Get Ready to Make!
- Videos will be posted on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.
- Challenges can be entered by social media or email.
- Names for the new creative space can be sent in below.
- Knit and crochet for charity by donating pieces to Knit-A-Square.
- Enter the Tiny Art Show by tagging us on social media or emailing pictures of your creations!
- Take & Make Kits can be picked up, and Knit-A-Squares dropped off, at the Library.
- Keep on making with Library programs all year long!
Make-Along Videos
Welcome to Maker Week!
Video at 10 am on Saturday, May 14
What's going on this week? Ashley takes you through what to expect for Maker Week, including our Challenges and Craft for Charity. Plus, how to name the new creative space coming later this year!
Tiny Art Show
Video at 10 am on Sunday, May 15
Pick up a mini canvas kit, create art, and send us a photo to display as part of our digital Tiny Art Show! For adults and teens. While supplies last.
Need inspiration? Check out The Big Book Of Tiny Art by Karen Libecap on Hoopla.
Hand-Sew a Scrunchie
Video at 7 pm on Monday, May 16
Learn hand-sewing basics while Ashley makes a scrunchie. If you'd like a scrunchie kit, pick one up in Adult & Teen Services. Kits available while supplies last.
Creativebug & Craftsy
Video at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 17
Our favorite free online video classes from creative professionals with Creativebug and Craftsy on Hoopla. We'll highlight a few of our favorites to get you started, including knitting and crochet classes for the Knit-a-Square charity project.
Digital Media Lab & Tech2Go
Video at 7 pm on Wednesday, May 18
Let's tour the Digital Media Lab and the Tech2Go collection! From sewing machines to digitizing film reels, you'll be amazed at what you can do at New Lenox Library.
What's in the Makerspace?
Video at 7 pm on Thursday, May 19
Ron explains it all: Ozobots, LittleBits and more awesome kids' makerspace tools for you downstairs in Youth Services.
PVC Marshmallow Shooter
Video at 7 pm on Friday, May 20
Maker Week goes out with a (squishy) bang! Join Dan as he teaches you how to make a marshmallow shooter with PVC pipes.
Challenges
#NLPLMakerWeek Challenge
Saturday, May 14 to Saturday, May 21
Online
Win a Black + Decker Drill and Home Tool Kit! Take pictures, videos, or write responses to 5 of our suggestions and submit them to the “Bingo!” form below.
Post them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and tag us with #NLPLMakerWeek for a special drawing! For adults and teens. Limit 3 entries per person per drawing. Social media posts must be public in order for us to see them.
Kids Cardboard Challenge
Saturday, May 14 to Saturday, May 21
Online
Learn different ways to bend, cut, and build with cardboard. Watch our Welcome to Maker Week! video and come to the Library starting May 14 to see examples of these techniques, or visit our Pinterest board below! Show at least two cardboard techniques on your project to be entered to win a Mini Sphero Robot Kit.
Post them on social media and tag us with #NLPLMakerWeek for a special drawing! Kids 8 and up with caregiver. Limit one entry per child per drawing. Take a picture or make a video and share it with us by Saturday, May 21 for a chance to win a Mini Sphero robot!
Take & Makes
Simple Sunprints Kits
Starting Saturday, May 14 while supplies last at the Adult & Teen Services Desk
Come get a kit to create a beautiful cyanotype photograph—also known as a sunprint! Feel free to use anything in your grab bag or go out and find inspiration in nature. Just add a little sunshine—no camera required. Directions available in the kit and on Sunprints.com. For adults and teens. While supplies last.
Slow-Fashion Scrunchie Kits
Starting Saturday, May 14 while supplies last at the Adult & Teen Services Desk
Video at 7 pm on Monday, May 16
Learn how to hand-sew by making a scrunchie, no sewing machine needed! Learn to knot your thread, sew running stitch, backstitch, and whip stitch, and use elastic. Kits include fabric and elastic for two book-themed scrunchies, pattern and instructions, needle, seam ripper, and thread in a pencil case. A how-to video will be posted on Monday, May 16 at 7 pm. For kids, adults, and teens, where hand-sewing skills are appropriate. You will need scissors (an iron can be optional), so caretaker help is suggested where needed. While supplies last.
Tiny Art Show
Starting Saturday, May 14 while supplies last at the Adult & Teen Services Desk
Video at 10 am on Sunday, May 15
Pick up a mini canvas kit, create art, and send us a photo to display as part of our digital Tiny Art Show! For adults and teens. While supplies last.
Need inspiration? Check out The Big Book Of Tiny Art by Karen Libecap on Hoopla.
Name That Space!
The Digital Media Lab is expanding into a full makerspace, with a work room, a digital creation room, and an audio recording booth.
Other libraries name their spaces, like The Forge, The Collaboratory, Studio 300, or Makerplace. What should we name the new Lab?
Send in your ideas here!
Craft for Charity with Knit-A-Square
Donations accepted May 14–31
Box in Lobby, Tickets with Patron Services at Checkout Desk
Learn the basics of fiber arts and do some good in the process! Knit-a-Square turns your simple squares into blankets that are donated to orphaned and vulnerable children. The Library will be collecting finished knitted, crocheted, and loomed squares to donate throughout the rest of May.
Each square that you donate will earn you a drawing entry towards a variety of gorgeous knitting-themed baskets, with yarn and knitting notions. (Thank you to the donator making this possible.) Entries will be pulled on June 3.
Keep On Makin’ On
- Fiber Arts Club meets at the Library on Thursdays twice a month
- New Life for Old Bags meets once a month on a Monday
- Craft & Go for kids on Mondays in May
- Cosplay & Costume Club for teens meets monthly
(Adults, let us know if you're interested in something like this!) - Crafting with the Cameo meets monthly
- TinkerCAD Challenge is monthly for all ages
- We have maker programs all year! Budding chefs, scientists, crafters and makers can find our more on the Event Calendar.
Icons in Maker Week title design: Code, Gem Designs | Hammer, Gemma Evans | Needle and Thread, gayatri | Knitting, Becris
Celebrating National Week of Making, May 16–22, 2022