Melrose Public Library

May Fun on Creativebug!

Spring into creativity – May classes are blooming with inspiration!

Using your library card and PIN, create your own account for FREE and nurture your creative side with 1000+ video classes in painting, knitting, crafting, sewing & more!

Pitch-Ready Picturebook: A How-To Guide in 15 Days – May 1

Have you ever been curious about what it takes to make and pitch a picture book? In this Creativebug class, Sanae Ishida uses examples of her own published books and takes you step-by-step through the process of designing an illustrated book for children. She discusses creating lovable characters, developing a compelling story, and pairing illustrations to bring it all to life. Sanae also shares her tips on how to structure your book and craft a pitch that feels both professional and personal. By the end of the class, you’ll be ready to confidently share your picture book idea with the world. 

Make a Peony with Air-Dry Clay – May 7

Cindy Willingham is a painter, potter, and everything in between. Her work is often inspired by nature, and when she used to spend six months of winter living in Maine, she would always dream of flowers. Join Cindy as she teaches you how to create beautifully textured peonies with air-dry clay. Air-dry clay shares many similarities with kiln-fired clay, and all the hand-building you’ll learn in this class applies to both. Cindy demonstrates how to condition air-dry clay, form a slab – which is the foundation of many clay projects – and sculpt a flower using unexpected but accessible household tools. You’ll then learn how to paint the clay with a dreamy watercolor-inspired technique and seal it to protect your work. No kiln is needed with air-dry clay, just patience and time for your clay flower garden to grow. 

Crochet a Strawberry Granny Square – May 14

There is a whole world of granny squares out there with fun shapes like fruits and veggies and animals inside them. Crochet a super cute strawberry granny square with crochet designer Twinkie Chan. Learn how to create a strawberry shape in rows and how to build a granny square around it. Then, top the strawberry with a row of leaves and stitch on the seeds. In this little five-inch square you’ll get to practice crochet stitches of many heights, from single crochet up to treble crochet, and you’ll have the sweetest addition to your granny square collection.

Essential Color Mixing – May 21

How many colors can you make using only the three primary colors? Artist David Tenorio seeks to answer the question by mixing different amounts of each color, creating a wide range of shades, tints, and tones. By continuing to mix colors together, you can create compound colors with a wider range of hues and shades. From vivid reds to neutral gray tones, it’s important to experiment to achieve the desired effect in your artwork. 

Movement for Makers – May 28

Discover how to prevent strain injuries during prolonged art sessions with Liza Laird, an avid knitter, author, and yogi. Liza understands the toll that artmaking can take on the body and has developed a routine of simple, accessible movements that can be done right from your seat. Whether you’re a painter, crafter, or creator of any kind, you’ll learn techniques to build strength, flexibility, and mental clarity while addressing common areas of tension, like shoulders and hips. Liza also guides you through a luxurious self-massage practice that’ll leave you limber. Use these essential motions to warm up, improve blood flow and coordination, or integrate them as short movement breaks during your creative sessions for longer-lasting comfort and productivity.