with Willow Tree Montessori from 10:30 – 11:30 AM, a marionette rendition of “The Snow Queen” from 2:00 – 2:45 PM, and a “What Can You Make With A Dot?” makerspace craft that will be offered all day (and throughout the rest of February)! You can also get a library card if you don’t have one already (they’re free!), meet your local librarians, and explore all the services that the Library has to offer on a daily basis. And be sure to stop in again soon – because every day is a great day to take your child to the library!

Stop by the Friends of the Library nook at the bottom of the stairs to grab a Take n’ Make Craft bag from the basket. These kits come with a full set of supplies and instructions to create a fun craft project at home, and there’s an assortment of options to choose from! Supplies are limited – please only take one kit per child per family.

On the lookout for more at-home craft projects? Check out CreativeBug, which provides access to thousands of award-winning art and craft video classes. Visit creativebug.com/lib/clarkmemorial and use your library card number to create an account for free!

What can you do with just a dot?

Join us in the Makerspace during Library hours in February for a special craft inspired by The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds – a book that encourages children to “make their mark” artistically, even if it’s with just a dot to start. We will provide plenty of art supplies for participants to decorate custom “dots” however they want!

This craft is part of our celebration of Take Your Child to the Library Day, a national event that celebrates libraries’ role in their communities and encourages library visits! Be sure to get a library card while you’re here if you don’t have one already, and join us on February 7 at 2:00 PM for a marionette production of “The Snow Queen” by local artist and puppeteer Robin McCahill!

Our workshop series with local artist Susan Taddei is back!

The second run of the Library Quilt Bee will take place over 5 sessions on January 24, 2:00 – 4:00 PM; February 5, 4:30 – 6:30 PM; and February 21, March 7, & March 21, 2:00 – 4:00 PM. No prior experience is necessary! Susan will be teaching participants fabric preparation and ironing, rotary cutting, strip piecing, easy triangles, layer tying, and edge binding. The result will be a 9″ x 9″ square sampler.

You must attend all 5 sessions to complete the sampler. We supply all materials – come free your inner quilter in a relaxed afternoon atmosphere! Space is limited; call the Library to register at 203-393-2103.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

The Library’s Nifty Needlers program will have a new schedule this year. Beginning January 8, meetings will take place on Thursdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Meetings will continue to take place in the Adult Books area to the right of the main desk; no prior experience is necessary, and materials are provided. Bring your latest needlework project or learn to knit or crochet with fellow “needlers”!

Saturdays, January 10, 17, & 24 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Join local artist and comic maker James Vanderberg in January for a three-part workshop exploring cartoon drawing, narrative storytelling, and autobiographical comic making. Participants will work with simple tools and no-fail prompts to ignite their creativity, help them create their own characters and tell their own stories.

No previous artistic experience needed! All supplies are provided. Whether you love reading graphic novels, making comics, or simply reading the Sunday funnies, you’re sure to find this program fun and engaging!

This program is intended for ages 10 and up. The workshops are drop in events, but space is limited!

Snowman Palooza is Back!

Help us welcome winter with snowman and snowflake crafts! The Children’s Room will have new crafts set up in the Makerspace each week from Tuesday, December 2, through Saturday, January 10. This is a drop-in program that will take place during Library hours; all ages are welcome!

Stop by the Children’s Room and take one of our Thankful Turkey Activity Kits home to complete as a family! Decorate the turkey’s body, then discuss what you are thankful for. Write each answer on a colored feather and attach to your turkey – feel free to add more feathers than we included if you have a lot of thanks to give! Once all the feathers are attached, hang the finished turkey prominently in your home for Thanksgiving.

All supplies are included in the activity bag. Please take only one bag per family – supplies are limited, and we want to share this fun holiday activity with as many people as possible!

Owl Pellet Dissection Workshop

Learn about owls and the role they play in the ecosystem by dissecting real owl pellets!

Owls swallow their prey whole, so they eventually have to spit what they can’t digest back up, packed into a tight bundle – an owl pellet. Owl pellets are valuable to scientists because they provide information about an owl’s diet and the types of prey available in its habitat. For this hands-on learning experience, participants will examine and identify the contents of their owl pellet – bones, fur, feathers, etc.

This program is intended for children ages 5 and up; all materials are provided. It is a drop-in event, and will take place during Library hours on Saturday, October 18.