Metcalfe’s Maker Mondays

By Allyson Dix

The Herald-News

 

The Metcalfe County Public Library hosts a variety of interesting activities and events, and recently, included a holiday-themed craft for their monthly Maker Monday activity.

Verenicce Conrad, Maker Space Coordinator, started her position at the local library around a year ago. She has continuously helped to engage youth and adults across the county in creating and crafting different things.     

Currently, Conrad leads the Maker Monday activities and the October craft consisted of decorating pumpkins. Tons of crafty items were available to attendees including paint, googly eyes, wooden cutouts, pipe cleaners, pom poms, and much more.

The kids had the opportunity to bring to life exactly how they desired their little pumpkins to be. For the older teens, in a second-time slot, their decorating was more geared to their ages.

Typically, the second Monday of each month is the library’s Maker Monday. The younger children meet at 10 a.m. and the teens meet at 3 p.m. Additionally, there is one craft class each month for adults that usually falls on the fourth Monday.

From tote bags and jewelry making to holiday-themed crafts, Conrad said she works to keep it changing and incorporate a variety of projects for those who attend. Other upcoming Maker Monday creations include advent calendars, Christmas ornaments, and woven snowflakes and stars with basket reeds.

“Each month is a little different as we try not to make it all the same,” Conrad said, “Next month, the younger kids will be creating Thanksgiving placemats with hand prints while the teen group will do pumpkin-related activities and games.”

Conrad explained that the adult crafting classes are completely different from the youth groups. A recent project includes creating jar toppers for treat jars that are holiday-themed.

On top of the monthly meets, the library also hosts craft-related workshops every three months. The most recent is a basket-making class with plans for another one in May due to the popularity of the class.

In December, participants in the workshops can look forward to learning how to use a heat press in The Makery to create Christmas plates such as plates for Santa’s cookies.

The Makery, as explained on the library’s website, is a multi-purpose room inviting users to explore, create, and learn new skills to bring their own ideas to life.

The workshops extend a bit beyond a crafty time because those who participate are also taught how to use the equipment in The Makery so they can use those skills later.

“We are teaching people how to use the equipment that we have in our Makery so if they ever want to come in and do a project that they have in mind, they’ll have the tools on how to use the equipment,” Conrad said.

Conrad, a mom of three children, said she enjoys seeing individuals bring creations of their own to life.

“I love watching people be creative and decorating,” Conrad said, “I love having the kids paint because I feel like it’s them expressing a different creative side that maybe they’re not able to do somewhere else.”

Conrad, who is originally from Tuscon, Arizona, seems to have found her niche in her current role at the library. Not only does she love to teach others, but her passion for creativity knows no end.

“I feel like the position I’m in is the perfect position for me because I love creating and crafting, and I love working at the library,” Conrad said. “It’s a perfect combination of both.”

For more information or to register for Maker Mondays, their workshops, or the library in general, visit www.metcalfelibrary.org or call (270) 432-4981.