Recycled Critters and Creatures on Ocracoke - First Grade

On Thursday, the fun on Ocracoke continued as First Graders joined us in our classroom at Deepwater Theater.  I'm reasonably sure that Mary and I had more fun than the kids!

Next post...Sixth Grade!

Recycled Critters and Creatures on Ocracoke - Second and Sixth Grades

On our first afternoon at Deepwater Theater, we were in the company of Second and Sixth Grade Students from Ocracoke School.  Their enthusiasm for creating, and their understanding of recycling were impressive to say the least!

Here's a glimpse of our time with them...

A girl after my own heart!

His wheels are turning!

Excited?  Maybe.   :-)

Laser Focus.

Another Light Bulb Moment.

Yay Polka Dots!

If I had a hammer...

Teamwork

What efficiency!

A Classic Car

Fun With Paint

So many choices!

Pandas and Rabbits, Oh My! 

Guitar Stylings.

Please check back next week when I'll continue to post photos from our week on Ocracoke.

Recycled Critters and Creatures on Ocracoke - Pre K and Kindergarten

Our adventure on Ocracoke began with students in Pre-K and Kindergarten.  Talk about enthusiastic!  These young people are wildly creative, and they hold a special place in our hearts.  

In no particular order, here are a few photos from our time together.

Who loves spider man?!?!?!

Pretty in Pin k, and Purple.

Such thoughtful creativity.

It just keeps getting better.

A little color is always a good thing.

Look at that smile.

These photos say it all!

Self Portrait.

Pre-K

Kindergarten

A perfect end to a perfect day!
Holding hands on the walk back to school was encouraged.  <3 i="">

These photos are the highlights from my camera.  I know that others were also photographing in the classroom.  If you have pictures to share, please email them to me at jeaskipper@jeanskipper.com, and I'll add them to our collection.

Please visit again tomorrow, when this series of posts will continue with Second and Sixth Grades in the classroom.

Recycled Critters and Creatures at Deepwater Theater on Ocracoke

I'm still walking on air after our adventure on Ocracoke last week!  Mary Neligan, of Mary's Funky Fish, and I had the absolute pleasure of working with the students of Ocracoke School as a part of Ocracoke Alive's 2016 Arts Partnership Program.

In keeping with our theme of Critters and Creatures and Recycled Art, we repurposed aluminum drink cans.  Did you know that these cans are 100% and infinitely recyclable?  As a society, if we'd recycle all of our aluminum cans, we'd never need to create a new one again.

What a beautiful place to create!

Today, I'll share a glimpse of our classroom at Deepwater Theater.  Other posts this week will get up close and personal with our students and their wild and wonderful creations.

 

Mary... Ready and Waiting!

Samples of Our Recycled Art.

"Before" The organization is just an illusion!  

More Samples...

Parts and Pieces

More Organized Chaos!

 Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures of our Pre-K and Kindergarten Classes!  

On The Road Again with The Ocracoke Schools Partnership

I'm beyond excited to be returning to Ocracoke this year during the first week of March as a guest of The Ocracoke School Partnership.  Thanks to Ocracoke Alive and a bevy of generous sponsors, this incredible program brings visiting artists to work with the students of Ocracoke Island.  

This year the talented Mary Neligan of Mary's Funky Fish will be joining me in the classroom as we create Round Two of our Critters and Creatures.  The focus of our project will be the often overlooked alumium drink can.  Here's a sneak peek of a few of our class samples, and more will follow soon.

The purpose of Ocracoke Alive, Inc. is to enrich the Ocracoke Island community by encouraging and sponsoring cultural, artistic, educational, and environmental activities including the production of plays, musicals, musical events, exhibits,schools, workshops, and festivals.  Please click here to learn more about Ocracoke Alive or to make a donation toward their programs. 

Spotlight on Blue Horse Market!

My jewelry, artfully displayed at Blue Horse.

Last weekend, I was lucky to spend a bit of time wandering one of my favorite local stores, Blue Horse Market.  Blue Horse, owned by the talented Sharon and Jeff Augustyniak, is located near my hometown.  Sharon and I met when I owned Artist Alley, when I represented her work.  Now the tables have turned, and I'm grateful for the opportunities that they've created for me.

Blue Horse is so much more than 'just another store'.  With craft beers, a large wine selection, antiques, comfy couches, hot coffee, handmade goods aplenty, farm fresh food offerings, and more; this modern country store has become an integral part of our community.

The following photos don't begin to do it justice!  If you're in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor, and stop.  If you're not in the neighborhood, make it a destination.  I promise you'll be glad that you did.

A glimpse at some of the kids' creations at Blue Horse.

This repurposed bed frame promotes local businesses and our community.

North Carolina Pottery and other treasures.

Sharon's handmade Mat and Frame,
my Ode to The Sandhills,
Amy Smith's Canvas Earrings, and other treasures.

From floor to ceiling you'll find treasures at Blue Horse Market!

Blue Horse Market is located at 3196 Vass Carthage Road, at the 

intersection of Niagra Carthage Road, in Whispering Pines, North Carolina.

Their phone number is 910-949-2996, and you'll also find them on Facebook.

A New Year - A New Beginning

I'm enamored with the idea of a clean slate and  fresh beginning as we enter a New Year, and this is proving to be especially true in 2016.  As I walked through the bitter and the sweet of 2015, I also felt untethered in a way that was new to me.  It touched me at my core, and forced me to pause.  It's the only way that I could have survived.

As a  part of this, I took a self imposed unannounced break from social media from my 50th birthday until today.  I rested; I regrouped; I relaxed; and I enjoyed a quiet holiday with Ken.  We honored those who are no longer with us; and now I find myself standing with a new sense of purpose and direction.  It's a good feeling.


Thank you to each and every one of you who have been so patient with me during the holidays, and more importantly for the past few years.  It means more to me than you will ever know.  I'm looking forward to reestablishing our connections in new and wonderful ways this year. 

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