Let's Create Art-Themed Ornaments!

As an art teacher, I always love seeing Christmas trees with an artsy theme. So I thought I'd put all of the art-themed ornaments I've created over the years into one blog post. This way, if you want to create an art themed tree for your classroom or home...you can! And I'll show ya how. Let's start with these wee bearded gnomes made from old paintbrushes!

By the way...these projects are kid-friendly too! So if you want to have your students create these, they totally can. Here's a quick tutorial:

Now here's a project that my students LOVED...using toilet paper tubes to make paint tubes! It's an easy one and we used it as a lesson on color theory! Details here.

Now we did use Celluclay and plaster strips to create these. In a pinch, papier-mache could be used instead of plaster and air dry clay instead of Celluclay. You aren't gonna believe how easy this one is. Video here:

This video was made for you to share with your students. 

I used some ribbon found at the craft store and some old paint brushes to jazz mine up a bit. 

Using some wire, I added them to my wreath. I found the wooden pallet at Goodwill and painted it to go with the wreath.

Full blog post can be found here!

And here are the tubes my students created! Details on things I learned about creating these with my student in this blog post. 

Coming up with their own name for the paint was super fun!

Now...here's an art-themed ornament that even my first graders made:

This two-day art lesson used, again, toilet paper tubes and plaster! You could use foil for the ferrule. We used metal tooling. They LOVED these! Although...first grade was disappointed that they didn't 'work' ;)

Here's the video:

How cute would pencils, paint tubes, paintbrushes AND crayons be on an art room tree?! We did make these a little bigger with paper towel tubes. It may be time for you to send out that school wide email and start asking for both! Details here. 

One year, my theme for my art show was "Art Supplies" so we made all sorts of silly stuff like these spilled glue bottles! Details here.

These are made from plaster and Model Magic...with those puffy things that they use in the mail when they are shipping something fragile as the armature! Here's the how-to video:

We even made scissors and...

Glue sticks which were, honestly, the easiest of them all. It's just a plaster-wrapped tube painted in tempera! 

Now you don't have to have a funky colored tree for your art room...any ole tree will do! In fact, I see tons at Goodwill which is a great place to grab one. THEN...you can decorate with all of your (or your students!) artsy ornaments! Details on this tree can be found here. 

The most fun is in the making! So...if you are looking for messy projects as you head back to the art room after Thanksgiving, here you go! Have fun!

Just a reminder: if you'd like my books to arrive in time for a Christmas present for a teacher, a young artist, an aspiring art teacher or a gift to yourself, please consider ordering soon! I'm signing each before popping them in the mail. You can find all of my books here!

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What the Art Teacher Wore #203

Hello, favorite friends! I hope everyone had a super duper week! Mine was pretty good...got my school picture back! This would explain why the photographer said, "Well, if that's the face you wanna make." IT'S THE FACE I WAS BORN WITH, BUDDY! One only a mama could love. 

Monday! I'm wearing my new Keith Haring shirt from Uniqlo and a skirt from the thrift store!

This week wrapped up our second week of school. We watched our second video...this one titled Art Room Etiquette. I like to meter our my rules and routines to give the kids time to create and not be bombarded with information. After that quick video, we learned about SCISSOR SAFETY with my giant scissors I scored at the flea market!  

 This week I also busted out the Quiet Critters! It was kindergarten's second time in the art room...a perfect time to establish working quietly, staying in our seats and raising our hands. These lil fellas were certainly helpful!

 If you follow me on Instagram, than you know I scored a bunch of artsy shirts from Uniqlo. Their shop and website is full of them! My skirt is from Anthropologie.

We wrapped up our Getting to Know You Sculptures this week and while I love them...they are everywhere!

You can find out all the details on this super fun project here. It's been such a hit with my students and other art teachers. I so love it when y'all let me know that you are using a lesson of mine. Thank you! 

 This week also marked the introduction of two new things in the art room...my mike and my director's chair! Y'all don't even know how much this has made read alouds more fun. I LOVE reading to the kids while they work...this has been the perfect thing!

 In case you didn't know...I'm a bit of a Chuckhead. I counted...I have 11 pairs of Converse. I'm not proud. I just love them so. And these pride rainbow-bottomed ones just had to come to my art room. I mean, c'mon!

 Mission for next week: HANG ALL THESE SCULPTURES. Please pray for me. 

 One of my very favorite dresses because I love the print so stinkin' much! All the details here. 

Now that the sculptures are done, we are ready to move on to bigger and better things...which means supply prep! I spent my Friday afternoon trying to wrap my head around everything that I would need to have ready for the kids. Stay tuned, I'll keep you posted on what we'll be up to!

 Feet up Friday was lookin' SOUPer with these Chucks! 

 Friday! Top from Uniqlo and skirt from the flea market!

 Folks been asking me, "where you keepin' all those sculptures while the kids work on them?" ALL ALONG MY MILE LONG CABINETRY. It's insane! There are so many of them! I'm surrounded!

Friday afternoon, nearly every surface of mine looked like this. The kids managed to clean their tables so that part looked great! Meanwhile, over on my desk. Ah! Sorry of my life. I hope y'all have a great upcoming week!

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