Lisle Library to host Maker's Fair April 12

Lisle Library District will be opening their National Library Week celebration by hosting a Maker's Fair on Saturday April 12, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be a day of displays and presentations from local crafters and community experts demonstrating a variety of skills.

The theme of this year's National Library Week is "Lives Change @ Your Library" - and this is exactly what Shannon Halikias, Library Director, hopes the Maker's Fair will accomplish.

"Libraries have this amazing ability to have a powerful and positive impact on our community," said Halikias. "Today's library can help you discover a new and exciting world, and we hope our event will introduce you to something you might not have known was happening right here in your neighborhood."

One participant excited to show what they can offer the community is ClaySpace - a nonprofit Ceramic Arts Center that relocated from Warrenville to Lisle in September 2013. This organization is made up of over 50 resident artists from all over the western suburbs with the mission to develop, sustain and promote outstanding educational, artistic and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts to the general public.

During the Maker's Fair, ClaySpace plans to display examples of various ceramic artwork created by resident artists including wheel work, sculpture and fused glass. Staff will also be on hand to share "tools of the trade" and provide class schedules and brochures on a variety of programs.

Taylor Habel is another presenter excited to share her art with the Maker's Fair attendees. Habel has been making chain mail for about 5 years, and is currently working to open an online store to sell her jewelry, accessories, and other custom made items.

"Chain mail is a really flexible form of art. It was originally used as armor and now it can be used as jewelry, props, and decoration," said Habel.

Habel will be sharing some historical background, as well as her creative process and different chain mail weave techniques.

In addition to pottery and chain mail, presenters come from a variety of other focus areas including: electric cars, crocheting, quilting, robotics, dog fashion, writing and more.

For more information about the Maker's Fair, as well as and other library programs and services, go to lislelibrary.org or call 630-971-1675.