Hi there -
So, I know there are posts on children's art clutter - and I apologize for some repeat on that issue, but I wanted to pass on my way of handling all the art in a way that has worked for me now for years - from when my daughter's were 3 and 2 to now 7 1/2 and 6!
We have art constantly coming in the house - and we even converted our 2nd floor laundry room (a square 10 x 10 room) into an art room with Ikea table and storage, so we have a LOT of art. I'm not an artist, just like to encourage them to freely create and imagine, but the amount of art is fairly overwhelming. Whether it's a drawing on my grocery list pad or a full-blown painting, I follow the same process if it's not immediately purgeable.
--- > Here's my secret: I select an end product that will be created to *feature the art* and then focus on that from the *very* beginning of the process. I keep that focus in mind no matter what I'm viewing.
By that I mean to find a way to create a keepsake product that *showcases* the kids' art - without the art itself being the keepsake because there really is too much of it. And, because you have a plan in mind, it makes it a lot easier to decide what and how you process all that amazing, oh-so-special art. <---
I've detailed my process for getting to the final products way below for those interested, but the main point is that because I know what and how I'll display and share the art, I have a focus in what to keep and purge. And, because my daughters know it too - they participated in the choosing of the projects, they help to edit and select what will be their "Best" to show everyone. (When they were too young to do this, I knew my goal; now, I think it's very helpful for them to know to be selective.)
So, here's our family art creations! We give to family and friends each year - and then enjoy forever.
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We create three gifts with art a year - these are mine but yours could be something different. I chose things that can highlight a lot of art (not just one on a mug, etc.) and can use templates from photo companies. I don't have a lot of time to do handmade, but you could easily do those too. I know that the archival quality paper will last when I "order out" but it's your family and your projects! I love that these can still show their individual personality. I shop the deals on prices and go on RetailmeNot.com and eBay for coupons to get the best prices.
*****Art Calendar*****
We have made art calendars for both girls' art at the end of the year - starting when they were 3 / 4 years old. So, for five years now, I plan on highlighting art in a calendar - even though we're using a photo calendar template, we don't' use actual photographs of the girls in the calendar (except the cover and one or two in there). Instead we feature art in every slot of the calendar. It lets show show seasonal art but then also decide "special" pages - like we usually have one for "animals" or "sisters," etc.
Here's my youngest's 2009 Calendar:
(We give it to her teachers and then friends and family. Make it special by adding in personalized birthdays - and we often add a picture to those too.)
http://bit.ly/4OyGPZ
And, her 2008:
http://bit.ly/8LOunz
(I did the first three on Snapfish but you get the idea.)
*****Poetry and Writing Book*****
My oldest writes and draws now - and starting when she was 6, we created Poetry books using photo books online. She writes out her poetry or stories and we add her art as the "illustrations" - she gets to fully show her creativity and it grows as she matures. Because they aren't super long, I can usually do one to three poems or pieces of art per page and I do the minimum page (20) per book.
2009 Book: It's a Brand New Day (Maeve went from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 during the year of the writing and art in this book).
http://bit.ly/86XqEP
2008 Book: The Sea, The Sky, The Seasons and More
http://bit.ly/5MUO9O
*****Art Note Cards*****
This is the all-time best for art. I *highly* recommend it for anyone!
We select a number of pieces or art per girl and send them up to a photo site to order on the front of a note card. They are 3 1/2 x 5 or the smallest size cards and just fully feature the art, blank inside. Then, we order in the "packages" - usually 10 or a dozen cards - BUT we gift them in smaller sets. We give them to teachers, heads of school, coaches, dance instructors, neighbors, family (more for immediate, fewer for distance relatives we may only see at the the holidays), and friends (mine and the girls' friends).
I get little cellophane bags and put 2 or 4 or so in a bag with envelopes, then tie with a ribbon and put an "Art by..." sticker on the front (see below)! They are adorable, easy and the perfect gift (at less than $1.00 for 2 cards / teacher or $2 or $3 if you give 4 or 6 - a bargain!)
2009 Art Cards (up to 18 different cards this year!)
http://bit.ly/7Hn8lL
2008 Art Cards (did 10 this year)
http://bit.ly/72WhR3
2007 Art Cards
(The girls were very young and we did a painting project together, then I made just four card designs they gave to all nursery school teachers and family. I love how the texture of the paper is caught in the photos - and truth be told, these are some of my favorite. I've reordered just recently!)
http://bit.ly/5pBOK0
FINAL TOUCH:
*****"Art By..." Stickers*****
When wrapping or giving someone any of these, I print on my color printer at home little stickers that have their picture(s) and a "Art created by..." Here they are over years!
http://bit.ly/6VwvRj
Hope that helps or inspires anyone! Sorry it's so long, but I think the examples really help for me when I'm trying a new project or process!
Alexa
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p.s. For any of you still interested, here's my process leading up to the project - as I know the process is always a topic of forum posts:
How did this come about for me?
Five years ago, I came upon idea of using all the art in a gift for family and friends. Now it's truly a special annual project we do together plus a big source of pride for the girls. And, I rest easy knowing I've captured the best of the art and have it in a keepsake that I can look back on for years and years.
1) I have a big basket for each girl - large enough to hold up to 11 x 17 art. Every piece of art - whether created at school, camp or home, that is not immediately disposable goes in the basket after we "ooh" and "ah" over it. I don't agonize or purge or try to convince her it's not a "keeper" at the moment.
2) One every three months, I process the basket with one girl on one day. We know their art creation project (See below), so we keep that in mind as we pick out the ones we're going to save for the next step.
3) I take digital photographs of the art that she and I together think is special or might work for the projects. This is selective but not overly arduous - if it's creative, I usually capture it. Shooting digital photos is MUCH faster than scanning each and everyone and they come out very vivid, sometimes even better because it's not as close up to the paper and kids work. I only scan if it's really intricate and needs it. But, I've photographed writing, school papers, painting, drawings, clay works, spin art, even needlepoint and stitching. If it is 3D, it MUST be photographed and then eventually purged - those simply won't stay - the glue loosens, the glitter falls, the structure is crushed. I love them, but they don't stay intact. (For the photos, I'm no professional - just an average mom with a decent superzoom camera). It also helps because you can also shoot just a few that she won't let go of but I know aren't really the best thing ever. :-)
4) I select maybe two pieces of art that I want to keep myself and put in a keepsake art portfolio. That's it. Less than 10 a year is a good number for me - and I'll have the other products to see forever.
5) I put all the art to be recycled or to leave the house in a white kitchen trash bag so I can't see it and hand it to my husband or a friend to remove from the house. It can't go anywhere I'll see it or it will break my heart. They recycle or dispose and I happily know that I've taken care of the documenting.
6) I dump them all in a file on my computer labeled with the date and the girls name (in the file name preferably). Then, if either daughter wants to see her art, I can play it in a slideshow, plus is it all ready for me to work with later. (I'm lucky because I'm on a Mac which makes this super easy.)
7) I get to project time and just sort of flip through the photos to create an outline of what I'll use. I upload to the chosen photo site, pop into templates, perfect and order! I do back up and keep all the other art files, but I rest easy knowing the "best of the best" is in a keepsake form I can always come back to and enjoy.
8) End of the year, empty the baskets and start all over again! ;o)
