Adult coloring book club forms in Delaware

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A new adult coloring book club will have its first meeting from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the lower level of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 104 N. Sandusky St.

“It’s for both men and women,” said Amy Hornsby. “We just wanted to have some fun, meet some new people that have a common interest.”

“Basically, it’s a social club,” said Pat Farley. “Adult coloring has become really popular lately.”

It’s actually become a national phenomenon.

The two Delaware County residents said they were inspired to form the informal group after reading stories in The Gazette about the Delaware County District Library having adult coloring books on loan.

“We thought, let’s see about doing a club so people can come and have a good time, have some refreshments, laugh and talk, share pictures and books, and make new friends,” Hornsby said.

While the young at heart are welcome, the free club isn’t for children.

“This isn’t like a kiddie coloring book,” Farley said. “They’re very complicated and detailed, with all these small spaces. A child would not enjoy coloring these at all.”

There’s also techniques and tips to the coloring as well. For example, if you’re coloring on a rough surface, it will create a texture. Or you may want to tear out a page from a book or separate it to prevent bleeding onto the next page.

Hornsby and Farley said there’s hundreds of adult coloring books available in all different subject matter. Among the more popular themes are mandalas (geometric designs), animals flowers, and angels. Some have a black background, so colors pop more.

“There’s stained-glass ones where you color it on a thin, vellum-like paper so you can hang it in a window and have it look like stained glass,” Farley said.

One of the largest publishers of adult coloring books, Dover, has regular contests.

The books range in cost from $6 to $12, depending on the number of pages. The pages are perforated, so they can be torn out. As for what to color them with, there are markers, artist’s pencils, watercolor pens and pencils, chalk and oil pastels, and even crayons.

Among the places carrying books and supplies are Amazon, Wal-Mart, and arts and crafts stores like Pat Catan’s. However, the club will allow you to use their books and supplies.

“We want people to know that we have enough supplies, and if you don’t have anything, come give it a try, and if you like it, we can help you find places to order stuff from or get your own supplies,” Farley said.

Hornsby and Farley said they enjoy coloring because it’s a relaxing stress reliever, and even therapeutic — doctors have recommended coloring to build hand strength after surgery.

“We have a friend that works at a very high-stress call center job,” Farley said. “She said she keeps one of these and some crayons on her desk so that she can color away her stress.”

Parking and the entrance are in the rear of the church.

“The more stress you’re under, the harder you color,” Hornsby added, laughing. “And it’s just fun. It’s kind of like working a puzzle in a way. It’s a jigsaw puzzle without all the mess, you can’t lose the pieces.”

Pam Farley, left, and Amy Hornsby show examples of adult coloring books. They are forming a new club devoted to the craze.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/04/web1_coloring.jpgPam Farley, left, and Amy Hornsby show examples of adult coloring books. They are forming a new club devoted to the craze. Gary Budzak | The Gazette

By Gary Budzak

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Gary Budzak may be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter @GaryBudzak.

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