Art House
Written By Amy Sutherland
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No Worries
So the children can play independently, the kits are stuffed with tools and supplies Carrie feels they can use safely and relatively neatly, on their own or with friends. Each child has blunt-nose scissors, tape, and glue. Second-grader Nonie has a stapler. Carrie has a very large tackle box filled with permanent markers, the better paints, and the expensive brushes, which she gets out for occasional family sessions.
Fully LoadedCarrie fills the art boxes with what she describes as open-ended items, such as feathers, clothespins, and popsicle sticks, inexpensive raw materials that inspire the kids. She also looks for materials beyond the toy store, where she finds most craft supplies are pricey — and intended for girls. Twist ties, small rocks and pine cones, even office supplies such as blank labels work well. Nonie's kit has grown with her, now including sophisticated items such as sparkle glue, watercolor paints, and pastel crayons. Down the road Carrie may add some balsa wood for building.
