embroidery

Supplies needed: Embroidery hoops ($3 each), needles ($5/12), embroidery floss ($8/36 colours), fabric; transfer paper and patterns (optional).

Why it’s great: Once teens have a hoop, they can purchase additional supplies at the dollar store and use their new skills to decorate clothes, backpacks and more. Embroidery works best as a standalone program during which a knowledgeable facilitator teaches basic stitches and then shows teens how to make their own designs. Embroidery works as an in-person or digital program if teens are given kits in advance.

Teens Issue - Features - 20

Pompoms

Supplies Needed: yarn, cardboard, scissors; yarn or get more creative with craft glue, felt scraps, tweezers, beads, pins and wire. Pompom makers (4/$13) are reusable and make things easier.

Why it’s great: Although there are thousands of two-minute tutorials on how to make a basic pompom, teens can get really creative with emojis, pokeballs, and more! For cute food and animal pompom ideas, check out Pom Pom Pom by Henri Le (2019). Pompoms can be integrated into earrings, zipper pulls or keychains. A pompom in progress is portable, and can be incorporated into an outreach visit or an anime club.

All my gratitude to Stephanie Usher, Sabrina Gurniak, Amara Charters, Sasha Schertzer and my other creative colleagues at the Vancouver Public Library for their amazing ideas and generosity toward me stealing them.

Jean Broughton is a Teen Services Librarian at the Vancouver Public Library