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Tag: Stuart M.Perkins

Transformation: The Things We Carry

March 12, 2021March 12, 2021 ~ wordancerblog ~ 8 Comments

What if I took my junky art drawer and treated it as a piece of art?  What could I make?  How could it become a pleasing aesthetic part of my art space?  There was suddenly possibility instead of mess.

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  1. Trish's avatar
    Trish on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 29, 2026

    I loved reading this observation: "I was just setting the stage for children to create.  They did not need help;…

  2. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    Come to New Jersey anytime, Kim. You have an open invitation!

  3. kimhaynesjohnson's avatar
    kimhaynesjohnson on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    What's so fascinating is that children are accepting and agreeable when it comes to working together (mostly)- - far more…

  4. Anita Ferreri's avatar
    Anita Ferreri on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    I think you should give yourself a round of applause for inspiring their creativity!

  5. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    Yes, this is the best part of my job. I'm a learning specialist, but I made room (literally) for crafting,…

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8 responses to “Transformation: The Things We Carry”

  1. Maureen Young Ingram Avatar
    Maureen Young Ingram
    March 12, 2021

    Wow! Your writing shows how we can write into knowing, write into surprise revelations. I love your newly organized art drawer – and I love that you could connect it to Tim O’Brien’s book! Then you offer this reflection – “They smile, they laugh, they play, they keep their desks in order. But I know inside they are struggling to understand all the death and restrictions.” Oh my. I think you should bring found objects into your classroom and let students explore, imagine, and write – look how awesome your trek was!

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  2. Chris (ReadSoMuch) Avatar
    Chris (ReadSoMuch)
    March 12, 2021

    Your slice has given me a lot to think about! We are working on decluttering but not completely emptying our basement. Thanks for some organizing and writing inspiration.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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  3. Kristi Lonheim Avatar
    Kristi Lonheim
    March 12, 2021

    This post is so dense with gems: junk, order, art, poetry. The thing that struck me the most was that you may have created a new genre of art – the junk drawer. You could start a worldwide art challenge. Choose one junk drawer. Using nothing other than the contents of the drawer arrange some (or all) of the items in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and snap a picture. I would love to see the collection of photos that resulted from the challenge.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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  4. elsie Avatar
    elsie
    March 12, 2021

    I finished reading and my first thought was WOW! Then I saw Maureen’s comment and smiled. What a journey through the junk drawers! You have created a Bento box for your “junk.” 🙂 Then the poems so different and such a perfect addition to your prose.

    LikeLiked by 1 person

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  5. Trina Avatar
    Trina
    March 13, 2021

    Wow! Your junk drawer looks so appealing.

    I used to love sorting through my grandma’s junk drawer when I went to visit – very little of it was junk to me!

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  6. aggiekesler Avatar
    aggiekesler
    March 13, 2021

    I love being organized…but when it gets out of hand, I don’t enjoy the process of organization. Looks like you’ve done a great job- so pretty!
    I love The Things They Carried! I need to reread it. 🙂

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  7. Terje Avatar
    Terje
    March 13, 2021

    To start with a junk drawer and end up with poetry about transformation. Your connection making and creative thinking create an enjoyable text.

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  8. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    March 13, 2021

    I love your connection to The Things They Carried, and your approach to your junk drawers and art drawers. This morning, I helped my son reorganize his closet, and we both were really happy with the result. It feels so much better to look at a mess–physical or mental–and see possibility. You show this so well!

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