Kid Rock - Our Crystal Workshop with The Cristalline

Written & Photographed By A Wild Dove  

In our latest signature learning experience, we hosted a crystal workshop for kids in collaboration with our favorite crystal design firm,  The Cristalline. Amidst a spread filled with snacks by Moon Juice, vegan and gluten-free donuts from Erin McKenna’s Bakery and rosé for the mamas, The Cristalline’s co-founder Rashia Bell took our little ones through an understanding of crystals followed by a mini-meditation using the crystal of their choice. Suffice to say, the kids loved it. Get Rashia’s take on this mindful, mind-blowing experiential event.

“I wanted to create a workshop for kids to discover the meaning of crystals and their various uses. We started by discussing how crystals and stones are created, since most kids are into chemistry and how to create things by combining elements. Next I wanted them to experience crystals without any preconceived input as to the meaning of the different stones. Each child assembled a set of crystals by choosing the ones they were most drawn to. This aspect of the workshop was important because kids are very receptive to crystal energy, since they haven’t been through the energetic disruptions that adults have. This is why many kids have rock or shell collections, because they are drawn to nature’s energy.

Once they had made their own set, I then revealed the energetic properties of the different stones, which provided them a fun analysis of the stones they chose.

Stones & Their Meanings -

 

Amethyst - Purification

Green Aventurine - Confidence

Red Aventurine - Determination

Rose Quartz - Love

Kyanite - Connect to Nature

Obsidian - Grounding

Carnelian - Courage

Yellow Jasper - Removes Worry

Black Tourmaline - Protection

Citrine - Creativity

Blue Lace Agate -Communication

Clear Quartz - Clearing

Hematite Manifestation

We then talked about how to care for crystals by cleaning and clearing them.  One of my favorite moments was when I mentioned that you could use moonlight to charge your crystals when it was a full or new moon.  One boy asked, “How do I know when it is going to be one?” I said that you can look on a calendar to see where the moon is. He said, “I know, I can look on my dad’s apple watch!”  This generation has the ability to be extremely mindful and combine the holistic with the technical world. I love that A Wild Dove is strengthening that combination by providing something that mamas and kids can share together.  I think introducing your own personal practice to your children and then letting them find their own is a gift and will only help them to grow into more well-rounded adults.

"It was really lovely to see how open they were and the tenacity with which they approached the meditation."

The last part of the workshop was spent showing the kids how they can use their crystals. We did a mini meditation with a stone of their choice, which blew me away. It was really lovely to see how open they were and the tenacity with which they approached the meditation. They fully embraced the process and the power of crystals without questioning it.  I am so excited to continue this exploration in the fall and doing more events that empower kids with both the knowledge and tools to be mindful of the energy in their bodies.

To learn more about our upcoming
A Wild Dove x The Cristalline workshops
please sign up below!

---

learn more

Go to thecristalline.com

An Experience of Artistic Proportion

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

We partnered with kids learning organization, Shine to bring our latest unique learning experience to the Hamptons. Our mini flock explored the works of Jackson Pollock at the very studio he shared with artist and wife Lee Krasner. The kids channeled the artists’ practices and mediums to create their own diverse works. The result? Nothing short of genius. Read on for a first person account of our exciting collaboration straight from Aaron Goldschmidt, director of Shine and proud member of our Flock...

"We have always loved discussing Jackson Pollock in our art classes, but when asked to create a workshop at the Pollock-Krasner house in East Hampton, we jumped at the opportunity."

We couldn’t wait to craft one of our signature workshops introducing children to art and its concepts in a fun and age-appropriate way.

As always, we began our morning with a discussion, but it was no ordinary talk. We were in Jackson Pollock’s studio! After reading Action Jackson, we discussed Pollock and his work.  It’s important to help children understand that Pollock originated an idea about art. His canvases were on the floor and he didn’t use traditional techniques of brush to paper. Instead, his paintings were as alive as he was and made with using his whole body, thus creating “action painting” by throwing, dripping, splattering his paint on the canvas. Pollock wanted people to feel the energy he felt while painting.  

We then discussed Pollock’s wife, Lee Krasner, also an important artist although overshadowed by Jackson and her role as caretaker to his troubled life. We noted the progression of her art from small, organic forms inspired by still lifes to the big bold shapes, lines, and colors that was fueled by her emotional state once Pollock died.

Then on to the art. We devised two projects, one representing Pollock and one for Krasner.  

A common through line for us was that each artist used movement and action in their work.  While Pollock’s were fueled by expression, movement, and rhythm, Krasner’s were more gestural, representing her emotions.

For Pollock, we put out individual canvasses and let the campers choose colors. Pollock loved to listen to jazz as he painted so we listened to some improvisational jazz so the kids could get into their bodies.  We mentioned that if Pollock dropped a penny, or if a bug landed in the paint, he would leave it there as part of the art.  We actually had a camper leave a piece of rope on her canvas that was used to drip paint.

To encourage action painting, we told everyone to move their whole body, not just an arm or hand, to reach the entire canvas. We told them to experiment with different kinds of lines, varying the height, speed, and angle of actions. The kids were having fun making a mess and getting into their action painting.

For Krasner, we used black ink to create our gestural lines.  We asked campers to think about how they were feeling and then move their arms and hands in broad strokes to create bold, expressive lines. Once dried, we returned to add bright colors to our paintings, both individual and group. For the kids, the juxtaposition of using paint for the Pollock and ink and oil pastel for the Krasner gave them a variety of mediums with which to create.

Sign up for our next
experience below!

As we continue to expose kids to a variety of art and artists, it’s important to let them know that not all art is created by standing in front of a canvas and painting landscapes. After spending the day in such an iconic location and bearing witness to the inspiration that fuelled both Pollock and Krasner, it was clear that our art comes from a combination of so many things in our life. Translating concepts of art into everyday activities doesn’t have to be challenging, but rather a way to allow children to see the world a little bit differently.  And if we continue to let the world change us, we can change the world, one canvas at a time. Keep Shining…

---

learn more

Go to ShineNYC.net

As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars - the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.

Our Comme des Garçons Workshop With A Wild Dove & Shine

Written & Photographed by A Wild Dove

---

Aaron Goldschmidt, our dear friend, is the Founder of Shine, an organization that creates artistically-inspired programs for children. So in celebration of tonight’s MET Gala honoring Comme des Garçons, we tasked him with developing a workshop where kids could discuss fashion as art and create an avant-garde piece inspired by CDG. Aaron gave us the play-by-play of the workshop so that you can inspire your own budding fashion designers at home.

To begin, Randi, our head teacher and myself, sat in a discussion circle talking about the clothes that we wear. What does it mean to dress for school? To dress up? Does what you wear tell people about who you are or how you’re feeling? Can your clothes make a statement? We then asked the kids if they thought fashion designers were artists. There was no fooling this crew of downtown boys. We all agreed, then went on to look at eight CDG looks and discussed the fashion label.

---

I find that by simply asking more questions, the right leading questions, we can help guide children to understanding a concept without it having to be forced into their head. It means a lot more when they start to piece things together rather than when we tell them directly.  

The boys understood these clothes were special. We discussed the structure of the garments as well as their sculptural quality. We had already talked about the fact that designing clothes was like building, just building on a body. The details on the CDG clothes were noticeably popping off each garment, the 3D aspect making them feel constructed and appealing to the boys’ desire to build.

We told the boys they were going to design a garment using the distressed vintage t-shirts on the mannequins. Since CDG is a Japanese label, origami paper is the perfect material to construct
an original garment while tying it back to the theme.

We then went on to teach the boys simple folds but encouraged them to make up their own folds, to do a repetition of folds, to really go crazy, go avant-garde with experimental and unusual ideas.

It was then on to the construction of the garment on the mannequin. Using adhesive tape so they could move their origami around, the boys began building their piece. For embellishments, we added ribbons, buttons, and crumpled up white butcher paper as an added fabric in case they wanted to add volume or length or giant flowers.

With only guidance, a little direction, and some questions, we were able to allow the boys to really get into the process. When they settled on placement for their paper and embellishments, we came in with a hot glue gun to attach.

Our workshop concluded with another meeting where each designer got to speak about his garment. 

Callum wanted

his to be "joyful"!

Gabi really wanted to

Show off the wings.

Alexander, well,

his vision spoke volumes

about him as a designer...

truly inspired.

Allowing children to explore and create using a theme that might seem daunting or difficult can become an opportunity for learning, growing, and expanding their views of the world. This ultimately leads to creating critical thinkers, creative minds, and open hearts - making the world a better place for all of us.

Mannequins and All Clothes on Alexander, Callum, and Gabi by Trico Field | White Vintage Tees by The Quality Mending Co.

---

For More info please visit

SHINE.NYC | Trico field

the quality mending co.

As modern mamas living in the over information age, (where everyone is an expert and parenting opinions are shared as freely and easily as an Instagram post) it can be tough to filter through the white noise to find the facts. Naturally, we’d love to consider ourselves wise in all sorts of ways, but the truth is sometimes we’re scrawling SOS in the sand. Good thing we’ve got the guidance and expertise of our own personal rockstars: the people who inspire us on the daily. Our rockstars (our flock) are enthusiasts, professionals and influencers in the fields of wellness, travel, education, style—the list goes on. Each one brings a profoundly different perspective to the table, one informed by their own experiences and outlooks. And that perspective is priceless.

They say it takes a village…we say it takes a flock.