How well do you know your oogly?

Myrna Minnis has been teaching children the art of her magical clay creature known affectionately as “oogly” for over twenty years. In Myrna’s workshops, children learn to create a basic oogly, then Myrna gives them free reign to embellish and customize to their heart’s content. Under her tutelage, literally thousands of ooglys have been created, each unique to its young artist.

Early on, Myrna saw just what a powerful communication tool the oogly can be. The curious, undefined creature, created in the tactile medium of clay, gave children a new voice to use. With oogly, children could create art which expressed their ideas and feelings that they could not put into words.

oogly' therapeutic benefits are immediately apparent when a child makes their first creation. Kids of all ages love it. Special needs children, such as those with autism, become more expressive. A frustrated child can pound and work with the clay, experiencing a calming effect that gives way to creating an oogly sculpture. Shy children unleash, becoming expressive and uninhibited.

Myrna wanted children to take this magic home, so she began selling oogly kits with a unique non-drying clay and tools that help kids create oogly’s distinctive features. But oogly is much more than just a clay kit – oogly is a valuable concept. She needed to find a way to communicate this concept to the new oogly owners.

So Myrna went to work on a vibrant, idea-filled booklet to help unlock the imaginations of children so they can experience the oogly to its fullest potential at home. oogly emerges as a friend, a playmate, and a confidant. oogly is full of ideas, ready for adventure, and can be whatever the child wants oogly to be.

After reading the oogly booklet, parents and children alike understand how to tap in to oogly’s magic. The booklet was designed with a broad age range in mind. Children of any age will be creatively inspired. Younger children will ask to read the booklet again and again.

Parents will love the oogly art their kids create, and they’ll be amazed at what they can learn about their own children through oogly.

(If you already have an oogly kit and would like to find out how to get your own copy of the new oogly booklet, email Myrna at mminnis2@kc.rr.com)

Help oogly Ring in Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring! The posh name for Spring Equinox is Vernal Equinox which means day and night have approximately the same length. As daylight hours increase and warmer temperatures arrive, the changing weather can lift the spirits of young – and old – alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to have some fun and educate at the same time.

What’s the weather like where you are today? Help oogly dress for the weather. Is it raining? Maybe your oogly needs a raincoat or an umbrella? If it’s real sunny, how about some sunglasses or a hat? Kids are fascinated by the vast and interesting subject of weather – just watch a child when a thunderstorm begins or when the sun pokes out during a storm and kids run outside to see the rainbow in the sky.

If spring ushers in some hard rain, make a rain gauge and teach the kids about measurements and precipitation.Take an empty plastic or glass container and, using a permanent marker, mark up the side in quarter or half-inch graduations. Place your rain gauge in an area that is open and unsheltered. Check your gauge each day and record how much rain you collected. You can also keep a log and average the amount of rain you collect over a specified period.

We’d love to see photos of your oogly celebrating the first day of Spring --  please share the sunshine or the rain!

The Elves Wish You a Very Merry Christmas

My friend Kathy has a wonderful collection of my holiday elves and this year, to spread some cheer, we thought we’d share photos from her festive holiday display.

 The elves greet you when you arrive and the fun is just starting.

Elves are nestled amongst the greenery – peeking out of the branches of pine.

Poinsettias and bows and a little holiday sparkle surround them as you discover each one.

Aren’t the reindeer stunning in the window with their host of happy elves hanging out along the window ledge?

We hope you enjoy your holidays with family and friends as much as we enjoyed visiting the elves at Kathy’s. We’ll be back after Christmas with projects for everyone who got an oogly kit from Santa!

Finding The Elements of Art Outside

As fall begins to transform my yard and the landscape around me, I get excited to go hunting for natural objects I can use in my art. I store them up like a squirrel looking for nuts anticipating projects and experiments I’ll be trying over the winter months.

I usually go looking for two types of natural objects. First, I look for things I can use to make textures in the clay. In my blog, Making Textures in Clay, I showed how I use things like bark, pods and peach seeds to make interesting textures. Nuts and acorns make great textures – whether you use the pointy end or the rough acorn top. I also like long pods from locust trees and spent flowers. Sometimes I use the pod and sometimes it’s the seeds inside the pod that make the best textures.

I also look for natural objects I can use to embellish pieces after they are fired. The witches I make for Halloween always need moss, dried grasses and seeds to add color and visual interest. I can find all sorts of fun “accessories” for my pieces on the ground under trees and along the edges of trails this time of year.

Occasionally, it’s not the bits and pieces I gather than inspire my creations. It’s the amazing natural phenomena I encounter along my walks. This enormous spider web has me thinking about a fun clay project I can make with intricate spiders and their webs. 

I’m looking forward to the fall projects we’ll share on the blog – spiders, textures and Halloween tricks and treats. So get out and start gathering your supplies and we’ll put them to good use in October!