Diving Into Creativity

Today this blog is just a bit of butterfly's breath of a page in the vast sea of internet. It is my hope that eventually this will become a world of exploration for you to enjoy and to share with others.

I'm not creating Tarpaper Submarine just for artists, though it's my hope that many artists will enjoy coming here. It is intended for anyone interested in making things; a voyage of discovery not only for artists wanting to learn about new techniques and materials or to find renewed inspiration , but also for those who have a desire to create but don't know where to begin. 

There will be a "just for kids" section so budding artists can come on to copy patterns for creative play or learn tips on drawing and painting.

It is my hope that this site will be a useful tool for home-school moms and classroom teachers, as well.

Below are some of the things I would like to feature in the future:

1.   Patterns for a variety of paper projects, such as jointed and unjointed paper dolls, the little submarine behind my blog title, space ships, cars and animals, too. Things that will be appealing to both boys and girls, kids and adults.
2.   How to make your own designs into rubber stamps. Friend, if you can draw a simple design, you can make it into a stamp that you can use in many ways.
3.   How to use watercolors, oil pastels, encaustics, oils and other traditional art supplies. These would be basic how-tos, but you will be able to ask questions and maybe even send in a photo of your work for constructive critique.
4.   How to paint and decorate and use photographs. Again, you can use these simple techniques in many ways.
5.   Basic hand sewing and embrodery techniques and materials. Embellish your clothing, dolls, linens...anything you'd like, with these techniques.
6.   How to make creatures from recycled socks and clothing. (Then embroider them with your new sewing and embroidery techniques.)
7.   Various printing methods that you can do without a press. Because I am self-taught, I have come up with some of my own methods for this which I developed using things I already had around the house.
8.   Drawing tips. Artists instinctively start with drawing!
9.   Making pop-up cards and other greeting cards, including free patterns.
10. Beaded and some metal jewelry basics.
11. Making mobiles from paper, clay or found objects.
12. How to combine nature with crafts for children.
13. Potting herbs, flowers and making a children's garden. I know this isn't an official "craft", but it is so much fun, and is a creative activity that they enjoy.
14. Simple book making basics.
15. A variety of easy clocks to make.
16. How to make paper jewelry, including pins and earrings.
17. Refitting old things for new use.
18. Making notecards and envelopes. Free patterns!
19. Making paper and marbeling paper.
20. Collages and collage supplies and techniques. (This isn't your mother's collage, unless she's an artist!)

Sign up for my posts and get ready to start making stuff and having fun. Even though some things may seem to be geared for certain age groups, most will be adaptable to all ages and skill levels. Over the years, I have applied many things I learned as a child into adult projects.

Visit http://deberklein.com/ to view my art and learn a little more about who I am.