AboutMaryAnn F. Kohl Expertise I am an award-winning author of books about art for children of all ages. My expertise is in the creative process of art more than the finished product (though I like products too!). I like to help kids explore and discover their own creativity through art ideas. You can also look at samples of my favorite art ideas at my webpage http://www.brightring.com I hope you will write to me if you have questions about art and creativity for your child.
Experience Experience in the area
Former teacher ten years, educational consultant 25 years Author of over 20 books on art
Organizations belong to
NAEYC, PMA
Publications
Parenting, Fisher-Price, Donna's Day, Take Part!, Scholastic
Education/Credentials
BS in Elementary Ed. with a minor in Speech, Drama, and Language
Awards and Honors
numerous Benjamin Franklin awards for excellence in publishing, also Early Childhood News Director's Choice awards, others.
Consultant for Disney, Jim Henson, Fisher-Price
Question Hi, I don't know if this is in your area of expertise but please help me. My brother's birthday is this month and I want to make a beanbag for him because he loves them. My question is about the bean bag filling. I found out that i have to fill it with hard polystyrene beads, but I can't find a place that sells them. So, can I use the soft polystyrene balls that come with TV boxes, game boxes, etc? If not, what can I use as a filling other than beans and rice?
Thanks a million!!
Answer A beanbag has to be heavy enough to toss and have some "heft"....so beans and rice are excellent and inexpensive, hence, the name "BEAN" bag. Dried peas and lentils work too. So does a variety of small pasta that look like beans or peas. But if you can't use these for some reason, I guess the polystyrene beads are the filler of choice, as far as I know. I'm not really into any kind of crafting, so I don't know all the ins and outs. I'm sure Michael's or Joanne's Fabric would have what you need. Another name for them is Micro Beads.
I found that Michael's has Poly-PelletsŪ, which are just what you are looking for.
I think if you can go to Michaels or JoAnn Fabric, or any other craft store, and ask for "Poly-Pellets" or "Micro Beads" for stuffing toys, you will find what you need.
