SALTWELL PARK SPRING SHOW 2012

Crafty Creatures is extremely happy to be providing the crafts at the show this year. I can't believe it's the 3rd year in a row we've been asked to provide the crafts. Really looking forward to it as you meet so many lovely families over the weekend.

The theme this year is the 2012 Olympic Games. So don't feel left out if you haven't got tickets for the Olympic Games. Come along to show and make an Olympic stadium collage and add your favourite sporting events to it. If you've missed out on carrying the Olympic torch, then why not make your own while you are here too! Come along on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th April. All the crafts are free!

Spennymoor Horticultural Show

At the weekend Crafty Creatures was asked to provide the crafts for families at the Horticultural Show, in Jubilee park, Spennymoor. Despite the rain, families came and made some fab garden inspired crafts, from a flying butterfly to a flowering garden. Take a look at some things that were made.

A Summer of Art at Sacriston

Each week over the summer I've been working with children at Sacriston Community Centre to explore the world around us, and crafts were used to do this. A variety of themes have been looked at, some of my favourite themes or crafts have been;
the Rainforest, where a really colourful chamelion was made
famous artists, here the work of Newcastle born marine painter John Wilson Carmichael, Matisse, Picasso and of course the childrens own work on canvas were all explored
Clay fossils were created during the dinosaurs week, some of these were very sculptural in their design
When we were looking at architecture, we were off to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, magical Venice to explore the canals, the heady skyscrapers in New York and of course what a great street on our doorstep - Grey Street in Newcastle, with Grey's Monument towering over us at the top.
It has been lovely over the weeks to see the children's creativity really develop when exploring the different themes each week.

IT'S THE SUMMERTIME...

Well the summer is almost here! Along with working with Libraries across North Tyneside over the summer, you can also find Crafty Creature workshops at Sacriston Community Centre, Durham every Wednesday morning and at Ushaw Moor Children's Sure Start Centre every Thursday afternoon. At each venue there will be different themed crafts each week, so please contact the venue to find out more information. Hope to see you there!

ART IN THE PARK

I can't believe the Saltwell Park Spring Show has already been and gone. It was an extremely busy weekend, with lots of Japanese inspired crafts. It just keeps amazing me to see what great works of art are made. The children were absolutely brilliant, just could not believe the concentration and creativity. I certainly felt inspired seeing how different each picture was. Had a brilliant time, thank you all so much!

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

A happy new year to one and all. Sounds scary saying a new year as I can't quite believe another year has gone by so quickly. I haven't made any resolutions, apart from one, which is to update the blog on a more regular basis! Last Autumn we worked with a local charity called Out of Sight. It's based in North Tyneside and is set up by parents whose children have a visual impairment. The spirit of the parents and children was remarkable and so inspiring. The crafts incorporated lots of different textures and materials, along with some messier painting activities, so the children could participate and use all of their senses.

Already for 2011 we have lots of exciting projects lined up, one is the Saltwell Park show in April. It was such a busy weekend there last year with lots of events available for the whole family. The theme of the crafts isn't confirmed yet, but I will keep you posted once they are.

Once again a big thank you to all the businesses and people I worked with last year and am looking forward to seeing you in 2011.

MINI BEASTS GALORE...

Last week I was very lucky to work with nursery and reception children from Glynwood Community Primary School in Gateshead to create mini beast artwork for their school fence. Luckily the sun was shining so we were able to work outside and see some real life mini beasts crawling around!

Before the project started we asked parents and children to collect stones, twigs and leaves which could be used for the art and I was absolutely blown away by how much was collected. It was lovely to see how eager the children were to take part in the project over the 2 days.

A centipede, spider, snails, ladybirds, a fly and butterflies were made. Here's a selection of photos which were taken.