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Organizing Children's Artwork
Need to get your artwork management system in place? Here are 11 ideas for how to get organized.
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Hang ‘Em High
String a lightweight clothesline in the corner of your child's room or playroom and clip the art on with clothes pins.
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Wall for All
Designate an entire wall in an out-of-the-way place such as the back entrance as the family art gallery and give each child a section.
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Stick Up
Install a magnetic board (we like the clean lines of the Spontan from IKEA) in each child's room and allow them to display the week's worth of art there.
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Selective Storage
The key here is to limit the space you're willing to devote to storage so you're forced to be selective. Try to stick to one large box per child and one large envelope (10.5" x 15" works well) per school year. Remember to date every piece of art placed inside the envelope.
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All Wrapped Up
The art you're not keeping can also be used as unique wrapping paper or notepaper.
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Picture Perfect
If you have a wall just begging for a gallery, a display is a great way to show off your favourite pieces of work. The Perfect Picture Wall. This clever system lets you pick ten coordinated picture frames and then sends you a paper template and all the necessary hardware to hang them on your wall perfectly. Templates for hanging pictures on a regular wall or for a display up a staircase are both available.
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Tape Tip
Save the paint on your walls when putting up all that wonderful artwork by using colourful painter's tape to frame them.
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Artful Adhesive
Having an art attack caused by creative overload after the first two months of preschool? The Petit Collage Gallery Corners will get you out of that sticky situation. Hang up your own ever-changing art collection, photos and more with removable and reusable (for maximum eco-sustainability points) fabric decals. Just place one on each corner and stick on any non-porous flat surface (includes your stainless-finish fridge).
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Fun Placemats
Laminate fun pieces of art and turn them into placemats. Gather a few sets by the holiday season—they make great DIY gifts.
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Sentimental Snapshots
Take a picture of the budding artist holding the masterpiece—especially good for clay and popsicle stick creations—or of the gallery wall with the art on display and save those images electronically as well (printed copies can go in the envelopes).
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Creative Cards
Now any of us who have fallen in love with little Johnny's carefully scrawled rendition of the family cat can turn that drawing into greeting cards that will delight grandmas, teachers and coaches alike. Just scan, upload and order.