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Fall is an ideal time for crafting, which is a way for families to join together and build a memorable masterpiece to display for Halloween.

This year, area crafters can learn new ideas courtesy of the Naples Decorative Artists during a Learn-to-Paint class at East Naples Branch Library. Local volunteer instructors will guide the way for first-timers.

One instructor, Barbara Englund is a retired middle school science teacher and loves working on her favorite projects of decorative painting with fellow members of Naples Decorative Artists.

“I’ve enjoyed decorative painting for six years. I started to learn at the East Naples Library, and I was hooked. Then we went to Cape Coral as there were ladies who taught it there. Vada Brasier has been my teacher here (in Naples), and I’ve been painting with her for years now,” says Englund of her local inspiration for painting on everyday objects such as clay pottery, wine glasses, backpacks and boxes.

They’re not typical artists either. Naples Decorative Artists paint with a purpose, and assist their community at the same time. “Our community service includes painting backpacks for the Shelter for Abused Women, for school-aged children at the shelter. We also donate hand-painted boxes to Naples Community Hospital Birth Place to hold bracelets of babies who died through the National Memory Box Program,” Englund notes of the group’s charity efforts for local families facing a crisis.

“(Learn-to-Paint) is one of these feel good kind of programs,” explains Pat DeGroot, an East Naples Branch Library associate, of the class. “It’s very well-attended. They come in, and they get to be creative, and then they get to take the project home.” The class will be offered at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 at the East Naples Branch Library in the meeting room.

“We’ve had many novices and nonbelievers. They’ve been pleasantly surprised at what they paint. They have this look on their face that says ‘wow, I’ve done it.’ Oftentimes, they paint note cards together, and the group of instructors work closely with each of the attendees for each design,” says DeGroot of past successes of crafters who dipped their brushes into these free painting classes at the library.

Naples Decorative Artist’s goal for this upcoming class will be to dress up fall holiday dinner tables with a new centerpiece. Participants will complete two hand-painted designs of a classic wheat and pumpkin on a candle holder with a white background. It is appropriate for both fall holidays.

Or there’s Frazzled Freddy Pumpkin, a whimsical and easy project for parents, grandparents and children to complete together at home, too.

Englund shared her instructions for the Frazzled Freddy Pumpkin project, which can be painted either upside down on a clay pot, or right side up for fall pumpkin seed plantings. There’s twice the fun here with crafting and growing plants from a seed for children to water and care for. Or Frazzled Freddy can be a beautiful addition as a candy corn holder on an imaginative table topper for trick-or-treaters, or Halloween partygoers to reach in for a treat.

Frazzled Freddy Pumpkin

This is an easy, fun project for parents and children to do together.

Supplies

4 inch clay pot

Clay pot sealer

1 inch foam paint brush

Cotton swabs

Graphite transfer paper

All purpose craft glue

Half inch wood plug, bead or button

Satin finish varnish

Acrylic craft paints: orange, black, white, red

Small liner paint brush or black Sharpie pen

No. 3 or No. 4 round paint brush

Tracing paper

Two 1 inch “wiggle” eyes

Paper towel

Instructions

Seal clay pot according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Paint the pot orange using the 1 inch foam brush.

Trace the pattern onto tracing paper. (See photo and resize if necessary)

Transfer pattern to pot using graphite paper and a ball point pen.

Glue eyes and nose to pumpkin.

Paint nose red.

Use the black marker, or small paint brush and black paint, to outline mouth, eyelashes and facial expression lines.

Dip cotton swab in red paint and wipe off most of the paint on a paper towel.

Using a circular motion, lightly dab the cheeks.

Use the round brush to paint the tooth white and to put a small highlight on the nose.

Allow project to dry thoroughly before applying two to three thin coats of varnish following the manufacturer’s directions.

Securely glue a glass or plastic bowl to the top and fill with trick or treat candy. As an alternative, a Raffia bow or decorative autumn leaves could be added to the top.

All supplies are available at local craft stores.

Other crafty

options

Fun classes for the younger crowd will also be offered at the East Naples Library this fall, courtesy of Tricia Aldrich from the Collier County University Extension Department. For instance, children will be exploring the many uses of pumpkins, and Aldrich will show children how to be creative with decorating these amazing gourds from 4 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.

Aldrich will return again to the East Naples Branch Library to offer factual tales about whales from 4 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, topping off her children’s program with a demonstration in how to make homemade cards and wrapping paper from 4 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 18.

The Marco Island Branch Library will host a Halloween craft for ages 2 and up at 11 a.m. on Oct. 28. Call for details, 394-3272.

Fall into crafty books at the library

More ideas for crafting can be found in new editions at the library too, including Rosie O’Donnell’s Crafty U, with many projects families can enjoy making together. Rather than the traditional carved pumpkin, quickly melting here in Florida heat, O’Donnell suggests an alternative to the real thing. Artificial pumpkins can be reused each year, and carved any way a family wants to. These artificial pumpkins can be found at www.funkins.com.

Combine an extra spooky sight for trick-or-treaters this year, with a can of water, salt and dry ice placed inside a carved pumpkin, so steam flows from the front of the pumpkin’s face for an added special effect. The recipe for this dry ice jack-o-lantern can be found in “Holiday Fun Year-Round,” by Diane Thomas. This project requires adult supervision with gloved hands for extra protection when using the dry ice.

There’s the Wheatsheaf Homemade Saltdough Craft Project, which compliments the colorful hand-painted wheat and pumpkin on the Naples Decorative Artists classic fall centerpiece. This Wheatsheaf can be a year-round decoration on a kitchen wall, and can be found in the “Best Ever Craft Project Book,” with more than 300 unique craft projects to create together.

Decorative painting is also discussed in detail in page 500 of the “Big Book of Crafts,” for those who want to take decorative painting to another level following their participation in the free program at the East Naples Library. This craft book details the many techniques of painting flowers, and discusses how to load the paintbrush for the right effect on a craft project, as well as offers detailed descriptions in designing a special fall wreathe for the front door of a home.

Crafts at home

Decorating brings families together. Following a Learn-to-Paint class at the East Naples Library, participants can teach children or grandchildren these same projects at home. “For people who are looking for painting or crafting ideas, they can go to Deco Art (www.decoart.com), and they have a huge site for individual artists. When I’m looking for something for my grandkids, I’ve gone there,” says Englund.

Pre-registration is required for East Naples Library programs by calling: 775-5592, or by registering online at www.colliergov.net/lib.

Naples Decorative Artists will display their works at the East Naples Library for the entire month of October for those interested in learning more about the art of decorative painting.

More fall family crafts ideas can be found at www.dltk-kids.com/top10.htm or www.makingfriends.com.