When I was a little girl, I used to dream about having a place to get creative whenever the mood struck me. As an adult, especially since becoming a mother, I have realized how important this really is in a person's life... especially for a child.
 |
| Adam teaching Noah how to paint with water colors |
As the boys have grown and their ability levels and interests have changed over the years, I have changed the space that they refer to as "the art corner" a few times. I'm always trying to think of new ways to keep it inspiring to all, accessible to the older boys, while safe for Noah. Keeping it neat and organized gets more important the more variety we add to their supplies.
 |
| Paint & water... messiness is good:-) |
Recently, I re-vamped the art area in a very simple way. Rather than adding more, I purged about 1/3 of the supplies. We were at the point where no one could find anything, and creativity was turning to chaos which is usually not very fun for anyone.
 |
| The boys are able to find what they want easily now. |
I found an old basket with sections in it for utensils and plates-- the type you'd use at a cook-out, and I realized that it was the perfect size to fit standard paper in the plate section, and markers, crayons, and colored pencils in the utensil sections. The old way was piles of paper (that always got spread out all over the place while one was looking for the right color) and boxes for the crayons, etc, that had similar problems. I've found that by thinking vertically rather than horizontally, in terms of storage, the supplies take up less space, and they are much more easily accessible to the boys.
Adding some yarn held up with 2 push pins, and some clothespins for hanging gives us a simple drying rack for water colors. The big hit, though, has been the box of fabric & yarn scraps, along with glue, and giving them carte blanche with it all.
 |
| The basket can be easily moved to the big table, or to the front porch, too |
The results have been great so far -- spontaneous acts of creativity, and lots of smiles -- exactly what I has hoping for:-)
 |
| Adam's Elf |
 |
| Joshua's "I Love Art" elf |
How do you encourage creativity in your home? I'd love to hear about it!
Happy November!
~Michelle
We have an art cabinet with all the supplies. I try to keep it organized with pencil cups and file containers for the papers and sketchbooks and activities. Old coffee cans hold fabric and glue and stamps. Then they can pull out a few things at a time. Their art table is just beside it so they don't have to carry things far. I love your basket idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie! I was working on a cabinet, too but the only one in the same room is low, so my littlest monkey keeps emptying everything. Someday we'll try again, but I don't want to rush... toddler days are long but the years are short:-)
ReplyDeleteWe have turned our dinning room into an art room. And I put a long wall cabinet right next to their table to hold all of their art supplies. I am most happy when my kids are working on one of their many art projects as I believe that creativity is essential to a happy healthy life,. We have been doing lots of art lately which you can see on my blog if you want to check it out. I love your blog and I am glad that we can share ideas that help support our children's in a creativity.
ReplyDeleteI love-love-love that basket. We have some cheap plastic drawer units that hold our stuff, but just like you said, it ends up getting spread out everywhere. I'm constantly picking it up, and it's highly aggravating. Keeping a few key items in a basket like that would solve a lot of my issues.
ReplyDeleteNow I just need the basket.
I am currently re-vamping our playroom and plan on making the craft/art table the centre piece (stay tuned, I'll get there one day!).
ReplyDeleteI find keeping the textas/crayons/glue sticks etc in working order (and regularly replacing worn-out items)helps to keep the creativity flowing. My main problem is what to do with the thousands of 'masterpieces' that are produced!!
Michelle -- I LOVE the idea of a basket. I too have had an evolving art station for the kids. My oldest is unbelievably creative and is constantly doing "projects" so it has been a challenge to keep up with the needed space for creation -- and then the storage of all of the creations.
ReplyDeleteI am now at the point for another re-vamp, so thank you for sharing your ideas!
Best,
Claudine
I also find the simpler the better when it comes to creativity, otherwise they are overwhelmed with too many choices. Love the new set up. xo m.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much everyone!
ReplyDeleteAmber, I got the basket at the thrift, but I see them every year in the spring as cook out weather approaches. If I see one on-line I'll send you a link.
Cate, I have the same problem with the masterpieces too. Recently I've been taking pictures of the boys holding them, so I don't feel as guilty if some of them end up recycled:-)
I'll be over for a visit to your spaces a little later, when this toddler monkey isn't trying to type with me;-)
I love your "Art Corner" and the basket.
ReplyDeleteWe have a separate table in our dining room for art projects but I'm always trying to find better ways to store the supplies that are used more frequently. I think I might follow your lead this week and do a little purging.