Attention hobby enthusiasts - find what you need at the Abilene library
When the urge to create comes upon you, it is often hard to resist.
New sources of inspiration, ideas and patterns are always welcomed by crafters and hobbyists. To aid in your search, the Abilene Public Library has online databases that you can access from home and use anytime. “Hobbies and Craft Reference Center” and “Creativebug” are two databases you can access remotely and can be found under the E-Resources section on our website.
“Creativebug” inspires you to create and then teaches you how to do it. It has unlimited access to video how-tos about art and craft classes, plus patterns, templates and recipes. You can set up an account to save courses, favorite classes and ideas. It even has classes for kids.
The detailed videos give step by step instructions on a wide range of levels from beginner to a more advanced level. It offers classes on crochet and knitting, sewing, quilting, and painting, to name just a few. It also has cooking video classes.
A fun feature of “Creativebug” is a section titled “Daily Practice.” You can challenge yourself to do the 30-day prompts in 60 different categories. It’s the perfect way to get your daily dose of hobbies. This resource also has a holiday section. I found it very easy to navigate and look at the lessons.
“Hobby and Craft Reference Center” is another crafting database offered in the E- Resources section. It offers detailed project instructions and creative ideas for a wide range of hobbies. Full text is provided from leading hobby and craft magazines as well as full text recipes. You can browse by category or search by topic or activity. This database opens like an ereader flipping from page to page so is quite easy to navigate. You can set up an account to save the tutorials or browse without one.
Topics on the “Hobby and Craft Reference Center range from the usual to some that are more unusual. Stamp Collecting, Indoor and Outdoor Recreation, Home and Garden, Model Building and Science and Technology are some of the offerings. The general topics open up to subtopics that you can choose from. It also has a section for kid’s crafts. I found it easy to use as well and found the wide variety of lessons enjoyable.
In addition to the databases, try our collection of print material on crafts, check out a maker kit, or visit the Creation Station makerspace. Check out the library’s website at abilenetx.gov/apl and navigate to the E-Resources page. Then come on over and take a look. You might just be more creative than you think.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Attention hobby enthusiasts - find what you need at Abilene libraries
