Kid's Stuff

Children's 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. Contact us for pricing and information.

Mettje Swift created the Legend Lodge and Animal Costumes for the Buell Children's Museum in Pueblo, Colorado in 2000. They are owned by the Museum. Contact us for inquiries.

Children's Play Shelters - Playhouses

We can design for any shape or configuration of play shelters. They give kids a place to play out of the sun or rain or wind and create new, movable spaces, indoor or outdoor. Tents can be designed to be easily set up and taken down.

Art Workshops for Children and Teachers

Mettje creates exciting, hands-on banner-making workshops for teachers, children and communities. She teaches in schools, museums, community centers and after school programs. She teaches the concepts of design and the basics of construction of and banners. The participants focus on identity and symbol making. Mettje brings collaboration and cooperation into group planning. Often, teachers learn the basic concepts taught by Mettje and return to the classroom to teach their 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.