Last day of school is tomorrow. The homework stopped Friday. Caitlin smiled all weekend and so did mom. We both realized that she has not had a single weekend since September 1st without homework. That includes all holidays including the winter break and spring break. I’ll keep my rant short on the pressure ridden, accelerated, excessive homework laden, designed to make type A parents feel like their kids are getting the ‘best education possible’ workload that defines suburban public schools, drives me nuts! OK, now you know where I stand on that one.
Now back to craftiness. A final post to wrap up my bazaar loot.
craftyFOLK. Wow, everything she creates is magic. The bird sitting on top of the ball of yarn is amazing! I purchased these for gifts but I’m having a hard time parting with a single one. I think the only solution is to buy more.
Made on Bainbridge is a new website devoted to carrying the work of local artists. I picked up gift tags and a fused glass soap dish. Tara, the founder, recently launched the website, I wish her lots of success!
A gift for Leil from LA RU. I really wish skulls had been around when I was coming of age.
The last great find was a silk screened wrap top I purchased from Revival Ink. I still have a goal of taking a picture of myself in it but that may just not happen in our lifetime so I’m using an image from her website. I bought one exactly like the top on the left. I don’t think I’ve ever purchased clothing at a craft fair but I have to tell you the wrap top fits amazingly well and I think it looks good on me if I do say so myself. Her artwork and the quality of the silk screen is unbelievable!
Have a fabulously creative week! xo Kathy
They are all beautiful – you find the best things! I love the CraftyFolk items – have to pop on over there for a peek – too cute!
The craft items are beautiful…but my response is to your education homework one – in total agreement all the way. I just nodded my head. As a teacher, I was never big on giving much homework, and I had “homework free” weekends except for the odd catchup here or there. I would get a bit of flack from parents who would ask me for extra work and worksheets. I drove me insane. My response was: take them to the museum, go skip rocks at the lake, write and plan a grocery list for next weeks meals. Alot of these pressurized kids are imploding, literally.
Great stuff. I love the houses (pin?) of course. And the wrap — gorgeous!
As for school, I’m with you. Seems that unless the kids are performing above grade level they’re not considered to be getting a decent education. Sometimes I feel like I’m the last middle class white mother in America to be sending her kids to public school. Oh well, the kids seem to be doing just fine.
Hello, is there a place online to order that fused glass soapdish, or one like it? I couldn’t find it on the link you provided. Would appreciate info on it. Thanks!
My daughter starts Kindergarten in August. Not looking forward to the crazy homework thing! Already know I’ll be ranting there with you!
Wonderful stuff!
I so agree on the homework. I don’t believe I ever had “real” homework until I was in high school. Before that, I made up homework for myself to imitate my big brothers and sister. And guess what? I got fairly well educated in spite of it!
In fact, I think that free time leads to creative learning, as opposed to rote learning.
Fused Glass Update:
I think Tara must have updated the website since the question on this. Under the ‘Home Goods’ category there are several fused glass items:
http://www.madeonbainbridge.com/Home_Goods_s/20.htm
The soap dish I purchased is just like this one:
http://www.madeonbainbridge.com/Soap_or_Sauce_Dish_by_Kelly_Asadorian_p/kellygreensoap.htm
I debated a very long time over getting the robin’s egg blue design here
http://www.madeonbainbridge.com/Square_Plate_by_Kelly_Asadorian_p/kellysmsquareplates.htm
And the homework thing! Thanks for the support on that one. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only parent on the planet thinking too much homework is a problem. I like hanging out with my kids after school, I like enjoying a long dinner at the table, I like going hiking on the weekends. I do not like compromising family time for an unrelenting homework schedule! Now it’s summer and we’re all breathing easier
I couldn’t agree more about the homework and believe me, you are NOT the only parent in the world who thinks like you do. A great book to read is “The Homework Myth” by Alfie Kohn who documents that there is absolutely no proven benefit to homework before high school (it has been studied). In fact, it does have a negative effect on student interest and enthusiasm for school and learning. You do have power as a parent to limit the homework craziness. I know friends who simply tell their teacher that we’ll do however many minutes a night of homework but no more and most teacher are GLAD to hear it! We homeschool so it isn’t an issue for us, but I am sure that most of those meaningless worksheets would be going directly into the recycle box in our house!