Hands On Crafts for Kids

By Prudy Vannier

Taiwan

Woodcut printing is an ancient art of Taiwan, as is geometric patterned weaving. In this project, both of these mediums are reflected in the geometric design printed on paper as we make stationery. On the stickers, we’ll paint the Chinese letter for “hi”.

Painting lesson: brush calligraphy with a round brush, printmaking – reproduction of art

When you see the “helping hand” symbol on a project, it means you may need adult supervision to do the project. Always use care when using tools or a heat source. Be careful and safe!

Main supplies:

Carving tools – Walnut Hollow #4004
Wood blocks – Walnut Hollow Whittler’s Kit #4008
Wood brace for carving safely
Soup spoon
Brayer
Paper – heavy stock, fancy or plain, approx. 6” X 9 “
White address labels – Avery 05440, or something similar approx. 1.5” X 3”
DecoArt® Americana® Acrylic Paint: True Red DA129, True Blue DA036, Ebony Black DA067
Royal® Brushes: #4 round

Painting supplies:

Royal® water basin
paper towel
Royal® palette paper
pencil

Instructions:
1. Using the brace, lay your block of wood at the top, and always cutting away from you, experiment with the tools and their effects. Go with the grain of the wood and against it to see how it varies. After some practice, pencil diagonal stripes on one side – only 6 or7, and horizontal stripes on a side – only 5 or 6.
2. Use the tool that works easily for you and cut grooves on the penciled lines.
3. On palette paper, put a puddle of True Red. Use the brayer to roll it in different directions and smooth it out. If you roll it quickly, it moves it on the palette paper. When the paint is spread out evenly, load the brayer with color by rolling it slowly over the paint.
4. When paint is on the brayer evenly, roll it onto the horizontal striped side of wood. Make sure the paint is a thin, even coat.
5. Fold your paper in half. Position the block in the center of one side. Holding the paper in place on your block, carefully turn it over and rub with a smooth spoon. This makes the paint adhere to the paper evenly.
6. Repeat with True Blue, positioning the diagonal stripes above and below the center red ones.
7. On one end of a sticker, use the #4 round brush and Ebony Black to paint the Chinese letter for hi. Address your card on the back and use the sticker to hold the card closed for mailing.