There’s something genuinely delightful about watching a young person discover their creative voice – especially when that discovery happens through what most of us would simply call a mistake.

Ayanvitta is a 13-year-old student at Tsinghua International School in grade 8 who takes the opportunity to turn boredom into opportunities to design and create.

Most people would look at a misshapen crochet sphere and leave it at that, but Ayanvitta saw a whale. One December afternoon in 2024, she was simply practicing a double crochet stitch, working with blue yarn, when something unexpected happened. The sphere she’d intended to make curved differently than planned. Instead of frogging the whole thing and starting over, she paused and looked at what sat in her hands. To her, it resembled her whale plushy. So she kept going, adding fins, stitching a tail, letting the accident guide her. A week later, she made a bigger version. Then another. What began as a practice exercise became the accidental birth of a signature creation.

This willingness to embrace the unexpected runs through everything Ayanvitta creates. She’s built a following on WeChat under the handle Ayanvitta23, where she shares her 3D-printed experiments and crochet projects with an audience that appreciates watching her process unfold in real-time. Her work spans traditional crafts and emerging technology, from yarn to CAD software, from stitches to code.

I really loved how you said Whaley came from boredom.  Does it bother you when other kids are on their devices, and you’re not?

At first, yes. When everyone around you is on a phone or tablet, it can feel like you’re missing out. But over time, that feeling changed. I realized that while others were spending time online, I was learning new skills and creating things that meant something to me. Especially when I started writing my blogs on weekends and seeing articles get published, I felt rewarded. Now I don’t really feel bothered—I just focus on what I’m working on. Many friends of mine also don’t have a phone.

Make a case – teen to teen – why boredom is a good thing.

Boredom isn’t always bad. When there’s nothing to do, your mind starts wandering, and that’s when ideas show up. If you’re constantly entertained, you never get the chance to think or create. Being bored pushed me to try new things. For example, I love to crochet, and I have friends who also love to crochet. My teachers at school are always very encouraging; they also taught us knitting and other stuff. I love to crochet whaley, capybara, to name a few. Sometimes, boredom is just your brain asking you to be creative.

What are some of your favorite creations that you’ve made?

My favorite creation is the Functional Whaley Mouse because it represents a lot of learning, patience, and problem-solving. I also enjoy making smaller 3D-printed objects and experimenting with designs, even when they don’t work out. Every project teaches me something new, and that’s what makes creating fun for me. I’ve printed many phone stands for my grandparents and cousins, along with toys. You can see many of these on my WeChat channel, Ayanvitta23. Besides 3D printing, I also love to crochet, which lets me be creative in a different way.Do you feel that it can sometimes be difficult to be creative nowadays when AI can do so much of the thinking for you?

It can be challenging because AI makes things easier and faster. But I don’t think it can replace creativity. AI can help with ideas and tools, but it can’t replace curiosity, imagination, or learning from mistakes. Real creativity comes from trying, failing, and improving—and that’s something you must do yourself.

Tell me a bit about the Harvard Innovation Challenge Program, where you received 2^nd prize. What is it? What was your submission?

The Harvard Innovation Challenge Program is a global competition that encourages students to create innovative solutions to real-world problems. I received second prize for my project called DoneGlow. DoneGlow is an intuitive medication reminder system designed to help elderly people avoid confusion about their daily medicines. The idea for DoneGlow came from a personal experience with my grandparents. My grandmother asked me several times whether she had taken her morning medicine, even though she had phone reminders. This made me realize that reminders alone aren’t always enough, and that a simple visual system could be more effective.

You’re clearly very self-motivated. What does a typical weekend look like for you?

A typical weekend for me would be 60% of time devoted to homework and tests, 25% of my time crocheting and 15% of my time designing. Hanging out would be kind of rare, as we have a ton of tests, and sometimes we’re kind of tired and just want some time to relax at home. You’ve already accomplished so much. Looking ahead to high school, what’s a new skill you’re excited to learn, or a type of project you haven’t tried yet but want to?

In high school, I’d love to explore more advanced engineering and maybe even robotics. I’m especially interested in combining design with electronics—creating products that are not only well-designed on the outside but also smart on the inside.I also want to learn more about programming and product development, so I can turn ideas into complete, real-world solutions. I’ve recently fallen in love with coding languages and want to take it further in high school.

For now, I mainly share my 3D-printed creations on my WeChat channel, Ayanvitta23, where people can see what I’m working on. When the blog does go public, I hope it can inspire others to start creating too—not just to read about my projects, but to try their own ideas as well.

Images: Ayanvitta

What do you do when you’re met with a blank sheet of paper or an empty screen? No matter what medium you use, your age, or where you are in the creative process, artist’s block (more commonly applied to and known as writer’s block) always seems to hit when you least expect it. So, what is art block, and how can we overcome it?

Like writer’s block or a creative block, art block is when the flow of creativity is obstructed, and the artist is left staring blankly at a page. Art block shows up at different times for different people depending on the variables in their life. For example, self-doubt, harsh criticism, or comparing yourself to others might all lead to art block.

And though art block may not be avoidable, there are various ways to deal with it.

Reimagine one of your old pieces

When I’m hit hardest with art block, I find it helpful to go through my old artwork and pick one to redraw. This not only gives me an idea of what to draw but also helps me chart my improvements over the years.

A redraw I did July 2021 (left) of an old piece from November 2020 (right)

Don’t be afraid to take a break and let your mind rest

If you can’t come up with any ideas or entirely lack motivation, don’t force yourself to create something. I know how frustrating it is to stare at a blank page, but sometimes taking a step back and letting your mind rest will allow you to return with renewed vigor.

Ask a friend to give you a creative challenge or find a prompt online

Often times I have found myself sitting for hours trying to come up with ideas, but sometimes if you let your friends give you a completely random idea or prompt, you might be surprised by the final product. Even when the end result isn’t what you hoped for, talking with friends and letting yourself create something completely random will help rest your mind and let you return to drawing with a fresh perspective.

Experiment with different supplies and mediums

If you’re a digital artist, pick up a pencil and try something more traditional. If you’re a traditional artist, try digital art (yes, Microsoft paint counts). Whatever it is, shake things up a bit! Go out and buy some new supplies or look through the supplies you haven’t used in a while. Sometimes taking a break from the norm will help you break free from the shackles of art block.

Art block isn’t something that will go away after you recite a magic spell, but hopefully, these ideas will help equip you to slay the dragon that is art block. Remember, art block happens to the best of us, and ultimately, it helps us grow one way or another. So, the next time the dragon rears its ugly head, you’ll know how to defeat it.

Keep Reading: A Perfectionist’s Guide to (Slightly) Imperfect Bullet Journaling

Photos: Feifei Xu, Unsplash

There’s a reason why people buy flowers to brighten up a room, cheer up a friend, and appreciate a loved one. Depending on the flower, they can symbolize complex human emotions just from their sheer beauty. As famed artist, Georgia O’Keefe once said, “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”

Nine-year-old Madeleine and eight-year-old Ninon create a Georgia O’Keefe-inspired photo frame with Atelier Art School teacher, James Sserwadda.

What You’ll Need

• Stapler
• Plastic clay
• Acrylic paint
• Yarn and cardboard
• Some color papers
• 2-3 medium paint brushes
• Disposable plastic plates (10 and 15cm diameter)
• Double-sided tape, glue stick, and masking tape
• Pair of scissors and box cutters (cutters only used with the help of parents)

How to make it

1. Using a box cutter, cut out the inner circle of the big (15cm) plate leaving about 3 cm of space from the plate’s ridges. Take the smaller plate (10cm) and use the double-sided tape to connect the two plates by the edges.

2. Use the stapler to strengthen the taped side of the plates.

3.  After stapling the plates, take out a separate piece of paper and draw the shapes of flower petals from a rose, oriental poppies, and lily flowers. Cut out the shapes with a pair of scissors and use a stencil to draw other shapes on any color paper of your choice.

Note

· These can be 2-3 colors.

· The petal shapes can be of different shapes and of different color.

· The petal shapes of the 15cm plastic plate should be bigger than the 10cm plastic plate.

4. Using a glue stick, glue the smaller petals on the small plate first by gluing them side-by-side on the edge. Continue the same process on the 15cm plastic plate; use a mix of colors and place in varying positions.

5. Start to create decorative details of the flower with plastic clay. First roll out some plastic clay from a preferred color and line it along the cut-out line of the circle on the 15cm plate. Continue to create more details to represent a flower.

6. Using the brushes, apply acrylic paint around the decorative areas to cover the white area of the plastic plate.

7. Draw a 12-13cm diameter circle on a piece of cardboard, cut it out and tape your photo on one side of the cut-out cardboard. Use masking tape to tape it on the back of the 15cm plastic plate so that the photo is showing through the cut-out section.

8. Draw leaf shapes on color paper and cut them out to further decorate your flowers. Use double-sided tape to glue them on the back of the 15cm plate.

9. Finally, pick the yarn and tie a note and use masking tape to attach it on to the 15cm plate so you can place it anywhere that will brighten up mom’s day!

KEEP READING: Beijing Creative Institution Atelier Art School Closes Its Doors

Photos: Uni You

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 May issue

Few things are as inextricably linked to our daily lives as architecture. Of course we marvel at wonders such as the Louvre, Sistine Chapel, and Forbidden City, yet we seemingly take for granted lesser iconic, but all the more necessary structures such as our homes, offices, schools, favorite restaurants, and shops. These buildings are imbued with the same amount of history and memories as their grander counterparts, staples of a community that make us ponder the adage, “If these walls could talk”!

What’s more, architecture is a truly multidisciplinary art form, including musical rhythms, sculpture, chemistry, physics, and technology. From the palm frond huts of Polynesia to the Grand Palace of Thailand, every building deserves admiration and appreciation.

Le Petit Architect: The Awesome World of Architecture is a new bilingual course, organized and led by three industry professionals, that introduces kids aged 7-12 to some of the world’s most iconic structures through an exploratory approach that focuses on historical background, hands-on activities, and creative expression. It’s a comprehensive overview of landmarks, environments, craftsmanship, and historical styles investigated through inquiry, planning, discussion, and design processes.

As opposed to training a new crop of aspiring architects, this series aims to foster an increased awareness of spatial reasoning and structural projects, while building confidence, creativity, aesthetics, and focus.

Founder, Hwa Wu, who is known for her role in organizing Le Petit Fashion Designer, started Le Petit Architect for her son. “Almost all little kids like to build, and architecture is one of the most inter-disciplinary subjects for children to explore their creativity from beginning to end,” she told beijingkids. “I founded Le Petit courses so children can learn and try diverse aspects of creativity and design,” adding, “Kids need something interesting, challenging, and interactive to have an awesome experience.”

Likewise, Wang Chu, whose daughter Tiffany participated in the last Le Petit Architect class, said, “Supporting children to learn through theme-based learning is awesome. In each project, there is art, science, hands-on design, and a powerful unconstrained style. What a rewarding experience!”

The Awesome World of Architecture is held at La Grande Ville Clubhouse (Yutianxia 6 Garden Road, Shunyi) every Saturday from 2pm-5pm, with the next class being held tomorrow, Jan 11 (see flyer below for more info). Enrollment costs RMB 400, which includes all materials, however there is a special discount for students who register for 10 courses. To register, call Roma at 18612951274 or scan the QR code after the flyer.

Photos: Pixabay, Courtesy of Le Petit Architect

In an effort to inspire creativity, build hands-on skills, and develop kids’ imaginations while they’re spending time with friends and family, Atelier art school is offering to host creative birthday parties. This is an alternative to traditional birthday parties, for the creative types who need something more than cake and balloons, though hopefully there is still plenty of that too. Flowers are a popular gift for all occasions including Happy Birthday flowers, get well flowers, thank you flowers, I’m sorry flowers, and sympathy flowers. Enchanted Florist, your choice when you need a Pearland florist, has direct experience working with all Pearland funeral homes. Also, for birthday party you can order fast food from foodpanda. For more about foodpanda check this halal food near me.

Choose from several themes including unicorns, fairies, the middle ages, and dinosaurs. For older kids, they offer more technical activities and themes such as screen printing, customizing bags or clothes, and building robotics.

During the party, each child will create something special to bring home that goes along with one of the curated themes that the teachers at Atelier put together and then they got a Pink Flower Teddy Bear as a gift.

Price includes the art activity, supplies, and use of the Atelier’s studio space.

The cost is RMB 2,300, which includes eight kids for 1.5 hours, or RMB 2,500 for 2 hours. Add RMB 200 per additional guest, and/or an additional RMB 500 for a custom theme. Parties take place at any of Atelier’s three studios in Shunyi, Sanlitun, and Beigao. You may choose to have Atelier host a party at a different venue for an additional RMB 500.

To register or to get more information contact: contact@atelier.cn.com, go to this website, or scan the QR Code to get more information on this exciting opportunity!

All ages. RMB 2300 – 2500. 1.5 – 2 hours. Atelier Art School. 

I’m wondering if my son’s recent Dr. Seuss first birthday party is Pinterest-worthy. Lux turned one last week Monday, and we decided to throw him his first ever themed celebration. Seeing that we are an expat family who loves to travel it made perfect sense to use the wonderfully magical story from the Dr. Seuss series: Oh The Places You’ll Go!

I’ve always loved the Dr. Seuss books which are both inspirational and educational, but wasn’t sure if I could pull off a party in honor of one of the famous books from the collection. Most of my ideas went to plan, and some fell a little flat due to Taobao’s inconsistent delivery system – which of course resulted in a number of late arrivals! Give yourself plenty of contingency space when planning a themed party, particularly when relying on certain items to be delivered to a deadline.

Unfortunately the helium didn’t arrive on time, and this ruined my hot air balloon photo corner and ribbon display idea! But alas, when life gives you lemons you can either end up with a sour face or sweet lemonade. I pulled in a few favors from creative friends and got DIYing with most of the birthday snacks and other decorations, which worked wonderfully well and still made for an epic first birthday.

Whether or not the details of the party are Pinterest-worthy, I’ll let you decide!

Get creative and come up an original poem for your invitations

I remember receiving vibrant invitations in matching envelopes from school friends for their birthday parties and although this custom is almost obsolete with the onset of the digital age, I still wanted to offer a little nostalgic throwback to the colorful kid’s birthday invitation.

Lux has become a little bit of a local superstar, so I used the image of him that was featured on the recent EP release for Tavey Lean and the Solid Gold Dream Machine and asked trombone-playing, graphic designer extraordinaire (and new freelancer for beijingkids magazine), Dan from the band, to create the themed invitations. You can easily find a poem template for most Dr. Seuss themed invitations, however I decided to get a little more creative and wrote my own!

To partner these beautiful invitations I wanted to feature a display poster for the party, and Dan also came up with this. Don’t be shy and get your friends and family involved in being part of the occasion. As my husband likes to say, “use the great minds around you.”

I also made Orange Martinis that were supposed to be blue! Unfortunately I don’t have any photos, but I say that’s a testament to how quickly they were devoured. Get funky and cool with ideas for the adults that are fun and festive! Using a little food coloring I went wild and dropped a splash of color into almost everything. These were a great addition for the parents who got to unwind while the kids enjoyed the highs (and lows) of sugar.

The cost of a birthday cake can easily rack up, particularly for themed parties, where it’s easy to get lost in the moment and fork out way beyond the odds for your kid’s first birthday. Instead make the occasion more special with a DIY cake treat that either you (or a friend) can attempt.

Oh the cupcakes are here, how long will they last? It’s time to grab one, be quick, be fast!

The cupcakes were supposed to be multicolored, however if the wonderful delivery world of Taobao has taught me anything, it’s how to improvise. Orange is a signature color used throughout the Dr. Seuss book of our choice and so my dear friend and chef, Simone, made these yummy vanilla cupcakes and covered them in plain and orange cream frosting with desiccated coconut. Finish off your display by slicing up colorful fruit, add some butter popcorn to the mix and let people snack away.

We included a ‘follow your dreams” framed photo next to all the colorful treats, which went well with the theme

Adults and kids love candy, so I thought about making a candy display that everyone could snack from and would double up as a great photo opportunity. I made candy pops, by dipping marshmallows into melted chocolate and sprinkles. I did the same with rice crispie cakes, dipped in white chocolate and a little orange food coloring – which turned out a little pink. I found old glass jars and filled them with marshmallows to create DIY display bowls that the lollipops could sit in.

My husband felt cheated and said I should’ve covered the whole rice crispie cake in chocolate!

You can also pick up some wooden letters to spell out the name of your little one (see photo above), and add it to a display of your choice; because of the travel theme, we threw in a globe for good measure. Another good idea that I had planned for but couldn’t execute was to attach helium-filled balloons to a wicker basket (a laundry basket will do) to make a hot air balloon. Create a photo corner and have little ones climb in to go up up up and away and get snapped!

It was difficult to find pretzels that weren’t broken in half, so I picked up some shop-bought dipped pretzels and used them in a candy garden display for Lux’s one-year candle.

I used an old stone candle holder. No need to buy everything from new. You can can also make a candy garden, using crushed chocolate biscuits and green gummies

One surprising element was how flat Lux’s first taste of cupcakes went. He didn’t seem at all impressed with his first hit of sugar, but his gifted coconut blueberry muffins from mom Franziska was a win.

Just not that into it!

Trying cupcakes for the first time was just one of many firsts for Lux on the day, which included one of the sweetest captured moments – Lux leaning in for his first ever kiss!

Firsts on a first birthday celebration

All bow-tied out for his first party (his obsession with remote controls is out of control)

Most of the kids attending were too young to receive sugar-rush-inducing goody-bags, but I made them anyway! Using the theme colors I ordered mini-baskets and filled them with a mixture of soft and candy-encased pastel-colored marshmallows. I wrapped each basket in cellophane and finished with silver ribbon.

I accidentally forgot to give these out at the end of the party. Maybe too many orange Martini’s?

Overall I think it was a great party and I received some lovely feedback from my guests. Planning ahead makes all the difference and I can’t wait for birthday number two!

Share your comments below!

Photos: Nicole Bonnah

Winter may be long gone in Beijing but the Games of Thrones (GOT) ice-cold final season is in full swing, and the buzz around the city couldn’t be anymore aflame with dragonfire-esque heat! New and seasoned GOT fans are gathering all over Beijing for communal viewings of the final episodes of what is set to be an epic end to a TV series that has captured the imaginations of millions across the globe.

A necklace inspired by the elements of nature

There are lots of ways to celebrate your love for GOT and all its mighty epicness, and many have been creatively inspired by the iconic aesthetics of the characters and the fictional kingdom of Westeros, not least jewelry designer Veronica Ciecierska from Poland. Veronica has been creating original and exciting jewelry pieces in Beijing for five years but has had a love for her craft for many years. Now using the whimsical designs featured in her favourite small-screen tale, Veronica has created a bold and brilliant line of Game of Thrones Jewelry, capturing the spirit of the female protagonists while leaving enough room for you to embody your own sense of self and womanhood!!

A replica of Cersei Lannister’s heavy, medieval pendant

Gemmu Jewellery is about the beauty and magic of nature. Using natural components, such as minerals, shells, and seeds, Veronica explores our natural world by crafting beautiful and balanced pieces that reflect nature and all its organic glory, and prides herself on using a number of different techniques and styles that mirror the constant evolution of her craft. Inventing and creating uniquely styled and masterfully engineered pieces will impress clients looking to make a purchase that helps express their individuality, while offering them and admirers something distinctive.

Earrings inspired by the rose sigil of House Tyrell

The women in GOT have not been Veronica’s sole source of inspiration. The name Gemmu comes from a legend told by the Mosuo tribe, which forms the last matriarchal society in China. Gemmu was a virtuous and diligent woman who was skilled in handicrafts. The badass women of GOT and the women that live around Lugu Lake in the South of China both reflect the strength and resilience of women that is mirrored in Veronica’s new and tested line of jewelry.

Replica of Sansa Stark’s necklace

To get your hands on items from Veronica’s collection WeChat: Veronica12040. The first five moms to make a purchase using the code below will also receive a pair of Ellaria’s earrings when making a purchase from the GOT line. Spoiler Alert: Ellaria Sand came to a bleak end in season 7 of GOT but Veronica has managed to keep her present in the collection with a recreation of her poison necklace and matching earrings. Code: BJKGOT.

A necklace inspired by Cersei of House Lannister

You can also catch Veronica at the monthly Rumble in the Jumble markets at Modernista. The next one will take place on May 19, noon-6pm. Get GOT ready and get your mitts on an exclusive set that you can treasure forever. Choose from House of Lannister, Stark, Targaryen, Tyrell, and Martell.  Here’s to the demise of winter and the Dead Army, and an end to the most epic of epics in the history of television.

What is Dead May Never Die.

Photos: courtesy of Gemmu Jewellery

There’s nothing that a good glass of wine can’t be paired with. Just think of your favorite pastime, and now add a glass of your preferred grape to that vision and hey presto, you have the perfect match!

Lately I’ve been delving into my creative side, and trying my hand at a number of new activities that enhance well-being for both the family and myself. However you don’t need to look too far in your search for new ways to express yourself.

I’m no artist, but I do appreciate the therapeutic effects of drawing and painting, and can’t think of a better way to enjoy getting creative than with a glass of red (or white) with others who are also on a quest to bring out their inner Picasso. If this sounds appealing, then the Sip and Paint sessions at Riviera are for you.

Why not go and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in an inviting and inclusive environment, where you can brush up on existing artistic skills, or learn new ones? The Sip and Paint session includes one self-created piece of art, one powerful Human Scented Candle, and free-flow wine for the duration of the class in an intimate group. Wechat: artNadia759 to reserve your place.

Sip and Paint, March 2

Adults. RMB 450. March 2. 2pm-5pm. Beijing Riviera Clubhouse, 1 Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District (8450 6596) 朝阳区香江北路1号香江乡村俱乐部店

“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover, to your surprise, that you have rendered something in its true character.”

Camille Pissarro

Every two weeks, Atelier Sanlitun opens its creative doors to the public for life drawing sessions. Whether a complete novice or seasoned artist, you can go and practice your drawing skills in an inclusive and friendly environment.

Paper, pencils, charcoal, paint and easels are provided and attendees are encouraged to bring along their favorite brushes and drawing books if they prefer. A qualified teacher will lead each activity where you can enjoy the pastime of drawing, and learn new techniques.

Edgar Degas (Pastel)

Drawing and painting can be therapeutic and can help with stress. The arts are a wonderful way to achieve mindfulness by bringing attention to the senses, whether it be through seeing, hearing, or tasting. Drawing can provide a focus for sensory perception and allows you to make time to be present in the moment.

There are special early bird deals until February 22. When you buy 20 lessons you get one for free, and when buying 30 lessons you can get two for free. Deal. RMB 180. Starting from February 18. Mondays (every two weeks). 7.30pm – 9.30pm. No. 68, Xinzhong Street, Dongcheng District

Photos: Courtesy of organizer