The start of the New Year brings the usual start of resolutions and challenges. People look at things they want to start or stop in order to improve themselves.
A brand new year is also a great time to try out and start new hobbies. Your Abilene Public Library has a great collection of books for learning a new craft or hobby. We have titles of interest to all ages so anyone can learn something new.
One of the basic parts of a tool box is the trusty roll of duct tape. Duct tape now comes in a variety of colors and designs, beyond the basic silver, and this allows the crafter to create fun and colorful crafts.
A couple of books on duct tape are Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky and Go Crazy with Duct Tape by Patti Wallenfang.
If duct tape isn’t your thing try jewelry making. Many crafts stores sell individual pieces that can be combined to make custom jewelry.
Not sure what you would need to start? Then look for books like Designing Bead and Wire Jewelry: Everything the Beginner Needs to Know by Renata Graham to get you started.
If you want to experiment with some more complex designs then check out a book like Steampunk-style Jewelry: A Maker's Collection of Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Designs by Jean Campbell or Chinese, Celtic & Ornamental Knots for Beaded Jewellry [sic] by Suzen Millodot.
Learning to make your own jewelry allows you to have a variety of one of a kind pieces in your jewelry collection.
If you are looking for something on the softer side then try felt related crafts. There are a variety of projects you can make using felt. Heart-felt Holidays: 40 Festive Felt Projects to Celebrate the Seasons by Kathy Sheldon & Amanda Carestio would be good start.
If you like your crafts on the scarier side of things then you definitely need to check out the book Zombie Felties: How to Raise 16 Gruesome Felt Creatures from the Undead by Nicola Tedman & Sarah Skeate.
With the book Felt Jewelry: 25 Pieces to Make Using a Variety of Simple Felting Techniques by Teresa Searle lets you combine felting with jewelry making.
The above books are just a snapshot of the large collection of craft and hobby books available at your Abilene Public Library, which is a great place to learn something new and creative. Other craft topics include knitting, crocheting, glass projects, paper crafts, pottery, weaving and woodworking. You can spend plenty of time browsing the stacks to find your new favorite hobby.
Learning a new craft is a great way to express our creativity and keep our brain active. It’s also a fun way to spend time at home in these uncertain times. The library is a great starting place to learn something new and creative.
Article Contributed by Amy Watterman, Mockingbird Branch Manager