Want to be creative with your children, but you’re a little bit “Type A” and still a little bit skeptical of the mess that it could make? Here are some tips for keeping those messes at bay.

• Add a couple of drops of liquid soap/detergent to paints to make washing out of clothes a little bit easier.
• Save old egg cartons for paint palettes and simply toss when the painting is complete.
• Cut the arms out of an old rain coat and let your child wear backwards for a smock. Trash bags with the holes for the arms and head make great disposable smocks for when friends are over or you don’t have a smock on hand. Use twist ties to gather the shoulders for smaller children. Try to be as earth-friendly as you can and wipe them for reuse if possible.
• Cut a hole in the middle of a sponge to hold a paint cup. The sponge will catch spills and also keep the paint cup from tipping.
• Let children work on cookie sheets with edges if you are working with play doh or small pieces/ beads, etc. The edges will keep items from rolling on the floor.
• Moon Sand…what fun….but, what mess! Use a large tupperware container for kids to play in. Simply close the lid when you’re done and store the Moon Sand here. Clean-up couldn’t be any easier.

Keep Old Magazines on Hand
Trying to clean out some of that clutter in ‘07 and don’t know what to do with all of your old magazines? Save them in your children’s creativity corner and bring them out for an indoor “scavenger hunt” while learning what makes your child “tick.”

Ask your child to find pictures of his favorite foods, favorite activities, favorite places or even favorite colors and glue them to construction paper.

Create one about you so that your child can get to know you a little bit better as well.

You can also have your child cut small shapes of different colors and textures and sort them into Ziploc bags for creating mosaics. If your child has trouble using scissors, have them show you the objects that they would like to cut out for their collage OR teach them to tear around the object. Not only is this a great bonding activity on a rainy day, but your child will also develop her sorting and fine motor skills along the way.

Create space on the wall for your children to get crafty.

Use magnetic paint primer underneath a painted hillside, roadway, garden, city scene etc. Give your children magnets so that they can role play right on the wall. Remember when painting your scene to keep it simple so that your children’s imaginations have more room to run wild.

If you really want to see your children’s minds at work– use chalkboard paint OVER magnetic paint and let them create their OWN scenes.

If you have trouble finding the magnets that you are looking for, well…let your children help you create their own. Purchase wooden appliques from a craft store and let them paint them – then, glue magnet strips to the back. The possibilities are endless.

Another solution for a “true” easel affect within a limited space is to mount brackets the width of a roll of craft paper on the wall and hang a roll of paper from a curtain rod – your children can pull the paper down at their leisure. Mount a caddy beside the paper to keep paint, markers and crayons at their reach at all times.

Magnetic primer and chalkboard paint can be found at your local home improvement store.

Running With Scissors Activity: Michelangelo Painting

Materials:

• Information on Michelangelo – use the Internet for info or check out one of these great kid-friendly books Michelangelo (Famous Children’s Series) by Tony Hart – starting at $4.36 Amazon.com or Michelangelo (Gettting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia – starting at $3.78 at Amazon.com – or take a field trip to the local library for FREE!
• Tape
• Large sheets of drawing paper
• Low table
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Drop Cloth (large trashbags torn open work great)
• smock or old T-shirt

Read with your child about Michelangelo and his life as an artist. Focus on his painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Look at pictures of his artwork together.
Tape paper to the underside of the table and put the drop cloth down. Let your child lie on her back and paint on the underside of the table until her heart’s content. Hopefully this novel approach will inspire your little one to want to paint more than one painting.

Discuss what it must have been like for Michelangelo to paint this way (on his back on scaffolding) for years and years!

Take trips to the local art museum and discuss the paintings or sculptures with them or simply browse the Art & Artists sections of Barnes & Noble or your local library. If you’re uncomfortable discussing original works of art with your children, ask a docent for some help or educate yourself by looking up info about artists before taking your field trip.

Some great children’s books to check out include:
1) Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh
2) My Many Colored Days by Dr. Suess
3) A Child’s Book of Art: Great Pictures First Words by Lucy Mickethwait
4) ABC: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston by Florence Cassen Mayers
5) Roy Lichtenstien’s ABC by Bob Adelman
6) A Book About Design by Mark Gonyea
7) Baby Loves by the Metropolitan Museum of Art & Mary Cassatt
8) The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane Derolf

Whatever you do, steer clear of the phrase, “What is it?” when talking to your children about a work of art that they have created.� Instead, say, “Tell me about your picture.”� Not only is this a much gentler phrase and allows children to be imaginative when talking about their artwork, but it also doesn’t make them self-conscious.� They will be more willing to create if they are assured that mommy and daddy� “know”� that in fact their elephant is not a giraffe and simply want to know more about their creation.

Organize your supplies so that your children have easy access to new experiences every day. It’s hard to be creative when you are worried about getting marker on the table, play dough in the carpet, or paint on the walls, so set up a “safe” craft haven for your little one. Choose an area that is uncarpeted and can be their own creative space. Purchase a kid-size table and chairs and keep cleaning supplies handy. Baby wipes are great for wiping markers and paint off of little one’s hands and the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser really does work magic. Make their space extra special by creating a place for them to post their artwork after they’ve finished creating. A simple clothesline is the most affordable “art gallery” for their mini masterpieces.

Let your child experiment and watch you. Don’t turn them away and tell them that you’re busy. Hand them a tool or a paint brush and let them try things beside of you. They will learn so much and you will enjoy them so much more.

Do not try to “control” or “direct” your child’s artwork or explorations. Let them do the exploring.� Simply surround them with the materials and let them go.� They will discover in their own time and may surprise you with their clever “different” uses for materials.� In other words, let them use the handle end of the brush to paint with.

Still afraid to get out the paint because of the possible mess? Well, set up an art party in the bath tub. Tape paper to the wall, cover your child in a smock or old t-shirt and let them have a ball. Clean up is a cinch – simply turn on the shower.

Expose your child to the arts.� Take advantage of FREE Arts & Crafts festivals in your area.� Most festivals have Kids’ Areas set up with music, entertainment, and “make-and-take” craft areas.� Check out your local newspaper or search the web for Craft Festivals in your area.

The end of the school year usually comes with piles and piles of artwork that your children have created over the past year. It’s nearly impossible to hang on to every piece so…here are a few ideas for what to do with those piles. Choose one (or two) that fits your style and needs.

1. Visit a local pizza shop and ask them for unused X-tra Large pizza boxes for each of your children. (There may be a small price for each box) – Go through the artwork with your children’s help and have them hold on to ONLY the number of works of art that will fit in the box. Label these boxes and stack them in a closet or slide them under a bed. If your child is upset by throwing away any of the artwork, photograph the pieces and burn them to a CD that your child can look at again and again – or print and create a small photo book for your child to have on hand.
2. Choose a special work of art and have it made into a keepsake. Check out online photo companies like snapfish.com, ofoto.com or shutterfly.com to create T-shirts, mouse pads, mugs, etc. Or contact www.hughsroom.biz and have a keepsake step stool made out of your child’s favorite artwork.
3. Order the Li’l DaVinci for Kids art cabinet photo frame that lets you store up to 100 drawings or paintings behind it. The frame has an easy-to-release latch that makes rotating your personal gallery a cinch. Frames come in both 8 1/2 x 11 and 12 x 18 sizes and a variety of finishes (black, white, red, natural, cherry and oak). Order at dynamicframes.com.
4. Do you have a budding artist that wants to display ALL of his creations? Shop around for an old window frame at a flea market or antique shop. Choose one with 6 panels. Hang the frame low (under a chair rail) where your little one can reach it and display his works in each frame. As he creates a new one, explain to him that he must choose one to take down.
5. Check out www.littlekidsbigart.com and have your child’s artwork turned into a REAL work of art. Little Kids Big Art will work with you to create a large masterpiece on a canvas from an original that your child has created.

Don’t reprimand your child for exploring his or her creativity. If he marks on the walls with crayons or a marker, simply pull out the “Magic Eraser”, clean up the walls, explain to them that you’d rather they use paper -but realize that the markers should’ve been stored out of reach. This past weekend my 2-year-old left some “beautiful artwork” in the front of his grandfather’s autographed, hard-copy novel. Instead of making a big deal out of it, my dad simply wrote Hugh’s name and the date underneath and considered it a keepsake. Afterall, “Pappy” had left a pen beside the book on the bedside table – what else is a 2-year-old to do with a “find” like that?

Wooden frame with dragonfly applique – $34.

Wooden frame with plane applique – $34.
Gator night light with initial. Inspired by Lands End Towel Set. $15.
Ladybug wall art. Ashley’s artwork is generally inspired by another source. For your own designs, show her your favorite wallpaper, sheets, child’s artwork, stuffed animal, children’s book, and she’ll create custom-paintings for your child’s special space.

Clever Parents loves Hugh’s Room for one-of-a-kind, hand-painted pieces and custom room design. Owner, artist and art teacher, Ashley Peay-Bettini delivers on her promise, ‘If you can dream it, we can create it!’While driving home from work one day from an unsatisfying job, Ashley asked herself, “What are you passionate about?” The answer was immediately clear — children and art — and the next day she was on the phone with the Meredith College art department enrolling in classes. “Two and a half years and 72 credit hours later, I received my degree in Art Education and have been teaching ever since.”

After the birth of Ashley’s son, Hugh in 2004, she combined her love of children, painting and design to create her own business designing children’s rooms and nurseries. The result, beautiful and one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from nightlights and painted frames to shelves, tables, rocking chairs, keepsake stools and custom paintings to match your child’s room décor.

One of the unique things about Ashley’s services is that she encourages customers to be a part of the design process. Would you like to ‘immortalize’ your child’s first piece of artwork in a personalized step-stool? Perhaps you already have a theme for your room, but would like to add original and fun accessories to finish the look? Maybe you already have a piece of furniture you’d like to have personalized and spruced-up? Consult with Hugh’s Room on colors, theme and your inspirations, and watch the creativity process embark right before your eyes.

Clever Parents caught up with Ashley to talk about inspirations, do-it-yourself painting parties, involving young children in art projects and the shoebox Barbie dream house.

Clever Parents: What is your background? Have you always been creative?
Ashley Peay-Bettini: I received an English degree, with a minor in art (concentration in graphic design) and concentration in professional communications from Meredith College in Raleigh and an Art Education degree – certification K-12 – also from Meredith.

Yes, I have always been creative and have always loved working with my hands. As a child I spent more time creating Barbie furniture from shoeboxes and other household items than I did actually “playing” with the dolls. I played the flute in the band in school, so I never got the chance to participate in art classes after elementary school, but loved taking afterschool workshops and some community art classes here and there.

CP: What are your favorite mediums?
APB: As an art teacher, I must admit that I like to “dabble” in all mediums, but probably if I had to choose one or two, I would choose painting. I also enjoy creating small clay pieces and working with stained glass.

CP: Tell us about Hugh’s Room.
APB: Hugh’s Room is my small business that specializes in personalized décor for children’s rooms and nurseries. All of my services involve paint! I offer services as small as painted photo frames, wall letters, night lights, and lightswitch plates, but also paint small furniture, canvas chair covers, cornice boards, headboards, and large canvases. I am glad to paint on previously owned pieces or supply the piece myself. I love to help parents design wall art or entire nursery or kids’ room themes around inexpensive bedding or pieces that they already have on hand.

Another service that I am REALLY looking forward to is “Do-it-Yourself” painting parties. These parties will be for baby showers and mom & tot play dates or birthday parties. I bring all supplies, creative juices, and clean up all of the mess! I will consult with expectant moms ahead of time to discuss nursery colors and themes and then prepare all of the decor items that she is interested in for painting. Guest will simply show up and be prepared to paint on a “paint-by-number” designed my the new mom and myself. This way, they can be a part of helping their friend out with preparing for the new little one, but in a relaxed environment and with no pressure to be creative themselves.

CP: How did you come up with the idea for Hugh’s Room?
APB: I came up with the idea in an effort to make some extra spending money while staying at home with my son Hugh and soon-to-be new addition, Alex. I enjoyed designing Hugh’s nursery and his “big boy room” so much and have had several friends ask for my help since. A good friend of mine, Mandy Vick, was in the process of starting her own monogramming business, Mini Monograms, and she inspired me to move forward with all of my ideas. I probably owe “Hugh’s Room” to her as she has been such a huge support in this endeavor. My ideas for products are coming faster than my paintbrush can paint…So, “Hugh’s Room” was born and will hopefully grow as my boys do.

CP: Tell us about recreating a child’s artwork on a piece of furniture.
APB: I am an extremely sentimental person and love to hold onto everything of any sentimental value. This is where the idea for “Keepsake Stools” was born as I was trying to think of a way to keep, preserve, and DISPLAY Hugh’s very first painting. I thought that it would be neat to incorporate it into a piece of furniture that was “lasting” in terms of style – one that I could use for many, many years and was not necessarily “kid oriented.” So, I worked to figure out how to scan and reproduce the artwork (while preserving the original) and then incorporated the monogram in as an accent – using Hugh’s first brushstrokes as a back drop. I look forward to being able to create a stool for someone that has a “family portrait” painted by a child on it…how much fun would that be?

CP: What’s next for Hugh’s Room?
APB: I hope to eventually develop a “brother store” called Alex’s Attic that will be consignment for old nursery and children’s bedding in an effort to build up inventory in a “warehouse” that can help with the design of rooms for Hugh’s Room Designs.

CP: What are some creative ways you involve your preschooler in art projects?
APB: Preschoolers love to explore and, of course, this is how they learn. I feel that a lot of parents are “afraid” to involve their little ones in art projects too soon, probably a little bit because of the mess. I don’t think that it’s ever too soon and Hugh loves to paint! He created his first painting at 16 months. I think that the best way to involve him in art projects is to simply get out the materials, prepare myself for a mess, and let him have fun getting to know the materials. Also, if I am involved in a “craft” project and he seems interested, well, then I always allow him to join in by giving him some of the “same” items and letting him work along beside me. For example, stickers are a favorite for him when I am working on his scrapbook. By letting him work beside me, I hope to teach him that creativity is definitely contagious!

To see more of Hugh’s Room projects and furniture, visit www.hughsroom.biz.

Bettini family picture (top right) courtesy of Robin Cotten Photography, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.