Upcycling with the Brownies

Creating with kids is the best! These past 2 weeks, I've had a chance to do two more Brownie jewelry workshops with crates and crates of fun junk. Piles of plastic and wooden game pieces, old refrigerator magnets, squirting plastic flowers, little toys, Scrabble tiles, and old greeting cards were torn into by clever hands. The result: pure genius. These gals left the workshops with playful rings, pins, and necklaces.  Check out these fabulous first and second grade upcycled gems.

First Graders

Second Graders

I look forward to seeing these trashionistas sport their accessories at school. Way to go girls!

One Very Crafty Weekend with Brownies, Trashionistas, and Craftland

After a long winter, I was eager to emerge from my crafty hibernation and get out into the world again. This past weekend provided several wonderful opportunities to celebrate upcycling with some local kids and get back into the swing of things.

upcycling with the Brownies

digging through treasures

On Friday after school, I got to present an upcycled jewelry workshop to one of our 3rd grade Girl Scout troops. The best part of it was working with students who were in my class last year.  Each third grader made a ring, pin, and necklace out of game pieces, paper scraps, and other doodads. It made me giddy to see the girls wearing their pieces in school after the workshop.

rook ring

Glue is a Girl Scout's best friend.

pawn and pom pom rings

Two GO pieces make the perfect Oreo for one hungry dino.

a burst of spring

bulls eye brooch

triomino ring

Saturday was filled with trashion and travel. It started with the annual Trashy Fashion Show at Fairfield's Earth Day Celebration. My Roots & Shoots students, ranging in age 7 to 12 were paired up with Warde High School Fashion students for our seventh show together. From the Queen of Hearts and a savvy business man to a fan tailed coffee filter dress and woven newspaper attire, there was an impressive array of eco-friendly costumes. I'm so proud of the kids! 

trashionista extraordinaire

trashbot

eco-chic

the earth-friendliest

Burr Roots & Shoots Member and Warde Fashion Students

a magical day at Farifield's Earth Day Celebration

Click here to see a fun slideshow of the event.

Right after the fashion show on Saturday, I hit the road for Providence. First stop was the always-exciting Craftland. I was in their holiday show this past winter and they continued to carry my Twitch and Whiskers pieces in their shop after the show. I went to drop off a fresh batch of Thimblism necklaces and several protractor necklaces. I was greeted by the very friendly Catherine and heard a pretty dang funny story about a poetry open mic. If you're lucky, maybe she'll share it with ya the next time you're at Craftland!

Craftland - Providence, RI

gifts galore

Twitch and Whiskers at Craftland

the lovely Catherine

I was excited to see the Joseph Aaron Segal exhibit. I fell in love with his hypnotizing cat shirts a few year ago when I visited the Bust Craftacular and I became an even bigger fan when I watched him on the recent season of Project Runway. His stacked pillows with dozens of dimensional kitty eyes really struck just the right chord with my inner Little Edie.

Joseph Aaron Segal at Craftland

purrrrr...

As always, I enjoyed perusing the handmade wares from many of my favorite local artists. Before I left, I treated myself to a stunning turquoise ring from Nervous System. Their 3D printed rings and bracelets were such eye-catchers and I cannot wait to don mine for the spring. 

Nervous System rings and bracelets at Craftland

Up next was a visit with a great artist/friend Carrie Wagner of SepiaLepus. Carrie, her husband Jim, and Corgie Frannie let me crash for the night at their comfy pad. Carrie and I were going to be participating in the spring Craftopia show the next day. After catching up and filling our bellies with comfort food, I got to see some of her new pieces including a mind-blowing North American Cryptid map and three hand painted wooden bears. Cute!

SepiaLepus

Jumping back into spring with both feet was just what the doctor ordered. Check back soon for a post about Craftopia!

Here are my upcoming shows for spring/summer 2013:

June 1 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA
June 15 - Arts Fest Beverly - Beverly, MA
June 23 - TBA
June 29 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 13 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
July 20 - TBA
July 27 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
August 3 - Greenway Open Market - Boston, MA 
Other dates in the works!


Visit Twitch and Whiskers on FB and Etsy!

Upcycling with the Brownies

Sashes, smiles, and bags of junk. That's how my first creative project of 2012 began. After school last week, I got to run an upcycled jewelry workshop for a fourth grade Brownie troop. It was a real treat to work with this spirited group of 24 gals. Each girl brought with them reusasble materials from home and also got to work with some of my supplies. 

Scrabble tiles and game pieces

bag o' possibilities

The workshop was a flurry of drilling, gluing, and wiring. Thanks to the creativity of the girls, and hands-on help from the leaders, a lot was accomplished in just one hour. 

wooden nickels, dominoes, and game piece

soda can tabs, a wooden nickel, and wine bottle foil

 spiky rubbery ball ring and Koosh ball necklace

more game piece rings

Scrabble tile and holiday wrapping necklace

a colorful collection

Now THAT'S a ring!

The junior trashionistas left with many playful pieces and they are now one step closer to earning their jewelry making badge. Their enthusiasm and whimsical designs gave me inspiration for the year ahead. What better way to start the New Year?