March is National Crafting Month, and it’s a great time to try a little crafting and creating. The Association of Creative Industries created National Crafting Month in 1994  to raise awareness and to encourage individuals to find creative outlets and to discover the joy of crafting.

It is also a month for practiced crafters to try a new project, a new medium, or learn a new skill they have been considering. Crafting can be a relaxing and rewarding experience for people of all ages.

Crafting can mean a lot of things, but mostly we understand crafting to include activities where individuals use skills that are creative and artistic. Some popular crafting activities include knitting, embroidering, crocheting, leatherworking, fly tying, jewelry making, woodworking, pottery, painting, and candle making.

Crafting includes any activity that has an artistic aspect but is not strictly classified as “fine art.”

Crafting can boost your confidence in your creative skills and help you to think outside the box. I have enjoyed the crafting classes at the Cokeville Branch Library  and I have seen my confidence and creativity blossom. Granted, I have had a patient and supportive teacher, Tracey Whitehead, as well as encouraging classmates to learn with every month.

Gathering to craft is a fun way to spend quality time with friends, plus you can help each other come up with creative new ideas.

Crafting can be an economical way to give gifts and handmade gifts are more fun to receive and to give. Each handmade gift is one of a kind and comes from the heart with a little blood, sweat, and tears thrown in for good measure.

Crafting can also be a family affair; encourage your kids to set their devices down and get creative with you. My kids are always hesitant to join me at first, but once they get going they really enjoy themselves and love the finished crafts. They also love to display the crafts in their rooms because they made them.

The Lincoln County Library System offers many different types of crafts and makerspaces for our patrons. Check out your library’s schedule to see what is being offered this month and throughout the year.

The library is a great place to get together to do crafts. You may get to meet some creative and inspiring people and share ideas and some laughter with each other.