December, 1910 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



475 



and model the design, using the small tool and making the 

 outlines distinct. 



The background of this bookmark was carefully scraped 

 with a sharp knife till the surface became lighter in color 

 and of a velvety texture, against which the darker and 

 smoother design stands out in effective contrast. 



An Oriental button is placed as a jewel in the center 

 of the brace, adding greatly to its effect. 



Two narrow strips of leather (suede is best for this 

 purpose) about twenty inches long are required for the 



markers. Two narrow holes are cut, one on each side of 

 the lower part of the brace, and in each hole one of the 

 strips is pulled through to about half its length, a bead then 

 being passed over the two ends of the strips and pushed 

 up till it reaches the brace, thereby holding the thongs 

 firmly in place. 



At irregular intervals at the end of each thong, place 

 two or more beads in groups, tying a knot underneath each 

 group, to hold the beads in place. Indian or kindergarten 

 beads are used for this purpose. 



Crafts that Children Can Do 



By Mabel Tuke Priestman 



T USED to be thought necessary for a child 

 to show some natural bent for art before 

 he was allowed to be taught any special 

 branch. But, happily, this idea has melted 

 away and we realize that every one has 

 some latent talent which only needs to be 

 developed. 



The old fashioned idea was that a child must be drilled 

 in Historic styles as a basis of the foundation for design, 

 but, the newer and better thought is that greater freedom 

 of creation is given, if the child draws his inspiration from 

 nature and the immediate needs of his environment. Every 

 child has a right to the joy that comes from the knowledge 

 and perception of the beautiful in nature, and too much 

 care cannot be given to the training of the young to look 

 out for "the good, the true and the beautiful." 



It is, of course, necessary to first train the hand, the eye 

 and the brain by teaching drawing in an up-to-date manner. 



The child must draw what he sees and afterward reproduce 

 it from memory. In this way it is impressed on his brain 

 in a way it never could be if the model were always before 

 him. This memory system teaches a child to observe — for, 

 as he knows the object will later be removed, he tries to 

 remember certain prominent features. 



When memory drawing is followed by clay modeling 

 and wood carving, it will be found that working in these 

 mediums has developed the child very rapidly. For, the 

 fact of making different forms in clay reinforces the draw- 

 ing, while carving in wood reinforces the modeling, and, 

 together, they teach originality and invention, as well as 

 cultivating a creative capacity. 



While working in wood, the child is taught to pay close 

 attention to his work, and it also brings the muscles into 

 play to cut and carve hard wood into shape. All the forces 

 of the child are cultivated by these exercises. They should 

 be the ground work of all art training. 



A doll's bonnet and hat made by girls 



Carved book racks made by boys 



Two hats made and trimmed bv girl 



