Each month we spotlight a teen at CPL.
Sofia, a teen who uses the Independence Branch, enjoys beading and jewelry making. She recently finished a piece that she created on a bead loom.
Sofia drew the design on a grid and then created the bracelet using the technique of loom beading. The bracelet is a portrait of Shawn Mendes done in black, white and silver beads with some blue beads forming the text of his first name. YOUmedia mentor librarians focus on interest-driven projects with teens, so we interviewed Sofia about her project and her YOUmedia experience.
Q: What inspired your project?
A: Mainly Shawn Mendes. I also wanted to try something different; I’ve never made a bracelet on a bead loom before!
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I really like to draw and sketch. I prefer sketching in pencil.
Q: The bracelet has a lot of shading to create the face. Did your interest in sketching affect the color scheme and beads you chose?
A: Yes, I enjoy sketching in pencil, so I wanted it to look a bit like a pencil sketch. The gray shades (silver beads) were important to create the sketched look with beads.
Q: YOUmedia is new to the Independence Branch. How important is it to have spaces like YOUmedia in your library?
A: I think it’s really important. YOUmedia gives teens things to do after school, and it is fun to socialize with people who like the same things you do.
Thanks for sharing your awesome bead work with us Sofia; keep creating!
Independence Branch, which opened in January, has a new designated teen space. Independence YOUmedia is a maker lab and gaming lounge for teens in seventh through 12th grades.
