What does “Organic, Non-Toxic or Natural” art supplies mean?

What does “Organic, Natural & Non-Toxic” mean?

By Spramani Elaun

As mom to two young artist and teacher for Nature of Art For Kids® it’s important for me understand what ingredients truly mean on art supply labels. Knowing what “Organic, Natural & Non-toxic” means will help you better understand how to select products for your child’s health and best use. Below is a description of four terms to help you choose products for art & craft projects.

Organic

Organic art supplies are usually made with ingredients that are biodegradable and pure ingredients. Simply stated, ingredients grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms or without ionizing radiation. Very clean ingredients!

Non-Toxic

Non-toxic implies that the products have been tested by a toxicologists and are not harmful to your child’s health if ingested or absorbed. A non-toxic label also insures that the product has been approved and does not cause acute or chronic hazards. U.S. labeling law requires all companies selling or distributing art supplies for children must display the conforms to ASTM D 4236 on the label.

Natural

Natural art supplies are generally made with ingredients like fruits, vegetables, flowers, seeds, leaves or earth clays. Usually this means natural pigments were extracted from these types of plants. These natural resources can also be processed and combined with synthetic or food preservatives for longer shelf life.

Synthetic In-orgainc Art Supplies

Today most commercial art supplies are created by synthetic in-organic pigments. This means they are chemically manufacturing rather than grinding minerals, washing clays, or extracting plants. Synthetic in-organic art supplies can be certified non-toxic and safe for children. Always be sure labels clearly state conforms to ASTM D 4236 if you intend for young child to use these products.

All these types of art supplies are readily available on the market today. I recommend trying to make your own natural art supplies if you can’t find these products near you. The internet has wonderful ideas and natural recipes you can look up. If you have specific questions please leave a comment.

Earth-friendly green art teacher, Spramani E’Laun

Nature of Art For Kids®, All rights reserved © 2012

http://www.nature-of-art-kids.com/  Order non-toxic paints for kid’s here!

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Kids Art Supply Safety

“Precautionary Principle” for Kids &

Art Supplies!

By Spramani Elaun

When selecting non-toxic art supplies for kids under 12 years old, I always use the “Precautionary Principle”. Simply said, “better to be safe than sorry later”. Following this simple guide insures developing young kids are safely guarded from any harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, most commercial art supplies do not come with guaranteed conclusive scientific proof there are no hazardous substance hidden inside them. Even though art supplies are approved in the U.S. and conform to labeling policy laws, I still use these safety guides as a standard for young children. Some chemicals may be safe to use and are not highly toxic, but can cause long-term chronic toxicity. A young child’s immune system is not as strong as an adolescents or adults. Although, some chemicals may be safe and not highly toxic, some chemicals may cause chronic toxicity. Effects from chronic toxicity may not appear immediately after the first exposure or even several uses, but may take years to produce symptoms. It has been reported by national environmental agencies that chronic toxicity exposures are linked to childhood diseases. Toxicity exposures are commonly connected through every day use of household products such as; toys, body products, food products, water systems, pesticides and environmental pollution from toxic chemicals. In the last five years close to twenty-one million children were reported to suffer from chronic diseases like cancer, asthma, birth defects, and neurological disorders ranging from ADHD to autism. Protect your children and only use non-toxic products. I always use this Precautionary Principle when selecting products for my young artist to create with.

Precautionary Principle - Wikipedia

Earth-Friendly Green Art Teacher,

Spramani Elaun

Nature of Art For Kids®

Excerpts from my books, Nurturing Children in the Visual Arts Naturally, Non Toxic Art For Kids. Primary Colour Theory For Kids. All copyrights reserved 2012.

Summer Solstice Drawing Contest For Kids!

All submitted drawings will be featured on our websites this summer 2012.

Three drawings will be selected to receive gifts of art supplies from Nature of Art For Kids®

Gifts: Artists sketch book & 12 set artist color pencils.

Three drawings from different age groups will be selected by lottery by art instructor Spramani Elaun.

All art submitted will be featured in Kids New Gallery Page at official website Nature of Art For Kids® http://www.ecokidsart.com

Ages 5 – 7 years

Ages 6 – 9 years

Ages 10 years – 14 years

Art Specifications:

• 8 1/2 x 11 image vertical or horizontal ok

• Mediums that can be used- crayons, pencil, color pencils or pen

• Drawing that depicts ideas of Summer Solstice

• Name and age at the bottom of drawing

* Please note by artist submitting drawing you understand your drawing will be used for Nature of Art For Kid® promotions.

• email digital file of  image to: treepassion@gmail.com, Attention Summer Contest 2012 with name, age and simple description of artist drawing.

Selection will be posted June 15th!

Happy Summer Solstice,

Earth-friendly green art teacher, Spramani Elaun

Nature of Art For Kids®

http://www.ecokidsart.com

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Earth Day Art Project For Kids!

Earth Day Art Project For Kids!

Photo by Mandy Sicard

City of Trash

By Spramani Elaun

In celebration of Earth Day 2012 this collaborative cardboard art project was created by kids collecting trash. I gave the kids a simple guided concept of building a city. The kids were able to create this city with scraps and their own imagination. This project will be on display this coming Earth Day 2012 at one of the largest Earth Day events across the country. You can find this project in the kids area, hosted by Nature of Art For Kids®. The exhibit will remind consumers of buying habits and landfill issues we face today. Kids will also be invited to re-create this same project with trash this coming Sunday. Typical trash collected was food items and packaging scraps commonly recycled or discarded into our trash. This low-cost project can be re-created for kids to make as an eco-friendly art project. Listed below are simple suggestions to making at home, in classrooms or organized groups.

Sunday, April 22, 2012
 Balboa Park • 10am – 5pm

The world’s largest annual environmental fair and 
Earth Day Celebration – produced by volunteers
23rd annual event! http://www.earthdayweb.org/

Sponsored by Nature of Art For Kids® & Colour Blocks, handcrafted recycled square block crayons

http://www.ecokidsart.com

San Diego Earth Day Events

Southern California Earth Day Events

How to re-create:

Collect all scraps, trash, cardboard, boxes and anything that cannot biodegrade.

Good scissors

Typical craft glue

Low temperature glue gun (parents should help with glue gun with young children)

non-toxic paints

paint brushes

Duct tape or clear strong tape.

Happy Earth Day!

Earth-frienldy green art teacher

Spramani Elaun

Nature of Art For Kids®

Buy Nontoxic Art Supplies For Kids!

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“Precautionary Principle” for Art Supplies & Kids!

By Spramani Elaun

When selecting non-toxic art supplies for kids under 12 years old, I always use the “Precautionary Principle”. Simply said, “better to be safe than sorry later”. Following this simple guide insures developing young kids are safely guarded from any harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, most commercial art supplies do not come with guaranteed conclusive scientific proof there are no hazardous substance hidden inside them. Even though art supplies are approved in the U.S. and conform to labeling policy laws, I still use these safety guides as a standard for young children. Some chemicals may be safe to use and are not highly toxic, but can cause long-term chronic toxicity. A young child’s immune system is not as strong as an adolescents or adults. Although, some chemicals may be safe and not highly toxic, some chemicals may cause chronic toxicity. Effects from chronic toxicity may not appear immediately after the first exposure or even several uses, but may take years to produce symptoms. It has been reported by national environmental agencies that chronic toxicity exposures are linked to childhood diseases. Toxicity exposures are commonly connected through our every day use of household products such as; toys, body products, food products, water systems, pesticides and environmental pollution from toxic chemicals. In the last five years close to twenty-one million children were reported to suffer from chronic diseases like cancer, asthma, birth defects, and neurological disorders ranging from ADHD to autism. Protect your children and only use non-toxic products. I always use this Precautionary Principle when selecting products for my young artist to create with.

Precautionary Principle - Wikipedia

Earth-Friendly Green Art Teacher,

Spramani Elaun

Nature of Art For Kids®

Excerpts from my books, Nurturing Children Naturally in the Visual Arts, Non-Toxic Art For Kids. All copyrights reserved 2012.

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• Buying Earth-Friendly & Non-Toxic Art Supplies For Kid’s (ecokidsart.org)
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Art Classes For Kids in San Diego Area!

Nature of Art For Kids®

Art Lessons Taught Naturally!
Art Classes on Thursdays in San Marcos Open Now For Enrollment!
Unique Earth-Friendly Art Classes now in session near the University of San Marcos. Email: treepassion@gmail for enrollment information
Young Exploratory Arts™ ( 15 months – 5 years)
Mix-Media Exploratory Arts™ ( 6 years -12 years)
Open Studio Mix-Media ( 9 years – 15 years)
Foundation Drawing ( 9 years – 15 years)
Acrylic Painting & Colour Theory (9 years – 15 years)
Adult Mix Media Workshops

Learn More about Nature of Art For Kids® & Instructor: Spramani E’Laun 

Buy Non-Toxic Art Supplies!

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Best for Montessori Education, Waldorf Education, natural learning education, home-schoolers, unschoolers, home education, Eco-art Classes, Earth-Friendly, Natural Families!

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San Diego SeaWorld classes offered!

Buy Non-toxic Art Supplies From Nature of Art For Kids!