Blog Archives
Badge: Zentangle (revised)
Do you doodle? Zentangle, also known as Zendoodle, involves creating doodled patterns in predefined areas. It is an easy technique done in black and white. Anyone who can doodle can do this craft technique.
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Steps
1. Reduce stress.
You’ll notice that both references use the word “zen.” The act of creating repeating patterns is relaxing and requires focus. It is a great activity to help reduce stress. While working on this badge, make sure to have a place you can focus and work without interruptions.
2. Basic materials.
A pencil, a black permanent fine line marker and smooth paper is all you need. Thicker paper is better so the marker doesn’t leak through it. Find these materials and a clean, flat surface to work on.
3. YouTube.
Check out the videos on YouTube to see how to Zentangle. You can purchase kits and books, if you really enjoy this technique. Watch at least two videos completely to see how this technique is done.
4. Research patterns.
There are many patterns available online. Start at tanglepatterns.com or Flickr. Save the patterns you like or continue to Step 5.
5. Pattern collection.
You can doodle the patterns you find. Use cards or a notebook to keep your collection. When you create Zentangles, you will have a variety of patterns at your fingertips. To help, AEP has printable ATC-sized cards available to download with the PDF version of this badge program.
6. Small Zentangles.
Create a few small Zentangles. Start with a simple shape, draw inside to define your pattern areas and fill it in. If you’re interested, AEP has printable ATC-sized cards available to download with the PDF version of this badge program.
7. More complex.
You can create Zentangle letters, frames or outlines of recognizable shapes — animals, insects, flowers and more! In addition, look beyond paper and pencil. You can Zentangle on fabric (quilting), paint on 3D shapes, or create anywhere else you can doodle.
8. Where to use Zentangles.
Here are a few ideas. What else can you come up with?
- Altered art
- Artistic trading cards
- Dishes
- Greeting cards
- Journals
- Postcards
- Quilts
- Scrapbook pages
9. Practice.
Practice your new skill. This is very time consuming, so most of your time will be spent on this step. Remember, you are doodling so there is no “right” way to do it. You’re also supposed to be relaxing, so don’t rush yourself.
10. Color
When you first experiment with color, copy your Zentangle and color the copy. You do not want to mess up your original after spending so much time with it. Make sure you’re happy with your color choices before altering your original.
11. Share your Zentangle.
Upload your original patterns and objects to AEP’s Craft Share site on Flickr.
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Supplements
SUPP_ATC_TangleFrames.pdf — ATC frames for Zentangles (6 designs, 9-up).
SUPP_ATC_TanglePatterns.pdf — Cards to create your patterns on, one per page.
SUPP_ATC_Tangle_Steps1.pdf — Cards to show up to create your pattern, up to four steps (9-up).
SUPP_ATC_Tangle_Steps2.pdf — Cards to show up to create your pattern, up to four steps (9-up).
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Sites to Explore
www.zentangle.com
blog.suzannemcneill.com
tanglepatterns.com
www.squidoo.com/zentangle-patterns
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The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.
Badge: Artistic Trading Cards (revised)
Artist trading cards (ATCs) are small pieces of art. They can be made with multiple different materials in a variety of art and / or craft techniques. In addition, these can be as simple or complicated as you choose. ATCs are an excellent activity for kids and a great way for you to get rid of scraps and leftovers from other projects.
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Steps
1. Size.
Artist trading cards have only one rule — they must be 2.5″ x 3.5″. This is 64mm x 89mm. The size is the same as a standard trading card. This also allows you to place them into trading card plastic sleeves, the same as baseball cards.
2. ATCs on the Web.
Search for ATC images online to see what crafters and artists have created. Save any images that you find inspirational.
3. Cutting ATCs from a sheet of paper.
You can easily cut out nine cards from a standard sheet of paper (7.5″ wide x 10.5″ high).
- US letter — 8.5″ x 11″ (215.9mm x 279.4mm)
- A4 — 8.27″ x 11.69″ (210mm x 297mm)
To save paper, you can get 10 out, but trimming is a bit more complex. You can find templates on the Web showing you how to cut them. Cut a sheet of each and decide which way you prefer to use.
4. Simple techniques with ATCs.
Simple craft techniques to try with ATCs include:
- Rubber stamping
- Drawing
- Decoupage
- Coloring
- Stickers
Try one or more of these simple craft techniques on a card.
5. More techniques / materials for ATCs.
ATC cards can be made with any art or craft technique. Try making a card with paper, clay, fiber, wood or other material. You can also make embellishments to attach to the card with a non-paper product.
6. Kids make ATCs, even big kids.
Kids love to create ATCs. Collect some or all of the following and place them in the center of the workspace. Each kid will go through 3-5 cards an hour. Have extra cards on-hand in case you have very creative kids. Providing examples will give them a starting point.
- Scrap paper / construction paper
- Stickers
- Stamps and ink or paint
- Paper punches or scissors
- Markers / pencils / pens / crayons
- Yarn, embroidery floss or other fibers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Glitter
- Confetti
- Scraps of ribbon, lace, etc.
7. Sharing with swap-bot (www.swap-bot.com).
If you don’t have people that you send cards to, you can always swap cards. Swap-bot allows you to join (for free) and swap not only completed cards, but random items and more.
8. Card swaps.
Card swaps aren’t limited to swap-bot. Groups on Yahoo! and other sites trade in singles and multiples depending on swap themes hosted by volunteers. Some are very large . . . a US swap covered a card for each of the 50 states. Also, check out your local scrapbooking / paper / rubber stamp store to see if they have a monthly swap you can participate in.
9. Start your own swap.
Start your own ATC swap club. Show others how to make ATCs. Pick a theme, technique for everyone to use, etc. Perhaps you can invite others to share their art or craft skills to add variety to your cards.
10. Upload images to Flickr.
AEP has a special area on Flickr to share completed projects for others to see. Search for “AEP” or “Adult Enrichment Project” for our sites.
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Supplements
SUPP_ATC_9up.pdf
Diagram for cutting 9 cards out of a sheet of paper.
SUPP_ATC_10up.pdf
Diagram for cutting 10 cards out of a sheet of paper.
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Sites to Explore
www.atcsforall.com
www.wikihow.com/Make-Artist-Trading-Cards
www.art-e-zine.co.uk/atcnov03.html
gomakesomething.com/category/ht/atcs/
painting.suite101.com/article.cfm/artist_trading_cards
www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/artist_trading_cards_atc
thekeytomyart.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/artist-trading-card-atc-swap-and-tutorial
www.squidoo.com/atcs
www.mailartists.com/atcs.htm
Badge: Harry Potter — Magical Crafts
These crafts can be used for a Harry Potter theme or any magical /wizard theme you choose.
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Steps
1. Wands.
Create a wand. Make these ideas your starting point. Add your own individuality, mix and match or create your own unique design.
- Collect sticks outdoors and decorate with twine, feathers, etc.
- Use pencils and punched shapes to make wands
- Color doll rods, place foam stickers back to back and add glue and glitter to foam
- Create chocolate sucker wands
- Create wands with paper and hot glue per the “Dad Can Do” site
Your wand can be a stick only or you can add stars, snowflakes, pom-poms or more.
If you’re feeling very ambitious, try a technical approach and add LED lights you can turn on or other elements that add to the illusion that magic is real.
2. Quill and ink.
Make a quill — feather, bamboo or any other material you like. Experiment with ink recipes and find one you like to share.
3. Books.
Provide books, notepads or any other way to hold items collected during the event. You can ask the kids make their own or decorate a purchased composition book. All flat paper items collected during camp will become a keepsake that can be included in your book.
4. Bookmarks.
Bookmarks for each house can be created from original drawings of the participants to materials that feature a specific house or wizarding theme.
5. Runes.
Make a set of runes from air-dry clay or polymer clay if your kids are older. For younger kids, try creating runes by painting or drawing runes on wooden coins or rocks. Learn about runes so you can provide additional information.
See the Harry Potter: Games supplement SUPP_HPG_Runes.pdf for information on runes.
6. Crystal ball.
Create your own crystal ball. Use a baby food jar to fill with oil, glitter and water. Of course, you can put your own items in to your crystal ball. Find instructions for “snow globes” online and adapt these into unique crystal balls.
7. Witches hat.
Make a hat out of construction paper, felt or any other material you prefer.
8. Magical pouch.
Create a drawstring handbag or pouch using whatever crafting technique you prefer.
9. Costumes and accessories.
Beyond a simple hat our pouch, try making clothing or accessories for yourself or others. Adults wearing appropriate clothing for their house, position, etc. Your costume may be as simple as a normal Muggle outfit with a couple accessories that don’t quite fit in a Muggle world. You may also choose to go all out and create a costume like Professor Sybil Trelawny.
10. Broomstick.
Find an old broomstick to alter into a magical one or create your own from raw materials.
11. Golden snitch.
From origami to knit, there are quite a few ways to create your own golden snitch. Find a pattern you like and make yourself one.
12. Death eater mask.
Check out the Instructables Web site and others for ideas. Create your own mask, paint a paper plate or purchase pre-made masks.
If making a death eater mask is too dark for your group, try general mask making and call it “Transfiguration.”
13. Goblet / cup.
Decorate a goblet / cup with rhinestones, paint and other items to make it very fancy. You can also print out one of the AEP goblet drawings to decorate in the supplement SUPP_HPMC_House Cup.pdf.
14. Trading cards.
Create trading cards in the form of artistic trading cards. (See the AEP badge program Artistic Trading Cards for more information.) You can feature potion recipes, spells, poems, photos of the stars, original artwork and more.
For an additional idea, ask your participants to submit their favorite trading cards for an art contest and allow all other participants to vote for their favorite. You can award special prizes, points for houses, etc.
NOTE: Trading cards can also be a game after they are created. Before using originals in any game, make a copy or clear photo of the cards in case they are damaged.
15. SWAPs
Look through SWAP sites to find Harry Potter themed ideas. Perhaps you have items already in your SWAP stash, so check that out as well. Some ideas might include:
- Broomsticks
- Wands
- Crystal balls
- Mini potion bottles
- Beaded safety pins
A few SWAP ideas are included with the AEP supplement.
16. Your own magical crafts.
As you watch the movies or read the books, keep notes for any item you think you might be able to craft. Go back later and either elaborate on your design or create it.
17. Art influenced by Harry Potter.
Provide a variety of art materials. Ask your participants to create a piece of art based on the Harry Potter universe. For an additional activity, host a contest and ask your participants to vote on most authentic, strangest, etc.
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