Quincy library has carved out space for DIY crafters. Here's how to make it your own

QUINCY − Kathleen Peterson jumped at the chance to visit the Thomas Crane Public Library and decorate a tote bag to carry to the beach.

She was among a dozen people who were trying out the library's new makerspace, a room for do-it-yourself projects and arts and crafts which opened in May for selected small group craft projects, such as Perler beads crafting.

"It's great, a wonderful addition to the library and an opportunity to use equipment that I could never afford," Peterson said.

Yimin Xu, of Braintree, called the weekend craft experience awesome.

"I wanted to learn a new skill and this is a really great and useful craft," she said, ironing a stencil design onto the book bag the library provided. "The events here are always so awesome."

The makerspace is waiting for you to come in

The library's makerspace is now open for the public to use on their own by appointment.

The library has named the room on its main floor The Cranium, a collaborative workspace for people to explore do-it-yourself projects and create a variety of objects using their imagination and tools provided.

For the recent tote bag class, Sydney Anderson, the technology librarian, gave a brief introduction with simple instructions, and then people got to work on their own.

The whole process took just over an hour.

The cloth tote bags were provided by the library, along with a selection of stencil designs that could be ironed on the outside.

What 3 books would you like to fill your book bag?

When they were finished, people could either take their bag home right away or drop it off at the reference desk, where it would be filled with three books on a topic they had selected. They were also asked to fill out Google information forms.

Caitlin Fruzzetti, of Quincy, who often takes her son to the library's children's room events, brought her aunt, Lynn Mazzeo, of Hull. Both were excited about the future opportunities.

The Cranium will be open to children, teens and adults interested in learning how to use a variety of equipment.

The possibilities include a Glowforge laser cutter, Toybox 3D printers, Robo E3 3D printers, Vaquform machines, Cricut machines, sewing machines, metal stamping tools, button-makers, sublimation printers, craft supplies and more.

You can check out a Toybox 3D printer

Some makerspace items, such as Toybox 3D printers, can also be checked out with a library card through the Library of Things.

The goal is to provide a space for people to develop their skills in crafting and technology while building community.

Here's how to find out more makerspace events in July

The makerspace is available in July on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. To check for other events in July, visit thomascranelibrary.org. The events often have a maximum of 18 people and some fill up quickly.

Registration for the July 23 event on origami bookmarks opens July 9 at 9 a.m.

The event on how to use the makerspace to make the world more accessible is July 16 from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Cranium was supported by grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the state Board of Library Commissioners. The Friends of the Thomas Crane Public Library has also supported the makerspace.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy library opens The Cranium Makerspace for DIY crafters