BIDDEFORD — While the temperature dropped and wind whipped down Main Street, inside McArthur Library, a cozy multi-purpose room housed crafters, heads bent in quiet conversation as they intently cut and glued paper in a relaxing exercise of adult escapism.
Once a month, McArthur Library hosts “Crafternoon Thursdays,” a 90-minute crafting session for adults. Each session has a specific craft designated for the allotted time. However, participants can chose to use the provided materials to craft freely.
“This is an opportunity for people to socialize and have a creative outlet,” said Adult Services Supervisor Melanie Coombs. “They are more than welcome to use supplies to craft in whichever way they may choose. It’s just fun.”
This is the third year of “Crafternoon Thursdays,” with the monthly program running from September to May, taking a hiatus in the summer. According to Coombs, the event is always well attended, with an ever-growing group of regulars partaking in a monthly opportunity to catch up and create something new.
“We’re regulars. We’re a mother-daughter team,” said Claire Poissant, gesturing to daughter Jen LaPointe.
For the January session, which was held 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, attendees were invited to create a miniature shadow box using Altoids tins that were provided by the library. Crafters were also given glue and stacks upon stacks of scrapbooking paper. The abundance of paper was a gift to the library from an anonymous donor, a fellow crafter cleaning out her personal cache. For this craft in particular, the seven participants sifted through the colorful and patterned paper carefully, looking for the perfect sheet to line and decorate their tins. A last minute accouterment was a tin of buttons temporarily pilfered from the children’s room, used to further adorn the tiny shadow boxes.
“I knew we had buttons somewhere,” Coombs said as Young Adult Librarian Brooke Faulkner entered the room, tin in hand. “Brooke is the hero of adult craft time. If we need it, she’ll find it.”
McArthur Library uses a Pinterest board to garner ideas for projects and provides participants photos of completed projects for them to use for inspiration.
The next “Crafternoon” will be held Thursday, Feb. 14, and will be Valentine’s Day themed. Participants will create cards or decorate papier-mâché hearts to celebrate. Spring events will feature a mix of new crafts and favorites from past seasons of “Crafternoons.” On March 14, crafters will paint miniature birdhouses, a fan-favorite from last year.
“People really loved the bird houses,” said Coombs as she reminisced with saved photos of last year’s creations. “And man, they all just turned out so beautiful.”
The April 11 jewelry making session is a new craft for this season, but the May 9 gel printing exercise is another favorite from last year.
Those who wish to participate need to bring only their “happy face,” according to a flier for the event.
“We’re so happy to be able to offer a craft time for adults,” Coombs said. “Adults need time to unwind and socialize too.”
Contact Staff Writer Abigail Worthing at news@inthecourier.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
