One of the most rewarding and effective types of program for teens is also one of the least implemented. Whether a result of a lack of ideas, lack of budget, fear of poor teen response, or a combination of factors teen crafts are often seen as not worth the effort. This session aims to change those misconceptions and bring the popular and social activity of teen crafts back from the heap of long dead programs. It is time to graduate from the paper plate masks! Rise against the decline of craft events and give those idle teen hands something to do! Come, comrades: JOIN THE DIY REVOLUTION!

1. Teen crafts, back from the dead and hungry for brains!

2. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Crafts are lame! ∙Some teens often like to act too cool for anything It is an act . . . ∙ Everyone likes to make stuff! Especially for free ∙Snacks . . . Have them!

3. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Crafts are for kids! ∙ Don’t underestimate the joys of the childish ∙ Repurpose and “age” the kiddie crafts you know ∙ Young Adults craft all the time It isn’t required to be a hipster douchebag, either! ∙ There are TONS of great crafts out there for teens We’ll show you some, as well as sources for more

4. Misconceptions about teens and crafts Teen crafts must be expensive! ∙ Usually, no more expensive than kid’s crafts ∙ Many crafts involve recycling common items ∙ Many crafts are free or can be done at negligible cost We’ll show you some, as well as sources for more

5. Why should I do crafts for teens? Ummm . . . They’re fun? ∙ Really? Do we need more reason than that? ∙ Crafts foster and encourage creative thinking ∙ Crafts are great opportunities for teen participation and assistance with event planning ∙ They’re fun! Also, I guess there are those 40 developmental asset things . . .

6. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things ∙ List of things that have been linked to guiding young people from high-risk behavior ∙ Most teens experience less than half of these assets ∙ Craft programs can fulfill up to 29/40 of these things

7. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Support ∙ Positive Family Communication ► Parents can do crafts alongside their teens, strengthening bonds and encouraging communication ∙ Other Adult Relationships ► By attending library sponsored craft events, teens are interacting with librarians and media specialists ∙ Caring Neighborhood ► What could be more caring than a library that continually does programs for teens and advocates for those teens? ∙ Caring School Climate ► Having craft events in the media center can help to create a caring and creative environment for students

8. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Empowerment ∙ Community Values Youth ► A library that continually has programs and advocates for youth is helping to create a caring community ∙ Youth as Resources ► Craft events are GREAT opportunities to incorporate your teens and tweens in event planning and execution ∙ Service to Others ► If they are helping to plan the events, they are already serving others, but craft events are perfect opportunities to assist other people ∙ Safety ► Oh, come now! Of all the places a teen/tween might hang out, I feel comfortable saying the library is one of the safest

9. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Boundaries/Expectations ∙ School Boundaries ► Craft events at media centers require participants to follow school rules ∙ Neighborhood Boundaries ► Youth service librarians monitor participants behavior before, during, and after the event ∙ Adult Role Models ► One would hope that Youth Service Librarians and Media Specialists are good role models ∙ Positive Peer Influence ► Participants meet more teens/tweens who spend their time at the library ∙ High Expectations ► Participants are encouraged to do their best, have fun, and clean up

10. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Constructive Use of Time ∙ Creative Activities ► Really, now . . . Do I have to explain why and how crafts satisfy this one? ∙ Youth Programs ► Alright, now. Craft programs = Youth programs. We good?

11. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Commitment to Learning ∙ School Engagement ► The very act of crafting is encouraging creative and analytical thought, resulting in a deeply education experience. Just don’t tell your teens/tweens. ∙ Bonding to School ► Craft events at school create GOOD memories that are associated with that institution, thereby forming a deeper and more emotive student-school bond ∙ Reading for Pleasure ► If your craft event is at the library or media center, you are already halfway there to reading for pleasure. Also, teens/tweens are likely to check out books relating to a craft they enjoyed.

12. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Positive Values ∙ Caring ► The options are near endless when it comes to craft events that help instill a sense of caring and a desire to aid others ∙ Equality and Social Justice ► By participating in craft events designed to help charities (Knit a Square), teens and tweens can take an active role in preventing the suffering of those less fortunate ∙ Responsibility ► Make it clear that participants must clean up their work space after the craft and let them participate in planning and executing a craft event

13. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Social Competencies ∙ Planning and Decision Making ► The very act of working on a craft encourages good planning and decision making skills ∙ Interpersonal Confidence ► Being in close proximity to each other and working on similar craft projects encourages socialization and interaction ∙ Cultural Competence ► Crafts are excellent opportunities for teens/tweens to learn about other social, religious, and cultural backgrounds ∙ Peaceful Conflict Resolution ► There will be moments of conflict regarding craft supplies that are running low or in short supply, providing excellent teaching moments for conflict resolution and compromise

14. Why should I do crafts for teens? Those 40 Developmental Asset Things Positive Identity ∙ Personal Power ► Put your teens/tweens in control of the planning and execution of a craft event to give them a sense of ownership and power regarding your events ∙ Self-Esteem ► How does making something with your own two hands that you can take home and show your friends NOT improve self-esteem? ∙ Sense of Purpose ► Once again, by helping to plan and execute these events, you are giving your teens/tweens a sense of having an impact on their world ∙ Positive View of Personal Future ► It really is amazing how making something, anything, can encourage optimism. It is exceedingly difficult to look at the future and expect the worst after making something. Try it!

15. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Who is your target audience? ∙ Obviously, teens and tweens ∙ Are you planning an event with a clique in mind? Otaku, Theater kids, Band kids, Lit kids, Twihards, et al ∙ Talk with some of the teens/tweens that would be participating

16. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Pregame planning ∙ Choose a few potential crafts ∙ Do the crafts yourself! If your primary choice is too hard or boring, switch to backup ∙ Gather enough supplies for your group estimate Get a bit more than you think you will need as it is always good to have extra . . . ∙ Simplify any instructions and remove extraneous information

17. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Marketing the event ∙ Put pictures of the end result on posters and fliers ∙ Display the example/test craft items ∙ If you have the budget for it, have food and make it widely known that food will be at the event

18. How to successfully plan and execute a teen craft event Let’s Make Some Cra . . . Crafts I was totally going to say crafts. Yeah. What? ∙ Have enough time to setup without feeling harried ∙ If possible, have an example at each table ∙ Give your teens/tweens space to craft Don’t over populate a table just to save space ∙ Have enough supplies for extras Most teens will want to do more than one ∙ Be prepared to help

20. Cost is essentially negligible

21. So fun, so easy, and so many to make!

22. Your teens/tweens will never get bored of this one

24. Cost is near-nothing

25. Just some old socks and random craft supplies

26. Your teens/tweens will come up with all kinds of crazy stuff

28. Great craft for a recycling theme!

30. Once you get the basic “sheet” structure down, anything can be made

31. Your teens/tweens WILL use the end result of this craft and that means free advertisement!

32. Well made duct tape crafts can last forever with minimal repair!

34. As fun to make and eat as it is easy!

35. Great craft/snack to go along with an anime club

36. Lots of variations for the creative Candy Sushi artist/librarian

37. Easily done for all ages

39. Easy to make and actually pretty tasty!

40. Great for fall and winter programs

41. Recipe is easily varied with great results

42. Really fun to watch it cook in the microwave

44. Relatively easy way to learn or teach how to knit

45. There is a great teacher’s resource book available from the website for $13, which goes right to the charity

46. Teens really get enthusiastic about helping others

48. More crafts than you will ever need!

49. Great craft ideas for all levels of crafting experience

50. Fabulous crafts to help decorate your Teen and Children’s areas

52. Both books provide simple and complex projects

53. Easy no-sew options in each book

54. Beyond Fashion has a section with guys in mind

56. So much cute, your head might just explode!

57. Great patterns and instructions

58. Your teens will use and wear what they make and be fantastic advertisement for your programs

59. Great for the anime and manga fans

61. Every Teen/Tween Librarian NEEDS this book!

62. Clear and concise instructions from the very basic to the more complex

63. Patterns and instructions are easily copied

65. Don’t discount the “Kiddish” ideas

66. Great ideas in every issue

68. Not in every issue, but incredible craft ideas can be found

69. Relatively easy and good looking crafts

70. Great for your manga crowd

73. Easy to use instructions

74. Tons of categorized patterns with difficulty clearly marked from one star to five

75. FREAKIN’ DINOSAURS!

76. No origami paper? Just print some from the site!

77. Just print, cut, and fold!

78. New designs posted frequently

80. blog.craftzine.com/

81. Blog with craft projects and instructions or links to featured craft projects

82. Simple to complex

83. Separated by category and type

84. Some of the featured crafts may be a bit pricey

86. www.the4yablog.com/

87. Blog with craft ideas, program ideas, and more

88. Links to great crafts out there in the intarwebs

89. Simply do a search for a theme or craft

90. Specifically targets those who work with teens

91. Does the searching for you, no need to pore over Google looking for the ideal teen craft.

93. www.instructables.com

94. Instructions to make almost anything!

95. Great instructions for simple to incredibly complex craft and DIY projects

96. PDF copies of each instructable are available to those who sign up as members (free)

97. No better source for inspiration

98. TONS of crafts that would be perfect for Teen Tech Week and other Yalsa theme events

100. www.makingfriends.com

101. May seem kiddish, but many of these crafts can be tailored to teens

102. Categorized and searchable by theme, materials, target audience, and season

103. Sadly, the instructions aren’t great, but it is a good source for inspiration

105. Great instructions for crafts in this presentation and more with more coming all the time!

106. Send one of us an email and we can give you editing capability . . . Add your own ideas!

107. Links to great resources!

111. gordon.wyant@bellevue.net