Thursday, December 10, 2015

birdhouse ornament

When I asked the Wednesday class what they would like to do during the holiday season in regards to art, the response I received loud and clear was ornaments.

We have created mini ornaments on canvas and small wood burning and acrylic ornaments.

This past week, we created these sweet birdhouse ornaments.

8 year old

These are created from, you'll never guess, empty toilet paper rolls.

Now some of you might be saying, "Oh Jeri that's craft, not art." And I'm OK with craft in the studio from time to time, however I would argue that the minute the craft is so open-ended it allows for each child to interpret in their own original and unique way, it becomes art too.

No matter what you want to call it, this project took on a life of it's own.  I thought we would finish this last night within the first thirty minutes of class and would have an hour to create some reindeer drawings in graphite or charcoal. (kid choice)

The kids were having such a good time and got so involved in these little birdhouse from the most humble of beginnings that we worked right up until the end of class.

We almost didn't have time to enjoy a treat together before breaking for the holidays!

At the end of class the prior week, each child took a toilet paper roll and cut some type of design across the top by pinching it together to create two sides. They then folded this over and glued it together to create the roof.

I have a large hole puncher that we used to create the door, however it would be easy to just cut a circle with a pair of scissors.

They then created a house design with a permanent black marker and used acrylic paint. We ended the night with a bit of modeling paste for snow.

(you could just put on white paint thickly to create a similar effect if you don't have modeling paste)

They completed this part of the project within 15-20 minutes.

(that's a humming bird in front of his humble adobe)
10 year old

When the kids arrived last night for class, they each had the option to dry brush some white paint over their modeling paste.  Using a blow dryer, they made sure the paint was good and dry before adding mixture of glue and water all over the house prior to dumping glitter over the entire thing.

Can their really be such a thing as too much glitter during the holidays?

Once again, they used the blowdryer to harden everything up. Because the glue is watered down, this takes no time at all.

So all of this happened in about ten minutes, tops.

I was actually thinking we might finish this project in less than thirty minutes as I brought out a big ol' jar of bits and pieces I have collected over many, many years of holiday crafts.

Oh.my.word. did the kids ever have fun going through this jar and adding things to their birdhouses.

And adding

and adding

and adding.

Lots of comradely discussions and sharing of ideas. 

Lots of laughter.

Lots of fun.

At one point, I was honestly wondering if they would even complete the project before class ended they were so involved with adding and designing what to put where on their houses.

They had so much fun, way more fun that I even anticipated decorating the top, bottom, front and back of the homes.

frontside, 10 year old


backside, 10 year old


7 year old


As they finished, I had some small squares of watercolor paper out. I thought it would be fun for them to create the bird that was lucky enough to call these creations home.  The kids had to think about drawing on both sides and they cut the wings out separately to glue on for dimension.

Some did the birds

8 year old

some did not. Some even created their birds completely separate to hang on the tree.


We barely had enough time left to sit around and talk about our wishes and the importance of staying off the "naughty list" while icing a sugar cookie to eat before the parents arrived.

I can honestly say that when I put this project together, I had no idea of the power of a measly empty toilet paper roll. As your children break for the holidays, I cannot recommend enough keeping this idea in your arsenal for those days they are bored and driving you bonkers.

Enjoy the holidays everyone!












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