Looking to craft a great gift? Library can help

Are you hoping to make a splash for a special someone this Valentine’s Day? Nothing quite conveys those three magic words like a handmade gift.

If your crafting skills are a little lacking, your sweet gesture could be met with heartbreak and horror. Put away that terrifying clay effigy of your beloved and sign into your Libby app for some much needed help!

You might recognize Libby as the app you use to get ebooks through the library. You can also use the app to access Craftsy, a site loaded with all sorts of patterns, tutorials and video guides for everything from baking fancy cupcakes to quilting and everything in between. Using the Libby app, you are granted a seven-day free trial of everything Craftsy has to offer - not bad, when you consider a subscription to Craftsy starts at $90 a year.

To access this trial, you’ll have to install the Libby app on your smartphone or tablet and head to the launch page. This should appear as a little library building near the bottom of your screen. Now scroll down until you see the image for Craftsy, tap on it and follow the instructions. Voila, you’re done and free to enjoy a week of great content. Once that week is up, you can follow these steps again to check out more time if there are still other things you want to see.

Craftsy isn’t just for your inner crafter or maker. There’s a boatload of content for the budding chef as well, including classes on how best to utilize an air fryer, baking with herbs and spices, and even an introduction to canning at home.

Imagine your significant other’s surprise when they come home to a sheet of delicious chocolate baked goods and a handmade pillow. Forget YouTube, you’ll learn how to do that from the library - and you won’t have to sit through a single advertisement.

Brenden Bobby can be reached at the East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar Street, Sandpoint, by phone at (208)263-6930, or email at brenden@ebonnerlibrary.org.