Christmas Lino Printing

So, as you all know Christmas is fast approaching, so what better thing to do than create some Christmas themed crafts and run some art workshops. First workshop, lino printing. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this Rudolf the red nose reindeer lino cut and print in our art session, just one of my design for Xmas. 

Halfway through cutting my design into the lino. 

My finished design carved into the lino, ready for printing.  

The printed result. Love it and sure the kids in the workshop will too. 

Who can resist that smiling face? 

More designs to be added soon!

Minnie Mouse Paper Plate Face

I am running a series of children's workshops this summer, all inspired by children's films and animations. 

Here's one I made earlier: 
Here is my Minnie Mouse paper plate face for my Disney themed children's workshop. The bow can be removed to make a Mickey to go along with Minnie. This is fun to make and works as a great party decoration too. 

My Minnie Mouse face ready for my workshop. 

View more of my workshop photos on my fan page: 
Facebook fan page

The Jungle Book - Paper Python

Some of The Jungle Book Kaa paper pythons from my children's workshop. 

I run workshops in schools, community centres, churches, museums, nurseries, hospitals and community centres. 

Using shape cutters to decorate paper pythons. 

Projects range from painting, printing, creating mosaics, bunting, henna, card making, knitting and more. 

Very impressive - hanging paper python, hypnotic eyes and all. 

My  workshops provide a chance to not only explore and learn different techniques, but to have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive and inspiring way. 

Work in progress, love the heart eyes and big smile. 

Get in touch if you would like a workshop: 
E: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com

Meet "Chocolate," sweet name for a snake but why not. Love how this boy used the cutters to make holes in the snake's body instead. 

I love how the parents join in too, I sure they enjoy it just as much! 

Using butterflies as the snake's spots. 

Finished Jungle Book paper python, I love the colours! 

This girl had a broken arm but she did not let that stop her. Love the face. 

My Art Workshops

I run art workshops in primary schools. Pupils use a variety of mediums including watercolour paints and watercolour pencils, acrylic paint, printing and things like gemstones, tissue paper, sequins and gold / silver paint pens. 

Projects range from creating mosaics, bunting, henna inspired art, foam printing and more. This enables pupils to learn different techniques whilst also developing their creativity. 

A mosaic created by a Key stage 2 pupil in my first primary school art workshop. These designs were inspired by landscapes. 

My Art workshops provide children with a chance to explore and have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive, motivating & inspiring way. It's rewarding to see young minds get enthusiastic and inspired through art, 

Get in touch if you'd like a workshop or after school club in a school, day centre, community centre, playgroup, hospital, church or just for fun at home for children's parties. 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Twitter: @MonsoonArts

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Cute Handmade Baby Boots

I have just added a pair of lovely handmade knitted baby boots for sale in my public Arts display. They make a sweet little gift for a newborn baby boy or girl. So cute!! I also have a range of cute mini greeting cards to compliment this gift. 

Knitted baby boots for sale in my arts and crafts display. 

Get in touch if you'd like to buy these. 

Exotic Cowrie Shell Necklace and Earring Set

This gorgeous exotic ocean inspired cowrie seashell necklace & earrings set designed with a full flower is stylish & is for sale in my display. It's lovely to wear in the summer, on holiday but also makes a nice gift for someone special or for those who love that natural beach feel & vintage look as much as me. This is handmade and strung on heavy duty nylon. 

Exotic ocean inspired cowrie seashell necklace & earrings set is stylish & is for sale in my display. 

Lovely to wear in the summer or on holiday. 

Makes a lovely gift for someone special. Ideal for Mother's Day. 

Perfect for those who love that natural beach feel & vintage look as much as me! 

Matching cowrie seashell earrings. 

This set is handmade and strung on heavy duty nylon. 

So why not treat yourself or that someone special!

As always get in touch if you love this set as much as me!

Email: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.com

Twitter: @MonsoonArts

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

Click to like my arts fan page

Click to Follow me on Twitter

My Featured Interview

I am excited to say I have been featured in an article in A Little bit Individual, a website where "finding that unique gift idea became a little easier." Click the link below but visit again soon as I will be adding to this when I can: 

Featured article MONSOON ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY | a little bit individual

I was also interviewed about my art so please click this link to read my interview with Adrian: 

My Featured Q & A Interview MONSOON ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is a small peek at when Adrian interviewed me: 

I can enhance your photos, add borders or various filters & effects. 

So, what can you expect from my art? 

Colourful & quirky paintings. All sold at affordable prices for everyone to enjoy, whether it be through a painting, print or by giving a loved one one of my greeting cards. 

My Indian inspired watercolour painting makes a nice gift to give to someone special or to just treat yourself! 

What’s the best thing about being an artist? 

As well as being creative which is my passion, I get to express the things I love and then share this with thousands of people from a busy corridor, other cities & even on a double decker bus. But I also love it when people tell me they’ll be using a greeting card to write a note to tell someone they love them. I think that’s sweet. 

Professionally, what’s my goal? 

It’s great to see my art in public spaces and it was a nice feeling to see one of my posters on the outside of a double decker bus and another around Liverpool. But eventually I’d love to see more of my art go overseas. As well as doing more professional henna, I’d love for my greeting cards to be part of a professional publisher and sold in high street shops. 

Children's Halloween Spider Project

Halloween is not far away, so why not keep the kids busy with this easy Halloween spider project, great for parties or to decorate the house with. This is copyright material taken from the site: http://crafts.kaboose.com 

  

Sparkling Spiders
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Average
Age: 7 & up



What you'll need: 

• Styrofoam ball about 4" in diameter
• Purple acrylic paint
• Sponge applicator
• 2 large wiggle eyes
• Hot glue
• 9 black chenille sticks
• Colourful craft gems OR purple sequins & sequin pics

How to make it: 

1. Use the sponge applicator to paint the Styrofoam ball and allow to dry. 
2. Use 8 of the chenille sticks for legs by bending the bottom of each one into a foot, about 1” long. Bend at the “knee” about halfway up the stick. 
3. When the ball is dry, insert the 4 chenille sticks into each side of the body. 
4. Cut the last chenille stick in half and then cut one of those halves in half again. Bend the quartered chenille stick to create a “feeler” about ½” long and place one on either side of the face (on either side of where the mouth would be).
5. Hot glue the wiggle eyes onto the spider’s face.
6. Decorate the spider’s back with purple sequins, securing them in place with sequin pins. Younger children can glue craft gems to the back instead.
7. Adjust the legs so that the spider stands on its own.

Tips: 

• Sequin pins are tiny and can be hard for younger children to manipulate. Use craft gems as an alternative. 
• Sponge applicators can be found by the paintbrushes in any craft store or at building supply stores as they are commonly used for applying stains and varnishes.
• Styrofoam is very porous and can take a little while to dry. This is also a good time to cut and bend the chenille sticks. 

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Children's Jubilee Celebration Mask Making Worksheet

Celebrate the Jubilee with my fun children's mask making project to keep your little ones busy this bank holiday. For a British theme paint and stick ribbons and feathers in red, white & blues. 

Click the link for my worksheet:  

http://monsoonarts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mardi-gras-mask-making-worksheet.html 

My mask decorated in my favourite colours. To create a British look decorate in red, white and blue paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones - perfect for celebrating the Jubilee! 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

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Mardi Gras - Mask Making Worksheet

My Mardi Gras mask Decorated in my favourite colours using paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones.
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

What is Mardi Gras? 

It's the final day of carnival, a day of fun, feasting and merrymaking. It is celebrated in many Christian cultures just before the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and called Shrove Tuesday in English.

My Mardi Gras mask. 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

Why Masks?

It is tradition to wear a masks and costumes on Mardi Gras day. They are used at the parades to get attention from float riders and the balcony revellers. Masks are made of feathers, sequins, glitter and even plaster. They imitate all the fun and festivities of Mardi Gras. Gold, purple and green masks embody the colours, spirit, pride and the true feeling of Mardi Gras. 

Try glueing feathers on one side instead of the middle. Use a peacock feather to create a different look & add coloured ribbons too.  
© Image from http://storepetsupplies.com

Materials: 
Mask pattern
Craft foam or card

Scissors

Sequins, gemstones, ribbons, glitter, feathers

Paint

Wooden dowel or straw

Glue

Instructions: 

1. Print the mask pattern and draw on a piece of card or foam.

To enlarge template right click & select Open image in new tab then draw on card / foam. 

2. Cut it out including 2 holes for the eyes. 
3. Paint the dowel / straw gold and leave to dry. 
4. Now you can get really creative. Using the glue decorate the mask with gemstones, glitter, sequins, ribbon and paint. 

5. Glue a feather to tge back of the mask. 
6. Glue the dowel / straw at the back to one end of the mask. 

Your mask is finished!! Have fun parading! 

© SHARONJEET GALSINH

© SHARONJEET GALSINH

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Birmingham ArtsFest 2011

ArtsFest is one of the UK's biggest, most popular urban festivals. With over 600 events there's something at ArtsFest for everyone to enjoy! So no wonder I was excited when my application was successful for me to exhibit & sell my artwork there. Here are some of my own photos of the day:

My lovely colourful & cute mini greeting cards! Inspired by nature, love, Indian culture & anything whimsical. 

More cute mini greeting cards just hanging on the railings! 

Just some of my artwork which includes framed & unframed photos, paintings, prints, drawings & those cute mini greeting cards. 

Some of my paintings, prints & mini greeting cards inspired by nature, love, Indian culture & anything whimsical. 

More framed artwork. 

Some artwork has been framed in black to add that finishing touch. Some of these designs have been used to create my greeting cards. 

My table with some of my drawings, paintings, prints & photos. 
All images are copyright to Sharonjeet Galsinh

Birmingham ArtsFest 2011

Last year I was really excited to exhibit & sell my artwork at Birmingham's ArtsFest. ArtsFest is one of the UK's biggest, most popular urban festivals. It's also the UK's biggest FREE arts festival which is made up of 600 events, ranging from ballet to Bhangra, dub poetry to indie rock.

It features performance, workshops, exhibitions, talks & screenings, across the performing, visual & digital arts genres. There's something at ArtsFest for everyone to enjoy! 

To see all the fun at Birmingham's ArtsFest click below & view some photos - look out for Monsoon Arts & Photography! 

Click me to view photos of Birmingham's ArtsFest 2011

Lots of left over Christmas wrapping paper?

Find yourself with lots of left over Christmas wrapping paper? There are many other uses for unwanted wrapping paper which are ideal for children's crafts. Cutting out a Christmas scene & pasting it onto plain card makes a lovely handmade Christmas card. Use red or green card instead of white card to add a festive feel. Felt tips, crayons & glitter pens can finish off the design. Think of other things to add on like cut out Christmas text & ribbons. You can also create a collage from the cut out scenes as well as using patterned paper which work well in different ways. 

You can also recycle your old Christmas cards by cutting out the pictures & using glue pads to stick them on the plain card to make new Xmas cards  for next year. Or use the pictures as gift tags. 

Recycling Christmas cards & wrapping paper to make new Xmas cards & gift tags.
Copyright image taken from artful-adventures

These & other children's Christmas arts & craft projects involve reusing items around the home to make lovely handmade gifts. They're also nice projects that keep children busy during their holidays.