Teens Get Crafty (and Spooky) at the Library

The library is your neighborhood hub for hands-on teen creativity! From 3D printing services and technology available in our Digital Media Labs, to books detailing various DIY activities in our catalog, we have tons of tools to help teens tinker on their next project. If crafting is your love language, we hope you’ll stop by to create with us at our many maker-focused programs for teens. Whether you prefer experimenting in the digital sphere or love using old-school supplies, let the library be your first stop for creative inspiration. Read on for a full list of upcoming spooky-season crafting events for teens, library resources that can enhance your crafting experience, and related titles in our Young Adult collection. 

PROGRAMS

• 3D Printed Jack-o'-lanterns
  • Thursday, October 3, 6:30-8:30PM at Libbie Mill
  • Tuesday, October 8, 6-8PM at Tuckahoe
  • Design your own jack-o’-lantern using 3D design software and print your creation. Please note that due to the volume of requests and the length of print times, you will need to come back another day for your finished product.

• Teen Art Club: Spooky Art Session
  • Monday, October 7, 5:30-6:30PM at North Park
  • Drop by for some creative art time after school. Bring your own supplies or use our art supplies to create your doodles, sketches, and masterpieces. Imagination is encouraged, especially spooky ideas this time.

• 3D Spooky Creature Modeling
  • Tuesday, October 8, 6-8PM at Varina
  • Learn how to sculpt 3D spooky creatures using free to access 3D modeling programs. We will go beyond stiff geometry and molding, and will instead squish and pull organic shapes to create unique and spooky creatures. Participants will leave with a model ready to be 3D printed.

• Teens Make Stuff
  • Tuesday, October 8, 6:30-8PM at Libbie Mill
  • Come craft with us! Bring your friends, hang out, and make something cool. We'll provide the materials, you provide the creativity. This month, we'll put the "terror" in terrarium as you create your own spooky or not-so-scary glow-in-the-dark planter.

• Twisted Stitches
  • Thursday, October 10, 6-7PM at Varina
  • Learn to crochet, make something silly, and hang out with other fabric artists. Join us monthly to make fun projects and creatures from your favorite shows and games!

• Mini Pumpkin Painting
  • Monday, October 14, 3:30-4:30PM at Glen Allen
  • Best for ages 11-17. Get into the Halloween spirit by painting your own mini pumpkin. All supplies will be provided.

• Rubber Duck Costume Contest
  • Monday, October 14, 6-7PM at Fairfield
  • Take a quack at designing your rubber duck costume. Participants will be provided with a plain rubber ducky and supplies to transform them into a custom creation. Prizes will be awarded, including one for the most ri-duck-ulous.

• Upcycle Studio
  • Wednesday, October 16, 3:30-4:30PM at Tuckahoe
  • Learn how to turn material you might have put in the trash can into something useful. We will be upcycling old chip bags into zipper pouches. All supplies will be provided. Books and information about upcycling will also be available for checkout.

• Enchanted Elixirs: Teen Potion Workshop
  • Wednesday, October 16, 6:30-8PM at Varina
  • Unleash your creativity and brew up some fun as you mix, layer, and swirl colorful concoctions to craft your own decorative potion bottle. All crafting materials will be included, and further resources will be provided. Just bring your creativity and imagination!

• Halloween Luminaries
  • Saturday, October 19, 2-4PM at Sandston
  • Light up the night with spooky fun. We'll bring the supplies, you bring the inspiration, and together we'll make a glowing masterpiece.

• DIY Halloween Slime for Tweens and Teens
  • Saturday, October 19, 3-4PM at Gayton
  • Learn about the science of slime while creating Halloween-themed slimes of different textures. All supplies will be provided. Related books will be available for checkout.

• Teen Art Studio: Spooky Silhouettes
  • Tuesday, October 22, 6-8PM at Varina
  • Drop by our Teen Art Studio in the Teen Department for some fun, hands-on creativity! This month, we will be making spooky silhouettes using assorted materials.

• Makeup Special FX
  • Wednesday, October 23, 4:30-5:30PM at Twin Hickory
  • Halloween lovers looking to up their costume game or create a scary photo or video can learn how to use common and inexpensive household supplies to make their own fake wounds. This program pairs especially well with the books in our FEAR neighborhood!

• Teen Craft Club
  • Thursday, October 24, 6-7:30PM at Varina
  • Experiment with a variety of crafts utilizing different media. Each meeting, we will set out various materials for you to create with. Just bring your creativity and imagination!

• DIY Terrorariums
  • Monday, October 28, 6-7:30PM at Fairfield
  • Put the "terror" in terrarium as you create your own spooky or fall-themed planter. Materials provided and books to inspire your designs will be available.

RESOURCES

• Digital Media Labs
  • Digital Media Labs (DML) offer resources to encourage creation and innovation amongst the community and are available at our Fairfield, Libbie Mill, Tuckahoe, Twin Hickory and Varina locations. In addition to digital media classes, each DML offers designated Open Lab Hours when patrons can use the computers, their software, and select equipment on a first-come, first-served basis. Library cardholders age 14 and older can also reserve the DML to use the library’s photo, video, and audio equipment for recording projects. Contact staff at your nearest DML location to learn more.

• 3D Printing
  • If you've created something (via a program like Tinkercad) or downloaded something someone else designed (via a service like Thingiverse), you can request that it be printed using one of our 3D printers. If you’re interested in learning more about 3D printing, check out our upcoming 3D-printing classes for teens.

• One Button Recording Studio at Fairfield
  • The One Button Recording Studio is designed for simple audio and video recording projects that do not require a lot of editing. For example, this space allows you to record podcasts, capture oral histories, conduct a virtual interview, and record quiet unamplified music or music recorded digitally using headphones. To reserve the One Button Studio for your project, visit our website.

TEEN COLLECTION

• Black Girls Sew: Projects and Patterns to Stitch and Make Your Own by Hekima Hapa (also available on Hoopla)
• Botanical Beauty: 80 Essential Recipes for Natural Spa Products by Aubre Andrus (also available on Hoopla)
• Cosplay Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to the Art of Costume Play by Yuki Takasō
• Crafting Change: Handmade Activism Past and Present by Jessica Vitkus
• Duct Tape: 101 Adventurous Ideas for Art, Jewelry, Flowers, Wallets, and More by Forest Walker Davis (also available on Hoopla)
• Hello, Origami: 30 Fun & Easy Origami Designs for Secret Notes & Special Messages by Mizutama
• Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game by Jesse Terrance Daniels (also available on Hoopla)
• Make Your Own Scratch Games! By Anna Anthropy
• Maker Comics. Draw a Comic! by J. P. Coovert
• #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) Sew + Style: Make Your Dream Wardrobe with Angela by Angela Lan (also available on Hoopla)
• Room Love: 50 DIY Projects to Design Your Own Space by Heather Wutschke (also available on Hoopla)
• Stitch Camp: 18 Crafty Projects for Kids & Tweens – Learn 6 All-Time Favorite Skills: Sew, Knit, Crochet, Felt, Embroider and Weave by Nicole Blum (also available on Hoopla)
• The Upcycled T-Shirt: 28 Easy-to-Make Projects that Save the Planet: Clothing, Accessories, Home Décor & Gifts by Jenelle Montilone (also available on Hoopla)
• Write! Shoot! Edit! The Complete Guide to Filmmaking for Teens by Deborah Patz