Monday, August 15, 2011

Woven Softie Dolls


How cute are these?
These softie dolls were created by fifth and sixth graders at
McKelvie Intermediate School, Bedford, NH. They are woven
on a super simple loom--a piece of cardboard.

Once students created the loom, they learned to warp it and also learned:
counter soumak stitch
plain weave
how to braid arms
ghiordes knots

It's important to beat the weft. That means
packing the weft tightly, pushing it toward the bottom of the loom.
You can use your fingers or a plastic comb or fork.


Braided arms.


The hair took a bit of time to weave in, but it was lot's of fun.


Art teacher, Mr. Flint usually chooses black and pink yarn
for our weaving projects, his wife's favorite colors.
Check out that multi-pink hair!


Here are some really full locks!


It was fun getting creative with hairstyles and accessories.


If you would like to weave your own softie doll. E-mail me
and I will send you a link for a .pdf tutorial.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Fabulous Famous Americans

Harriet Tubman, Sacajawea, and George Washington striking poses.

Eleanor Roosevelt looking chic.


Second graders at Peter Woodbury School in Bedford, NH were studying famous Americans. I spent three weeks as an artist in residence helping them interpret their discoveries via papier-mâché.


Week one
they made an armature and covered it with papier-mâché. Like this:

Week two they painted. (If you want to try this project, use acrylic. Tempera tends to crack.)

Me talking about paint.


Busy hands loving the painting part.



Week three was the week for final touches:

Adding hair.



...and clothes. That's Laura Ingalls Wilder...




...and Davy Crockett.



Amelia Earhart in progress.




Sojourner Truth and one of the Wright brothers.




Jackie Robinson, Paul Revere, and Rosa Parks.




Walt Disney in primary colors.




Another interpretation of Harriet Tubman.



All the second graders' sculptures were displayed in the school's spring art show, celebrating these young artists and historical figures--reminders that our nation breeds courage, perseverance, and innovation.