Cubees, Zombies, and Gocks. Oh, my!

Teen crafts, back from the dead and hungry for brains!

Crafts are lame!∙Some teens often like to act too cool for anything

It is an act . . .

∙Snacks . . . Have them!

∙ Everyone likes to make stuff! Especially for free

Misconceptions about teens and crafts


Crafts are for kids!

∙ There are TONS of great crafts out there for teensWe’ll show you some, as well as sources for more

∙ Don’t underestimate the joys of the childish

∙ Repurpose and “age” the kiddie crafts you know

∙ Young Adults craft all the time It isn’t required to be a hipster douchebag, either!


Teen crafts must be expensive!

∙ Many crafts are free or can be done at negligible costWe’ll show you some, as well as sources for more

∙ Usually, no more expensive than kid’s crafts

∙ Many crafts involve recycling common items

Why should I do craftsfor teens?

∙ Crafts are great opportunities for teen participationand assistance with event planning

∙ Really? Do we need more reason than that?

∙ Crafts foster and encourage creative thinking

Ummm . . . They’re fun?

∙ They’re fun! Also, I guess there are those 40 developmental asset things . . .


∙ Craft programs can fulfill up to 29/40 of these things

∙ List of things that have been linked to guidingyoung people from high-risk behavior

∙ Most teens experience less than half of these assets

Those 40 Developmental Asset Things

∙ Other Adult Relationships► By attending library sponsored craft events, teens are

interacting with librarians and media specialists


∙ Caring Neighborhood► What could be more caring than a library that continually does

programs for teens and advocates for those teens?

∙ Positive Family Communication► Parents can do crafts alongside their teens, strengthening bonds and encouraging communication

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsSupport

∙ Caring School Climate► Having craft events in the media center can help to create a caring and creative environment for students

∙ Youth as Resources► Craft events are GREAT opportunities to incorporate your teens and tweens in event planning and execution


∙ Service to Others► If they are helping to plan the events, they are already serving

others, but craft events are perfect opportunities to assist other people

∙ Community Values Youth► A library that continually has programs and advocates for youth is helping to create a caring community

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsEmpowerment

∙ Safety► Oh, come now! Of all the places a teen/tween might hang out, I

feel comfortable saying the library is one of the safest

∙ Neighborhood Boundaries► Youth service librarians monitor participants behavior before, during, and after the event


∙ Adult Role Models► One would hope that Youth Service Librarians and Media Specialists are

good role models

∙ School Boundaries► Craft events at media centers require participants to follow school rules

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsBoundaries/Expectations

∙ Positive Peer Influence► Participants meet more teens/tweens who spend their time at the library

∙ High Expectations► Participants are encouraged to do their best, have fun, and clean up

∙ Youth Programs► Alright, now. Craft programs = Youth programs.

We good?


∙ Creative Activities► Really, now . . . Do I have to explain why and how crafts satisfy this one?

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsConstructive Use of Time

∙ Bonding to School► Craft events at school create GOOD memories that are

associated with that institution, thereby forming a deeper and more emotive student-school bond


∙ Reading for Pleasure► If your craft event is at the library or media center, you are already halfway there to reading for pleasure. Also, teens/tweens are likely to check out books relating to a craft they enjoyed.

∙ School Engagement► The very act of crafting is encouraging creative and analyticalthought, resulting in a deeply education experience. Just don’t tell your teens/tweens.

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsCommitment to Learning

∙ Equality and Social Justice► By participating in craft events designed to help charities (Knit a Square), teens and tweens can take an active role in preventing the suffering of those less fortunate


∙ Responsibility► Make it clear that participants must clean up their work space after the craft and let them participate in planning and executing a craft

event

∙ Caring► The options are near endless when it comes to craft events that help instill a sense of caring and a desire to aid others

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsPositive Values

∙ Interpersonal Confidence► Being in close proximity to each other and working on similar craft projects encourages socialization and interaction


∙ Cultural Competence► Crafts are excellent opportunities for teens/tweens to learn about other

social, religious, and cultural backgrounds

∙ Planning and Decision Making► The very act of working on a craft encourages good planning and decision making skills

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsSocial Competencies

∙ Peaceful Conflict Resolution► There will be moments of conflict regarding craft supplies that are running

low or in short supply, providing excellent teaching moments for conflict resolution and compromise

∙ Self-Esteem► How does making something with your own two hands that you can take home and show your friends NOT improve self-esteem?


∙ Sense of Purpose► Once again, by helping to plan and execute these events, you are giving your teens/tweens a sense of having an impact on their world

∙ Personal Power► Put your teens/tweens in control of the planning and execution of a craft event to give them a sense of ownership and power regarding your events

Those 40 Developmental Asset ThingsPositive Identity

∙ Positive View of Personal Future► It really is amazing how making something, anything, can encourage

optimism. It is exceedingly difficult to look at the future and expect the worst after making something. Try it!

How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event

Who is your target audience?

∙ Talk with some of the teens/tweens that would be participating

∙ Obviously, teens and tweens

∙ Are you planning an event with a clique in mind?Otaku, Theater kids, Band kids, Lit kids, Twihards, et al


Pregame planning

∙ Gather enough supplies for your group estimateGet a bit more than you think you will need as it is always good to have extra . . .

∙ Choose a few potential crafts

∙ Do the crafts yourself!If your primary choice is too hard or boring, switch to backup

∙ Simplify any instructions and remove extraneous information


Marketing the event

∙ If you have the budget for it, have food and make it widely known that food will be at the event

∙ Put pictures of the end result on posters and fliers

∙ Display the example/test craft items


Let’s Make Some Cra . . . Crafts I was totally going to say crafts. Yeah. What?

∙ Give your teens/tweens space to craftDon’t over populate a table just to save space

∙ Have enough time to setup without feeling harried

∙ If possible, have an example at each table

∙ Have enough supplies for extras Most teens will want to do more than one

∙ Be prepared to help

The Quick and the Cheap

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Cubees and other easy papercrafts Print, cut, fold, and (maybe) tape Cost is essentially negligible So fun, so easy, and so many to make! Your teens/tweens will never get bored of this one Make a bunch of copies on cardstock and you are always

only a few minutes away from a great craft www.cubeecraft.com http://www.harlancore.com/boxpunx/

http://toy-a-day.blogspot.com/

http://www.cubeecraft.com/

http://www.harlancore.com/boxpunx/

http://toy-a-day.blogspot.com/

The Quick and the Cheap

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Gocks Adorable little sock puppets . . . with just a touch of edge Cost is near-nothing Just some old socks and random craft supplies Your teens/tweens will come up with all kinds of crazy stuff Stock up on orphaned socks and you will always be able to

pull this craft out of your hat

Crafts you wear!

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Deconstructed T-shirts Have the teens/tweens bring their own shirts = cheap! Great craft for a recycling theme! You can make anything from an old T-shirt!

Well, maybe not a nuclear reactor . . . At least, not with one shirt. Have a fashion show!

Crafts you wear!

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Duct tape Crafts! Duct tape will occupy teens/tweens for hours Once you get the basic “sheet” structure down,

anything can be made Your teens/tweens WILL use the end result of this craft and that

means free advertisement! Well made duct tape crafts can last forever with minimal repair! Valentine’s Day, Halloween, International Talk Like a Pirate Day:

Duct tape crafts are good for any theme!

Om Nom Nom . . . Food Crafts!

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Candy Sushi Fruit by the Foot, Gummi Fish, and Rice Crispy Treats As fun to make and eat as it is easy! Great craft/snack to go along with an anime club Lots of variations for the creative Candy Sushi

artist/librarian Easily done for all ages They look great when finished! Of course, they get eaten

quickly

Om Nom Nom . . . Food Crafts!

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Mug Cake Simple ingredients + Mug + Microwave = CAKE! Easy to make and actually pretty tasty! Great for fall and winter programs Recipe is easily varied with great results Really fun to watch it cook in the microwave Great craft to use alongside a chemistry unit

Great Craft Ideas!

∙ Knit a Square Knit/crochet an 8-inch square Relatively easy way to learn or teach how to knit There is a great teacher’s resource book available from the

website for $13, which goes right to the charity Teens really get enthusiastic about helping others Make a party of it with pizza and soda . . .

Knit all knight!

Make a little love!Maybe I should have wrote “craft”

• The Big-Ass Book of Crafts by Mark Montano More crafts than you will ever need! Great craft ideas for all levels of crafting experience Fabulous crafts to help decorate your Teen and Children’s areas $19.95 cover price

Books and Magazines

Great Craft Resources

Books and Magazines


Both books provide simple and complex projects Easy no-sew options in each book Beyond Fashion has a section with guys in mind Both books have a $15.95 cover price

• Generation T books by Megan Nicolay

Books and Magazines


So much cute, your head might just explode! Great patterns and instructions Your teens will use and wear what they make and be

fantastic advertisement for your programs Great for the anime and manga fans $14.95 cover price and worth every penny!

• Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo

Books and Magazines


Every Teen/Tween Librarian NEEDS this book! Clear and concise instructions from the very basic to

the more complex Patterns and instructions are easily copied $14.95 cover price

• Ductigami: the art of the tape by Joe Wilson

Books and Magazines


Don’t discount the “Kiddish” ideas Great ideas in every issue Most libraries already have a subscription

(Check the children’s librarian’s desk, if you can’t find yours ) About $22 for 6 issues

• Pack-o-Fun

Books and Magazines


Not in every issue, but incredible craft ideas can be found

Relatively easy and good looking crafts Great for your manga crowd Sadly, this magazine is no longer published, but you

can often find issues in bargain bins at comic shops and book stores

• Shojo Beat

Teh Intarwebs!(Websites, E-Zines, Blogs, Et al)




•折り紙クラブ Origami Club

en.origami-club.com Easy to use instructions Tons of categorized patterns with difficulty clearly

marked from one star to five FREAKIN’ DINOSAURS! No origami paper? Just print some from the site! Just print, cut, and fold! New designs posted frequently Did I mention freakin’ dinosaurs?!?



• CraftZine blog.craftzine.com/ Blog with craft projects and instructions or links to

featured craft projects Simple to complex Separated by category and type Some of the featured crafts may be a bit pricey New things posted almost every day



• 4YA www.the4yablog.com/ Blog with craft ideas, program ideas, and more Links to great crafts out there in the intarwebs Simply do a search for a theme or craft Specifically targets those who work with teens Does the searching for you, no need to pore over Google looking for the ideal teen craft. New posts almost every day



• Instructables www.instructables.com Instructions to make almost anything! Great instructions for simple to incredibly complex

craft and DIY projects PDF copies of each instructable are available to those

who sign up as members (free) No better source for inspiration TONS of crafts that would be perfect for Teen Tech

Week and other Yalsa theme events More amazing things added EVERY MINUTE!



•Making Friends www.makingfriends.com May seem kiddish, but many of these crafts can be

tailored to teensCategorized and searchable by theme, materials, target audience, and season Sadly, the instructions aren’t great, but it is a good

source for inspiration If you are the lazy or busy type, they will sell you the

materials needed right from the site

•Share Your Library Programs



docs.google.com/View?id=dgqcvc2p_2g2fk6wgk Great instructions for crafts in this presentation and

more with more coming all the time! Send one of us an email and we can give you editing

capability . . . Add your own ideas! Links to great resources! Craft programs with libraries in mind

Contact us!Questions, complaints, need to wile away the lonely nights?

∙ Lindsey Tomsu LaVista Public Library [email protected]

∙ Jake Rundle Keene Memorial Library [email protected]

∙ Gordon Wyant Bellevue Public Library [email protected]

Education

Cubees, Zombies, and Gocks. Oh, my!