Libraries are vibrant community hubs where members can explore more than just books. Small projects can lead to big happiness. It started for member Bhavya when she visited the Launch Pad about three years ago.
“I came in wearing earrings and the staff asked me about them.”
Bhavya is an artist who specializes in paper quilling, drawing and painting. She was wearing a pair of her own paper-quilled earrings. A conversation struck up, and before she knew it, Bhavya found herself teaching her craft to other library members.
As the community has returned to typical daily activities and services reopened due to the pandemic, Bhavya found herself again, drawn to the Launch Pad and its treasure trove of equipment and tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters and crafting supplies.
A favorite tool for Bhavya to harness her vision for personalized gifts is the Epilog Laser Mini engraver. She enjoys creating simple customized water bottle gifts for children’s birthdays utilizing clipart of their favorite sport or activity, to family members she visits when traveling to India.
More complex projects include engraving wooden panels that have grown from simple designs to more elaborate dimensional pieces that honor Indian tradition. A friend in Seattle was awestruck by an engraved wooden hanging that Bhavya gifted to her. The composition was conceptualized through drawing, then laser cut out of thin wood, assembled and painted to represent sunrise and sunset.
With Diwali fast approaching, Bhavya will be sharing her expertise with members at the Branch on creating Rangoli – a traditional folk-art technique featuring intricate geometric and floral patterns originating in the Indian subcontinent.
Bhavya’s journey from member to artistic instructor at The Launch Pad is a testament to the transformative power of community resources and personal passion. “It does not satisfy me to just buy a gift. I want to create and give something that is really traditional and unique.”
In Bhavya’s words, “small projects lead to big happiness”.
Visit ITPLD’s makerspace, the Launch Pad, to learn, create, explore, play and collaborate. The Launch Pad is a space for all ages.
