Echo Park Craft Fair

Last weekend I was given the opportunity to put together a workshop table for kids at the Echo Park Craft Fair. I loved the challenge of coming up with a project that would be engaging for ages ranging from 2-10 and maybe even a few older kids. It also needed to be flawlessly beautiful to match the incredible talent from the artisans selling at the fair.

I always believe if you start with beautiful materials the chances are the outcome will also be gorgeous. Relishing in the idea of gathering families around to make artworks we created two projects in honor of Mother's Day, a bold, colorful painted fabric banner and a small token of love with a message spool.

The fabric watercolor paintings gave the kids an opportunity to investigate painting in a process oriented way. Using droppers and q-tips instead of paint brushes gave them a new way to explore the familiarity of paint. 

 To be able to make something for the one who cares for us,  for the one we rely on and love so much can be very powerful. These message spools are a great example of repurposing and transforming the ordinary to something precious. I know I cherish the ones my children have made for me over the years.  Just using twine, a wooden thread spool that might otherwise be discarded, paper, buttons and beads makes these secret messages.

  Jillian, one of my incredible teachers is always so respectful and playful with the children. Along with Sheryl Cancellieri, who is the brilliant mind behind Eastside Handmade, an artisan fair in Highland Park, we were overjoyed to have been able to create with so many families.

Thank you to all who stopped by to create with us.

Celebrating the Sun

When the days begin to get longer we like to take the opportunity to use the sun in our artworks so what better way than to make sun-prints. We held a sun-print box workshop the other day. A sun print is one of the earliest forms of non-silver photographic method. And it's magical to watch the images appear. Now this is a simple project that you can do at home.

Materials are

•  nature sun-print paper which you can find at Blick Art or order online. 
• a cigar box (I just ask at the local cigar store if they have any empty boxes)
• materials like small toys, buttons, string.
• we used plexi-glass to keep the materials from blowing away but this is not mandatory.
• a pan of water
• Mod Podge           

We supplied the kids with a lot of materials to choose from to make their designs on the paper, shells, buttons, stars, naturals materials like lavender and sticks. The kids had just as much fun choosing their materials as they did making creating their patterns or images. Other kids brought their own toys to create images. 

This sun-print paper reacts to the sun so as long as you are inside you can take it out of the black pouch to make your image by placing the objects on the paper. Make sure you place the paper on a hard surface so that you can carry it into the sun.

We then carried our boards with our designs into the sun and counted to 30. 

Bring the paper inside and place it in the tub of water to rinse. you don't have to leave it in there long. The paper changes from a positive to a negative image before your eyes.  I love this part and so do the kids. 

The sun-print has to be dry before you can adhere it to the boxes. We used hair dryers to do it quickly but if you are patient you can just wait. We then used Mod-podge to adhere it to the boxes and brushed Mod-podge over the image.

This box makes a great place to keep special rocks or specials toys or one's allowance or even  a great father's day present.

Happy Printing!!