Final Belden Library 'Make It Mondays' Set For Aug. 31

From the Cora J. Belden Library:

Monday, Aug. 31, 6:00pm

Summer is almost at an end friends, let’s look back on what we were able to create! We’ve had eight weeks of fun as we put aside our worries for about 1 ½ hours every Monday evening when we came together virtually. Did you notice that during the time we were creating, if we gave ourselves fully to the creative process and used our minds and our hands that our hearts were never be far behind? And still we received another boon because when all is said and done, we can use the skills we’ve learned to enrich our lives and we can share our new found abilities with others. As we wind down our Make It Mondays! 2020 Adult Summer Program, it is my deepest desire that you take from this eight-week exploration the knowledge that you are a creative being. Don’t forget that! Anytime you need to, you can use this creativity to return to that place of inner peace, contentment, joy and concentration you found while you were creating.

I was trying to decide up until the last moment which way to go with our final project. I spent the last few weeks experimenting with various macramé knots, and cord options. I wanted to give you a challenge, a solid beginner’s macramé piece that was just complicated enough to keep it interesting. I also knew I wanted to include sand and seashells. So, with this nautical theme in mind, for our last craft we will be capturing summer in a jar!

To recap:

For last two sessions of Make It Mondays! I decided to introduce, or for some, re-introduce to you a craft that has been making a recent come-back. For Week 8 of Make It Mondays! as we did with Week 7, we will be exploring macramé. Part II is a completely different craft from Part I, they are independent of each other.

Throughout it’s rich history, macramé has been used to decorate, embellish and secure. The word macramé is said to be derived from the Arabic word (مقرمة) miqramah, and has roots dating as far back as the 13th century. As with most fiber arts, it can be as simple or as ornate as you wish, the sky’s the limit once you learn what to do. These last two weeks of Make It Mondays! will give you a taste, a tease if you will of this ancient art!

BEFORE THE PROGRAM, you will be cutting the macramé cords to the following lengths:

42inches (six pieces)

36inches (six pieces)

18inches (two pieces)

12inches (1 piece)

Also, refer to the images on the knot tying techniques we will be using. Ours will be slightly different at the top and bottom though, this picture is just for reference. Of course, I will go through the whole process with you step by step, but it’s best to visually familiarize yourself with it nonetheless. As with everything we’ve done this summer, use the skills you learn here as a jumping board to even greater things!

In order to complete this craft, you will need to purchase or have on hand: scissors, a ruler or yardstick, glue (a craft glue like Elmer’s or Aleene’s Tacky Glue which you can find at any craft store) or hot glue gun, and tape (not too sticky, painter’s tape is fine), a dull, thin dowel or stick (like a chopstick, no sharp end). Optional, but not necessary is a large eye needle, the kind used for yarn. Plastic or metal, it doesn’t matter.

A separate registration is required for each week's session. You will receive your Zoom login information by email. You will also be notified by email when your Make It Mondays! bag of supplies is ready to be picked up. The Make It Mondays! bag will contain MOST of the materials needed to complete your craft. Space is limited!

Many thanks to the Friends of the Cora J. Belden Library for sponsoring craft projects. Please consider supporting the Friends by joining today. For more information – www.cjbfriends.org

This press release was produced by the Cora J. Belden Library. The views expressed are the author's own.