Search results (tags) for: "educational"

All about Etsy FAQ Series: Welcome to the Etsy Labs

2009-09-17T13:08:00-05:00

We here at the Etsy Labs are often asked questions about what the Labs are and how the community can get involved. We realize there isn't really any published material about the Etsy Labs on the site other than our Merchandise shop, so we hope that we can clear up a few of the most frequently asked questions concerning the Etsy Labs in this article.

For more on this All About Etsy FAQ series, check out the intro, the All About the Teams post or the All About The Storque post.

What are the Etsy Labs?
The Etsy Labs are the physical Etsy offices located in Brooklyn, New York: Etsy central! Within the offices, the Labs functions as a community workspace where we hold Craft Nights and occasional events. The Etsy Labs folks run the community workspace, host events and visiting members of the press, design and make handmade Etsy merchandise and press kits and promos, manage the Etsy Labs shop, host online workshops and tutorials each week and represent Etsy at craft shows. We also work as Admin who are here to help you whenever you need shop advice. Whenever we have an event here at our offices, we try to broadcast it via webcam to the Virtual Labs. In short, Etsy Labs is much more than an office: We work to bridge the online and offline worlds of Etsy.

Can I come visit the Etsy Labs?
We welcome visitors at the Etsy Labs and love putting faces with names and avatars! The best time to come by and say hello is on Mondays from 4 - 8 p.m., when the community space is open to the public for Craft Night. We are now located at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512, Brooklyn NY, 11201. (We moved from our 325 Gold St, Brooklyn location in August 2009.)

How do I keep up with what's going on at Etsy Labs, like finding out about events and online workshops?
To find out about events at the Labs and any online workshops that are coming soon, we'd recommend joining the Etsy Labs mailing list to receive occasional updates from the Etsy Labs straight to your inbox.

Also, you may wish to keep an eye on the Etsy Labs column of the Storque or the Events section of the Storque. We're always updating what's going on and how you can be a part of it!

If you're a member of Meetup.com, please do join the Etsy Labs Meetup group. If you're a fan of flickr.com, you can keep track of what's going on at Etsy on our flickr page and our Etsy Labs Show & Tell group.

What is Craft Night and how can I get involved?
Every Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. we hold a free weekly, walk-in Craft Night where the community space in our offices is open to the public. Each week the Etsy Labs organize a skill-sharing project. We provide supplies, tools, and know-how. Participants are also welcome to bring their own projects to work on. This is the perfect time to see the space, use the equipment and supplies free of charge, and learn a new skill. Just stop on by!

If you're not in the area, visit the Virtual Labs where we fire up the webcam and share in the fun.

If you would like to lead a Craft Night or have a suggestion for a project, send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night Idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

The first Sunday of each month from 2 - 6 p.m. the Church of Craft meets at the Labs, which also serves as an open crafting time, and you are welcome to join in.

Do you still offer classes at the Etsy Labs?
At the beginning of 2009, we discontinued our class program here at the Etsy Labs and embarked on a collaboration with the Brooklyn artist facility, 3rd Ward. This collaboration is called Etsy at 3rd Ward, and it is a craft education program born from Etsy and 3rd Ward's shared spirit of hands-on innovation. Together we present the opportunity to learn skills to expand creative know-how and craft a handmade life. Check out this program for a host of exciting craft classes.

May I rent equipment from Etsy Labs?
Tools and supplies are available for use during our weekly Craft Nights. We have a slew of crafty equipment on hand and open for use during Craft Night, including sewing machines, sergers, a one-inch button maker, paper cutters, fabric, paper, sewing notions, rubber stamps, linoleum carving tools, irons, cutting mats, and a whole lot more. To use specialized equipment at the Etsy Labs, like sergers, we ask that you have demonstrated previous experience. To use the button maker, please bring your own button one-inch parts.

At this time, our screenprinting equipment is reserved for use by Etsy for in-house production of promotional materials.

What are the Virtual Labs and how do I participate in an online workshop?
The Virtual Labs are Etsy's online, interactive, multi-user chat room. We use the Virtual Labs to connect with our community, host events, live webcam how-to's, Team meetings, newbie chats, show and tell, shop critiques, and more! To find out what is happening in the Virtual Labs this week, just visit the lobby of the Virtual Labs for a schedule or check out the Virtual Labs Storque articles for the details. More info about the Virtual Labs here.

Apply to host a workshop in the Virtual Labs here.

Why is your Blogspot blog so out of date?
Our Etsy Labs blog is what we used to communicate with the community before The Storque made its debut on Etsy. Now that The Storque is here, we now keep in touch with you guys over here. However, since there is so much useful information and so many resource links over at our old blog, we wanted to leave it up for you all to access everything that still lives over there.

Do you accept donations of crafting supplies?
Through your generosity we have a full house of donated craft supplies and equipment at the Etsy Labs, and we are pretty much filled to the brim. We are limiting what we can take at this time, so if you would like to send a donation, just send us an email to labs@etsy.com to work out the details.

Can we have an Etsy Labs in our city/area?
It would be wonderful to have an Etsy Labs in every state or in non-U.S. countries. It is our hope that through the Etsy Teams and partnerships, people will be able to meet up and form their own community workspaces in their areas where they host skill shares, get donations, and generally help each other spread the Etsy love. If you'd like to take on a project like this, please keep send your idea to labs@etsy.com.

Soooooo...all you ever wanted to know about the Etsy Labs! Didn't see the answer to your question in this article? Send us an email to labs@etsy.com or post in the comments below, and we will be sure to get back to you with your answer!

Love,

The Etsy Labs

Etsy Finds: Room for the Whole Family

2009-09-13T09:00:00-05:00

While many children have recently headed back to school, there are plenty of families who are settling into another productive year of homeschooling. This week's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the Filer-Dougal family, who have created a home that doubles as an inspiring educational space for their two children. From reading nooks to nature cabinets, the Filer-Dougal home is filled with everything needed to stimulate a child's active imagination. Though the atmosphere is decidedly child-friendly, there is a sophisticated balance of modern design and antique treasures that any grown-up would be happy to call home.

Between homeschooling two children and taking care of a pug, two parakeets, nine fish and 10,000 snails, mother Courtney also manages to find time to create a beautiful line of jewelry, which she sells on Etsy under the name Eva666. Her home studio is a relaxing, well organized retreat where she can briefly escape the often chaotic life that comes with raising two children (who sometimes sell their handmade goodies at LennonAndRose).

Visit the Filer-Dougal family on Flickr to view more photos of their educational and creative household, and be sure to check out the Etsy Finds below for decorating ideas that will add a playful touch of kid-friendly imagination to the place you call home.

Family Living

Create Your Own Succulent Garden

By MyVintageAddiction, $23.95.

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Mid Century Style Bokz Sofa Bench

By lunarloungedesign, $400.

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Jellyfish - Medium

By mudpuppy, $35.

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the brontosaurus

By dinosaurcabinets, $250.

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Potted plant with ornaments - Watercolor

By LindaCaterpillar, $22.

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Vintage Stackable Coffee Cups

From lovethatvintage, $14.

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Large Birch Tree Forest Archival Print

By lisacongdon, $40.

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white lathe forest tile

By iamhome, $19.

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Home Studio

Crafty Bird Second Edition print

By Geninne, $25.

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dual iphone/ipod docking station

By woodtec, $119.

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Wooden Chest

By NatJGold, $345.

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Heavy duty bench pin & block combo

By Romazone, $16.75.

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little black metal rack

From silocurb, $17.50.

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Stack It Up...Wood Canister Set

From ethanollie, $39.

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Children's Playroom or Bedroom

Zooguu Monster Pillow Cover with Pillow

By Zooguu, $42.

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organic two cars and two bridge/tunnels

By littlesaplingtoys, $30.

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Zippy Scooter padded step stool

By babybloomers, $50.

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Doorway Puppet Theater - Mocha Floral

By CountingBunnies, $39.

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Orchard Fruit Felt Play Food

By bugbitesplayfood, $32.

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Planet Earth Large Vinyl Wall Decal

By WilsonGraphics, $30.

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Carries Kitchenette with Pull Out

By imaginethatwoodshop, $165.50.

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CROCHET LADYBUG RUG

By peanutbutterdynamite, $45.

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birdie chandelier

By meggancolleen, $84.99.

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Vintage Bordens Milk Crate New York

From solsticehome, $36.

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Homeschooling

Time will pass, but will you--school clock

From MaryandGrace, $30.

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Vintage Light Up Illuminated Globe

From VonlenskaVintage, $75.

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Learn How to Spell 62 Stuffed Felt Letters

By MiChiMa, $60.

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Sweet Orange scented play clay 4 oz. tub

By MamaKs, $4.

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Creepy Recycled Crayon Monster Fingers

By buppins, $7.

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Grow Your Own Wheatgrass Kit Set of 6

By Revisions, $24.95.

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Vintage Abacus Counting Toy

From bouquet, $22.

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Wooden Map Puzzle States & Capitals

By puzzlepeople, $40.

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Make Your Own Terrarium Kit

By ShaneLilyRain, $16.

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Bright Yellow Apsco Pencil Sharpener

From 26olivestreet, $18.

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Vintage Student Microscope

From ladiesandgentlemen, $40.

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Build Your Own Tinysaur

By kfarrell, $7.

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Vintage German biology wall chart

From luckylittledot, $350.

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Vintage Wooden Crate Box Organizer

From bluebell, $18.

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Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There's No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this Flickr pool.

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

Homeschooling Posts on Etsy's Blog

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Vote! Which Plaid Item Gets a Gold Star?

2009-09-01T16:30:00-05:00

It's back to school season — time to iron the school uniform, inspect your woolens for moth holes and darn your knee socks. I say spice it up and have some fun with plaid this season. We asked our readers to nominate their favorite fresh plaid items, and we collected everything from corsets to quilts — definitely not the musty woolens of yesteryear. Now it's your turn to vote.

Next Monday we'll announce the winner, which, along with some of the top picks, will be featured in the Members' Choice Gift Guide and here on the Etsy blog. Show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Voter FAQ

Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard

2009-08-31T15:00:00-05:00

There's one thing that makes me happier than walking by urban gardens, and that's walking by urban gardens tended by youths. The Edible Schoolyard has become a legendary success story. Founded over a decade ago by chef Alice Waters, this one-acre garden and kitchen classroom at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California has helped ignite a national dialogue on school lunch programs, health education, and sustainability for the next generation. In this Craftivism post, we're sharing Principles of Edible Education along with a group-friendly recipe from Alice's book, Edible Schoolyard. For this back to school season, Alice reminds us how much learning can happen outside of the classroom.

Purchase Edible Schoolyard

Principles of Edible Education

Food is an Academic Subject
A school garden, kitchen, and cafeteria are integral to the core academic mission of the school, so that ecology and gastronomy help bring alive every subject, from reading and writing to science and art.

School Provides Lunch for Every Child
From preschool through high school, every child is served a wholesome, delicious meal, every day. Good food is a right not a privilege. Providing it every day brings children into a positive relationship with their health, their community, and the environment.

Schools Support Farms
School cafeterias buy seasonally fresh food from local, sustainable farms and ranches, not only for reasons of health and education, but as a way of strengthening local food economies.

Children Learn by Doing
Hands-on education, in which the children themselves do the work in the vegetable beds and on the cutting boards, awakens their senses and opens their minds, both to their core academic subjects and to the world around them.

Beauty is a Language
A beautifully prepared environment, where deliberate thought has gone into everything from the garden paths to the plates on the tables, communicates to children that we care about them.

Recipe From the Edible Schoolyard Kitchen: Potato Smash With Kale

Mashing keeps many hands busy and the students like the taste and color of potato skins that are added to the "smash." It is delicious made with sweet potatoes. Serves 6-8.

Boil 4 pounds of potatoes (unpeeled), until tender. Drain. Wash 3 bunches of kale, drain, remove the stems, and chop the leaves roughly. Measure 3/4 cup of milk. Peel 7 cloves garlic and chop fine. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy skillet, add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the kale and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add a little water if the pan gets dry and the greens start to stick. While they are still warm, smash the cooked potatoes in a ricer or with a potato masher. Put into a large bowl and add the milk and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Add the cooked kale and stir well to combine.

One of my fondest childhood memories is munching on flower petals at a Brooklyn Botanic Garden family class. Do your kids help you out in the garden? Share in the comments below!

More Craftivism Posts | Slow Food Gift Guide | Gardening and Horticulture Guide

Guest Curator: Back to School with Babyccino

2009-08-26T15:00:00-05:00

Babyccino is a website for urban moms: a daily dose of city life mixed with products and parenting tips. It’s like eavesdropping on a group of girlfriends in a café — only they’re inviting you to take part in the conversation! Four women in four cities (London, Paris, Amsterdam and Milan) discuss life, kids, style and all their favorite must-haves. From art projects and toys to fashion and food, the conversation is genuine, helpful and sometimes funny.

We just love Etsy! Isn’t it fantastic to spend some time (and it can easily result in QUITE some time) browsing Etsy, surfing from shop to shop, occasionally pulling out the PayPal wallet to purchase yet another wonderful birthday present?

At Babyccino, we are HUGE fans of everything handmade. We can feel the love, the attention, the hope that somebody will treasure the product with as much care as it was initially made.

Now that we all have school-going kids (time flies when you’re having fun!), we want to equip them with cute goodies so they won’t miss us too much in that strange, scary environment called school. Because surely they will miss us, their beloved parents, their role models, their REAL teachers! Or will we just miss them? To ease the pain on both parties, we have selected some very, VERY sweet back to school items for you — er, your kids!

MY BOOKS Cotton Bag

What better bag will hold your (kid’s) books? By handylittleme, $16.

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Bo Bag Tag

I’m pretty sure this is the cutest bag tag ever! By WeiOpenSecret, $4.50.

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5 Reusable Le Petit Snack Sandwich Eco-Conscious Bags

Don’t even think about using plastic bags! These bags are made from 100% unbleached cotton and can be used over and over again. Good for the environment AND your kid’s lunch! Comes with free healthy snack ideas. By evelynfields, $30.

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Flowery Pink Lunch Box Napkin

This napkin will be adorable in the lunchbox. Or on any kitchen table. By MyCozyCreations, $4.75.

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Water Bottle Cozy - Monster Shark in Silver Grey

WAY cool! By Handamade, $16.

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little birds on giant paperclips or bookmarks - set of two

Keep important stuff together. Doesn’t work on your brain, unfortunately. By auburnsmalls, $6.50.

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Crayon Roll- Can You Dig It

PinkGasoline makes this wonderful crayon set that will be swell in the classroom but just as useful in a restaurant. $10.

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Toadstools and Squirrels - Pencil Case

Cute pencil case! By alliebeans, $17.

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ELEPHANT BOOK LABEL SET, set of 6 stickers for books library reading bookplates

boygirlparty makes these ex libris stickers. Cute! $4.50.

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Magnetic Math Set - Stuffed Felt Numbers Magnet Set

Start counting (and adding, subtracting, dividing…)! By MiChiMa, $40.

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large alphabet flash cards - printable pdf

We love these alphabet flash cards. Adorable, and downloadable! By ALittleHut, $8.

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Back to School Apple Clip

Send the girls to school in style. An apple a day is what they say! By Buggabow, $5.

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Light All Around - Upcycled Children's Journal

Even sweeter when filled with your little prodigy’s handwriting! By PigseyArt, $16.50.

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Looking for past Guest Curator posts? Check out our archive here.

Children Gift Guide | Handmade Kids Series | Children Category | Back to School Posts

Etsy Finds: A Little Something We've Learned...

2009-06-03T12:00:00-05:00

I will always remember my fifth grade history teacher, Mr. Frost. He always wrote with fat, sidewalk style chalk and made a point of how the skinny kind was "not up to par." One day the chalk was stolen (cue foreboding music). An in-class courtroom drama unfolded over the following week, whereupon students interrogated one another on the witness stand (a chair with a music lectern in front of it), and I got the opportunity to wear a derby hat and carry a briefcase to school. This was my first opportunity to be a faux-lawyer, and it started my fascination with debate and speech.

If this vivid memory is any indication, teachers make learning dynamic and fun. Salute outstanding teachers, professors and educators with a gift that shows your appreciation. Make sure to check out Etsy's Teachers Gift Guide for more inspiring gifts for beloved educators.

The Golden Square leather journal

By favola, $15.

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Wooden Spalted Cedar Pencil (1168)

By UncleFuzzy, $14.

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Madcap Garden - Black Tea - Mint

By gloilocksandbody, $5.50.

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Paneling with Plywood Upcycled Stationery Set

By justuswomen, $11.

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Porcelain bud vase in lemon

By PigeonToeCeramics, $18.

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Classic Oatmeal Raisin

By thehotcookie, $7.

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SET OF 8 Thank You Letterpress Cards

By chewingthecud, $13.

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Honey Honey Mod Papercut Votive

By lillybonbon, $22.75.

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NWsippers

By villarrealceramics, $18.

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pale aqua geranium sachets

By lottahelleberg, $20.

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Hand Embroidered Lunch Bag

By LuntiLeaf, $12.

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Brown Leather Journal

By julieboyles, $19.

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Magnolia Bouquet of Paper Flowers

By LeiChartru, $12.

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Coffee Cake and Spice Shower Scrub Cubes

By bovinebubbles, $8.50.

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Triple Chocolate Heaven Vegan Cupcakes

By thecupcakemint, $15.

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Contemplation Desk Garden No. 7

By madebymavis, $22.

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Make sure to show your local teachers how much they mean to you!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Graduation & Teacher Posts

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Etsy Finds: Gifts for the Grad

2009-05-06T12:10:00-05:00

Graduations are a time to celebrate milestones and new beginnings. Each of the Finds below would make a special statement to the graduate in your life Show how proud you are of their accomplishments! Give a gift that will someday be a cherished memento of a hopeful moment in time. For more gift ideas with grads in mind, take a stroll through our Graduations Gift Guide.

Brief Bag

By 442McAdam, $300.

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Simple Graduation necklace in sterling silver topped with a pearl

By designsbycathy, $22.

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90degree POP UP Business Cards - set of 100 -

By FAHpopups, $65.

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Personalised Silver Money Clip

By chrisparry, $65.

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Ebony Compass Adventurer Cufflinks. Sterling Bezels

By sherrytruitt, $40.

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Woody Portfolio - Leather in Antique Brown

By moxieandoliver, $330.

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Topographical Error - seafloor contour map. Screenprinted microfiber necktie.

By toybreaker, $30.

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Camera Camera Case -Degicame No.68 (smoky fuchsia/smoky turquoise)

By hine, $54.

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Keepsake Necklace - Silver Square

By GemsByEm, $36.50.

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CUSTOM Vintage GREEN Typewriter Key Cufflinks by 19 Moons

By 19Moons, $35.

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Scholarly Pursuit Banner

By Earmark, $12.

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Petite 2009 Graduation Pendant Necklace Sterling Silver

By CharOuellette, $35.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

More Graduation Gift Ideas | Guest Curators | Trends | More Student Posts

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Artistic Endeavors: Art School Confidential with Pepperminte

2009-03-06T15:11:00-05:00

Meet Caitlin Shearer, aka pepperminte, a nineteen-year-old fine artist and student from Australia with a passion for painting fancy girls and effeminate boys. She is obsessed with dollhouses, Marilyn Monroe, and aliens, and dreams of illustrating her own storybooks one day. Caitlin's delicate works in gouache, watercolor, and ink have captured the hearts of many across the blogosphere and beyond. Today she shares with us her own personal account of what it's like juggling a successful Etsy shop with the task of being a full time art school student.

2008 was the biggest year I've encountered so far. At eighteen, I'd just graduated from high school and faced the daunting prospect of being a grown up: university, employment, and the real world! I'd spent all my free time painting during high school, and pretty much used my classes as an opportunity to sit and draw. After graduating high school with top marks in art and having my major art project accepted into a statewide traveling exhibition called Art Express, I knew that I wanted to be an illustrator for real.

I enrolled in a fine arts degree at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney. The school is a two and a half hour commute on public transport, so I needed to scrounge together some pennies to pay for my train fares. I had seen Etsy through a few art blogs and decided to open a shop of my own. Never did I realize that it would be such a hit. It really is so humbling to think that there are people in other countries who have my paintings on their bedroom walls.


Blue Blood	The Siren

Juggling university with socializing, Etsy, homework, and the commute, I barely have enough time to draw for myself during the semester. We have such long holidays, but by then, I've kinda fallen out of sync (It's terrible, my hands get all creaky and forget what to do!). Luckily, the people on Etsy are very kind to me, even when their envelopes are a little late. Remembering to go to the post office at regular intervals is a challenge, though I practically know all of the post office employees in four different suburbs now! Keeping things constant and reliable is the goal, but sometimes it is hard to manage everything at the same time. It's a real job! I rely on the internet wholeheartedly now, which can be a nuisance, but it all just appears within my inbox like magic, so really, I can't complain.

Art school can be amazing though. I took life drawing classes last year with some absolutely wonderful teachers, like Anwen Keeling. That experience really improved my drawing skills, and therefore benefited the personal art that I was making and selling on Etsy. I also studied textiles, which helped me to think in a non-paper-and-pencil way. Experimenting in a more 3-D process really opened up my brain.

I love Etsy, I really do. I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to work out of my bedroom and simultaneously have a global platform to showcase my art. Twenty years ago, or even ten years ago, people didn't have this kind of opportunity (so thank you, Internet!). I also love browsing Etsy. It's great to see that these young artists can band together and help each other out in such a friendly atmosphere. We are all in the same situation, trying to make artwork as a career, and I haven't encountered any animosity so far. It's a constant stream of advice, opinion, and constructive criticism, which I think is a very valuable thing.

Speaking of friends, Caitlin has gathered art school insight from some of her Etsy inspirations...

Renee, aka art4friends: "Since I started selling on Etsy and got involved in this wonderful creative world, I have been giving all or nothing in terms of commitment and dedication. Uni holidays are great; they give me a chance to get back on track, create lots of things, participate in the community and promise myself to keep it up once classes start back up (I haven’t quite managed to perfect this yet!).

I think I have learned so much more than I ever could at college by being part of this wonderful community. There is so much more you need to know than how to paint a pretty picture (unless you have the luxury of employing someone! Ha!). By interacting with people from all over the world and learning from my own mistakes, I feel much more prepared and informed."

Sarah, aka funiscool: "I started selling on Etsy when I was just finishing up my last year of art school. At school, they actually had a class where they told us, 'You will not be able to leave art school and support yourself with your artwork,' which was a bit depressing. I suppose it was a lot harder for all my teachers to get their work 'out there' because they didn't have the Internet back when they finished school. At first, it was kind of hard to get my orders out to people, make new things, and go to all my classes and exams, but I made it out the other side and was happy to have the transition time that I did, between school and the real world.

As far as tips go, I would suggest doing whatever you want as long as you are putting forth the effort it takes to be successful. Everything works itself out eventually, and if you are happy during the process, it usually works out all the better."

Matthew Senkowycz, aka Matay (on the drawings he sells in his Etsy shop): "I have just finished my Bachelor of Design in Architecture, majoring in Urban Planning and Allied Arts, so there has always been an aspect of creativity in what I have done post-high school.

Occasionally, I have been able to let areas of study and interest overlap, exploring similar concepts in various mediums simultaneously. For example, the form of a building will relate to the clothes of the figures I’m drawing and perhaps also to an installation art piece or a photograph. At other times, a single subject (usually architectural design practice) will require so much time that I’ll barely have time to eat, let alone indulge in freeing some of the characters in my mind. This isn’t always a bad thing though, because once it’s all out of the way (usually a week or two) pent up ideas just seem to ooze out onto the paper.

Drawing has also provided me with a source of escape. There’s nothing like creeping into your mind with your own soundtrack for an hour or two after a day of 'constructive criticism' for design tutors and students alike. I often find the works that I like the most appear when I am experiencing extremes of emotions…or after I’ve seen the latest Jil Sander collection."

Andrea Shear, aka andreashear: "In England I was doing mostly experimental video installations, and in New York I specialized in computer art and animation, so the majority of my art-making was short films and animations. Even during this time I was really interested in incorporating a handmade look into what is traditionally a very polished medium. I think this period influenced my love for the handmade aesthetic, as well as an appreciation for juggling two areas of interest.

My advice to students and other artists trying to balance school or work and Etsy is to avoid telling yourself that there isn't not enough time, and just make an effort to put your work out there."

Juliana Swaney, aka ohmycavalier: "Even though Etsy was only started the year I graduated, I found my art school experience to be very helpful for what I’m doing now. I was a printmaking major and was lucky enough to have some professors that were into ‘non-traditional’ ways of selling and distributing art, especially prints and multiples, so they really encouraged us to get our work out there in ways besides just the gallery.

Since Etsy wasn’t around while I was in school, my experience was a little different. I started out participating in art and craft sales where I sold cards and prints. That turned out to be really positive, and I feel like doing it sort of validated what I was doing and showed I could make money after I left school. I think that can be one of the hard parts of art school: you don’t necessarily get a lot of help with the practical aspects of selling your work, and a career after school can seem pretty vague. That’s why I’m happy I got some of that experience by selling in small, low-stress situations. I made some mistakes and muddled though things early on, but that helped me get my act together and gain confidence so I could continue to sell my work and make a living after I graduated."

Tabitha Emma, aka tabidesigns: "Juggling school and business can be hard at times, but it's really a matter of good time management, like keeping on top of when assignments are due and when you need to get wholesale or custom orders done. I try to write a list of what I want to complete by the end of the week, in terms of both my business and schoolwork. Of course, if I have a lot of homework, I will have to scale back on how much I can do with my shop. I'm always doodling ideas for new products in my book while in class, so even if I don't have time to work on it, I'm still thinking about it.

[Selling on Etsy] is a great experience because you get work experience while studying, and you learn to deal with customers and clients. It's also a good way to get your name out there, become part of the creative community, and make contacts with some awesome, talented fellow creatives. It helps to put what you're learning into the real world."

Enchanted by Caitlin? We are too! Find her on deviantart and flickr.

Art Category | Artistic Endeavors series
Artwork for Every Room Showcase | Art Gift Guides

Tardy Students, Please Report to the Back-to-School Gift Guide

2008-09-12T15:40:00-05:00

Listen up, all you tardy students! (Anyone...anyone? Bueller?) The 2008 back-to-school shopping season is just about over. If you’re still in need of school items, check out the Gift Guide before it is closed. You snooze, you lose, ya truants!

Find more shopping content!

Parents Teach Art, Part 2: Making it Happen

2008-09-05T11:27:00-05:00

In my recent article Parents Teach Art I shared information about Duniway Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, and its award-winning, parent-led art program. Now I'll go into more detail about how to make a program like this work at your child's school.

[Second grade "Paint and Poetry" lesson]

The Art Committee
If you are lucky enough to have your school's support, and you have a strong force of willing parent volunteers, form an Art Committee. At Duniway, we found that the program runs smoothly with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, such as:

Chairperson or Co-Chairs – Runs committee meetings, assigns tasks, follows up on action items, liaison to school administration and PTA.
Art Room "Mom" (or Dad!) – If you have a designated art room, this person keeps it clean and organized.
Art Show Coordinator – Manages volunteer crew for set-up and take-down of student art show.
Curriculum Master – Develops lessons, leads training sessions, maintains overall art curriculum.
Kiln Master – Maintains clay and kiln-related supplies, develops kiln use schedule, provides kiln support.
Publicity Coordinator – Creates and distributes promotional materials for art show, writes press releases, etc.
Scheduling Coordinator – Develops master schedule for art room and individual schedules for each class based on classroom teachers' input.
Supply Master/Treasurer – Orders and maintains supplies, responsible for budgeting and cash flow, seeks donations.
Web Master – Maintains a website or blog to post lesson plans, showcase student art, and keep parents informed.
Volunteer Coordinator – Maintains volunteer database, recruits Classroom Art Coordinators, makes phone calls, etc. to enlist help!

It's also great to have at-large committee members who can assist where needed. Of course, you might not need to fill all of these positions — remember to start small!

[Kindergarten "Basic Bugs" lesson]

Getting Ready
Now that you have a framework in place, it's time to start making it happen!

Develop an "art year calendar" outlining deadlines and important dates. At Duniway, art is a twelve-week program that begins in January and ends in April, with a student art show in May. (But the art committee works all year long.) You can expect to put in 1-3 hours a week volunteering, so be sure you have the time before making the commitment.

Come up with a theme. Duniway holds a poster contest and incorporates the theme at the art show: for "Art Rocks," we held a silent auction of kid-decorated musical instruments; for "Art á La Mode," we sold pie and ice cream, etc.

[Guitars decorated by kids for the "Art Rocks" silent auction]

In the fall, work on developing curriculum, creating schedules, soliciting donations, recruiting volunteers and inventorying supplies. Try to get all your supplies in stock by mid-December. Hold information and training sessions for parents so they'll be ready to start teaching in January. Provide copies of lesson plans, show samples and demonstrate techniques.

Build a library of prints, posters, slides, books and music to help enhance the kids' art experience. Slide presentations are amazing, but even walking around showing pictures from a book will be inspiring. An alternative is to go digital and project images from the web; try Artcyclopedia for a vast library of masterpieces.

Appoint a Classroom Art Coordinator for each classroom who will make sure parents sign up to teach and assist with every class. The Coordinator also creates portfolios for storing finished work and meets with each child at the end of the program to select and title pieces for the art show.

[Young designer at work in one of my mandala classes]

Teaching Art
You're standing at the front of the class with 24 pairs of bright eyes expectantly fixed on you. Don't panic! Here are some tips to help you out:

Allow adequate time for set-up and clean-up.
Set ground rules, like: raise your hand, keep a positive attitude and turn mistakes into "happy accidents" by finding a way to make it work instead of erasing or starting over.
Be prepared. Study the lesson plan and check supplies in advance.
Explain that examples are for inspiration, not copying.
Demonstrate the technique, but keep it short and sweet! Kids will grasp the concept quickly, and you don't want to bore them. Explain the lesson, then get out of the way!
Have free-drawing materials available for those who finish early.
To get kids' attention, clap your hands and have them put down their materials and clap back in the same rhythm, such as "clap, clap, clap-clap-clap." Dimming the lights also helps.
Never, ever tell them they've done it "wrong." Encourage free expression — each child's artwork is unique and special.

Do you have more teaching tips? Post them in the comments below!

[Second graders' abstract paintings, based on the work of Joan Miro, hanging at the Duniway Student Art Show]

Putting on a Student Art Show
Just one 2-D piece and one 3-D piece from each child provides enough art to transform two gyms and two hallways into an incredible art gallery.

[A parent volunteer arranges mounted artwork to hang]

At Duniway, we made banners of black vinyl which are attached to long poles. The selected artwork is mounted, labeled, laid out and attached to the banners with removable putty. Then, with the help of tall ladders, the poles are suspended from the metal window screens and basketball backboards in the gym using chains with hooks.

[Hanging art is fun!]

A student art show is a wonderful time to celebrate art with the community. Duniway makes it exciting with student musicians, student portrait artists, a pizza dinner and a hands-on art station for little ones.We've even had a mini-tattoo parlor featuring temporary tattoos made from children's artwork! Silent auctions of classroom art projects, raffle prizes, and the sale of children's art note cards and custom t-shirts can also help raise funds for the program.

[The South Gym is transformed into the South Gallery for the evening]

Do What You Can
I hope these articles have been inspiring. If you can't find a way to work art into the school day, consider after-school classes such as those offered by Portland's SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program. Even if you just teach one class, you will have touched young lives in a way that will make a difference. Keep asking for more art, and don't be afraid to do it yourself.

Further Resources:
Duniway Art Lesson Plans: Duniwayart.org
Artcyclopedia — Art image library and search engine: Artcyclopedia.com

Please see Part One of this article for more resources.

About the author: Christine Claringbold, aka EyePopArt, has been in business since 2003. She is also a mom, an art teacher and a back-up singer in a punk rock band. Her designs have been published in Tattoo Flash Magazine, and her record products have been reviewed by Venus Zine, National Geographic Traveler, Brainstorm Northwest magazine, and blogs including Great Green Goods and Wickedly Chic. She is a proud member of Trillium Artisans, Etsy Trashion, PDX Etsy and Eco Etsy. Check out her blog at eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Parents Teach Art: A DIY Approach to Elementary School Art Education

2008-08-26T17:35:00-05:00

Where I live, there are billboards all over town that simply say, "Art. Ask for More." At the bottom is a line of smaller print that says, "Are your kids getting enough?"

As an artist and a mother of two, I feel fortunate that my kids attended a public elementary school with a thriving, well-established, award-winning art education program that is available to every student during the regular school day for twelve weeks out of the year.

This is rare. Many schools have after-school programs with enrichment classes or occasional projects with artists-in-residence, but very few public schools have a comprehensive art program incorporated into their regular curriculum. Portland, Oregon's Duniway School, which my kids attended, is even more impressive when you consider that they don't even have an art teacher. Instead, the entire program is organized, funded and taught by parent volunteers.

Are you a parent who is frustrated by the lack of art education at your child's school? Are you "asking for more" but still not getting enough? Maybe it's time to take matters into your own hands, in the true DIY spirit. This is the first in a two-part series that will provide some tips and resources for starting and maintaining a parent-led art program at the elementary school level.

[First grade "Sunflowers" lesson based on the work of Van Gogh.]

Start Small
All you really need to start is one classroom and one lesson plan. Talk to your child's teacher at the beginning of the year. Ask for a chance to come in for one hour to teach a fun, simple art lesson. What teacher could refuse that? To find great lesson plans specifically for your child's grade level, you can visit the Duniway Art website at www.duniwayart.org.

[The Duniway Art website]

These lessons were all designed to be taught by parent volunteers who don't necessarily have any art or teaching experience. Passionate parent artists like Michelle Smit, a mom of two boys who creates abstract paintings and fused glass works, revamp the lessons each year based on student and parent feedback to ensure they are fresh, relevant, and easy to understand. Michelle also makes sure these aren't "cookie cutter" projects, but rich, meaningful lessons that engage the child's heart, encouraging free expression, imagination and "happy accidents." The program encourages exploration of a wide variety of media, while building technical skills and incorporating art history and multiculturalism.

[Artist and parent volunteer Michelle Smit with her favorites from the fourth grade Picasso lesson, which she wrote.]

The program earned Duniway an Oregon Creative Ticket Schools award last year from the Oregon Alliance for Art Education and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education.

Duniway's lessons are all downloadable PDF files with sample images of student artwork. Each lesson includes the concept and objective of the class, prep work and supplies needed, vocabulary words and detailed instructions for teaching the lesson. Pick one and try it out in your kid's class. Or take a look at some of the many other great art lesson plans on the web (see the Further Resources list below for some links). Or, write your own lesson plan! You don't have to do it all alone — team up with your spouse, a friend, grandma, another parent or neighborhood volunteer to make this an experience the kids will never forget. Take pictures and have fun!

[Fourth grade "Sumi-E" lesson based on Chinese brush painting.]

Get the Community Involved
If you'd like to take this beyond just teaching one class and create a school-wide art program like Duniway's, there are three elements you must have in place: support and commitment from the school, help from lots of parent volunteers, and funding to buy supplies.

Talk to your principal and teachers to see if they could carve out one "art hour" per week for up to twelve weeks. Explain that parent volunteers will be doing all the work. If there are objections that art time will take away from valuable time teaching other subjects, point to Duniway as an example. Duniway is consistently rated an "exceptional" school year after year, based on high test scores and overall academic achievement — yet kids take time out for art, physical education and music one or more times each week. It's no surprise, really — according to Americans for the Arts (the group behind those billboards), kids actively engaged in arts education are likely to have higher test scores than those with little to no involvement.

[Fifth grade "Musical Collage" lesson]

Start talking to your school community. Find out how many parents are interested in art and are available for an hour or so a week to volunteer. Find out which parents own print shops, frame shops, art supply stores or other businesses that can help out with in-kind donations.

[First grade "Houses" lesson]

If your school has a PTA or similar organization, find out if you can form an art committee. With a handful of like-minded parents, your committee can begin to recruit and train parent volunteers and organize fundraising efforts to pay for supplies. How much funding will you need? At Duniway, the PTA's art committee has a budget of $4000 each year, which includes all supplies, as well as expenses related to putting on an annual Student Art Show. With a population of around 400, this averages out to only $10 per kid! As Michelle Smit says, "Where in the world could you purchase 12 great art lessons, including supplies, for under $10.00?"

Further Resources:
EyePopArt's blog post about the 2008 Duniway Student Art Show
Duniway Art
Princeton Online - Incredible Art Lessons
The Educator's Reference Desk
National Endowment for the Arts - State and Regional Art Agencies
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Americans for the Arts
Arts Education Partnership
National PTA
No Subject Left Behind - A Guide to Arts Education Opportunities

Coming Next Week...
Stay tuned! Next week we will take a closer look at how the program works, including roles and responsibilities of the art committee, scheduling classes, teaching tips, and ideas for hosting an exhibit of student art.

About the author: Christine Claringbold, aka EyePopArt, has been in business since 2003. She is also a mom, an art teacher, and a back-up singer in a punk rock band. Her designs have been published in Tattoo Flash Magazine, and her record products have been reviewed by Venus Zine, National Geographic Traveler, Brainstorm Northwest magazine, and blogs including Great Green Goods and Wickedly Chic. She is a proud member of Trillium Artisans, Etsy Trashion, PDX Etsy, and Eco Etsy. Check out her blog at http://eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Earth Tones: Eco Ego Game for Kids, via Inhabitat

2008-08-13T18:48:00-05:00

Videogames have huge educational potential — not only do they teach kids strategy but the content can be thought-provoking too. Take for example Eco Ego, a free online game that lets kids (and adults) roleplay a sweet little creature living in a tree stump. The goal is a Sims-like equilibrium with the natural environment.

Thanks to Inhabitat, a great website to check out if you're into greener living and good design. They've launched a sister site for kids too, www.inhabitots.com.

More Earth Tones posts.

The World is Our Classroom: One Family's Homeschooling Experience

2008-08-07T16:14:00-05:00

The Storque is almost a year old! In celebration of this, we'll be reposting some favorites. Last September 20, 2007, GreenMamba offered to give us a more in-depth picture of what it's like to live a homeschooling lifestyle. This is the third of our series on Etsy homeschoolers. Please see Etsy Youth Sellers: Not Back to School and Handmade Education: Creativity & Homeschooling.

My kids are, naturally, handmade. So is their education. We’ve been a homeschooling family for 24 years. Okay, maybe I’m fudging a little. But I tend to count all the time spent with my children as a learning experience. I first began ‘formally’ homeschooling my son, a first-grader, after a dismal year in kindergarten, where the open-concept school he attended didn’t allow the children to make any noise and advocated — in the late 80’s — that every child should write right-handed. My son was one of two lefties in his class. After spending the entire year trying to work within the system — volunteering, bringing issues to light and offering helpful suggestions, joining brainstorming sessions, and (unexpectedly) being nominated to chair the local PTO, I respectfully declined the nomination and happily brought my son home to learn.

That first full year was wonderful! A couple of neighbors, intrigued and inspired by my daring decision, joined forces to rotate ‘classes’ in an informal co-op to provide our kids with a variety of learning opportunities, such as music and arts-and-crafts, as well as a change of scenery. The tiny group included my son, his younger sister, and three other children.

The next several years brought many changes, several relocations, and two more children. Homeschooling was an on again-off again affair, depending on where we were living and what was going on in our hectic lives, but, the summer between my middle daughter’s kindergarten and first-grade years, I made the decision to commit for the long haul. I have been homeschooling my two youngest consecutively for more than ten years now. It’s the best decision I ever made.

Our days, early on, were pretty structured and organized. We even created a mini-classroom out of a little corner of the living room. But, as time passed and I became better acquainted with the girls’ academic needs, as well as individual learning styles and strengths, we became less conventional and more adventurous. By the time my girls hit their teens, we were doing mostly interest-led learning, often called unschooling — though we never strictly met that definition, as we continued to include mandatory subjects, such as math and science. Once, we had a guest-student, the daughter of a co-worker, who joined us for three months — just in time for a crash course in basic algebra.

Eschewing traditional schooling has given us the flexibility to enhance and personalize our learning experiences. One daughter studied pirates (Arrrgh!), Japanese samurai, and period fashion. Her sister voraciously devoured biographies of famous impressionist and post-impressionist painters. It was a special treat when we visited the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was able to view many great works up close and see for herself the texture and vibrant color only hinted at in photographs. We are all three inquisitive readers: we make regular trips to the library, at least twice weekly. We also share a love of foreign language films, giving us a peek into other cultures, customs and perspectives.

But our learning has never been confined to the home.

For instance, Kaelin, who is an avowed animal lover, did a stint at a local no-kill animal shelter (minors were required to have a parent present, so we worked together), walking the dogs, feeding and watering the animals, and mucking out the cages and veterinary rooms. Later, she volunteered at a local horse therapy facility, again feeding and watering the horses (and other miscellaneous animals), assisting with miniature-horse therapy for the young handicapped clients, and was even given the task of socializing and training a rambunctious corral of young Caspians. This experience was followed by a summer-plus-several-months of volunteering at the Houston zoo. While other children were waking and getting ready for school, she was already up and helping to feed and care for the zoo’s population of small mammals, which included — among many others — a fennec fox, three warthogs, a reclusive fruit bat, a colony of vampire bats, and an affectionate tamandua. Later still, she worked at a stable in exchange for horse-riding lessons, and spent a day with a local vet where she observed routine care procedures and a couple of surgeries.

My youngest, Erin, is more art-inclined. She and her sister brainstormed, proposed and helped coordinate a Talent and Interest Expo (TIE) — an annual event where children of all ages are invited to showcase a talent, acquired skill or hobby — for two area homeschool groups. She participated in a 6-month mixed-media art class at a small music and arts studio, and later took a 6-week drawing course. Other than that, she is pretty much self-taught. Her artistic interests include outdoor photography, animation, and manga-style sketching. Being a hands-on gal, she loves experimenting with a variety of media, and was inspired to create her own soft-sculpture-sock-monkey version of ‘See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil’. Her aunt fell in love with the monkeys, so Erin made another as a surprise — which in turn netted her an order for a custom sock monkey from one of her aunt’s co-workers. Both monkeys grace the workstations of their respective owners.

A sampling of our many away-from-home activities over the years includes such experiences as performing in a homeschool play; speech and debate workshops; a literature (short story) discussion group; museum trips; camping excursions; beach outings; a blacksmithing demonstration; fencing; a single-engine flying lesson at a small local airport; plays, concerts and festivals at the Miller Outdoor Theater; trips to the Texas Renaissance Festival; and violin lessons. In fact, when the girls were younger, the music instructor at their father’s middle school (didn’t I mention he was a public school teacher?) learned that they played violin and invited them to practice in the mornings with the school orchestra. So, for two weeks, they traveled to school with their dad, practiced for a couple of hours, and I picked them up afterward. They not only performed in the school’s spring concert, but were given guest billing as well.

Current interests include various artistic pursuits, Latin dance, and a love of all things manga and anime. They’re also big costume fans. I’ve been custom making their outfits for Halloween every year since before they could walk. Now, Kaelin and Erin design and create their own cosplay costumes and props (with a little help from mom) to wear to anime conventions. And — for something completely different — they would like to look into adopting and sprucing up a tiny abandoned cemetery tucked away in the middle of a nearby city park.

[Animation is by GreenMamba's 12 year old!]

Despite challenges — one income doesn’t stretch very far in a family of six — and occasional struggles (ever hear of math fever?), we have embraced this lifestyle and all it entails. In turn, it has enriched us immeasurably.

Every day is a new learning opportunity. And the world — at least our little corner of it — is indeed our classroom.

Get'er Done: an Interview with Cartoonist Jessica Abel

2008-06-04T18:28:00-05:00

Jessica Abel is having a busy week. With a newborn baby on her hip, she is reviewing submissions to the guest-edited Best American Comics series. She's been doing interviews and press for her new book coming out — one of the few textbooks for teaching comics, entitled Drawing Words & Writing Pictures (see also Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics and Will Eisner's Comics and Sequential Art). Jessica co-authored the book with her husband Matt Madden (they both teach at the School of Visual Arts). Her popular graphic novel, La Perdida, was just released in paperback and Life Sucks, a comic book about teen vampires, just came out through First Second. On top of that, she's also gearing up for MOCCA, a New York indie comic book convention, where she'll be selling prints, originals, and her books in person. Oh, and she's in the midst of selling her next book project to publishers.

And while this week may seem especially busy, I have a feeling this is pretty much her pace of life. Jessica is living the dream of many would-be fulltime cartoonists. She's figured out a way to make a living from her art while also supplementing it with related editing and teaching (I think she's got a project in the works adapting comics to movies, too...).

I had the chance to speak with Jessica via phone and ask her to share some advice for emerging artists. While she was speaking specifically about cartoonists, her words might shed light on the experiences of all types of up-and-coming artists.

Jessica got started making minicomics in the '90s in Chicago and was working day jobs for the first 10 years. For her, the minicomics served as a way to show her work to editors, like a portfolio. At a Chicago comic book convention, she gave Art Babe to the editors of Fantagraphics, and while she didn't get a book deal immediately, she learned something from the process. True, it's really hard to make money from minicomics, but there's a value to self-publishing: with a whole lot of diligence, you can get the word out about your work.

Jessica insists that there's a lot of interest in comics and graphic novels right now and that the industry is desperately looking for talent. In his book Reading Comics, comics reader and critiquer Douglas Wolk declared our life and times right now the Golden Age of the Graphic Novel. Indeed, talk to any cartoonist right now about their chosen medium and they will undoubtedly get all excited about the unexplored territory of the art form. Cartoonists see comics as an unfurling realm of new possibilities — and yet, because it is such a labor intensive and specialized practice — there just aren't that many people making excellent, challenging work. So now is the time to develop a good piece of work, and then consistently send it out with each new issue. Even if you don't hear back — and you probably won't for the most part, Jessica stressed — you need to keep sending your work out. "Think of it as laying the groundwork," she put it. "If the work is good, you'll get noticed."

So is it all about getting a book deal? Not necessarily. But a lot of artists struggle to create art on their own time when working a day job. Jessica worked a day job for 10 years and when it got to the point where she really wanted to take it to the next level, she decided to move from Chicago to the much more affordable land of Mexico for a couple years to focus solely on her art. Ok, what else can you do if you can't move to Mexico? Unfortunately, selling the originals of your comics isn't really a viable option. In Jessica's opinion, the market for that type of work is undervalued. Many cartoonists do freelance work for hire as illustrators and some find success in selling prints and originals of that type of work. And these do even better as you start to make a name for yourself. Jessica pointed out that there's money to be made selling beautiful and unique work and comics at events like MOCCA, "especially if it's handmade in a really nice way, silkscreened covers and well-made." Of course, it sounds weird to be talking about art and money, but the goal here is to be able to support yourself as an artist and to get your work seen.

The web has also increased the number of venues where emerging cartoonists can show and sell their work. Jessica told me she's seen podcasts reviewing comics popping up all over the place, in addition to forums like The Beat, Drawn!, and the Comics Reporter (amongst many others — please leave your suggestions in the comments). Many established cartoonists sell through the Beguiling, and we're seeing more cartoonists set up shops on Etsy (either for their comics or for original drawings and prints). People are consistently publishing webcomics and blogging about their processes and inspirations, creating a direct dialogue with their readers. Even if there are drawbacks to that (Blogging?! That's time taken away from laboriously handlettering! Or what about the Marvel fan turned troll who loves to tell you how much he hates your take on the superhero genre?), having a web presence does increase your chances of getting noticed. You also put yourself in front of an expectant audience — and thus on daily deadlines that might otherwise be will-o'-the-wisps for the self-publishing artist.

There's tons to think about when you're on the cusp of dedicating your life to your art. But the main point of Jessica's interview, to my mind, is discipline. Even if you're a wily, creative genius, you need to be dedicated to your art and make an effort to get it seen...I know that makes it sound like, well... work. As Jessica puts it, "We didn't get into this because it's easy to be an artist. It's a tough life. But if the work is good, you just have to be diligent."

Further Resources:

Jessica Abel's website
Matt Madden's website
Her DIY resources for learning how to make comics
Best American Comics series
La Perdida
Life Sucks
MOCCA
The Beguiling
The Beat
Drawn!
the Comics Reporter
Reading Comics
Comics and Sequential Art
Understanding Comics

(Coloring) Book Review: U.S. Supreme Court Coloring and Activity Book

2007-11-16T17:21:00-05:00

SarahSays writes a regular Storque column in which she provides legal info for indie entrepreneurs. As Etsy's in-house attorney, she also has the tough job of dealing with the intense and varied legal issues that come up for any young web commerce site. After hours, she feels like doing something a bit more soothing...coloring. And so she offers us this book review.

I am the proud member of many legal publication mailing lists. This is one way I stay on top of the most current legal news, case law, and theories. And most of the time I order a legal book and then hide in my office to read it. But not this time! Not this book! When this book arrived I ran around the Etsy Labs to introduce everyone to the newest member of the SarahSays library.

The U.S Supreme Court Coloring and Activity Book, by Jenny B. Davis is published by the American Bar Association Journal. The 32-page coloring book features connect-the-dots, the matching game, and a maze. The book also contains illustrations depicting significant Supreme Court Justices of the United States to color in — including all current sitting Justices. And unlike any of my other legal books, this book comes with crayons.

This book is fun yet creative and educational. The book claims to be suitable for all ages but I would assume that older children might better benefit from the content than younger children. This coloring book would be a great way to start a dialog with kids about the United States’ legal system.

Handmade Education: Creativity & Homeschooling

2007-09-13T06:39:00-05:00

After hearing from SarahAmanda about her homeschooled youth seller experience, we thought we'd continue the not-back-to-school season theme with this piece from StephanaDesigns.

When our family began homeschooling 12 years ago, I knew as a very creative person that creativity would make its way into our lessons. Little did I know it would one day rule our homeschool experience.

When we began all those years ago, I started out very worried about doing a good job, since my five childrens' future was clearly in my hands. I went about gathering all the things you expect to use to homeschool: full sets of traditional homeschooling curriculum, mounds of workbooks for every subject, hoards of companion readers and every kind of recommended learning tool, like math manipulatives and science sets. I felt prepared, yet very nervous. Everything went well; but after a while I became quite bored and saw the kids were headed there, too. It was dry and boring. Contrary to my expectations, we were not having much fun learning outside of the classroom. We had forgotten who we were, and were doing what was expected of us: we had left out creativity.

This new revelation set off the dumping of most traditional learning tools. We began making our learning about hands-on experiences and seeking out creative ways to accomplish learning. Our new mindset freed our school times and brought a lot of fun into our classroom. It has also encouraged four of the five children to seek futures in the creative arts. Jordan, 20, is working on a degree in graphic arts. Rachel, 17, is my partner in StephanaDesigns and designed and produced all the bags currently in our shop. Rachel also hopes to attend Savannah College of Art and Design and major in design. Marissa, 15, is a budding photographer, and we keep encouraging her to set up shop on Etsy as well, but she is not quite ready yet. Joshua is 10 and is desperate to learn Japanese so he can move to Japan and be a video game designer. He has already designed one game and manages an online forum for it as well.

I can say without a doubt that my kids are better people because of living a creative life. Encouraging a child’s creativity is as important as learning math or other lessons. While home educating is not for all families, encouraging creativity in your home can be done on weekends and school breaks. Exposure is the key: at an early age, provide art materials beyond crayons and paper. Infuse their minds with music, theater and galleries. Some of our greatest learning times have been in museums and art supply stores. Let them touch things and spend time on art and photography. We provide them with the tools to explore: cameras, high quality art supplies, books on art, fabrics, sewing tools — the tools they might want to create with are just as important to our classroom as books, pens and other traditional supplies.

People unfamiliar with homeschooling always ask about socialization. We got creative on that front, too. When we invite other homeschool friends over, their visits were full of creative projects and play. Many play dates where spent dressing up in vintage clothing and having photo shoots and tea parties for the girls as well as playing out history for the boys (girls like this too!). Art and photography, along with creating costumes, has always played a role in our times with friends.

In our opinion, teaching in a creative way sets up kids to not only appreciate a creative life, but also encourages further development of careers in the arts. Encourage creativity!

For resources on homeschooling check out these websites:
The Charlotte Mason method has been a huge resource for us.
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/CharlotteMason.htm

Unschooling:
http://www.unschooling.com/library/index.shtml

http://www.unschooling.org/

http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/earl_stevens.html

Art for Homeschools:
http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/visual-arts/38701.html

http://www.artisticpursuits.com/

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/finearts/a/freeartnews.htm

Etsy is a great place for creative homeschoolers to sell their creations.
There are a great many homeschooling families selling on Etsy…here are a few…

StephanaDesigns
Sadielouwho
Superfay
Catswilleatyou
Blestbeads
Greenmamba
Bamabelle
Treasurefield
SoCaligirl

See StephanaDesign's slideshow.