MORE PHOTOS FROM RIDGEWAY! Kids In Session Photo's coming soon!

PARTS for kids! wrapped up at Ridgeway Elementary School in North Vancouver on December 8th and may I say: What a success! While there were only 4 students, we all agreed that we rocked the small class size; each of these students blew me away with their expression of their own personal style!

Class began on October 13th with a discussion of style and design, who and what were our influences, how do we express ourselves, what is personal style, what kind of statements do we make, or admire, what kind of design do we like/dislike in popular culture, what is culture... After getting inspired we moved on to learning about different stones and metals, tools and names of techniques. Important to note: This ain't no beading class! The students of the PARTS for kids classes get to use amazing materials - things from the PARTS by heather private collection of inherited and salvaged goodies!

Running with their own person concept of style and creativity, each child took the skill sets learned and the materials available and was given the opportunity to run wild wherever their imagination and fiery little spirits took them. The results -some of the coolest takes of wire wrapping, mixed mediums, leather work, re-purposing and asymmetry that I have seen! Go team!

At the end of the session, we worked towards our final fashion show, establishing signature walks and poses, learning how to make the most of the runway, and the kids even hand picked their own set list: Sweet Dreams (Beyonce), Revolution (The Beatles) and ABC'S (Knaan). Luckily for us, the gym was all set up for the band concert later that night, so after writing their "set lists" describing their designs and the influences behind them, we headed to the gym to practice. I was so impressed! From lighting to runway, they had it made! A special thank you to all the families who made it out and to Principal Burlone for all her help making the finale show something to remember.

I was so thrilled with the way this session turned out. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the backing of the North Vancouver Arts Council who not only believed in my pilot program, but personally encouraged and supported me towards make it a reality in my first school. Watching these kids grow within and beyond themselves, and connect to each other was not only a pleasure, but such a gift! Getting to be a part of their creative growth and share their energy every week, reminded me of what is most important in this world: leading with your heart. May we all live life the spirit of love.

While this session has come to an end, I have received many requests to run it again in the winter/spring. So hopefully Ridgeway and PARTS will be re-united in the New year.

Speaking of new classes and support, Vancouver own multi-platform Gallery: The Beaumont Studios has joined forced with PARTS for kids! We will be running multiple sessions starting as early as January 10th, Register now, or purchase on of our adorable gift cards as a last minute holiday or birthday or even just because gift!

NEW ON THE HORIZON: PARTS jewelry classes for Adults! All the buzz at the Beaumont had Ladies without little ones, asking if they could take classes too - but of course! Recently added to my Beaumont roster are savvy adult classes please contact the BEAUMONT for more info on times, projects and start dates. (778) 371-9629. Or visit online: http://www.thebeaumontstudios.com
All Sessions will be 8 weeks.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL, Oh no, I will also be teaching my PARTS for little ones class (Pint sized protégé) and an additional class for ages 7-12 at the Vancouver Jewish Centre:) Classes are 10 weeks. Registration is still open and classes will be on Thursdays. For more information of registrations, please call: (604) 257-5111. Or Visit online at: http://www.jccgv.com

If you are interested in hosting this fabulous program at your own establishment, community centre, school, or as a private workshop, or event, or for any media inquiries, please contact: partsbyheather@gmail.com. I am now taking bookings into Spring and Summer.

AND if you need a last minute gift, or want to peruse: The North Vancouver Arts Council Gallery is showcasing designs from the PARTS by heather 'COUTURE 09' collection as well as a few new items! The Gallery is located at Lonsdale between 3rd and 4th. http://www.nvartscouncil.ca Designs will be on display till The end of January.

Thank you for following my little blog, have a safe warm and wonderful holiday. More in the New Year!

New Locations in the New Year

The PARTS for kids! class at Ridgeway Elementary is wrapping up on December 8th with a fashion show - the kids are getting excited and photo's will follow:) I have been blown away by the creations that are cropping up. Last week, we began a foray into leather and these kids on onto something haute I tell you. I love the way they look at materials... My one male student is making a necklace from rolled leather attached with bone components, and as for the girls, there is a fabulous leather wrapped hairband swathed in neon feathers to an earth toned metallic hair piece with ribbons and suede - my mind is being blown - go team!

What I love most about this group is the friendships that are forming and how each child is creativity feeding off the others. They came in strangers and now encourage and help each other, joke with one another, share and inspire one another. It's amazing.

The fashion show wraps up before the schools band and choir concert, so we've got the set up and sound covered. There will be scooters and plenty of high fashion attitude. I can't wait to see this group kill it on the runway!

In other news, New CLASSES in the new year!

Starting January 10th, PARTS for kids! will be running sessions for multiple age groups at the Vancouver Jewish Centre (wee ones and school age) and with The Beaumont Gallery (school age and adults). We will likely have another session at Ridgeway too.

Thanks for reading!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES, BAT MITZVAH'S AND SPECIAL EVENTS OH MY!

PARTS for kids! is not only a program that runs sessionally, but it is also FULLY ADAPTABLE on a project (and fashion show basis) for Birthday Parties, Bat Mitzvah's, special events, bridal showers, divorce parties, baby showers and weekend workshops. Whether it's a pint sized protégé party for the little ones or something more up mama's alley - please inquire about rates and options for private events.

More information and bookings at: partsbyheather@gmail.com

EXPANSIONS AND AWESOME

On my second class with Ridgeway Elementary students, I had 1 new sign up, a boy. When I asked him what made him excited about this program and why he wanted to take it, he looked me straight in the eyes and said: I really want to learn more about jewelry so that I can make some for my mom...I thought there would be more boys!

What an amazing child! Not only was I moved by his character and confidence, but to be that sensitive that he just assumed other boys would want to make things for their mama's - love! I love teaching! I feel so blessed every time I start a new program because I get to shape this creative safe space where kids can apply who they are, learn who they are and grow in their self awareness and self esteem by expanding the way in which they see things and how they connect with others. I tell you, I can not think of a better job.

We have started project number 1, involving wire work and though there are only 4 in this class, they have taken completely differing creative directions. Once they realized that they didn't have to follow any rules, but rather, use their new skill sets however made sense to them, they were off, each in their own artistic sphere.

This week, I have a long awaited meeting with the VSB (Vancouver School Board) and The Vancouver Jewish Centre and a couple Gallery spaces to discuss ongoing programming, workshops and potential collaborations (yay!) and of course, session 3 with my Ridgeway students.

More soon!

Into DAY 2, with more classes on the horizon

Day one began when I showed up at the wrong school: Ridgeway Annex in North Vancouver. There is also a 'non' annex called Ridgeway Elementary which was currently being housed in a completely different school (I found all this out enroute with my 3 giant bags of materials and tools frantically running around hilly North Van, eventually bursting through the music room and finding my students patiently waiting to begin. Whew! Luckily they were super easy going:) This will be a smaller class, which I can't complain about. 4 students in total from Grades 4 through 7 - 3 awesome girls and 1 boy (who I have yet to meet). Hopefully he will be here this week. They are each so different in the way they speak, their mannerisms, their inspirations and interests, and when we began to talk about 'defining' features of our own personal style and all of their eyes lit up, I knew already that I was going to learn so much from them - already I am inspired!

My curriculum for this session includes learning basic skills, tricks and tools to create 3-4 varying wearable works of art. It also includes a bit of fashion history and a rundown of terminology, stone identification and of course, the finale show at the programs end:) I was SO excited putting the curriculum together - it is fully adaptable to suit all age groups and interest levels and the projects are fantastic and i am so thrilled to see these little creative beings explore their artistic souls and emerge as pint size designers!

Last week, we did introductions which included a discussion about style, trends and what it means to make a statement. Then we explored some wire wrapping techniques and finished with an easy to make funky wire ring. This week, we are exploring, color, layering, contrast and continuing with wire, learning how to wrap stones, make chain links in-between varying beads and begin to design our first projects!

Photo's of these projects coming soon.

In other news, more classes, private functions, workshops and exciting collaborations are on the horizon for winter.

Till next week!

Heather.

AND WE LAUNCH!

After many meetings, much excitement and a strong support from influential people in the arts and children/youth programming community, (amazing!) PARTS for kids! will be launching the first class of its first ever session, at Ridgeway Elementary School in North Vancouver, tomorrow! (October 13th). We are all pretty excited as sign ups continue to occur.

I will likely be launching adult workshops mid November through the North Vancouver Arts Council - these will be intro to jewelry and project based: ie: come in, do a weekend workshop and leave with an awesome finished project and new skills to boot:) This will be a great way to meet other adults in your own and surrounding communities, to bond with your friends - projects will be for men and woman, so bring a date! If you are interested, please contact the North Van Arts Council for more info!

I am presently in talks with other schools at the moment, one in Maui and a large community center in Vancouver, but that is all that I can say about that until more is solidified...(insert suspense music here).

Looking forward to the next updates!
(they are going to be exciting!)

UPDATES FOR FALL!

As fall approaches, I am taking this idea to actual fruition, which is very exciting. The North Vancouver Arts Council has accepted my proposal to run this program in a few schools starting in October, with more schools and additional locations in the winter and and spring. While, I am still looking at other locations throughout Vancouver and surrounding area's that wish to run the program, I will also be running it out of my studio and offering private courses, effective as soon as sign ups start. So if you are in the market for a fantastic arts opportunity for your kids, colleagues, business, friends, look no further:) While the ages on the poster are 7-11, there is no restriction.* 

*The youngest age for programming is 4yrs.

PARTS for kids! will travel and is highly adaptable in regards to times, projects and costs depending on the needs of the group. Having done arts programming for children, youth and adults across North America and as far as Australia, I am well equipped to adjust, adapt and flex to ensure that this unparalleled program can function as a traveling entity!

To get involved, for more information, for media inquiries, possible collaborations, or anything else, please contact: partsbyheather@gmail.com

UPDATES - new expansions on the horizons

So, it was pretty ambitious to try to put together 2 sessions in less than three weeks, but one good thing did come of this endeavor, two good things actually.

1) I got to work with a super talented, super easy to get along with, new graphic designer who I am extraordinarily pleased with! Finding a new Graphic designer (that sticks) for parts by heather, has been ridiculously emotionally draining, stressful and frustrating. Working with Jose has made me laugh, pushed my creative limits and made me more efficient. Not only is he good at what he does graphically, but he is also a super awesome, grounded, interesting human that is multi-talented. Check out his upcoming show at Ayden Gallery on August 20th: http://www.aydengallery.com/home/

2) I received an e-mail inquiring as to whether I would consider adapting and running the program at an Immigrant Welcome center.

The latter of which shaped my decision to put a hold on summer classes, and work on filling fall classes, but also, to take the program out of the studio alone and propose it to schools, community centers, after-school program outlets in Vancouver and surrounding area's. PARTS for kids is adaptable and mobile - if you are interested in seeing how we can collaborate, whether it is in your work environment, school, bridal shower, one time event, community center, or you just want to get some people together for a private series, then let's discuss!

At present, we are working on a few options with more to come, so stay tuned!

PARTS by heather presents: PARTS for kids!

I am SOOOO excited about the latest installation in the PARTS by heather world!
Starting August 16th, I will be launching my fancy home studio with a series of high end DESIGN classes for kids!

Classes will run 3 days per week, 3 hours per class, for 3 weeks. All Materials are included as well as a yummy organic freshly prepared snack each class.

Combining my extensive work in the sphere of children's and youth programming and my passion for design work, organic vegetarian cooking and event planning, the concept of PARTS for kids was a natural progression! In these innovative sessions, children aged 7 - 11 will get to learn about the history and nature of stones and metals, while using a plethora of high end materials in guided projects resulting in three unique wearable works of art.

What makes this program supremely unique is that each child will then have the opportunity to participate in a fully choreographed fashion show at the end of the session. From runway, to stylists to music to a photo wall - children participating in the parts for kids workshops will get the full designer experience catered specifically to their needs and projects!

For more information or registration, please contact Heather Mandin (me) by e-mail: partsbyheather@gmail.com
or by phone at: 604 681 0711