We asked our Facebook followers … Tell us about an art, home ec, or shop/industrial arts item you made either in school, as a DIY home project, or any other time.
Some of us are old enough to remember making ashtrays in elementary school art class!
I made a clay ashtray for myself when I was in middle school.
— Rebecca Dykhouse
We made those ash trays in Cub Scouts.
— David Lay
My senior year of high school, I was going to be absent during the final exam for my American Literature class. After talking through makeup options with my teacher, I ended up building a giant diorama of the Gatsby mansion (accompanied by an essay, of course). It featured the full cast of characters played by Barbie dolls I stole from my little sister and an inspired recreation of the Doctor T. J. Eckleburg billboard watching over everything. I got an A — and it was definitely more fun than taking a written exam!
— Jordan Watts
In high school art, we were supposed to draw a portrait of someone else. I did a pretty good job — although I was the only student who drew a friend from the back. I didn’t think I could draw her face.
— Diana Ratliff
My junior high industrial arts classroom had a metal forge, and I pounded out a screwdriver from a hot ingot.
— Kevin Wehner
Eighth grade shop. I carried around Popular Mechanics just to try to fit in with the guys who had their own power tools and could reassemble a carburetor quicker than a savant could solve a Rubik’s Cube. I didn’t even know where the carburetor was located. But I made a ping pong paddle and ball holder that was super cool. The shop teacher, Mr. Curry, figured out the design from a photo I saw in the magazine.
— Jodie Jackson Jr.
Seventh grade shop. Every boy was required to make something called a bench hook. Didn’t know what it was. Still don’t. Teacher gave it a C and assigned me to the tool room for the rest of the semester.
— Paul Wootten
Baby made of a 5-pound bag of flour. Cutest lil’ thang … I wish I could remember what name I gave her.
— Angela Lechtenberg
My memorable project came later in high school Home Ec. You know, the class disguised as “life skills” but really designed to make sure we knew how to be good homemakers. We were in the sewing unit, and our big assignment was to make our own skirts. Well … let’s just say sewing was not my gift. I struggled. A lot. Crooked seams, uneven hems, the whole experience was a test of patience. But the real kicker? It wasn’t enough just to make the skirt. We had to wear our finished project to school. Let me tell you … that day might go down as one of the most humbling fashion moments of my life.
— Gay Magyar Litteken
