Because it suits our personality and serves our larger goals, our library is not just a depository of books, but also a “non-coop, coop.” In other words, we offer a wide variety of classes and clubs on an a la carte basis for our patrons.
One of our creative offerings this fall is our Peg People Class — a charming but sometimes tricky craft that many parents hesitate to tackle at home. This is where we step in, with help from my two very artistic teen helpers who love to paint and to work with kids.
For this class, my teens developed a template for four peg dolls representing the four Pevensie children from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. They designed each doll, chose colors inspired by the original illustrations, and painted examples to guide the class.
When children register, they choose whether they want to paint two dolls or all four, and select which characters they’ll work on. Before class, my teens prepare each kit by sketching paint outlines onto the dolls and painting the skin tone on the faces and hands. (When the children are done painting their dolls, the teens will finish each doll with an ultra-fine Sharpie to add facial features.) In preparation, we pack the dolls, pre-filled paint pots in their specific colors, and brushes into a pouch ready for each participant.
In class, children paint their dolls as perfectly (or imperfectly!) as they like. When the painting is done, our finishing station adds final Sharpie details for polish and covers the dolls with Modge Podge for protection.
This class is one of our more expensive offerings because quality peg dolls can be hard to find economically, even in bulk. After much trial and error, we selected a uniform doll shape that works beautifully and isn’t dependent on the gender of the dolls ordered. We also tested six different paints — and, just as many bloggers claim, Apple Barrel paint is the clear winner: excellent quality and surprisingly affordable.
To keep things simple and reduce waste, we limit each doll to three clothing colors and one hair color (flesh tones are done ahead of time). Participants take home their extra paint in the pots along with their brushes. We’ll also have extra peg dolls and paint kits available for purchase for those who want to continue the fun at home.
The result? Beautiful, sturdy little figures that children will treasure — and a painting project parents can enjoy without the stress of prep or cleanup.