Kid's Stuff

Mettje Swift creates exciting hand-on art workshops for children and teachers, play shelters and play houses and animal costumes. Scroll down for more information and examples.

Shelter Slide Show

Shelters

Workshop Slide Show

Workshops

 


Children's Custom
Animal Costumes

Owl custom animal costume

Bear and Raven custom animal costumes

Bear and Raven custom animal costumes

The Legend Lodge Animal Costumes are soft sculpture heads with capes. They are sized to fit children between the ages of 3 and 14. The costumes were commissioned as a part of an interactive children's exhibit at the Buell Children's Museum. There are ten animals in this collection. The exhibit includes the Legend Lodge Storytelling Tipi and five huge stuffed lizards. Made of nylon banner cloth, hot cut and sewn, then stuffed with a quality batting, they are totally washable in cool water and air dried. All of the costumes can be recreated from the original pattern or new ones can be commissioned.

 

 


 


Children's Play Houses and Play Shelters

Children's Play Shelter

Children's Play Shelter Interior

This preschool playground shelter is made In heavier nylon for longer wear. The designs were adapted from those of the preschool children. The structure is 8 feet X 8 feet.

Teacher and Children's Art Workshops

Teacher and Children's workshops are available

Mettje teaches in schools, museums, community centers and after school programs. She teaches the concepts of symbol making and design and the basics of how to make banners. The participants focus on identity and symbol making. Mettje brings collaboration and cooperation into group planning. Mettje does workshops for teachers who learn the basic concepts and return to the classroom to teach students. Mettje uses both cotton fabrics as well as her traditional lightweight nylon in her workshops. Students learn the art of converting pictures into design form and the necessary construction skills for a sturdy, long lasting artistic product to be enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

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