The year is coming to a close, and the winter holidays will be here before we know it. Now is the perfect time to get crafty at your local library branch. Try knitting or cross stitch. Make some holiday cards or ornaments. Create jewelry with beads or even make your own candle! Whether you want to get some last-minute gift-making done or want to try something new, your library has you covered with holiday and crafting activities all month long.
Calming Coloring: Millhopper Branch, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come enjoy a stress-free afternoon of coloring while listening to relaxing classical or meditation music. We have a wide array of adult coloring books and pages. We also have several sets of markers and colored pencils.
Open Sewing Lab: Headquarters Library, Thursday, Dec. 1, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Working on some holiday gifts and need to get away from prying eyes? Gather up your materials and come to our Open Sewing Lab. We'll have sewing machines and tools set up for you to use to get some work done!
Stitch & Chat: Alachua Branch, Friday, Dec. 2, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Throw some supplies in a bag and come stitch with us. If you are into needlework - sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch, knitting, and/or crocheting - you are welcome. Hang out and chat while you work on your current project or start a new one. You will get to meet like-minded people and end up trading tips, advice, or ideas.
Comic Book Workshop: Library Partnership Branch, Saturday, Dec. 3, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Come join us for a Comic book workshop! We will have a brainstorming session and learn about coming up with our own characters and story ideas. Teens can come up with their own mini comic book story and characters. We will write out a story & create your character's draft. This is open to all our Teen Patrons.
DIY Holiday Cards: Micanopy Branch, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cards are a major part of the Holiday Season! Come by and have a fun time crafting your own unique Holiday Cards! Materials will be provided for patrons to stop by and create their own Holiday Cards during this program. Either create your own or take inspiration from a few examples on display!
Perler Beads: Archer Branch, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come and craft with Perler Beads! (Also known as "melty beads.")
the art lab @ HAW: Watercolor Painting: Hawthorne Branch, Monday, Dec. 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You asked for it, and here it is! Judy Harris is back with her fabulously popular and engaging watercolor class. No previous drawing or painting experience is required. Class is limited to 12 students - you can register online through our Events page or you can call the Hawthorne library at 352-481-1920 to reserve your spot. We supply all the materials - all you need to bring is your creativity!
Sew X-tra - Cross Stitch Club: Headquarters Library, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Want to learn a craft but aren't very crafty? Try cross stitch. If you can make an "x" then you can do it. All supplies provided to create basic designs. Ages 13 and up are invited to join us for Cross Stitch Club every a month. Each month we will teach different techniques and skills related to cross-stitch so that participants may expand their knowledge and work on various projects as their skill-level changes. Patterns will be available for various skill levels, including very simple, quick patterns for beginners.
Crafternooners: High Springs Branch, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 12:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Learn to knit and/or crochet. If you already know the craft, you are welcome to join and share what you know.
Knitting Circle: Millhopper Branch, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring your knitting, crocheting, tatting, macramé, cross stitch, etc. This group will meet weekly to share ideas and offer support for each others' creative endeavors. Attendance is limited to the first 20 people. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the program.
STEAM: Bead Bonanza: Tower Road Branch, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for some beady crafts and make some jewelry or an animal to bring home.
Drawing Club: Newberry Branch, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come hang out and draw with new friends! Get sketchy and practice your drawing skills at the Newberry Branch Library.
Bead & Wire Pendant Craft for Adults: Headquarters Library, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Interested in learning a new skill? Join Librarian Caroline as she teaches you to create a beautiful bead & wire pendant.
Open Sewing Lab: Headquarters Library, Thursday, Dec. 8, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Working on some holiday gifts and need to get away from prying eyes? Gather up your materials and come to our Open Sewing Lab. We'll have sewing machines and tools set up for you to use to get some work done!
Holiday Ornament Crafting: Alachua Branch, Thursday, Dec. 8, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Drop in and create a holiday craft to take home! 'Tis the season to be crafty! Drop in between 3 and 5 to create a holiday keepsake. We’ll provide the materials, just bring your creativity! This program is designed for elementary, teens, and adults.
Winter Craft Workshop: Millhopper Branch, Thursday, Dec. 8, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join us in creating winter crafts: snowflakes, ornaments, and cards. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.
Create @ Archer: Archer Branch, Saturday, Dec. 10, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each month we will explore a different art medium. Visit the branch for monthly topics and to view samples, if available. All supplies are included. Classes generally run for one hour. December: Drawing faces and bodies.
DIY Holiday Ornaments: Micanopy Branch, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us to create and decorate your own holiday ornament.
Next Year I Will...: Newberry Branch, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Planning and planner tools to start 2023 off right, BEFORE January 1. Participants will learn how to engage in episodic future thinking (EFT) and practice zooming out to envision long-term possibilities and then will set up habit trackers that will encourage them to take the small daily steps in the long march to the successful completion of their goals. Basic supplies, including habit trackers and pens/pencils/markers will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a favorite writing utensil.
Winter Craft Jamboree: Tower Road Branch, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Crafts, crafts, crafts, and crafts galore! Come join us at the Tower Road Branch to partake in a wide array of arts and crafts for kids of all ages.
Teen Writing Club: Tower Road Branch, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Are you a teen writer looking to connect and discuss with other teen writers? Come to the teen writing club! We'll provide writing resources, writing exercises (for those interested), and conversation and support for all the teen writers out there. Novelists, fic writers, poets, journalists—all are welcome at our writing club.
ANIMATIONspace: Millhopper Branch, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come and learn the stop-motion animation process from storyboarding to filming!
Tower Crafts: Candlemaking: Tower Road Branch, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn how to create candles in this fun and creative program geared toward adults. Tower Crafts is a safe space to learn new art and craft techniques. All levels of abilities are welcome. This program is limited to 20 people. First come, first served. All materials will be provided and you will leave with your very own candle.
Calming Coloring: Millhopper Branch, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come enjoy a stress-free afternoon of coloring while listening to relaxing classical or meditation music. We have a wide array of adult coloring books and pages. We also have several sets of markers and colored pencils.
Sensory Bottles: Micanopy Branch, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sensory bottles offer a range of experiences for those who use them. Stop by and learn how to make your own custom sensory bottle! Learn how to create a sensory bottle with a few simple materials! Customize it to your own needs and watch the contents slowly float around the bottle.
Need for Bead: Archer Branch, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come and create jewelry or beaded animals and trinkets using pony beads.
Decorate a Mini Grapevine Wreath: Hawthorne Branch, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Bring your creativity and make your own mini grapevine wreath to take home. We've got the supplies—you bring the inspiration! Join us for fun crafting your own mini grapevine wreath for the holiday to take home and share.
Creative Journaling - with the Library: Headquarters Library, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Creative journaling is an excellent way to express yourself through art, brainstorming, and problem-solving. It's a great form of self-care and can be fulfilling and fun. Join the library to explore different journaling styles, formats, methods, and techniques. The goal of the program is to provide a relaxed, positive atmosphere for creative journaling for beginners and experienced individuals alike.
DIY Noisemakers: Micanopy Branch, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It’s almost a New Year! Are you ready to make some noise and celebrate 2023? Join us to make noisemakers and discuss New Year’s Eve traditions.
ArtSpace: Waldo Branch, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for arts and crafts for ages 5 all the way up to adults in our unique Waldo Branch ArtSpace.
