By Ilana Toch
As a Skokie native, the library was not a new resource to me. As a high school student, I saw the library as a quiet place to study or meet with groups for school projects, and as a place to check out books and movies. I never ventured into the maker's lab (not sure it even existed then!).
In my late 20s, I moved away for a few years and then came back to Skokie as a 30-year-old with an infant in 2021, right "after" the beginning of the COVID pandemic. I came back after the remodel project was complete and was pleased to come back to what looked like a whole new library.
As a young girl in elementary school, I remember loving art. As a new mom with a full-time job, it's not exactly a time in your life when you have a lot of free time to explore or nurture hobbies.
As my daughter started to be invited to classmates’ birthday parties, a new thought ignited in my head: "What if I made the children's presents myself"? With the help of the staff in the Studio, I quickly learned how to use the embroidery machine and the Cricut vinyl cutter. I have made many items that have been very popular gifts for both kids and their parents. Some of my most popular projects have been personalized baseball hats and sweatshirts, crayon molds, and personalized water bottles and towels.
I’ve been surprised at how much joy I have found from crafting these personalized gifts. This work has allowed me to be creative–researching new ideas and seeing what is trending and relevant year after year. It has also become an activity I do with my friends who are also crafty. Finding an activity that is free, fun, and does not involve a screen is hard to come by these days. It has truly felt like a “third space” for me and a place where I have built some community around other crafters. Possibly, if my scope of interest changes, I could see this hobby turn into a “side-hustle" for me if I build up my confidence and proficiency more.
Thank you, Skokie Public Library, specifically the Studio, for nurturing this creativity, helping me learn new skills, and embracing my inner artist!