Polymer Clay Pens - Kids Art Class

I got the idea to make these clay pens from YouTube video tutorials.  I used bic round stick pens (apparently they won't melt like other pens). Remove the ink cartridge from the tip of the pen before baking!  The ice cream pens baked for 40 min. and the regular cane covered pens baked for 15 min. At 275 degrees. I won't give detailed instructions here since others have already posted great videos that will be easier to follow.  The kids had so much fun with their ice cream "flavors".  We used colored glass beads for the sprinkles.  And when the ink runs out they can just replace them with another ink cartridge. 

Hot Air Balloon Mixed Media - Kids Art Class

My art class did a great job with this project. It was a little tricky (lots of cutting and careful placing) so I don't think I would attempt it with younger kids again.  My students are aged 8-13 and the youngest ones needed a lot of help.
 

I had them use rubber stamps with permanent ink on their blank canvas panels.  Then we painted over everything and added effects with bubble wrap and other textures.  Stamping before painting caused a cool washed out effect in the background. Then I had them draw and cut out templates from cardstock and use them to trace and cut patterned papers.  Mod podge was used to adhere the paper balloons and clouds. We also added real string for the basket ropes.  I wish they had been able to add outlines to their balloons but we ran out of time (class runs 1 1/2 hours).

I got the idea for this project from Pinterest.

 

Pumpkin Zentangle - Kids Art Class

My kids art class started off our fall schedule with a fun pumpkin zentangle.  I showed them how to draw a simple dimensional pumpkin and how to layer them to create a grouping.  And then they were able to fill in the spaces with different patterns.  We used sharpie markers so that the ink wouldn't bleed when we added watercolors.  I showed my students how to layer colors with watercolor pencils (darker colors in the creases and along edges, lighter colors in center) and then they added water to blend.  They did such a good job with their drawings that I had several parents ask if they really drew them!  What a compliment!  They did it all on their own (what's the point in taking a class if the teacher does all the work?).  I have found that kids can do just about any project as long as you take time to break it down into easy steps. And it doesn't hurt that I have some super talented kids too!

Here is my YouTube Tutorial for this project.