Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Summer Camp

A Few Of My Works In Progress
       Need a boost to your creative engines?  Lost your whimsy? Try hunting on YouTube for it. I've mostly used YouTube for plumbing fixes.  But over the summer I took an advantage of generous artists, willing to share their talents and techniques for free.   I began the summer knowing I would not have much in the way of quiet time with a teenager at home. So I decided to attend "Craft Camp" via YouTube.   Lack of exciting local classes and library shelves light on "crafty" books, I turned to the very cheap, ie free, craft classes on line.   It didn't take long before I felt as giddy as a Pokemon Go player catching a Pikachu.   Each new channel, filled with inspiration and information, got my creative energy flowing on my own camp schedule.

I suggest:
  • Follow YouTube's suggestion on your search. Watching a video brings ups a bunch of new suggestions
  • Change up your search criteria.  Start out with a broad search. After you've watched a few videos, include specifics search criteria that will give your skill building some depth
  • Subscribe to your favorite channels. 
  • Watch channels even if you think you won't ever try the craft. Inspiration can be found in many places.
  • Companies that manufacture art materials have very informative sites.
After weeks of "YouTube Camp,"  I had notebooks filled with instructions and ideas.  I felt the joy of being a kid discovering new ways to be creative. I made some fun stuff.  I found papier mache was a great way to learn sculpture. And I have loads of ideas for future projects.
I am so grateful for the free tutelage. Maybe my next project will be to create my own channel.
See ya on the screen!

Some favorite  channels :
      https://www.youtube.com/user/UltimatePaperMache  ~papermache
     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXJrmqUYTtQ224N0QcUcnYw  ~Polymer Clay
     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGbxOeCBuGSsKvt4g9lEv3A    ~Book Making
   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOKYjvA0xYeHXAnQCmTlIQ     ~Felting