I started working on these “Love Not War” banners just a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. I began with the Ukrainian flag colors, but soon recognized that there were other countries at war right now, with innocent people dying and refugees fleeing. Specifically, in Syria and Afghanistan. So I researched…
Recycled
Celebrate Earth Day! 40 Ways to Use Nature and Recylables in Art with Kids
Earth Day always sneaks up on me and sometimes I even miss it! But this year I am here to help you get organized and be prepared to celebrate Earth Day all month long, with 40 ways to use nature and recyclables in art and creative play with kids! The very best and most simple…
Cardboard Cupcakes inspired by Wayne Thiebauld
If you are thinking to yourself, does Art Bar really have any more cardboard ideas in her? The answer is always YES!! We made these cardboard cupcakes inspired by Wayne Thiebaud a few years ago but I never got around to writing about them until now. We did a smaller version in art class, but…
Stacked Cardboard Sculptures with Kids
Shannon from Hatch is back with a wonderful, open-ended art invitation for kids: stacked cardboard sculptures! Also known as threaded sculptures. Aren’t these FABULOUS? What I love most about Shannon’s idea is that it can even be done with toddlers. It’s very process-art oriented and works those small motor and hand-eye skills. Here is Shannon…
Giant Cardboard Gingerbread with Homemade Puffy Paint Piping
I came across Heather Klausa’s Instagram @MAKEartStudios after she made these amazing giant cardboard gingerbread people using homemade puffy paint piping. I asked her if she would maybe want to write about them and share her process on my blog, and she said YES!! I’m feeling so lucky. Thank you, Heather, for indulging me! Read…
My Latest Book, Cardboard Creations, is here!
I think you all know that I wrote an e-book back in May, called Cardboard Creations. Well, lucky me! My friend Asia Citro, who started her own very successful publishing company called The Innovation Press, asked if I wanted to collaborate with her and make it into a real book. Of course I said YES! And…
Turkey Craft from Cardboard
When my 6-year old art student asked me if I could come to her birthday party and make art with her friends, I practically screamed YES! I love doing Art Bar Parties because it’s very different than a class in that the birthday child really feels like he or she is the leader, and takes…
Patterned Cardboard Animals with Templates
By now you all know that I am a lover of cardboard (as professed in my latest book, Cardboard Creations), and am always thinking of new ways to re-use my collection of recycled boxes. These patterned cardboard animals were really fun to make both for me and my kids! They sit on our mantle currently…
Winter Vacation Crafts for Kids
Christmas is almost here, your kids will be home for at least 10 days, and you have nothing planned because you spent the last two weeks making magic at home. Art Bar to the rescue! I gathered a list just for you with the best winter vacation crafts for your kids. These are not really…
Recycled Materials Art Wall
My young students constructed this art wall from recycled materials, and then they mixed all of their own colors and painted it!! Kids are so capable. It’s no wonder that everything my students design and create makes me want to open a children’s art museum. Can you imagine how cool that would be? Artists from…
