Happy forever fall! October days in Colorado have been most beautiful, filled with sweet sunshine and warm weather! Our studio just wrapped up our first six weeks of a fresh + new school year and we’re excited to announce SESSION II STARTS THIS WEEK! We have just a few spaces in our art workshops offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays! Jump in and join us if you’re in the Roaring Fork Valley!
We’d love for you to peek at the most recent project dreamed up + designed + created by creative children in our workshop ~ Ruckus in the Radiant + Rare Rainforest! You might just be inspired to make your own! Tag your creations @handmakery on Instagram!
SUPPLIES FOR ~ RUCKS IN THE RADIANT + RARE RAINFOREST:
A SIMPLE PROCESS FOR ~ RUCKS IN THE RADIANT + RARE RAINFOREST:
ONE Read The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest as a fantastic introduction to rainforests. Get inspired using simple black & white imagery for discovery, inspiration, and reference. Imagery may include rainforest plants, flowers, leaves, and trees. Use a thin brush and black India ink to “draw” on a large scale, filling a large paper with a variety of observed + organic habitat. Illustrations should remain separate so they can eventually be cut apart. Dry.
TWO Using tempera cake paints in neons and fluorescents to bring color into the rainforest habitat. This semi-transparent paint will allow the black lines to still shine through. Dry. Cut plantlife apart, leaving the exterior black line.
Early online enrollment at HANDMAKERY is highly encouraged as seating is limited! Start making + creating + connecting in a colorful community focused on a creative + collaborative childhood!
THREE Use pencil to lightly sketch rainforest creatures. Start with simple shapes like circles and ovals, eventually moving to smaller shapes and detail. Use simple black & white imagery for animal inspiration. Move to a permanent black marker to outline, detail, texture, and to bold each creature. Cut out each animal with scissors keeping the exterior black line. We did most of the cutting so young artists would have more time drawing and painting.
Each artist selected their own creature combinations to incorporate into their rainforest. Creatures included poison dart frogs, snakes, exotic birds, sloths, leopards, monkeys, and more! It was exciting to see the different combinations of animals each artist selected to personalize their piece.
FOUR Explore lightweight cardboard and white glue construction for additional plantlife popouts and to add additional dimension. Paint cardboard pieces using solid body tempera paints in neons and accent with tempera paint pens.
Detail dry painted cardboard pieces with glitter sticky foam or smaller mixed-media components such as pom poms, circle stickers, buttons, oil pastels, washi tapes, patterned papers, and more.
FIVE Layout the cutout “creative collection” of rainforest plants, black & white creatures, and dimensional habitat on a horizontal, pre-painted, black cardboard, backed with a smaller piece of foam core for strength and stiffness. Arrange pieces considering foreground, middle-ground, and background. Pieces can flow off the black cardboard to allow more space and to add dimension.
A beautiful rainforest flower painted in paint pen to popout.
A birds-eye-view of rainforest animals accented with eye catching patterns. Creatures remained in a black + white color scheme for a brilliant + bold + contrasting statement.
SIX Use three to five, precut egg carton pieces to pop out selected pieces. Use white glue to attach a low profile egg carton piece to add height and a bit of pop.
SEVEN Arrange finished pieces on the pre-painted black cardboard, again, that has been backed with foam core for added durability, flatness, and strength. Use a light amount of white school glue to tack down pieces so they’re not fully glued down, so pieces still have a flex & flow. Use a neon poster board to create a vibrant frame to finish off and showcase. Drill holes in the top two corners and add a piece of twine to display.
A peek at a few pretty pieces in progress as artists were planning and popping with a unique perspective, point of view, and of course a powerful punch, all part of the process and on point. Now say this three times!!!
Having a project with “several separate pieces” allowed artists to move around pieces to the puzzle, to build, and to layer their one-of-a-kind ~ Ruckus in the Radiant + Rare Rainforest so it was unique to each artist. Keeping all animals black & white created a wonderful contrast to the colorful habitat.
Every artist walked away with a one-of-a-kind creation with a collection of creatures they were proud of creating!
A little hand-stamped + black & white saying we printed for each artist to frame using materials of their choice. Little wooden clothespins were used to clip onto the twine of their projects. We discussed how this piece was truly an artist statement to ~ RISE + RALLY + RESECT + RADIATE YOUR HEARTS for the RUCKUS in the RADIANT + RARE RAINFOREST to remind humans to protect and preserve this special land!
The week wrapped up with our traditional recognition ceremony + mini art show as makers took home ~ a most marvelous mini-masterpiece on Main Street in the majestic mountains!
Tag us @handmakery with your creations on Instagram! Follow our blog for more inspiring process-based art projects! As always, thank you for following our artful adventure on Main Street in the heART of the Carbondale Creative District! Send us a note anytime! We’d love to hear what you’re thinking, dreaming, and envisioning! Much love and happiness creating in this creative + colorful world filled with collaboration + connection + community + arts & crafting! Ami
Hello there! Excited to give you a little springtime inspiration in your day! Our artists recently showcased their ~ SCULPTURAL SPRINGTIME SLOTHS in a sling, sporting stylish sandals + sunhats + sunglasses + scarves, while sipping & sun-basking in the sunshine in our early spring + six-week + school-year art workshops for ages 5 & up! We have a feeling these creatures will “slowly” steal your heart! Sharing a list of sweet-n-simple, go-to-supplies, to get your very own sloth started using several upcycled material you might already have on hand! Be sure to tag @handmakery on Instagram if you give this project a GO! Take a peek below!
SUPPLIES FOR ~ SCULPTURAL SPRINGTIME SLOTHS:
Newspaper {upcycled}
Paper bags {upcycled}
Tape- masking + duct tape
Scissors
Paper-mâché mixture + bowl
Paint + pallet + brush
Driftwood
Fabric- fleece
Fishing line
Embellishments for sandals, hats & sunglasses
A SIMPLE PROCESS FOR ~ SCULPTURAL SPRINGTIME SLOTHS:
Did you know sloths are the most trending animal of the year? Would you believe the sloth has replaced the unicorn!?! Indeed, it’s true! Read about their debut as “the most trending creature” of this year. Would you also believe a baby sloth was just born, right here in Colorado!?! If you’re looking for some amazing + simple sloth facts for kids, to go along with this DIY, take a look. Artists loved learning all about these cozy and trending creatures! We even hosted a sloth birthday party right in our very own sweet studio!
A sweet + sisterly + sloth-selfie sent in by one of our amazing HANDMAKERY families! Thank you for tagging #handmakery on Instagram with your creations!
SUN BASK, SIP, SIT BACK & RELAX INTO SUMMER:
TAKE A SPLASH & JOIN US THIS SUMMER:
1. JUMP IN AS SUMMER ART CAMPS ARE QUICKLY FILLING!
Early online enrollment is highly encouraged as seating is limited! Jump into summer making + creating + connecting in a colorful community focused on a creative + collaborative childhood, in the heART of the Carbondale Creative District on magnificent Main Street!
2. FAMILY BLOCK PARTY ~ FIRST FRIDAY MAY!
You don’t want to miss this event! If you’re local to the Roaring Fork Valley, be sure to join us for our 7th year hosting a ~ FREE art-making booth for ALL AGES! We’ll be making & creating in our outdoor art studio which will be located in downtown Carbondale |Colorado, at the heART of the Carbondale Creative District! Join us for the much-anticipated + annual + artful ~ FAMILY BLOCK PARTY!
3. LET’S CONNECT ON INSTAGRAM!
Tag us @handmakery with your creations on Instagram! Follow our blog for more inspiring process-based art projects! As always, thank you for following our artful adventure! Send us a note anytime! We’d love to hear what you’re thinking, dreaming, and envisioning! Much love and happiness creating in this creative + colorful world filled with collaboration + connection + community + arts & crafting! Happy Spring! xo Ami
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. – Pablo Picasso
ANNOUNCING FALL ART WORKSHOPS!
Workshops + Classes + Events start September 4th, 2018!
PENCIL IN & JOIN US:
DATE: September 7th | First Friday 6 – 8 PM
EVENT: HANDMAKERY’S 1st Year in NEW Location Celebration + First Friday + FREE Art Making to Connect with Exhibit + Open Studio + Gallery Exhibit!
EXHIBIT: Swedish afar artist, Gina Vide of Willowday, and her creations for upcoming book ~ ABC Flower Safari! Gina’s work will incorporate playful + whimsical animals, flowers, paint, illustration, and typography all captured through photography! All ages will love this beautiful + delicate + detailed exhibit! Read more about Gina Vide!
LOCATION: HANDMAKERY located at 449 Main Street in beautiful + historic downtown Carbondale | CO at the heART of the Carbondale Creative District!
Keep checking HANDMAKERY.COM as additional programming will continue to be added throughout the year! Programming will include: children’s weekly art workshops for expanded ages, arts + craft evenings for children/adults/ladies/couples + family, holiday art making, art camps, open studio, one-of-a-kind birthday parties + special celebrations + customized events, specialty summer workshops, special guests + speakers, pop up events, and more! What would you like to see offered? We’ll let you in on a secret… our first Ladies Art Night is coming soon! Take a VIRTUAL VIDEO TOUR of our studio!
A PEEK INSIDE THE STUDIO:
Featuring ~ Children’s Art Workshops, Mini Maker Mornings, Birthday Parties, Adult Arts & Crafts Nights, and First Fridays & Pop Up Events! Take a peek, below!
CHILDREN’S ART WORKSHOPS…
MINI MAKER MORNINGS…
BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR ALL AGES…
So far, thirty, one-of-a-kind parties have been hosted in our studio in our first year on Main Street! Get your special event on our events calendar! No date is too early to pencil in! Send us an email hello@handmakery.com and let us know what you’re dreaming!
ADULT ARTS & CRAFTS NIGHTS…
Our first ~ Ladies Art Night is coming soon! Create a personalized account or contact us to get on the wishlist!
FIRST FRIDAYS & POP UP EVENTS…
We hope to see you at September’s First Friday on Main Street and in the art studio soon! It’s truly such a wonderful way to discover your community and connect! Tag us @handmakery with your creations on Instagram! Follow our blog for more inspiring process-based art projects! As always, thank you for following along the artful adventure in beautiful downtown Carbondale | CO at 449 Main Street! Send us a note anytime at hello@handmakery.com to let us know what you’re thinking and dreaming! We’d love to hear your ideas! Much love and happiness creating! xo Ami
The art studio was filled with mini maker exhibits and recognition ceremonies as ALL six-week workshops wrapped up last week! We celebrated our fifth exhibit, an end of the week highlight, hosting a FIRST FRIDAY “kid at heART exhibit” showcasing my 88-year-old grandfather, Bob Fadely aka Papa Bob, and his very first art exhibit ~ COLORING IN COLORFUL COLORADO! Megan Tackett, an incredibly talented and enthusiastic writer, captured my grandfather in both a delightful article in The Sopris Sun and live interview on KDNK! After it was all said and done, my most genuine Grandfather shared with me, “Last week was one of the BEST weeks of my life!” “Art (without a doubt) washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso
As springtime unfolds the outdoors become artfully alive! Dragonflies always mesmerize with their stealthy speed, shimmery color, intricate detail, and pattern on point. They lead us to our favorite outdoor places and spaces, including rivers, ponds, and lakes. Spring into a simple process upcycling household goods to create a bountiful + beautiful ~ DIY Delightful Dragonfly dreamed up in the HANDMAKERY art studio! Simply take a peek!
Excited to share with you a project recently dreamed up, designed, created, and of course, constructed in our very own downtown art studio! Take a BIG splash into our ~ DIY Forever Fishbowls! This project was created, carried out, and creatively constructed in several of our mixed age, six-week, after school, hands-on + mixed media, art workshops creating with young artists!
Beyond excited to also announce hands on + mixed media + NEW ART WORKSHOPS START NEXT WEEK for a wide array of ages! Hop on over to ENROLL AT HANDMAKERY.COM as spaces are quickly filling! While visiting, peek at new photos on our site and IG feed!
As you can clearly see, artists used a wide array of mixed media to bring their vision to life! Below, you’ll discover all you need to create your very own ~ DIY Forever Fishbowl. The big + beautiful bonus, you’ll never send a fish into fishy heaven, EVER EVER EVER again. YES, this fishy will truly live F-O-R-E-V-E-R and children LOVE this fact! Like, XOXOXO times a million or LOVE for a lifetime!
Happy New Year!!! Looking back, one of our most favorite workshops for children included ~ wee Wondrous Weavings on Wooden Looms! Oh my, the possibilities of textile design! These mini-masterpieces were created by 6 – 10-year-old artists! Our NEW ~ 2018 Winter Art Workshop Brochure is hot-of-the-press! Workshops start early January, yes this week and they’re filling up fast, just hop on over to our simple SIGN UP! If you’re looking for hands-on + mixed media + creative expression + an artful highlight to each week + a chance to meet new families and friends JOIN US + ENROLL TODAY! You can also connect with us on Instagram @handmakery to keep an eye on what we’re creating in the studio from special art events to birthday parties, and of course everything in between at our NEW art studio located at 449 Main Street in Carbondale | CO in the heart of the Carbondale Creative District!
Incredibly excited to share with you our original ~ DIY Papier-mache Figures created in our Mini Makers Workshop with 5 – 10-year-old artists! Our next session of weekly art workshops begins the week of October 16th, YES, next week! We have a workshop for just about every age under the sun! Take a peek at our upcoming schedule filled with weekly workshops, craft nights, holiday camps + events, and celebrations! Excited to announce we’re now hosting birthday parties in our beautiful + NEW art studio on Main Street! Be on the lookout for our first ever ~ Ladies Craft Night coming soon!
First Friday was our ~ Opening Night Celebration at our NEW art studio location at 449 Main Street in downtown Carbondale | CO! With a wide array of ages and not knowing exactly how many guests we’d have joining in, we kept it celebratory + simple + full of dazzle, painting and embellishing ~ Celebration Crowns! Main Street was blocked so everyone could enjoy an evening strolling the streets of historic downtown! The night was festive and full of flavor, with everyone back-in-town from summer adventures. The community was alive, vibrant, and actively adventuring around this artistic town!
We hope you’re enjoying the last days of summer! Have you heard the news!?! HANDMAKERY just moved to Main Street! We’ve been working all summer to get our new studio up, running, and ready for HANDMAKERY’SOpening Night Celebration ~ First Friday, September! We’re so excited to be located in downtown Carbondale | CO! We’ll now be located in the heart of historic downtown at 449 Main Street, in between flowers, yoga, coffee and across from piping hot pizza, sounds tempting, right!?! Yes, we definately have the BEST neighbors! We’re incredibly excited to be part of the community and the Carbondale Creative District!
Summer involved planning, designing, constructing, ordering, organizing, and decorating our new studio which we LOVED! Highlights of our new space include: being nestled in the heart of the community, 14′ ceilings, timeless wood floors, historic charm, a crisp + clean + modern flair, natural lighting + big windows, all our favorite art supplies, and maybe our favorite element… a teeny-tiny restroom!
PLEASE PENCIL IN + JOIN US:
September 1st | First Friday 4 – 8 PM
HANDMAKERY’S Opening Night Celebration + First Friday ~ FREE Art Making + Suprise Giveaways + Studio Tour!
STUDIO SNEAK PEEK EVENT:
We hosted a ~ Studio Sneak Peek + Free Kids Art Making last Thursday from 4-6 PM! Several families + creatives came to tour the NEW studio and out-on-the-town to create ~ a wondrous wearable~ to shine + showcase + sport + spotlight around town on ~ First Friday, September 1st! We had 100+ people attend this spectacular evening event! A HUGE thank you to everyone that attended our first event! The support for mini makers on Main (…and coming soon BIG maker events….including adults, ladies, couples, family + friends) was incredible! See additional photos of the sneak peek in this week’s Sopris Sun newspaper on page 8!
Take a peek at our video-clip gone-wild over on Instagram, highlighting all the artful activity of our ~ Studio Sneak Peek!
At the ~ Studio Sneak Peek, artists created {hands on + mixed media} Owl Feathered Necklaces using cardboard, beads, jumbo pipe cleaners, markers, glue, stickers, string, sparkles and more! Everyone had a great time in the studio! Over the last several years over on Instagram, I’ve admired Wendee Wingfield, a local + Roaring Fork Valley photographer. Wendee RSVPed to our event, I couldn’t even believe it! We had never met before but when she walked in with her five children, I was beyond thrilled to finally meet Wendee and her children in person! Wendee Wingfield generously sent me a gorgeous collection of photos she took of the ~ Owl Feathered Necklaces her children created in our NEW art studio on Main Street. If you’re not on IG yet, it’s a fantastic place to meet new friends with similar interests! Find us on IG @handmakery!
Take a glimpse at Wendee’s Wingfield’s photos below and discover her amazing talent + beautiful collection over on IG @wendeewingfield! You’ll be amazed at what she sees through her lens and the life she creates!
Warm weather brings childhood memories of an ice cream truck sounding and strolling neighborhood streets. In our recent workshop ~ BEEP BEEP! SWEET TREATS, artists created ~ Ice Cream Truck Sculptures! Love that we still have a few days to celebrate and soak up summer! The workshop week was spectacular and our mini makers were beaming to exhibit their one-of-a-kind creations. Along with an ice cream truck, each artist also created a mini picnic table and handmade sweet treats for imaginative + interactive play! Turn it up and take a peek at our short + sweet clip to an ice cream truck melody, highlighting the wondrous week!
You may have seen our Collaged Ice Cream Cones created with children in our outdoor art studio for a recent downtown event. My friend Bar Rucci, over at Art Bar Blog was a huge inspiration in creating these paper sprinkled + cherry topped cones. Take a look at her fantastic process creating Paper Mache Ice Cream Sundaes and Cardboard Ice Cream Cones! Here’s a little secret, Barbara has a beyond inspiring book coming out this fall which I’ve had the opportunity to preview (cover to cover) and preorder ~ Art Workshop for Children: How to Foster Original Thinking with more than 25 Process Art Experiences. All I can say is reserve your copy today, it’s truly one of the BEST BOOKS for creating with children that’s ever hit the printing press. Personally promise it will be a studio go-to and gem that you’ll open again and again!
On a side note, Handmade Charlotte just shared the cutest + tiniest + tastiest treat, Gingerbread Ice Cream Trucks! Maybe you’ve also seen Hello Wonderful’s DIY Pretend Play Ice Cream Cones using plaster? Just a wee bit in love with both ideas!
Enrollment is currently underway and filling quickly for our 2016/17 School Year {mixed-media + hands-on} Art Workshops. Follow our artful adventure on Instagram and Facebook, would absolutely love to connect, collaborate, and create community through children + creativity!
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