I can’t tell you the number of times I hear the phrase, “I’m just not crafty." It usually occurs right before someone creates something amazing!

For the past 18 years, I have been holding crafting sessions at local Bay Area libraries. The program started on a whim when a local librarian “discovered” me. I was a babysitter at the time, and she noticed that whenever I came in with my charges, I would inevitably end up with about 10 little ones gathered around me, listening to my stories. She asked me if I’d be interested in holding a workshop on “something creative with kids." No guidelines... just "something creative."

My first official art program was born in the basement of the Bernal Heights library. It started with about ten folks who wandered in and out with their kids, and eventually (before they closed the library for renovations) grew to a very dedicated following of about 75 parents, kids, and other caregivers. The program spread through word of mouth to other local libraries throughout the Bay Area, and now I usually do one library a week (check our calendar to see where I am this week!). I have a pretty solid following, but I always get new people, and that’s when that I hear that old phrase: “I’m not a creative person.”

Read more...

In my world, the phrase "less is more" just doesn't apply. Anyone who has seen one of my craft tables can attest to that fact. Even if we're making something as simple as a beaded necklace, I like my clients to have all the creative freedom they want. Some people understand this notion, and some don't, but I'd rather provide a plethora of supplies and see someone ponder their possibilities instead of following a rigid-step-by-step. I'm not one for the "glue the eyeballs here, and the nose there, and nowhere else!" kinds of projects.

Now, "kit crafts," as we call them, have their place. They're great for a leader or caregiver who doesn't have the time to purchase or gather all the pieces individually. These kits often come with pre-cut shapes that make crafting easier, and are less expensive than gathering the items one by one. Still, if I had to go with a kit craft, I'd have supplemental embellishing items, so that the children could personalize their projects.

Truth be told, in many situations a kit craft can be a good learning tool. I remember when I was very young in school, we would have paper printouts where we'd color all the triangles red, all the squares blue, and all the circles yellow. These lessons helped us learn our shapes and colors. I also remember "cutting papers," where our little fingers would learn to handle scissors and glue. Those are all important skills to learn, as is following directions. Moreover, I acknowledge that there is an age where too many supplies can be overwhelming. However, I feel that once a child reaches 6 or 7, they need to allow their creativity to have free reign.

Read more...