Make a rustic beaded suncatcher to brighten up your window! Starting with a chicken wire-wrapped embroidery hoop, we will make an assortment of small bead combos and attach them using some simple jewelry techniques. These small, 6" hoops will likely take the full two hours to completely decorate. This program is for adults and requires dexterity and the ability to use pliers.
Advanced Planning
This was one of our ongoing monthly art/craft program series for adults. The goal is to provide interesting projects each month and a space to be creative, meet others and talk while crafting. This particular project was so popular that the waiting list filled up, and registration had to be turned off.
Usually, planning starts months ahead. The materials were chosen and ordered about two months before the event. One time-consuming prep task was wrapping the hoops with chicken wire. Since we were allowing a total of 30 people, that was a lot of hoops to wrap. I did 5-7 at a time, so I didn't end up with sore hands.
A directions sheet was created and printed out. During the event, I showed different steps using a document camera and a large projection screen. My coworker taught the class at our branch library. She also had the same challenges mentioned below. The main challenge for people was coiling the 'head pins' from which the bead hung. Also, attaching the bead combos was a challenge for some people even though we purchased soft metal jump rings. Although there were a few bumps in the process, everyone loved being able to create one of these charming suncatchers. We got a lot of appreciative comments.
Marketing
The usual website calendar entry, social media posts, and the large TV display in the library. We don't need to promote these events much as they usually fill.
Budgeting
Total cost was around $138 before tax, making the cost per person about $4.60. All but the beads were ordered from Amazon. Prices are rounded up to the nearest dollar:
- Beads: 3 packages of 1300 glass beads = $30 from Walmart
- Embroidery Hoops (30) = $40
- 2" Head pins, 2x 600 pins (used to suspend the beads) = $24
- Needle nose pliers (bought 5 and borrowed more) = $19
- Multi-color aluminum jump rings, 5050 pieces = $10
- Chicken wire was donated. The estimated cost is about $15
- Sisal rope for hangers was left over from another event. The estimated cost for a roll is about $5
I always try to get materials for the best price possible while still getting quality that adults will appreciate (such as real glass beads). I don't see any real way to do this project for less.
Day-of-event Activity
The setup involved arranging tables in rows and placing materials, which had been presorted into small containers, in the middle where everyone could reach them. I also set up the projector cart and document camera so I could show some of the harder-to-explain steps, such as twisting the wire head pins and attaching the jump rings to the chicken wire.
Each program had one librarian and one youth services assistant present. Although this was an adult program, youth services staff sometimes have time to help with adult events. My coworker who taught the program at the branch location had one person who needed lots of help due to having long nails, so that took extra staff time.
Program Execution
We had 49 people sign up for 30 spots, and 31 attended. Everyone enjoyed it and most finished in the two hours allowed. A few people took home supplies to complete theirs at home. One attendee was especially excited to get to do this project because it was a chance to work with new-to-her materials, tools, and techniques. A few people emailed us photos of their finished pieces hanging up at their homes.
The goal was to provide an interesting event that people wanted to attend, and the number of signups and positive comments showed that the goal was achieved.
Advice
Prep time was longer than usual; allow enough time to wrap all the hoops ahead of time so that valuable program time is not taken up with that step. Also, be prepared to poke yourself on the chicken wire!
Expect this to be popular. We recommend having no more than 15 people in each session because some folks may have a learning curve, and they will need your attention.
Take time to learn this yourself so that you have some techniques for attaching the beads that are simple and easy to do.
Supporting Materials
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- Programming Librarian Facebook Group
Slideshow Images
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