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Making Stuff Up

Julie — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:05:50 +0000

When was the last time you and your kids made up a story or song? This is a fun thing to do together as a family. Not only does it encourage creativity in your child, but in yourself as well.

Many people making a full time living as an artist started out as kids who were encouraged to do something creative with their lives. Summer doesn’t have to be a time of endless boredom, broken only by the playing of video games.

With just a little innovation you can turn every day into one of productive fun and new skills learned. By the end of the summer, instead of a bunch of slacker kids ready to return to school just to break the monotony, you might have a budding artist on your hand.

Crafts for Creative Kids

Julie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:43:41 +0000

Parents, make sure you keep crayons or markers, plus lots of paper on hand for your children! I think it’s every bit as important for a child to be able to draw whenever she wants to as it is to make sure she learns to read.

A child encouraged to be creative will have the best gift that you can give to her. A young boy encouraged to draw the family dog will reach beyond video games to entertain himself, and he can do it whenever he likes.

Become a family that creates for fun- so much better than TV!

Summer Flower Pressing

Julie — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:35:38 +0000

This is one of the simplest, most satisfying of all crafts. When you pick a flower, make sure it is very fresh. Before pressing, it should be dry to the touch but not dried out. When I was a kid, we used to put flowers between layers of wax paper, and then put them in a heavy book, laid flat. Today the advice seems to be to put them between acid-free blotting paper first, the inside a heavy book (a phone book works quiet well.) The more weight on the flower, the faster the results will be.

Thick flowers are more difficult to press, but they can still be done. I’ve seen beautiful pressed roses, and I can’t think of flowers much thicker!

Polymer Clay Snakes

Julie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:27:32 +0000

One of the easiest animals your child can make out of clay is the snake. Have her roll it out on a piece of paper; the more bits of different color the better. This seemingly simple exercise can give your child a lot of confidence in her ability to create. There is something magical about taking a thought or concept and making it appear in reality.

Who knows? You may have a budding Michelangelo on your hands!

Writing as a Craft

Julie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:23:16 +0000

I think everyone should write. Doesn’t everybody have a unique story to tell?

To me, some of the most interesting stories are the true ones, told by neighbors and friends. It would be a good idea for children to keep a journal, just for themselves. Think what a treasure trove of memories and ways of looking at the world this will be once they’re adults! Writing is a unique way to record your thoughts no matter the age.

And believe me- writing creatively is indeed a craft, a skill that can be developed by anyone. Try it yourself sometime- you may be surprised how enjoyable it can be.

Inspiration from Nature

Julie — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:35:12 +0000

If you need inspiration for that first sketch, try looking out the window to the nearest tree or bush! Or draw your pet cat, curled in a ball on the couch. Artists throughout history have created images of nature .

Animals and plants are rich in texture and design- perfect for the budding artist’s sketch pad. Don’t worry a bit if your first efforts are disappointing. Every step you take to capture life with your pencil is another step towards becoming an artist- someone who can see what’s there and interpret it creatively.

Keep a Sketch Pad with You

Julie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:42:52 +0000

Did you know that drawing well is really just a matter of really looking? If you pay attention to what you’re drawing by really noticing the proportions, the texture and the space it’s occupying, then chances are you’ll end up with a good likeness of your subject matter.

The next time you have to wait for your wife or your husband while they putter around in the store, you can be busy sketching the trees or the buildings around you. You’ll be surprised how adept you get at noticing things!

If you keep a pad and a pencil to draw with near at hand, then opportunities will arise and you’ll end up with a visual recording of your life. How about that for a different kind of journal?

Fancy Pet Collars to Make

Julie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:16:14 +0000

All you have to do to create your own designer dog collar is some fabric glue and some trim from the fabric store. I know these days fabric stores can be a little hard to find, but I would imagine there are some good online stores to purchase trim from.

Just be sure that the width of the trim matches the width of your collar. The rest is so easy. But wash the collar first because it will have a coating on it that will prevent the fabric glue from sticking to it.

Once you glue on the trim, you can step out and proudly show off your new “designer” doggie wear! (I know it’ll be hard to wait, but be sure the glue is dry before you put the collar on your pooch!)

Hand-Made Pet Toys

Julie — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:37:03 +0000

I just saw a wonderful idea for a cat toy! You can use a garden glove and tie a strip of yarn on the end of each finger tip. On the end of the yarn, the part that dangles down, tie a jingle bell! Your kitty will love attacking the yarn and your fingers will remain safe.

For the playful dog, fill an old sock with 2 or 3 squeakers, and stuff the rest of it with some fiberfill. You can decorate the outside with some felt scraps for eyes. Just make sure you use a nontoxic glue to fix it to the sock. Or better yet, embroider the eyes on! It’s not that hard, and you will end up with a very clever piece of play art for your canine companion!

Precious Metal Clay

Julie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:52:03 +0000

Have you heard of this product? Apparently it’s made from recycling film! The silver particles are suspended in clay, which then burns off when the piece is fired in a kiln.

I think this sounds like a wonderful product, much easier to learn than creating wax models and working with molten silver. Sterling silver jewelry is so beautiful, I’m glad there’s a way for the layperson to enjoy working with it. Just keep in mind you still have to have a kiln to fire your completed art work.

But why not give it a go? You might discover some amazing untapped talent for creating precious metal jewelry!