If the start of a new year has stirred up an impulse to take on a new hobby or clear out your craft supply clutter, you may want to hold on until the end of the month. After taking a year off due to renovations, the Northbrook Public Library is excited to announce the return of the Craft Swap on Sunday, January 31.
The Craft Swap, a popular event in which community members can come to the Library and take home free craft supplies, has been well attended in past years. Despite the event’s recent hiatus, the buzz around the Craft Swap never faded.
“People called throughout our construction period, asking when the swap was coming back and when they could bring in their craft supplies,” said librarian Jill Franklin, one of the organizers of the swap. “Now that the swap’s finally coming back, I have a feeling there’s going to be a great turnout.”
Those with unwanted craft supplies can donate them to the Library on Friday, January 29 from 1-5pm or Saturday, January 30 from 10am-4pm. Anyone who donates materials on a drop-off day will earn an early entrance pass to the swap, which will allow them to browse the collection of craft supplies for 30 minutes before the doors officially open. Donated craft supplies of all kinds will be accepted.
“In the past, people have dropped off anything from clothing patterns to silk flowers to embossers, and even fabric scraps from quilting. The first year [of the swap], we had mounds upon mounds of yarn. It looked like we had turned into a yarn store,” said Franklin. “People are just thrilled to empty their closets and craft rooms to relieve the clutter.”
For many local crafters, the swap is more than an opportunity to de-clutter; it’s the chance to make a difference.
“Some people craft for charity. They’ll make soft blankets or toys for those in need,” said Franklin. “With the Craft Swap, we’re able to provide a great service to those crafters by helping them access free craft supplies for their charity projects.”
There are even economic and environmental benefits to holding the craft swap, explained Franklin.
“There’s this concept called collaborative consumption. Rather than producing a need to consume more, you connect with people to get what you need,” said Franklin. “With the Craft Swap, people have a place to bring their unwanted but usable materials and obtain new materials for free, which has a positive effect on both a person’s economy and the environment. The swap is one way we can create a local economy of sharing.”
Crafters and hobbyists of all kinds are welcome to attend the Craft Swap and explore the vast range of craft supplies that will surely turn up on the tables in the Pollak Room.
“There’s always this atmosphere of excitement, both on the drop-off days and on the day of the [Craft Swap]”, said Franklin. “It’s really fun to see how happy people are.”
The Craft Swap will be held on Sunday, January 31 from 2-4:30pm (early entrance 1:30pm). Craft supply donations will be accepted on Friday, January 29 from 1-5pm and Saturday, January 30 from 10am-4pm. For more information on the Craft Swap, please call 847-272-7082 or visit the Library's website.
