Makers Day at NJ State Library

The NJ State Library is once again delighted to participate virtually in this years NJ Makers Day. For 10 years, NJ Makers Day has celebrated all things making by encouraging and supporting libraries, museums, and other organizations in their efforts to bring the spirit of creativity to children and adults alike.

This year, staff of the NJ State Library have prepared 4 fun and easy-to-make crafts that are perfect for family activities.  You will see how to make trees and hedgehogs out of unwanted books, colorful paper chains that can be used in all types of celebrations, and even a pin-hole viewer to watch the solar eclipse later in April.

We encourage everyone to get involved in NJ Makers Day!  You view our playlist on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfajGieVHxO0SK1IKWDCkMfdsdxw-vXrb.To find the nearest participating organization, please visit https://njmakersday.org/sites/.

---

Book Hedgehogs

Luisa Martucci, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at the Talking Book and Braille Center, showcases how to recycle old and unwanted books into cute and decorative hedgehogs.

Materials you will need include

• Pepper back book that you have at home
• Wiggle Eyes
• Glue
• Piece of cardboard
• markers and scissors

Steps

1. Fold the first page in half
2. Take the top corner and fold into the center of the book
3. Take the opposite corner to fold to the center again. This time fold the crease only halfway to the center.
4. Repeat the process for all pages of your book. Use the first page as a guide to complete the whole book. All pages should look equal.
5. Personalize your Hedgehog

---

Book Trees

Linda DiCicco, Library Assistant at the Department of Environmental Protection Library, provides step-by-step instruction on how to turn old, unwanted books into cute and tasteful trees that can be decorated for any occasion.

Materials you will need include

• Old, unwanted book
• Utility knife
• Flat surface
• Folder Tool/Paper Creaser (optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Scissors (optional)
• Decorative Items (optional)

General Steps

1. Remove the text block from the cover. Using your utility knife carefully cut the inside binding from one cover, getting close to the inside.
2. Repeat with the other cover.
3. Detach the text block from the cover. You can save the cover for use in other projects.
4. If there is a flyleaf page (it is usually a heavier weight paper) remove that also – they make nice paper for other projects.

Book Tree 1 Variation

1. Take the upper right corner of a page and fold it in so the corner meets the center (folding tool comes in handy!)
2. Take the lower right corner and fold it so it meets the bottom of the previous fold. Do this about 100 more times! (depending on the number of pages in your book)

Book Tree 2 Variation

1. Fold a page in half from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.
2. Open the fold.
3. Take the upper right corner and fold it so it meets the inside of the first fold.
4. Refold the page; the smaller fold should be inside.

Book Tree 3 Variation

1. Fold a page in half from the upper left corner to the lower right corner.
2. Take the upper right corner and fold it towards the main fold.

---

Eclipse Viewer

Our Business and Funding Information Librarian Leigh Clark demonstrates how to make a pinhole viewer to watch the solar eclipse in April. This simple craft is a great way for anyone to view the rare occurrence in a safe and fun way!

For more information about making and using the eclipse viewer, please visit https://community.starnetlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Build-your-own-eclipse-viewer-1.pdf.

To find out when the eclipse will occur in your area, check out https://eclipse-explorer.smce.nasa.gov/.

---

Paper Chains

Adult Services Specialist Andrea Levandowski and her spunky sidekick showcase how to make easy and festive paper chain decorations that are perfect for any occasion.

For written instructions, please visit https://www.craftsuprint.com/projects/paper-craft/paper-party-decorations/how-to-make-a-paper-chain.cfm.

---

Makers Day 2023

You can view the entire playlist of 2023 NJ Makers Day activities at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfajGieVHxO0595JShz0EbqSCAnun5d78.  For a listing of all Makers Day sites across the state, please visit https://njmakersday.org/sites/.

Animal Face Toast

Let your creative and fun side shine forth by creating your own animal face toast!  This simple and delicious activity can be a fun way to jazz up breakfast or snack, especially if you have children.  By using your favorite bread, spreads, fruit, and other toppings, turn your toast into a variety of cute animals, including cats, owls, and even the ultra-rare Northern Unicorn.  Join Andrea Levandowski, our Library Consultant for Small Business and Technology, and her daughter Penny as they demonstrate how to make food fun!

Directions and inspiration for this activity can be found at https://weelicious.com/animal-face-toast-recipe/.

---

Fireworks Painting

Whether you are looking for a relaxing, solitary art project or something fun for the whole family, painting your own fireworks is a great way to unleash your inner creative genius.  Perfect for adding personal touches to celebrations, such as July 4th, creating your own fireworks painting is simple, yet expressive.  Follow along with Luisa Martucci, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at the Talking Book and Braille Center, as she turns a simple paper cup into a wonderful, creative tool!

This activity was planned base on the following tutorial https://onelittleproject.com/fireworks-painting/ to celebrate TBBC patrons during the Fall Festival 2022.

Supplies

• A background, such as canvas or poster board (black preferred)
• Paper Cups
• Plates, preferably paper
• Scissors
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Ruler or other straight-edge object (optional)

Directions

1. Make vertical cuts all the way around the paper cup, you should space them apart. Make sure you have at least two different shapes.
2. Bend the cut pieces of the paper cup so they are facing outwards making a sun shape.
3. Dip the ends of the paper cup into your first color.
4. Stamp the paper cup on your canvas creating fireworks.
5. Using a fresh paper cup repeat the previous steps with a new color.
6. Stamp your second one in the meddle of your canvas. And let it dry!
7. Use the smaller cut cup and try to follow the same directions to stamp inside of the large one and create two tone fireworks.
8. Be Creative! Add any color shapes or personal touches to your paint

---

Paper Envelopes

Even found yourself needing an envelope?  Why run to the store or wait for Amazon to deliver something that you can so easily make from a piece of paper?  Watch as Regina Fitzpatrick, Genealogy Librarian, shows how you can turn a simple sheet of paper into an envelop.  Try it on our own and bring some fun and flare using prints or patterns.  Maybe this will inspire you to create your own greeting cards!

Supplies

• 8.5 x 11in. paper (copy paper or construction paper work best)
• Adhesive (glue or tape)
• Scissors (optional)

Directions

1. Fold your paper on one end to make the sheet into a square or diamond.  Cut off the smaller portion that was folded.
2. Fold the paper in half by folding one corner across to the opposite corner, creating a triangle.  Make sure to create a nice crease.
3. Unfold the paper and fold those same to corners into the middle of the paper, creating 2 smaller triangles that overlap slightly over the center crease.
4. Fold one of the other corners upwards so that the corner is about 1 – 1.5 inches above the other two folded corners.
5. Fold the excess of the corner over the other corners.  Glue the two original overlapping corners together.
6. Glue the third flap to the overlapped corners, folding the excess corner behind to form the pocket.  Glue the tab behind the overlapping corners.
7. Fold the 4th corner down to create the outermost flap.  You now have a useable envelope!

---

Rec Room Virtual Reality

Rec Room is a massive multiplayer online game based in virtual reality.  Available on a variety of VR enabled headsets as well as traditional gaming consoles and all mobile devices, Rec Room enables players to create their own virtual “rooms” while also allowing players users to experience other’s creations.  Please watch as Marc Ludwig, Principal Library Assistant in our Law Library gives you a sneak peak at the State Library inspired Escape Room he is designing as well as some of the other features you can create and experience in Rec Room.

Please check out the Rec Room Discord, https://discord.com/invite/recroom, for a very friendly and helpful community.  You can also check out Rec Room’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@RecRoom, for wonderful videos to get you started.

---

Upcycling a Plastic Container

Upcycling is a fantastic, fun, and environmentally friendly way to turn seemingly useless things into new products.  You can upcycle glass, plastic, carboard, metal, and fabric, among others, and transform them into a multitude of easy to make objects.  Linda DiCicco, Library Associate at the NJ State Library’s Department of Environmental Protection Branch, guides you on a journey of transforming plastic containers, like old cocoa or gelato containers, into beautiful flower pots.

Supplies

• Plastic container with lid (cocoa or gelato work nicely)
• Piece of tissue paper the size of the lid
• Fabric (enough to wrap around the container and cover lid)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Flexible measuring tape
• Optional – ribbon, flowers or other trimmings

Directions

1. Thoroughly clean the container and lid (hand wash – they are NOT dishwasher safe).
2. Measure around the container, adding ¼” to this, and measure the height without the lid.  Cut out a piece of fabric using these measurements.
3. Lay container on flat surface.  Draw a straight line of glue vertically from the top edge of the container to the bottom edge.  This will be where the two edges of the fabric meet and form a seam, so make sure this will face the back of the container.
4. Put one vertical edge of fabric over glue.  Stretch fabric around and fold the extra ¼” under.  Make sure that the fabric is smooth and that the top and bottom are straight.  Glue folded side so it overlaps the non-folded side.
5. Trace the lid with tissue paper.  Note – some lids have an indent design.  You can trace just the indented area.  Cut out the tracing and use this as a pattern for a piece of fabric.  Cut out the fabric and glue on top of the lid.
6. Your upcycled container is ready for use!  You can also decorate using ribbons, pearls, or anything else.  Be creative and upcycle.

---

Makers Day 2022

Please check out the New Jersey Makers Day website for more participating locations!

Kitchen Bunny

Kitchen Bunny Instructions Handout
Kitchen Bunny Poem Handout

Materials

• 1 dishtowel
• 2 dishcloths
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Rubber bands (smaller size)
• Pipe cleaners
• Hole punch
• Poem

Directions

• Take the Dishtowel and turn it to its long length. Put it face down and fold the towel in thirds.
• With the front of the towel face down on the table, fold down a little over a third on the back.
• Take the first dishcloth and make it into the shape of a triangle. Roll it tightly. This will be your ears. Take a rubber band and put it on the roll you just made to hold it’s shape. Place the rubber band in the middle of what will be the ears.
• Lift the part of the towel you folded down and put the ears you just rolled tight up against the fold. Pick up the towel and begin to make a face as you are holding the ears. Then put a rubber band on the ears to hold them together in the up position like a bunny’s ears.
• With the ears in and up, now form the bunny face by molding the towel. Now use a pipe cleaner to define where the neck of the bunny is and later you will put on a bow here. You can tie the pipe cleaner and then tuck in the ends. Make sure this looks like a bunny head with ears.
• Take the second dishcloth and roll it as it is in its square position. Make sure you fold it tightly. This will be the bunny arms. Turn the dishtowel so that you can lift up the back shorter area and put the rolled arms there. Bring down the back over the arms and rubber band the arms together in the front like the bunny is offering something.
• Tie a ribbon around, making a bow at the ears – where the second rubber band is; at the neck where the pipe cleaner is and at the hands where you rubber banded them together. As you are putting the bow on the arms, take your poem and put a hole in the corner with your hole punch. Feed the ribbon through the hole and then tie the ribbon being careful to make the poem lay flat.
• Sit your bunny up and your kitchen bunny is ready to help.

---

Rice Krispie Mug Treats

This recipe was taken from https://bakingmischief.com/single-serve-rice-krispie-treat/.

Materials

• Microwave-safe mug or bowl
• 1/3 cup of mini marshmallows
• 1/2 tablespoon of butter
• 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal

Directions

• In an over-sized mug or microwave-safe bowl, combine marshmallows and butter.  Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, until marshmallows are puffed up and melty.
• Stir until marshmallows and butter are mixed.  Add cereal and stir until completely coated.
• Enjoy warm out of the mug or scoop mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper.  Shape cereal into a bar by folding up the edges of the paper or using two knives to squish the mixture into shape.  Allow to set and enjoy.
• Mix it up with different cereals, such as Fruit Loops!

---

Tri-HexaFlexagon

Tri-HexaFlexagon Template and Instructions

Materials

• Tri-hexaflexagon template 
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers for decorating.

Directions

Please refer to the corresponding pictures in the Tri-HexaFlexagon Template and Instructions.

• Cut out the above shape along the outer edge.
• Fold the cut-out shape in half lengthwise, with the printed lines facing out. Glue together to form a narrow strip of paper (A).
• Fold and unfold the strip of paper along the lines separating each triangle in both directions. These creases will make the flexagon easier to open later.
• With the stars facing up, fold the strip under along the black line. The black line should be on the outside of the fold (B).
• Flip over (C). Fold the strip under along the other black line. Again, the black line should be on the outside of the fold (D).
• Pull the starred triangle in the back to the front, closing the flexagon (E).
• Fold the top, starred triangle down to cover the bottom, starred triangle. Glue starred triangles together (F).
• Open the flexagon by pinching in the unopen sections of the hexagon (G) and pulling open the center (H and I).
• Decorate all three faces.

---

DIY Fitness Dice

DIY Fitness Dice Template and Instructions (PDF)

Materials

• 2 small boxes (square tissue boxes will work great!)
• Printable template (PDF)
• Marker/pen
• Scissors
• Tape or glue

Directions

• Download and print the template (pages 3 and 4).
• For Box 1: Each side will contain 1 exercise. There are 6 categories, 1 for each side: Cardio, Dance it Out!, Core, Upper Body, Lower Body, and Surprise. Using the list on the next page, choose one exercise for each category and write it in the spaces provided on the template.
• For Box 2: These squares contain the timing for each exercise. Use page 4.
• Cut out the squares and tape or glue them onto the box.
• For a workout, take turns rolling the dice and perform the specified exercise on the first die for the length of time indicated on the second die. Have fun!

---

Makers Day 2021

Below, you will find instructions/directions for each activity as well as an embedded video that is available on our YouTube page.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at adauphinee@njstatelib.org.  We hope you enjoy our videos and look forward to having everyone back next year for more fun with all things making!

Granny Square Crochet

Granny Square Instructions and Diagram Handout (PDF)

Materials

• Yarn – Worsted/Medium weight, acrylic yarn is a good choice for crochet beginners, as it is usually cheap and easy to work with
• Crochet Hook – Consult your yarn’s label for recommended hook size
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Abbreviations (US)

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• dc – double crochet

Directions

1. Create a slip knot
2. Make Foundation Circle – ch 6, join with sl st in 1st ch to form circle
3. Make Round 1: ch 3, 2 dc in circle, *ch 3, 3 dc in circle, repeat from* 2 more times, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of initial ch 3 to join row.
4. Make Round 2: ch 3, 2dc into corner space to the right of sl st, *ch 1, 3 dc in next corner space, ch 3, 3 dc in same corner space, repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3dc in next corner space, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of initial ch 3 to join row.
5. Make Round 3: ch 3, 2dc in corner space to the right of sl st, *ch 1, 3 dc in next side space, ch 1, 3 dc in next corner space, ch 3, 3 dc in same corner space, repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3 dc in next side space, ch 1, 3 dc in next corner space, ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch of initial ch 3 to join row.
6. Round 4+: You can continue adding more rows to make your square as large as you want by using these general rules:
   • Start each row as you began rows 2 and 3 (ch3, 2 dc in corner space to the right of sl st).
   • Work along each side making 3 dc in each side space and working 1 ch over each 3 dc cluster.
   • Work 3dc, ch 3, 3dc into each corner space.
   • End the round by sl st into the 3rd chain of your initial ch 3.

---

Magnet Marbles

Magnet Marbles Handout (PDF)

This project was taken from http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/.

Materials

• Mesh bag of ¾ inch clear flat glass marbles (in florist section of Michael’s or in
  mosaics section)
• Mesh bag of ½ inch clear flat glass marbles – you might want to clean them off
  before using and avoid any that look scratched.
• ¾ inch round strong magnets (comes in 10 pieces per package)
• ½ inch round strong magnets (comes in 10 pieces per package)
• Glue – I used Aleene’s Jewel-It embellishing glue. You can also use other types of glue like a silicon sealer made by Crazy glue.
• Scissors to cut out pictures
• Toothpicks to spread glue with.
• Piece of paper to squeeze glue onto. It’s less messy than squeezing it out of the bottle directly on the magnet.
• Tiny pictures cut out of old magazines, or return address labels you get in the mail, or anything that has the sized picture you want. You can even draw the pictures yourself.
• These look good in Altoid-sized tins to give away. Otherwise, just stick them on your refrigerator or school locker, etc.

Instructions

1. Place the magnet on the picture you want to use and trace around it with a pencil.
2. Cut the picture out, cutting it just slightly smaller than the magnet so the picture doesn’t stick out (although it probably won’t show on they’re stick on the refrigerator or in a school locker, etc.)
3. Use toothpick to spread a thin amount of glue on the magnet, and place picture on top of it and press down for a few seconds to let it adhere to the magnet.
4. With the toothpick, dab a little bit of glue in the middle of the picture.
5. Press the clear flat marble on top of it and hold it there a minute. The glue will spread out so you don’t need to add a lot. It should dry pretty quickly.

---

3 Ingredient Cookies

Taken from https://acleanbake.com/3-ingredient-detox-cookies/

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, about 1 1/2 cups puree, mashed or pureed until smooth
• 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter. Substitute almond butter for paleo or Whole30 compliance., unsweetened
• 1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder
• Handful coarse sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to thoroughly combine the first three ingredients until it reaches a smooth and uniform consistency.
3. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a greased or lined cookie sheet, about 1 inch apart.
4. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a pinch of sea salt.
5. Bake for 8-15 minutes (see note) until cookies lose their sheen.
6. Allow to cool and set on the cookie sheets for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If your cookies are too lumpy, try running the dough in the food processor for 30-60 seconds.
• The moisture content of the dough may vary (for example if your large banana is bigger than they ones I used). If the batter is too thin and watery, you can try two things: add more cocoa to absorb the moisture, and/or bake for longer.
• Make sure you thoroughly stir your peanut butter. If it is too oily (such as from the top of a new jar), that might be another reason why your batter could be too runny.
• On the other hand, if your PB is the right consistency, it can be tough to stir into the batter. Try microwaving it for 15-20 seconds until it’s smooth and easier to work with.
• Depending on the moisture content of your bananas, your baking time could vary from 8 minutes to 15 minutes.
• If your dough is more like a thick batter, just plop the portions of dough on the cookie sheet and they will spread out by themselves. No need to flatten with a fork.
• If you don’t want to garnish your cookies with salt, add a pinch to the batter.

---

Pinecone Bird Feeder

Materials

• Natural pinecones – avoid ones from wreaths or other pre-made decorations or crafts as these may be treated with scents or other chemicals
• Bird seed
• Yarn or string
• Peanut butter – avoid brands with added sugar
• Spoon
• Containers

Instructions

1. Tie the yarn or string around the base of the pinecone to make large loop.
2. Spread peanut butter all over the pinecone using a spoon.  It recommended to hold the pinecone upside down and start at the base of the pinecone, working down toward the tip.
3. Roll the pinecone in a container of bird seed or sprinkle bird seed over the whole pinecone until it is covered.
4. Hang it up outside and watch the birds and animals!