Age
12
Country of Residence
United States
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
When I was making my Halloween costume this year, I was lacking certain supplies and did not have the money to buy it. So, I thought it would be a good idea to have a sharing library where we can share supplies. I started talking to my friends, neighbors and 4H members and I realize we all have leftover arts and craft supplies that may be helpful to others and for different projects. Also, my father built a little free library at my house to share books that we no longer need. So I thought of using this, but for arts and crafts instead of books.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I plan on spend my additional time organizing an official site or method of communication to let it be able to reach more people. I am also planning on telling non-profit clubs and groups I'm in to help the idea reach more people.
How many people are on your team?
10
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
I have not started this project, but I know from trading materials simply with friends that it will be very helpful and effective. I’m sure that with a good support, this will be able to help all sorts of artists in my community and maybe even encourage people to try creating art.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
A craft sharing library allows kids and adults to donate, share and reuse leftover craft supplies: by sharing materials like colored paper, paint, fabric, yarn and other adornments, we can reduce waste, save money and create better art.
Project title
Craft Sharing Library
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
Sometimes, while making art projects, I end up with extra materials that I will never reuse and eventually throw away. Most of the time, these materials are still in good condition and can still be used in other art creations. I have a cabinet filled with yarn, string, and paint that I never use again. And while looking through it, I thought that there could be a way for those seeking such materials for their own projects to trade materials. It is important to me because I enjoying arts and crafts. I am also learning new crafts in my crafts class at school. I also feel it is important to reduce waste instead of throwing good arts and crafts supplies into the trash and add to landfill.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
I have talked to my friends and shared this idea with my friends who like creating arts and crafts. I will try to partner with my local library so I can share this idea with people in my community. After all, the more people are aware of this, the better the idea would be.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
I've never seen an art supply sharing library. This idea is unique and a simple way to help artists with art supplies. It will also help reduce waste by reusing or creating new projects with old supplies. This will also help our environment by reducing trash.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
To solve this problem, there could be an app or online space where people list the materials they need, and others nearby could give them those materials if they have extras. Another way is creating an ‘art’ version of a ‘little free library’ where, instead of books, it will contain usable art supplies with still a lot left. To do this, I will create a website similar to a real little free library, using public, shareable art supplies and an accessible, easy-to-understand map. I will then create and place one or more of these “little free art libraries” and see what happens, and continue based on whether people use it or not.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I plan to spend my additional time organizing an official site or communication method so it reaches more people who can help. I am also planning on telling members of non-profit clubs and groups I'm in to help (such as 4H). I could also try sharing this idea with my teacher and friends from school. If it works out, I can also talk to library to have a craft sharing space at the library.
