I imagine that most of you already recycle — yay! However, Nov 15th is still a great day to ask ourselves what more we can do. 

I think about the purposeful ordering of the slogan “Reduce, reuse, recycle.”   Recycling is an amazing and wonderful way to help the planet. We should all be proud that we are actively doing so every day.  But, let’s not skip over steps 1 and 2:  “reduce” and “reuse.” 

Reducing single use, not recyclable or not often recycled products (like plastics) can make a huge impact.  And of course there is reuse — which is what we do a lot of at the studio by turning recyclable goods into art.  For inspiration on seasonal creative projects you can make at home with recycled goods, check out my Pinterest page.

Even if you’re not up for an art project, there’s plenty to reuse around the house. So ask yourself, before you toss that glass jam jar into the recycle bin — is there another use for it?  Perhaps to store left overs in the fridge or grains in the cupboard instead of buying new storage jars?  Or fill it with flowers with a simple ribbon for a hostess gift.  Whatever you can do will be a help.  I’m always amazed at how small changes made by each of us, can amount to great change as a community.

Find out more about America Recycles Day here.

Warm Regards,

Alora C.
Sustainability Planner

October might just be my busiest month!  I am excited to be part of so many October community events!  I kick off the month on the morning of October 1st at the Native Plantpalooza and Eco Fest hosted by the Conejo Open Space Foundation.  Come learn from butterfly experts, beekeepers, master gardeners and more at this free educational event with eco exhibits and activities!  Stop by my booth with the kids for some eco-craft-making fun!  Find out more about Plantpalooza here. 
In the afternoon, youI’ll find me at Malibou Lake Celebrating their 100th Anniversary!  Are you familiar with Malibou Lake?  It’s a little gem community nestled in the Santa Monica mountains.  I’ll have themed nature crafts for all to enjoy making. Find out more about Malibou Lake’s anniversary here.  
The following weekend, I’ll be at the Agoura Hills Reyes Adobe Days Celebration from Friday October 7th to Sunday October 9th.  I’ll have eco crafts and there will also be live music and food. Get the full scoop on Reyes Adobe Days here. 
On Saturday October 15, at midday, you’ll find me at Sonic Boom’s Tiny Porch Concerts musical festival at Paramount Ranch (more info here); later in the day I’ll be at City Hall in Westlake to for the City Celebration (more info here). 
On Sunday October 16th, I’m delighted to once again offer a free Art in the Park day.  For all those that have missed the studio, I’m bringing my pop-up art studio to Berniece Bennett Park in Westlake Village from 2-4;  Drop in anytime to create.  I’m rounding out the month with a Halloween Festival at EARTHS on Saturday October 29th.   
I hope to see you at one (or all!) of these great community events, they each promise to be a great deal of family fun! Check out my Happenings Page for a quick recap of this fall line-up.

Warm Regards,

Jemma Wildermuth
Owner, Founder
&
Alora Chirick
Sustainability Manager

Here’s a great craft activity and recycle lesson all rolled into one!  Kids appreciate recycling when they upcycle magazines into jewelry they can use!  Simply cut long, thin triangles out of magazine paper.
 Starting at the wide end of the paper triangle, roll the paper around a pencil again and again using a bit of glue as you go, making sure to add glue at the point end of the roll to hold it together (it’s OK if the glue gets on the rest of the bead, just be careful not to glue it onto the pencil). 
Once dry, remove the paper bead from pencil and now you have made a bead! 
You can paint beads with a coat of mod-podge to give a satin finish and an extra measure to hold it together.  Experiment with different papers and dimensions.  The length of the base of your triangle will always be the length of your bead. 
*Triangles with wider bases and shorter heights will make oblong looking beads; whereas triangles with narrower bases and taller heights will make more rounded beads.  Experiment with paper thickness, or glue two or three triangles together for thicker beads. You can also use wrapping paper, newsprint, funny pages, etc. to make your beads. You can can change the size of the opening of the bead by using toothpicks, straws, knitting needles, etc. Explore and have fun!

Alora C.
Sustainability Planner

Well, now all that was said is done. Art in the park on Sunday was better than I imagined.
When Covid hit- I shifted gears and made a bold move to close my studio doors and take my show on the road with mobile-pop up finesse. As I mentally worked my way through how all of this would happen, I knew I wanted to have art-in-the-park days. Days where we could all come together to create in the spirit of CReATE STUDIO’s drop-in creating days.
It was wonderful to see familiar faces and make new acquaintances last Sunday as creativity flourished. Sharon from Hearth 4 Art inspired kids to draw horses, honing their drawing skills while others made robots, time machines, paintings and more. As I surveyed the scene during our event, I found that the best thing that was happening was connections, friends met up at our event, kids befriended one another, parents and kids were co-creating.
We are a community, we need each another. It was so amazing to see the positivity of connectivity and creativity unfolding on a casual Sunday afternoon.
Thank you for joining us. Let’s do it again soon!

Regards,

Jemma W. Owner/Founder

I couldn’t be more excited for Art in the Park this weekend! I’m hoping to see your familiar faces — and some new ones too! It has been wonderful to hear fond studio memories from those of you who shared with me that you miss being able to drop into the studio to create!

Part of my vision when I transitioned to a mobile pop-up format was to bring my studio back to our community for open-ended art at the park, creativity and fresh air just go together! What better park than the one across from my old studio location- Bernice Bennett Park in Westlake Village.

Drop in anytime between 2 and 4pm on Sunday at Berniece Bennett Park (31800 Village Center Rd, Westlake Village) to create.  I’ll have my signature bins of inspiring recycled materials for open ended creating!  I’m also particularly excited that my friend Sharon from Heart4ART will be joining me to share some of her wonderful artistic techniques with you! This is a free community event ( any donations to benefit our non-profit, CReATE ON YOUR CAMPUS are welcome).
Drop by and share the joy of art with us.  We look forward to seeing you in the park! 

Warm Regards,

Jemma

Owner/Founder CReATE STUDIO

I am so excited to offer a free, family, creative event with my friend Sharon from Heart4Art. Ever since going mobile, people have told me that they miss just being able to drop into the studio and create — well here we are! We are creating a pop-up studio session just for you! It’s our gift to the community!  I’ll have everything you’ll need for open-ended creating with my vast assortment of recycled materials, Sharon from Heart4Art will teach some of her favorite art techniques.  So whether you’re looking for open ended creating or a little more structure, we’ll have options for your creative exploration.  We are just thrilled to share the joy of art, imagination and creativity with you! 
Stop by Berniece Bennett Park in Westlake Village (31800 Village Center Road) anytime between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, July 31st and create.  Can’t wait to see you in the park!  

Jemma W.
Owner/Founder

During my themed camp week; Camp CReATE we’ll make art with sustainable art flair! Each day will include a guided theme with a recycled material base and plenty of time for open-ended creative expression with my collection of reuse materials too! No artistic experience necessary.

I’ve also got a full line-up of unique, creative and eco camps lined-up throughout the summer! Check them out here.

See you this Summer!
Jemma W.
Owner/Founder

Last year’s Eco Dollhouse Camp got rave reviews, so I’m doing it again at the Agoura Hills Rec Center. Design your own 3-story house – to decorate and fill with sustainable furniture!
I’ve got a full line up of unique, creative and eco camps planned for this summer! Check them out and join me.

I am so excited to be doing field trips again!
Creating with a class of students during a field trip really resounds the “Art Fun for Everyone” motto in my head! Next week I will be visiting Oakwood School with all my eco art materials to make Arthropods with 2nd graders! Giving students a unique art experience where they create a physical project that they come up with is applying the learning they have culminated over a number of weeks to flush out their animals- yes, Arthropods are animals! They’re thrilled to KNOW that they need certain components to make their creations real , a certain number of legs, eyes, and even body structure because they’ve learned all about them. What a creative hands-on way to bring that learning home!
Learning is listening, reading, writing and of course, making!

Learning fun, here we come.

Jemma W.
Owner/Founder

On Mother’s Day, I focus on play. I’m looking forward to spending the day with my family, where everyone else does the actual “work!”  I’m envisioning lots of outside activities — with plenty of room to run off energy and minimal clean up necessary.   Maybe we’ll fly a kite?  Or, take a hike — even if it’s just around the neighborhood!   Arts and crafts in the backyard.   A picnic lunch.  With my “To Do List” on-hold, this is the day I soak up why I wanted to be a mom in the first place.   To reconnect, to laugh and to wonder at how the baby girl I held in my arms is growing into her own.   

I hope you have a joyful Mother’s Day!

Warm Regards,

Alora C.

Sustainability Planner