This post contains a sponsored review but opinions are completely my own.
I want to share a really clever product with you are going to love, but first you need to reminisce with me for a few short moments. I am going to share something that I have never talked about with anyone.
I wanted to be an interior designer. Architecture had always amazed me, and while in the sixth grade, I privately studied – yes, studied – building plans for homes. So, when I entered college, I decided the necessary course of study would be art.
Prior to college, I never had an art class. So, I sat in Drawing 101 and was completely intimidated by the artists around me. That is when the instructor approached me and looked at my work. She openly criticized me in front of the class because my drawing had lines. Lines.
“Do you see lines when you look at that still-life?” she ranted. “Do you?!”
I was so lost. Almost in tears. And had no idea what I was supposed to do to remove the lines from my drawing.
That was my last art class.
When Art Jam approached me about a review, I assumed this would be a perfect project for my children because they love art. Then, I read that the lessons are optimally designed for ages 12 and up. You can use them with younger children (ages 6 to 11) if you are willing to guide them through the process. But, when I opened the Watercolor Koi project and flipped through the step-by-step instructional guide and watched the art instruction videos online… I heard that instructor’s voice. I felt the sting of trading in my dream for an indecisiveness that was never quenched by a long list of majors.
I had to do this one by myself.
Complete art projects in a jar
Each Art Jam project comes complete with everything you need for the project… and I mean everything. The Watercolor Koi project includes even scissors, pencil, and pen.
All throughout the instructions, you are prompted to watch the videos for additional instruction. The videos are like having a personal art tutor guiding you as you work.
Art Jam – Step by step art instruction
The instruction book includes a brief history of the technique and thorough descriptions of the ingredients needed to complete the technique.
Once you are familiar with the details, the step-by-step directions begin. With each part of the project you have full-color photographs to affirm your progress.
What I love about Art Jam
Creative
In all fairness, I have to admit that my children were right at my elbow as I worked and I have plans to work through the other projects with them. (Follow me on Instagram for our continuing fun with Art Jam this week or search social media with the hashtag #ArtJamProjects.) I loved that they were amazed… not by my talent… but by the creative process.
Complete
Ordinarily, an art project requires a long list of supplies and an equally long amount of time to gather the materials. With Art Jam, everything you need for the lesson is inside the jar. Aside from drying time between layers of paint, I did not need to get up our of my chair for anything.
Cost Effective
Instead of purchasing mass quantities of product (and paying a hefty amount for it) for one project, you get perfect amounts for the lesson. In some kits, you have enough to complete the project twice.
Also, if you want to purchase enough Art Jam kits for a homeschool co-op or birthday party, they are available in bundles through the online store.
Where to purchase Art Jam
If you are local to Louisiana, you can purchase Art Jam projects at various retailers.
For those who cannot make a quick trip to an Art Jam retailer, you can purchase the kits through the Art Jam Etsy shop.
Enter to win
Art Jam has generously donated 1 of each kit (Watercolor Koi, Oil Pastel Lily, and Mobile) to one Meet Penny reader. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter widget.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
[sc:Giveaway Disclosure]
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I like that videos are used to explain the project.
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The art jam is a fantastic idea. I used to be a 4th grade teacher and also the after school art teacher before I became a stay at home Mom. I am always trying to incorporate art into the lives of both my children and the children who are part of our lives. Thank you for sharing this idea. I think this would be prefect for an art party or play-date!
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That is a really great idea. I like the fact that they have a list of “Coming Soon”, because that can help you plan in advance. I wish they had an approximate month or something like that when they would be available though. 🙂
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The oil pastel flower looks like fun.
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really like the koi pond kit – love the whole concept of having everything you need in one place!
thanks!
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I like how neatly organized the Art Jam website is…everything has been thought of, just like what gets out in each jar kit….a link for homeschoolers, younger students, where to place bulk orders, etc. What a creative idea for an art project in a jar!
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They offer package deals for homeschoolers.
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Very interesting. Would like to try it 🙂
Thanks.
Thanks for sharing! My granddaughter will love these!
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I have never seen this before and would love to try it out. Thanks for sharing.
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I love this art in a Jar idea! I am an artist and always look to find great ideas to share with my children who are little artists in the making! I am thrilled to have found your blog and the information about art in a jar! I visited the site an am pleased to see that the owner is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children. It is not only encouraging to find someone who is thoughtful enough to help others experience something like art easily, but who also has a passion for something bigger than themselves or their talents and goes that extra mile to share their talents for the good of many. I am so excited to become part of this big picture!!
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When students were done with their paper cuts they learned how to draw a koi from a step by step guided drawing lesson. After drawing one, two or three koi students went over their lines with black crayon or oil pastel. Finally students used watercolor to make vibrant works of art. Some students dug the salt out of the student supply cabinet to give a special effect to their water.
I like the Oil Pastel – Lily. They do a great job of putting several pictures of the finished artwork. Maybe…. even I could do it?!
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the art jar looks great
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What a wonderful idea!
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I’m a homeschooler and like the fact that you can purchase kits with unit guides and free online videos.
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I like the fact there is no shopping around for materials! Especially when there aren’t a lot of art supply stores in the area. Visited the website.
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What a neat idea!
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I just love the oil pastel kit for the lily! I love how all the supplies come in the jar. You don’t need to purchase anything else!
This is such a cool idea! My daughter has wanted to try chalk pastels and we don’t have any (we have some oil pastels, but they are different). I see there is a chalk pastel project coming soon! I’ll be looking for it! Thanks for the heads up about this really awesome product.
This is great!
I like that you can purchase the kits for different numbers of students. That makes it perfect for us who are homeschooling.
I hate that, that teacher did that to you. I have never taken a single art class because I a) don’t get it and b) can’t even draw a stick person. all my kids and my mom are artistic, it just skipped me. I love art history and the classes where you just have to look at it but I can’t make it.
I love the Georgia O’Keefe inspired oil paint kit. My Grandma was an artist and oils paints were a medium she used and I loved. I also love the Koi painting kit. We are about to do an around the world study. That would fit in perfectly with Japan.
Sounds like an engaging independent learning art program; thanks for a chance to win!