Crafting or being creative I believe is as necessary to a healthy whole life as breathing. It nurtures mind, body and soul, brings a sense of well being, satisfaction and of course is lots of fun! When my daughter was in elementary school art programs were dropped and the art room in her school sat vacant most of the time. I approached the principal about starting a weekly Craft Club for the older children giving them opportunity to explore a variety of materials and techniques. I would fund the program and provide everything for the kids if I could use the art room. It was a go! The kids had such a great time and loved trying out materials they had never used before. My older daughter came by, sometimes with a friend to help out. For the end of the year we would do a sewing project, a teddy with diploma to celebrate their “graduating” elementary school. They would arrive excitedly ready to create. Some of the bears went home with pirate patches, glue sticks turned into swords, tattoos and flowers in their ears. Just as unique as each child the bears all had their own distinctive personality. The first year was a big success! It taught me as well about remembering to play just for the sake of playing, I learned as much from the kids as they did from me.
A couple of my favourite moments happened in the second year. The former grade four kids were now the grade fives and now the Craft Club was theirs! Many of them told me how excited they were to take part in the club. The day we were to sew the bears one little boy came in with a manly swagger saying he didn’t know how to sew and was proud of it. By the end of the club time he walked out with the same proud swagger with his bear saying he was going home to show his whole family how to sew. Another little boy whispered in my ear when he arrived that he was so excited about making the bear that he wasn’t able to sleep the night before. His smile says it all!
Creating the Craft Club was one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done. The faces of the kids, their excited chatter when they arrived and their wide smiles as they left proudly carrying the results of their creative fun was so special! While they crafted they would share stories, talk of their families, pets, and relax into the friendly warm atmosphere of the room. One group wrote stories of their bear’s adventures along with pictures to give to me at the end of the year.
I continue my creative journey as a Creative Eternal Optimist! “Inspiring the JOY of Creativity---1 Stitch, Stick or Sparkle any Time!” Thank you Kathy and Barb for the opportunity to share my story and for celebrating “Crafting for Health.” Debra Quartermain, CEO! www.debraquartermain.com
hi debra!
oh what a fabulous and inspiring story!
i love how you created a craft club for the children. what a special gift you have given to all of them.
:) melissa
Posted by: Melissa | October 22, 2009 at 12:03 PM