Card Catalog of Creativity

The Ogre that stole my heart

2008-06-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

One weekend morning, our YS Manager arrived to find a huge Ogre on lawn of the library.

Questions circulated as to why this Ogre found his way to the Library... A student art project? Trash? A prank? He was moved into our workroom while we tried to solve the mystery. Seeing him everyday, I have become quite fond of him...
Unfortunately, not all of my co-workers feel the same. They have discussed painting over him or throwing him away. They called him ugly and they called him trash.

We finally found our answer as to the origin of the monster on a local teens deviant art page. (it can be found here: http://www.beckeez.deviantart.com/)
This instantly made me think of the book P.L.A.I.N. Janes by Cecil Castelluci. (If you haven't read this, you really need to)

I feel honored that we were chosen to be a part of this teens artistic mission.
I am fighting to keep the monster in the library.
I would hate to see something happen to a piece of art that anyone worked on. It is about 7 feet tall and took time, tools, sweat and a vision to create. I think it would be disrespectful to paint over it or trash him. I am even more passionate about this because a teen made it. Not many teens really commit so strongly to an artistic mission like this one. I hope I can convince my library (or another library) to display this monster and I hope it encourages the teen who made it to continue with her art. I will certainly keep my eyes open for it.

I think this monster fulfilled his artistic destiny. He aroused questions and emotions. He confused us, angered some of us and even made a few of us giggle.

VIVA LA MONSTER

Steampunk

2008-06-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

What is Steampunk?
It's a movement, it's a genre, it's so much more than you ever knew.

With a scene present in the local area, I thought I would experiment with a few ideas surrounding this underground phenomenon.

First I set up a display of Steampunk Literature. This included a booklist, books, a captains hat with goggles, some large gears, an old book from the early 1900s and a technical steampunkesqe drawing.

This actually attracted a lot of attention. One woman checked out a majority of the display moments after I had set it up. While checking out she mentioned that she was glad to see the display and get a booklist because she was having a discussion with a friend about the "Steampunk Genre" and her friend didn't believe that it existed.

I also threw a little steampunk into a program we were doing. My co-worker found a great program idea on another blog and we did our own version of A Great and Terrible Tea.
The idea is loosely based on the Libba Bray books A great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels and A Sweet Far Thing. I promoted the event with tea bags. I just stapeled our event information on the end of the string and put them out in a mug.

My co-worker also made a great flyer that a few teens mentioned caught their attention in the evaluation.

The event was a blast! We had a quiz on which Great and Terrible Beauty are you. I had a blast making the quiz. (Which I can email anyone who wants to have an event like this.)
We then talked about Victorian Calling Cards and the teens made their own calling cards using an assortment of supplies.

Here are a few:

We then had tea (in our own favorite teacup)
and homemade scones (lovingly baked by my wonderful co-worker and amazing supervisor). I played my Sleepy Hollow Soundtrack and one of the teens borrowed it from me. We then played this amazing version of Mystery Date Gemma Doyle style that my co-worker created. Watch her blog for details about her fabulous creation!

We also awarded prizes for costumes. I love costumes and dressing up, so we have these at programs a lot. Here are the winners:

Animazement

2008-06-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

We want teens to come to the library.
We get the books they want to read.
We hold events we hope they'll want to attend.
We go to the High Schools to tell them about these things.
But what else can we do?
Getting the word out and letting the teens decide on their own that it would be cool to go to the library is hard. How can we do effective outreach to teens?
My co-worker came up with a great solution... Set up a booth at an Anime Convention!

We not only promoted our library's collection and events, but we obtained other literature from cities within a days driving distance. We also handed out sheets on how to get a manga/anime collection started.
I must say this was an amazing experience. LOTS of teens came up to our table. A lot of adults came up to our table. We met librarians from all over and exchanged ideas and stories. We bonded with our local teen patrons who are anime fans and met new ones. People were excited to know about our events and anime clubs. Some we're excited to learn that libraries offered such things!

We raffled off a Ramune and bag of goodies every hour and one of the highlights was seeing the teens get so excited about their goodies.
Another great surprise was to see the teens I worked with at my old library in Boone. It was great to see them and hard to believe it's been 2 years and they are graduating and going to college!

I made a steampunk costume for the event because I love any reason to dress up!

I also met other people in the community who would love to donate their time and talent to the library. I must say that I left the event inspired and excited to come back in future years.

Ren Faire

2008-04-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our annual family trip to the Ren Faire is always fun. Despite all the money Ian and Kevin spent at the Faire last year, neither of them wore their costumes. I'll be sure to remind them of this when they feel the urge to buy costumes again.

This year we battled the rain, but it added a bit of authenticity to the day. This made Kevin happy as it ment many trips to the Mead Tent to dry off. They have great bawdy entertainment which begins with the disclaimer that "if the kids get the jokes, it's not their fault."

All and all we were soggy, but had a good time. Phaedra got some Baby Dragons (2 anoles) and named them Rose and Thorn and we are going to have more baby dragons! Joy!

I leave you with my Knights in action.

...I laughed and laughed

2008-03-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

At this:
for all your library etiquette needs

Candy Girl A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody

2008-03-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have a confession.
This was the first adult book I have read in a long time.
I even felt a little guilty that I spent time reading something that I wasn't going to recommend to a teen at work. Then I realized how retarded that was and realized I only spent 1 night (yes, it was that good. I haven't read a book that fast in awhile) and I was going to recommend it to my friends, and it was damn good!

I love her voice and wit, and I must admit, I think I have a crush on Diablo ;)

Seriously, I really enjoyed this little memoir and you might like it too. (But only if you don't blush easily, because it is a bit... um...dirty.)

Now, here are some songs to take your clothes off to.

Eva's Next Top Libarian

2008-03-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

Ha! My co-worker and I had a 'photo shoot' for our Librarian Trading Cards today. I was fooling around with them in photoshop and I really like this one.

Teen Tech Week!

2008-03-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is my post about TTW 08

First of all, I just finished BEIGE by Cecil Castellucci. I enjoyed this book, but by far, the thing I enjoyed most was how each chapter was the name of a punk song. There were some great songs! Don't believe me? Here, listen for yourself:

I found a very cool website called Project Playlist (www.playlist.com) You get to create your own playlist and post it anywhere just like I did above! I think I am going to start making book playlists. This seems like a great way to market books to teens.

Here are some photos of my TTW display. I think it turned out great and I wish the pictures captured it better.

I also had a CD Swap Party. Teens brought in a mixed CD, we made cool collaged covers for them while listening to music and discussing our favorite songs. We then swaped them and had all new music to bring home!

Wow! Teens take the pictures for YOYA's covers!

2008-02-21T22:32:00.000-08:00

It's true!
Here is a link to the info so your teens can send in photos.
I think I feel a program in the works.

Anti-Valentine's Masquerade Ball

2008-02-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

This was, for sure, a very successful program. We had a large turn out, 40-something teens on a Friday night and I learned a LOT.

We had about 6 of the older teens arrive at about 7 to help us set up. These were teens who helped from the start... they brought cds of music to play, helped bake the cookies and hung christmas lights. The space looked really nice. I also had a co-worker score us some half-dead roses from the grocery store. We set up the cookies and drinks and dimmed the lights(just a little).

The teens wanted an old silent film to play on a projector as ambiance, but unfortunately, the laptap we were given wasn't able to play dvds. grrr. but i smiled and moved on.
We had 2 activities. One was to make a mask. we had plain white masks, feathers, ribbon, glitter and hot glue guns.

We also had a "vandalize a romance novel" area. This was a huge hit.

The teens danced and goofed off...

as you notice, the pictures have turned to black and white... this is because, just like the masquerade scene in Labrynth, it was a surreal. This is what happened...

Thankfully, they all cleaned up the majority before they left and a few older teens stayed to help even longer.

This introduces the biggest lesson I learned. It should have been divided by ages. The difference in behavior was obvious. The younger teens made a mess out of the crafts, one boy getting burned. They tore apart the roses and novels and threw them around. The older teens carefully made elaborate masks. Giggled and censored and drew in the novels.
Do't get me wrong... the event was still a success, and everyone had a great time.

Gothic Martha Stewart

2008-02-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

Today we baked and decorated cookies for the young adult Anti-Valentine's Masquerade Ball.
They turned out amazing and we had a lot of fun.

With no oven in the library, 2 teens and Elizabeth (my supervisor) came over to help.

Elizabeth brought her daughter who is 4. She played with Phaedra while we baked and much mischief insued...
They gave each other tattoos, did make-overs on each other and created elaborate costumes out of dress-up clothes.

The cookies were a lot of fun to make..

Here's a few of our favorites

The girls were our taste testers...

maybe the black icing wasn't a great idea.

If I were a book...

2008-02-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Feeling a little misplaced

2008-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

"I will join your century but only as a doubtful guest." -Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls

Metamorphosis: Change Your Things

2008-02-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

Bottle Cap Pins
I have already done this as a program and it was very successfull.
I also made these as presents for my co-workers, using old novel covers.

They best way to get images that are small enough is to print them out using Windows Picture and Fax Viewer using the Contact Sheet print size.

Altered Mint Tins
I always saved my mint tins, hoping I could find what they were good for. I finally found it!

The collage paper will stick to the tins wonderfully if you apply the glue to the paper and stick it to tin. I use Mod Podge as a glue and sealer.

Comic Cards

These are simple and look like you bought them at a specialty stationary store.

To make the envelope, just carefully unassemble the envelope and use it as a template to cut out and fold the comic pages.
For the images on the card, just white out the speech bubble and write in your own message.

Altered Books

Secret book boxes

Using book glue, paint the outside edges of the book. Use a Xacto knife or box cutter to cut out the middle of the book. Coat the inside of the 'box' with the book glue.

Paperback coin purse
Many old paperbacks have great funky covers. Go through your donated items and see what you can find!

Tear off the cover. Cover it with clear packing tape or contact paper. fold it into thirds. Sew it together to create a pocket with a flap. (You can also just use tape, but it's not a lot of sewing and makes it look much nicer.) use self stick velcro create a closure for your wallet!

You've heard of a Duct Tape Wallet...
Here's a Packing Tape Wallet!

What's great about this is that you can use anything... newspaper, sheet music, book pages...

Here is a scan of the directions:

Movies!

2008-01-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

I just found out that NICK AND NORA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST is going to be made into a movie!
info

I am also very excited about the A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY movie!
info

And of course, TWILIGHT!!
info

Change Your Inside

2008-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

Many Teens are getting ready to graduate and will be living on their own for the first time or in a dorm at school. A great program idea to get them ready for this is a RAMEN COOK-OFF! Everyone knows that Ramen is a staple food in your teen and early 20's, so why not give them the skills (and forethought) to make Ramen so much more. It could even be used to impress a date!

You can give prizes for the most creative, best tasting, best presentation, etc...

There are great websites out there, just google "Ramen Recipes".

More on the Inspiration Cards

2008-01-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

I wanted to add a great idea to the previous craft idea I mentioned. Dove Chocolates have neat little inspirational sayings inside their wrapper that are perfect for this craft. (I used one on the "live your dream" card pictured below.) Buy a bag of Dove chocolates, let the teens eat them and make their cards with the wrappers!

Metamorphosis- Change Your Outside

2008-01-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is the section of the summer reading manual that features my contribution: Barbie Makeover.
I had this event in Boone NC at the Watauga County Public Library. It was a huge success! We bought dollar store Barbie dolls and asked the girls to bring in their old ones (if they were ready to part with them or even still had them around). We got all kinds of supplies and we made Barbie more realistic. We gave her grey hair, zits, used different flesh colored clay to make her body more realistic and cut of her feet and reattached them so she didn't have to walk on tiptoes. While we worked on Barbie we showed a documentary calledI, Doll which takes a well rounded look at Barbie and how she influences peoples lives.
We had wonderful discussions and the girls loved it!
The best part was our display of our work.

I have also conducted a mehendi program and it was very successful as well. Again, this program was at the Watauga County Public Library.

Another wonderful program idea for teen girls would need to be advertised as "a program to bring out your beauty". Teens will think they are coming for make-overs, but they will make this:

You can buy rolls of chain and necklace closures, bags of small keys and the bottle charms at craft stores. print out the word confidence, throw in some glitter and everyone is gorgeous!

I also had an idea for a program based on the book,
The Plain Janes. In the book, PLAIN stands for people loving art in neighborhoods and was formed by Jane to make the world more beautiful, noticable and happy. I call these Inspiration Cards. They don't really change your outside, but rather your world. This could also be used along with the book, Stargirl

They are collages made on playing cards with words and phrases designed to inspire and encourage. The purpose is to make them and leave them in public places to make someone smile, or think, or feel warm and fuzzy.

Teens always love my collage programs. It's so creative and easy and open ended. You can buy the metal words and phrases in a craft store along with great paper. It's really easy to collect great collage supplies and it really doesn't cost anything! Save your weeded magazines and old foreign language newspapers.

The very first program I did when I began working in Wake County was a Tshirt Surgery program. There was a HUGE turnout and they keep asking for another. There are great books out there to give you directions and tips, including Generation T.

Our TAB group also make Tshirts using stencils. If you have a graphic image you would like to use, print it out, tape a piece of overhead projector acetate sheets to the image and use an xacto knife to cut out the stencil. We love our shirts!

Up Next: Change your Inside

Don't bug me, I'm reading

2008-01-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

I am a contributer for the CSLP Summer Reading Manual for teens and I will be presenting at our regions event. This is my second year presenting on teen crafts. I wanted to give everyone, not just those who came to my session, a place to go for ideas and photos, so I am putting it up here.

Maybe I'll help even more people.

This year's theme is Metamorphosis @ Your Library (Catch the Reading Bug for the little kids)
This leads to the most wonderful topic- BUGS!
I really like bugs, and I have a dead bug collection. I don't kill them, I have to find them... I use them for art.

The manual includes a craft on "BUG-IGAMI" and I had a few great ideas to add to the idea. We have this great lamp in our YA area and I thought origami butterflies would look beautiful hanging from it. But for those who don't have our amazing lamp, I came up with a whimsical idea to get your YA area ready for Summer Reading!

This can be hung from the ceiling or a branch can be put in a small bucket with rocks to hold it in place.

have each teen that signs up for summer reading make a butterfly to add to the branches! Or have teens make one for each book they read all summer long! Imagine how many butterflies!

Why not add christmas lights? And if origami is intimidating, you can always have the tissue paper and pipe cleaner butterfly option. They are beautiful as well, and variety is nice.

This can also be a take home craft program to go along with the "MySpace- not the computer kind" Interior Design program. Girls would love to have one of these in their room!

To go along with the idea of metamorphosis as change, have the teens write a wish or something they want to let go of on a butterfly and attach it to a helium balloon and set it free. You could also do this along with the Monarch Butterfly raising actiity, "Set Them Free" mentioned in the manual. Use the PostSecret books by Frank Warren as a display to promote the program.

Origami bugs and tissue paper butterflies make great Book Flags for Teen Picks when they are attached to a clothespin! This will also have your Teen Area crawling with a festive look!

I also wanted to share some of my favorite jewelry that people of all ages love that would make a great teen prize:

These can be found at:
maxilla and mandible

and cheaper here

up next: change your outside!

a bit of peer pressure

2007-11-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

fall in the city

2007-11-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

I brought my camera while Phaedra and I walked home from school today.

Her school reminds me of my elementary school on Long Island.

These are just some cool trees and sights along the way...

Home!

almost done with the house

2007-11-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

Here is the living room...
One wall is painted orange, the rest will be light gray and the trim will be black. Dramatic.

You can see we have more work to do...

Here is the studio. It's just basically a room to work in, but interesting, of course.

It has more work too. we still have 2 walls with nothing on them yet :)

Bottle Cap Pins... A Fun Teen Craft

2007-11-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

These were so easy and so much fun!

My very first Thanksgiving

2007-11-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

The menu
Turkey Breast with Turkey Gravy
Pear, Cranberry and Walnut Stuffing
Acorn Squash
Baked Corn Casserole
Garlic Mashed Potato with Parsnips
Baby Portobello Gravy
Shelley's Pumpkin Cake

The Punk Rock Faerie

2007-11-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

My daughter wanted to be a punk rock faerie this year for halloween. I think the costume turned out to be wonderful! She even won most creative in our neighborhood costume contest!