Craft Programs

Patrons of all ages were invited to sign up for a class to learn extreme pumpkin carving techniques from WNY artist & sculptor, Eric Jones, winner of Food Network’s Outrageous Pumpkins competition. This program was sponsored by Friends of Cuba Library and by donations in memory of Stephen Colburn from Ray & Gail Feuchter, Paul & Vicky Gaeta, Lisa Beck & Steve Georas, LC Whitford, Wendy Lanterman, and Allision Barnes & Will Tucker.

Patrons ages 10 – 18 were invited to sign up for a class to paint porcelain dolls and create creepy Halloween decorations.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to paint porcelain dolls and create creepy Halloween decorations.

Patrons ages 15 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn needle felting taught by Blubird Studio and create felted mushrooms.

Patrons ages 16 & up were invited to sign up for a two-part class to paint meditative mandalas on a square 12″ x 12″ canvas.

Patrons ages 14 & up were invited to sign up for a class to paint 1.5″ wide bangles with animal faces.

Patrons ages 12 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn about lino-block printing with Rick Minnard. This class introduced students to relief printmaking, including transferring images to a block, and carving techniques. Transfer or draw an image directly onto a linoleum block and carve away the areas that will not be printed. Finally, participants used their carved blocks to print some images.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to create a decorative jar and a small picture using pressed flowers, canning jars, 4×6 canvases and mod podge.

Patrons ages 12 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn about leather tooling with Native leather artist Clifford Redeye. Participants learned to make a leather wallet which involves carving, tooling, stitching and dyeing. Participants carved and tooled an image from Star Wars into the leather, and had a choice between a Stormtrooper, Mando & Grogu, or Droids C-3PO & R2-D2.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to create bird earrings and a bird’s nest necklace using jewelry wire, beads, and polymer clay.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to create Easter or Spring signs using wood sign blanks, paint, spring florals, and ribbon. Each participant had time to paint at least one side of their sign, and if time permitted, decorated both sides.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to create moon shaped suncatchers using wood, chain, and beads. Each participant will create a pretty window decoration to hang in their home.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to create Christmas ornaments using fabric, ribbon and buttons. Each participant will create one ornament.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up to learn about leather tooling with Seneca artist Clifford Redeye. Attendees learned to make a leather clutch in a two part class, which involves carving, tooling, and dyeing. Participants carved and tooled an image from a Seneca story into the leather, and had a choice between a Strawberry, a Hummingbird, and Sunflowers.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class fall welcome signs for door décor using rectangular wood signs, fall florals, and acrylic paint. Each participant was able to at least paint one side of their sign.

Patrons ages 14 & up were invited to sign up for a class in painting with acrylics taught by Seneca artist Penny Minner. The class learned to reproduce a painting of the three sisters based on the Seneca legend.

Adults were invited to sign up to learn about leather tooling with Seneca artist Clifford Redeye. Attendees learned to make a leather medallion which involves carving, tooling, and dyeing. Participants carved and tooled an image from a Seneca story into the leather, and had a choice between a Strawberry, a Hummingbird, and an Owl.

Adults were invited to sign up to create round wooden signs for door décor using wood circles and acrylic paint. Each participant will be able to at least paint one side of their circle.

Patrons ages 14 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn about Weaving with Black Ash Splint and Sweetgrass with Seneca Artist Penny Minner. Attendees learned to weave an ornament, as well as a brief history of weaving with sweet grass and black ash splints.

Adults were invited to sign up for a class to make crystal chip jewelry. Attendees learned to use metal bezels, wire, and crystal chips to create unique jewelry sets. Earring hooks were provided, but participants had to use their own jewelry chains for the pendant.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to learn to make beachy fairy houses using recycled yogurt containers, cardboard, moss, and a variety of shells and pebbles in a class taught by library assistant Shauna Comes.

Patrons ages 14 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn to make beaded felt picture frames using a variety of glass beads in a three-part class taught by Samantha Jacobs, a Native American beadworker.

Patrons ages 14 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn to make beaded netting on an Easter Egg using glass seed beads in a two-part class taught by Samantha Jacobs, a Native American beadworker.

Patrons ages 16 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn basic sewing skills and make aprons, tote bags, pillowcases, table runners, and small clutches. This class was taught by Lynn Fulmer and took place at Cuba-Rushford Middle High School.

Patrons ages 10 & up were invited to sign up for a class to learn the basics of beading by creating a simple daisy chain bracelet using glass seed beads with a toggle clasp in a class taught by Samantha Jacobs, a Native American beadworker.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to use beads and wire to create two sparkly icicle ornaments to decorate for the winter season. They were able to make ornaments exactly as pictured or get creative and mix & match their beads to create their own unique designs.

Teen & adult patrons were invited to sign up for a class to paint and decorate a flower pot with sugar skull design to create a fun decoration for a room.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up for a workshop in creating your own handmade paper using scraps from the recycling bin. This workshop was an introductory class in papermaking with Susan Doran from Allegany Arts Association.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up to paint a canvas with a beach scene and use stencils to add a summery saying. Sand, shells and pebbles will be used to add decorative details. We had an issue with the transfer tape being too strong to remove from the stencils, but the ladies still did a great job with their projects. This class was taught by library assistant Shauna.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up to paint stones to look like cacti and place them in an arrangement in a clay pot with moss and sand. This class was taught by library director Tina.

Adult patrons were invited to sign up to decorate miniature birdhouses with paint and then glue them to an upside down mini flower pot base with twine details. This class was taught by library assistant Shauna.

Patrons ages 13 & up were invited to sign up to decorate glassware using alcohol inks. After decorating the glass, LED light strings were added to the finished projects. This class was taught by local artist Patience Wnek.

Patrons ages 13 & up were invited to sign up to paint watercolor winter landscapes using primary colors. This class was taught by Theresa Heinz, a Cuba native who studied under Chet Swier in junior high school. There was enough interest that we ended up holding three separate sessions from the initial sign-ups and waiting list!

Patrons ages 13 & up were invited to sign up to make no sew sock gnomes. Each participant was able to make 2 gnomes using a variety of fabrics and embellishments.

Patrons ages 8 & up were invited to sign up to make miniature fairy gardens. The library provided soil and decorations, and patrons were asked to bring their own containers large enough to hold a small 2-4″ birdhouse.