Cassie Stephens

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About Cassie Stephens
Cassie Stephens lives in Nashville and teaches art in the Franklin Special School District. She has taught art to children in kindergarten through fourth grade for the last 20 years. When not coming up with fun projects for her students and sharing them on her blog and YouTube channel, cassiestephens.blogspot.com, she's sewing up wild and wacky ensembles to wear and enhance her student's learning experience. Cassie--who was the winner of the Netflix bake-off show Nailed It! in Season 3-- also has a podcast where she shares her experiences in and out of the art room. Her podcast is titled Cassie Stephens. She is also the author of Clay Lab for Kids.
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Author Updates
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Blog postHere's a clay lesson I recently created for my second graders! I created a video to share the process with them and thought I'd share it with you too. Here you go:I did change things up from the video after working with the kids...we made the heart all in one sitting. That's right, 30 minutes! We hustled! Mostly because when I did try to have them wrap the clay coils up in a plate, they were dried and too brittle the next time. The key is that the clay needs to be super soft for the kids to work10 hours ago Read more
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Blog postWell, this blog post has been a long time coming, as we've been working on this What a Wonderful World mural since the start of the school year! I'm excited to say that it's complete and it's up (when it wants to stay up, sigh). You can take a tour of the mural and learn all about who made what and what lessons were involved in this video right here! We've done SO MANY school-wide collaboratives at my school. I absolutely love them. They are also my favorite way to start the school year. I'2 days ago Read more
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Blog postI just uploaded a new clay video to my YouTube channel for my kindergarten students that I thought I'd share with you all. I also thought I'd pile all of my favorite kindergarten clay projects right here in one blog post in case you are interested! I'll be adding a lot of clay videos to my YouTube channel this week so you may want to subscribe!
If you are new to working with clay and kids or feeling like you need a crash course, you may want to start with a couple of videos I created1 week ago Read more -
Blog postI've been in school since August and since that time, my room has changed more than it ever has over the course of my 21 years teaching! First I was told I'd be on a cart...then that I would have to have my students hear instructions from their tables (which I hate as I find it's just too distracting for them) and THEN I was told that I could have my students sit on the floor as long as they are spread apart and all wearing their masks. We never take off our masks in art so this was like a gift2 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postEvery year, I give the same spiel to my classes about clay and ceramics: what clay is made from, how it is fired, what glaze is, the difference between hand built versus wheel thrown and more. It's exhausting! So this year, I put it into a video, added some visuals and used it today. It worked great, even my kindergarten understood what I was yammering about. It's a little long and it's definitely not perfect but...you are more than welcome to use it in your art teacherin' world. Here you go:2 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postI just stitched up another pair of embroidered earrings, y'all! This time the theme was color wheel. I used a different stitch in each of the triangles and shared the process in this video! I hope you'll stitch along with me:
This has been a lot of fun for me...while I love embroidery, I don't love long projects. These are short and simple. Not only that but these earrings are so lightweight! In the past, I've made earrings of other things and they've always weighted a ton. These I don't e3 weeks ago Read more -
Blog postWho's ready to kick off this new year with a whole lotta love, color and bright, fun lessons? BUT who's also not done any real thinkin' about said lessons?! If you said ME to both of those questions than I gotta tell ya, YOU AND ME BOTH. Luckily, I've done a whole lotta love lessons over the years and put all 21 of 'em right here in this blog post. If you follow the links to these, you'll find videos for most and lesson details for ll of them. Have fun creating!
Learn how to draw each of t3 weeks ago Read more -
Blog postI know that somewhere, out there, there's an art teacher putting off their art supply order because they just don't know where to start. I mean, just look at the paintbrush section, for example! There you'll find page after page of paintbrushes ranging in a variety of sizes and shapes. Where to start?! In this wee little five minute video, I'll share with you how to decide what to buy from the bristles all the way down to what the handle is made from. I hope it helps! Happy painting!
4 weeks ago Read more -
Blog postFor the longest, I never wore earrings. My ears have been pierced since I was a kid but...my poor little earlobes have always been high maintenance. If the metal of the post isn't just right, my ears itch and throb. If the earring is even just the slightest bit heavy, my ears start complaining and driving my left eye to twitch. It was all too much! But a couple of years ago, that changed when I spotted a pair of earrings that just sent me spiraling outta control. These days, all I can say is: I4 weeks ago Read more
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Blog postRecently, I posted my favorite winter lessons for my students (you can find it here!) Today I thought I'd share my fave Christmas crafts for we adults! These are projects I've done with my friends in years past when I hosted Christmas craft nights. One of my favorite things to do during the holidays...that I've just not been able to do this year. But that doesn't mean we still can't create! You might even want to schedule a Zoom craft night with friends to give these a whirl. So here we go.1 month ago Read more
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Blog postHey there, friends! I recently had to take some time off from school putting me out of my classroom for three weeks. I'm fine, everything's fine (and no, I didn't have covid) but coming back...that didn't feel fine. Projects that we'd left hanging for the last three weeks didn't seem the best place to pick up where we left off. So I decided to give my youngest artists and myself a break from those projects and start something new. These little cats and dogs inspired by artist, author and illustr2 months ago Read more
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Blog postIt's December 1st! Which means it's time to embark on all sorts of fun, colorful and winter-y art projects around here! Today I'm sharing with you some winter-y greatest hits lessons that I've done over the years. Be sure and click on the link to each as many of these lessons have instructional videos...all free, of course! Let's kick things off with these black glue outlined stained-glass inspired trees my fourth graders created a couple years ago. If you need a review on line and color wi2 months ago Read more
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Blog postYou guys. It's the week of Halloween. I think there's gonna be a full moon. And it's 2020. The year that literally everything, including MURDER HORNETS (did we give up on those already?) descended upon us. For that reason, I'm treading REAL lightly this week...and I thought you might be too. For that reason, I created this lesson. To save us all.Need a handout to give your students some ideas while drawing? I created one but only have a rachet looking version for y'all as I didn't have time to d3 months ago Read more
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Blog postWe kicked off the school year with my mask project and my emotions lesson and we've now started working on a school wide collaborative piece. This is something we've done most school years...and it seems to be really fitting now that we are all back together. Time to celebrate!
When we do our big collaboratives, my students each make small parts (I share in the video below) that are attached to a large mural. To create the large mural backdrop, my students create these massive p4 months ago Read more -
Blog postAnyone else out there feeling like a first year teacher every single art teacherin' day? ME TOO! Isn't it great?!
(insert yeah-that's-sarcasm face here)
Finally, after nearly two months of the new school year, and my endless changes to how I run my newly formated art room, I feel like I just might have it figured out...knock on wood. Like, all of it.
Today I thought I'd take you on a little room tour and share some of my fave new hacks for the new school year.
4 months ago Read more -
Blog postAfter one week of teaching my students, I noticed something. I am having a hard time gauging their emotions. And, right now, I know they are experiencing many feelings. On Tuesday, I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Dr. Gilboa and I learned so much about how to manage my own stress this new school year. She also touched on how our students may be feeling and letting them know that their feelings are valid and valued. You can listen to part one of our chat in my Cassie Stephens p5 months ago Read more
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Blog postToday I was asked if I was ready to return to school next week and I just nearly spit out my coffee.
Like, wait. What?
OMG. I do start back to school next week! It's not even next week, y'all. It's down to just mere days and hours. Minutes even. How in the world did I slip into such daze of delightful denial that I had forgotten?
Okay. I'll be honest. I have not forgotten. It's been on my mind since July.
As a teacher, I5 months ago Read more -
Blog postWowza, y'all. School began last week for me with days of professional development and just yesterday for my students and all I can say is that in my 22 years of teaching, I've never had a year like this! And...it's only Tuesday.
Just to give you a little info on what my school district is doing for our elementary students: kindergarten thru second grade have the choice of going virtually or returning in the classroom. If they are returning, they are to be wearing masked, spaced 6' apart an5 months ago Read more -
Blog postWe are getting new updates on what our new school year will look like...often. And I get it, who knows what our future may hold. I know my school system is trying their very best and I certainly would not want to be in their shoes! That being said...it looks as though I may be in my art room for some of my grades and teacher virtually for others (with the idea that I could be on a cart at some point too).
One of my favorite things to do to get excited for the new school year i6 months ago Read more -
Blog postI'm baaaaack!
I took a small hiatus from my podcast back in March when I learned we were not returning to school. Suddenly my focus was on distance learning...and not much else! I had no intention of taking a break but, for me, it was necessary. However, I'm so thrilled to announce that I'm back with two episodes of Season 2! They're titled How to Prepare for the Unknown, Part 1 & 2...kinda appropriate, right? I do hope you enjoy. If you know other teachers who might, please fee6 months ago Read more -
Blog postHello, friends!
I have created a lesson for my students and any kiddos who wish to create titled Behind My Mask! When my students return in the fall (and, yes, I said 'when' as I am very hopeful and optimistic), they will be asked to mask-up. We always seem to start out school year with a selfie so I was bummed when I thought of the idea of my students drawing themselves with their best facial feature hidden. And that's where the idea of this surprise drawing came from. Here's7 months ago Read more -
Blog postIt's time to celebrate dad! All dads: step-dad, grand-dad, uncle who is like a dad...really any dude who makes your life better. It's time to let 'em know how awesome they are! All you'll need is paper, scissors, glue, crayons and markers. Here we go:
7 months ago Read more -
Blog postSummer Vacation Week was so fun! And the perfect way to kick start summer. We wrapped it on Friday with this pop-up hot air balloon. Here is the video:
From there we made this Origami Ocean Collage! This one was a huge hit. Kids love origami!Our last salt dough clay project (for now) was making this garden. It was so fun and the Art Class with Cassie kids got so creative!We kicked off the week with this Summertime Selfie. I'm actually thinking of starting our school year with this one!Have8 months ago Read more -
Blog postI've been thinking of new art lessons to bring into my art room this coming school year. I always want my lessons to have a focus on kindness, acceptance, empathy and love because, to me, that's what art is all about. I have put together a list of my favorite books to use when teaching and I thought I'd share it with you. As for the weaving project, you'll need a piece of white and black paper; yellow, red, white and black paint; a paintbrush and a cup of water; scissors and glue. Here we g8 months ago Read more
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Blog postHappy Summer Vacation! In case you missed out on creating an Origami Ocean Collage last week, here's the video! These are the supplies you'll want to gather:
Now let's create:
Have fun!8 months ago Read more
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Books By Cassie Stephens
Clay Lab for Kids: 52 Projects to Make, Model, and Mold with Air-Dry, Polymer, and Homemade Clay
May 1, 2017
$11.99
In Clay Lab for Kids, art teacher and winner of the Netflix bake-off show Nailed It! Cassie Stephens presents 52 hands-on projects made with kid-friendly clays that get kids working creatively and thinking three-dimensionally.
Squishy, colorful, and infinitely shapable, clay just might be the most versatile art material for kids. Author-artist-teacher Cassie Stephens has created all-new clay projects for kids of all skill levels. Start with the basics of rolling, coiling, and pinching pots, and move up to making "Jurassic fossils," animal marionettes, monster magnets, and boxes with secret compartments.
All of the projects use kid-friendly, no-kiln clay (air-dry, homemade, and polymer) and water-based paints, perfect for home and classroom, plus there's an entire chapter of recipes for mixing up inexpensive homemade clays in the kitchen.
When creating with clay, kids are introduced to a wide range of cognitive and manual skills: they'll work three-dimensionally; make figurative models; use their imaginations in making jewelry and toys; design with color; and decorate with paints.
The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, bugs, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Squishy, colorful, and infinitely shapable, clay just might be the most versatile art material for kids. Author-artist-teacher Cassie Stephens has created all-new clay projects for kids of all skill levels. Start with the basics of rolling, coiling, and pinching pots, and move up to making "Jurassic fossils," animal marionettes, monster magnets, and boxes with secret compartments.
All of the projects use kid-friendly, no-kiln clay (air-dry, homemade, and polymer) and water-based paints, perfect for home and classroom, plus there's an entire chapter of recipes for mixing up inexpensive homemade clays in the kitchen.
When creating with clay, kids are introduced to a wide range of cognitive and manual skills: they'll work three-dimensionally; make figurative models; use their imaginations in making jewelry and toys; design with color; and decorate with paints.
The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, bugs, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Other Formats:
Flexibound
Stitch and String Lab for Kids: 40+ Creative Projects to Sew, Embroider, Weave, Wrap, and Tie
Jul 23, 2019
$11.99
In Stitch and String Lab for Kids, art teacher and winner of the Netflix bake-off show Nailed It! Cassie Stephens presents 40+ inventive projects that explore everything from simple sewing, embroidery, and weaving to string art, needle felting, and yarn crafts.
Stitch and String Lab for Kids leads children, step by step, through a huge range of sewing and fiber art projects. As they go, they will learn a variety of techniques, develop dexterity and coordination, and enjoy making a variety of creative projects. Kids will employ simple embroidery stitches to embellish a sun catcher, wall hangings, and an appliqué animal. Sewing projects include a drawstring bag, a sketchbook jacket, and custom plushies. Children will learn how to make custom looms to weave bookmarks, bracelets, and even a mini rag rug. They will also experiment with string art, needle felting, shibori dyeing, pompom animals, as well as finger knitting, yarn art, and cool wrapping projects.
Each project includes a materials list and illustrated steps, and the book is filled with useful tips, tricks, and shortcuts. Stitch samplers will teach the basics, and templates are included for plushies and stuffies. Kids are encouraged to make variations and personalize the projects to their own style and personality.
These 44 creative projects offer a broad and rich sampling of sewing, fabric, and fiber crafts—Stitch and String Lab for Kids is perfect for keeping kids busy with educational activities at home, learning techniques and experimenting at school, or having a ball at camps and parties. Parents, teachers, homeschoolers, and facilitators will appreciate the easy, illustrated instruction and the curriculum-friendly format, with projects that can be completed in any order.
The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Stitch and String Lab for Kids leads children, step by step, through a huge range of sewing and fiber art projects. As they go, they will learn a variety of techniques, develop dexterity and coordination, and enjoy making a variety of creative projects. Kids will employ simple embroidery stitches to embellish a sun catcher, wall hangings, and an appliqué animal. Sewing projects include a drawstring bag, a sketchbook jacket, and custom plushies. Children will learn how to make custom looms to weave bookmarks, bracelets, and even a mini rag rug. They will also experiment with string art, needle felting, shibori dyeing, pompom animals, as well as finger knitting, yarn art, and cool wrapping projects.
Each project includes a materials list and illustrated steps, and the book is filled with useful tips, tricks, and shortcuts. Stitch samplers will teach the basics, and templates are included for plushies and stuffies. Kids are encouraged to make variations and personalize the projects to their own style and personality.
These 44 creative projects offer a broad and rich sampling of sewing, fabric, and fiber crafts—Stitch and String Lab for Kids is perfect for keeping kids busy with educational activities at home, learning techniques and experimenting at school, or having a ball at camps and parties. Parents, teachers, homeschoolers, and facilitators will appreciate the easy, illustrated instruction and the curriculum-friendly format, with projects that can be completed in any order.
The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Other Formats:
Flexibound
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