So, here's Fred Frog! 😮😁 The 100 Year 1 kids from Summerhill Academy have had a lot of fun creating one of their heroes. He's giving us a special phonics lesson along with Miss Hermon (who I was asked to conjure up) 😆 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd @sarahmullin.bsky.social

I rounded off a busy week with an 'Arts Connect' training session at the Wolverhampton School of Art. 17 teachers, from all kinds of settings, came together to learn about simple 3D sculpture. Look what they made, from scratch, with simple materials. 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

The Year 1 kids from Old Church Primary have had a busy week. Each child has had at least two sessions, working together in teams to create these four ‘giant insects’. I’ve been so impressed with them . . . Year 1 😮 darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

It may sound odd, but to switch myself off after busy days, I make stuff. Often simple things, but sometimes I lose myself in more complex models, a kind of meditation. This little ship has been exactly that. 🙂 Made entirely from recycled cardboard tubes. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

Happy Book Birthday ART SHAPED, three years old today. 🎈🎈🎈 This was my original 'unboxing' video. Currently it's number 25 in Amazons 'craft book' bestsellers chart, not bad for a book that's been out for 3 years! 😮 #edusky #UKEd #skyart You can find it here . . . www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

Would so highly recommend this book to any teachers, parents or crafty folk. Such an invaluable and inspiring resource. And even though it’s aimed at grown-ups working with kids, my son was able to follow the instructions and create stuff on his own aged maybe around 10.

Three years! 😮 Time flies . . . but my book Art Shaped is still finding new friends. It's back near the top of the Amazon 'craft book' chart again this week, which isn't bad three years on! 👍 "Where's the king?" 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #ArtBook www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

Sending big love out to the many supportive, kind and funny people I've connected with online. If you care about what you do, I think it shows . . . and eventually you find the right people. 😁❤️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

I love the unpredictability of the online world. On Wednesday a small stuffed sloth recommends my book on Instagram . . . by Friday it's back in Amazon's top 50 craft books. 😂 If you're looking for what to buy your sloth for Valentines Day, look no further. 👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Today I've been helping the kids from Westfield College in Weymouth to create a very special display. We made this fantastic cake to celebrate their school's 50th anniversary! The kestrel is their logo. 😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

Repost with a photo of yours that would make a good album cover.

21 years ago, just as I set out as a self-employed artist, I painted a picture of the place where my career began, to remind me of what it meant to me. This is Ingestre Hall Arts Centre in Staffordshire, where everything I do now began to take shape. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #sykart #UKEd

I finished off a busy week with an online workshop to all of the children at Naunton Park Primary in Cheltenham. They are beginning an art project all about 3D work, and using my work as the inspiration! 😮 They were full of questions. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've worked with every single Year-Group from Woodloes Primary this week (including Nursery) and they have all collaborated to create this 'timeline'. I loved helping them to make this, I think it's got some magical 'humanity' running through it. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've added a blog to the website all about making 'Ammonites'. I've been based down on Dorset's Jurassic coast for over 20 years now, so I've made a few! 🙂 Here's the link . . . www.darrellwakelam.com/news/cardboa... #edusy #skyart #UKEd #artwork #sculpture

A busy day . . . three online art sessions, all to London schools. Three different themes, 120 different kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what they all make. 🤔 If you want a 'virtual visit' just message here, or email me through the website link ⬇️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

So, todays 'starfish making' with the 60 Year 2 kids at Manor Court Primary bought a busy week to a close. I've worked with over 500 kids this week, five schools, four days face-to-face, three virtual workshops, two arms, one Darrell. 😆👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #skyart

I've been up to the lovely Manor Court Primary in Chard today to work with the Year 5 children. They've created these 'space' inspired pieces in just one day, working in 4 teams. None of this was pre-made, all constructed and painted by the children. www.darrellwakelm.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

A busy day . . . three online art sessions, all to London schools. Three different themes, 120 different kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what they all make. 🤔 If you want a 'virtual visit' just message here, or email me through the website link ⬇️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've been up at Trinity First School in Somerset for a couple of days creating a large-scale display based on local wildlife. The kids from Year 2, 3, and 4 have worked hard to build all of these cute creatures! Extra points if you spot the mouse. 😮😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Little Year 2 boy today . . . “I can make anything out of just pieces of paper.” Me . . . ⬇️ 😆😆😆

21 years ago, I took this selfie in the studio where my career began. I'd worked there for 14 years and it was my last day, so I grabbed a mirror and snapped this photo, knowing that my time here was over. Ingestre Hall was dreamlike, and I still dream about it now. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

I've been up in Bristol for a couple of days helping the children from Northleaze Primary to create a 'welcome' display. I thought this was a lovely positive piece of work and summed the kids up nicely. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Still playing around with cardboard tube faces, this one is based on a Terracotta Warrior. 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart

I've been working in my old school hall this week, the one I sat in for assembly for the 4 years of Junior School. Back then, this wall had a fold-out wooden climbing frame, now, it's filled with artwork I've helped their children to make. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

So, wrapping up my week at Grove Vale Primary School Year 4 & 5 worked together to create some large scale musical instruments. Such a fantastic positive week. 🙂👏👏👏 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

So, I’ve been back at my old school today, Grove Vale Primary . . . but it’s not just the kids I’ve taught here 😮 I taught teacher Ellie 14 years ago, teacher Charlene twice, at Primary and Secondary over 20 years ago, and deputy Michelle 32 years ago when she was at VI form. 😁 #edusky

I’m back at my own Primary School 😮 Grove Vale Primary, where all 120 Year 1 & 2 kids have created work based on the book “Somebody Swallowed Stanley” by Sarah Roberts. Their fabulous display was inspired by the beautiful illustrations by Hannah Peck 😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart

"In 2026, please try to share the work of real, living artists . . . the dead ones really don't need the publicity like we do." 😆👍 www.darrellwakelm.com #edusky #UKEd #artists #art #artist #sculpture #artistinresidence #artteacher #artteachers #creatives #inspire

3D ART CPD with Darrell Wakelam Following the success of last year's Arts Connect training workshop I'm back for another. 😮 It's on Fri 27th Feb at Wolverhampton School of Art. Details are here on the link ⬇️ artsconnect.co.uk/art-cpd-scho... #edusky #UKEd www.darrellwakelam.com

I’ve spent a couple of days helping the Year 3 kids at Calmore Junior School with a Fossil project. Each child made their own ammonite sculpture and I left them with an original illustration too 😮 I hope it’s not on eBay tomorrow 😆 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

The Year 1 & 2 kids from Calmore Infants School built this display piece today in just 4 hours. They made every part of this, including the huge Earth shape. I was in charge of glue and encouragement 😁👍 www.darrellwakelam.com

I had a fabulous first day back today, working with 30 very enthusiastic staff from two Southampton schools. They threw themselves into every aspect and hardly stopped all day. Here’s just a snapshot of what they created. 🙂👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Just thought I'd take a minute to introduce you to two of my oldest friends. Been doing this a long time you know! 😅😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

30 lucky teachers in Southampton have got a nice first day back on Monday. 😮 No warm-ups, no waffle, no wasting time. No taking notes, no tacky videos, no ticking boxes. Just hands-on ART skills and practical ideas that will save them time and money. 👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #EDUk

Last share of 2025. I've made a conscious effort this year to create more work for myself, not to sell or exhibit, but purely to explore. Taking simple materials and trying to prove that art can be found in the everyday things around us. Here's to 2026 😎 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #EDUk

I did manage to finish the little Christmas Cottage I was making. Here it is, lit up by a small string of battery-powered lights pushed through the base. 😁⭐ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #EDUk

At this time of year I always go back through the last 12 months of photos, editing and filing them away for reference. It's also a way of reminding myself just how much I've done. Here's a few favourites which you might remember from 2025. 😁👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Work in schools is done now until January . . . and the cardboard reindeer is up on display. Thanks to everyone here who has shared, ‘liked’, commented, and made me smile this year. Wishing you a relaxing Christmas. 🙂 D #edusky #UKEd

I'm still being inspired by all things Egyptian at the moment. As well as the other 'heads' I've been making, I'm also taking inspiration from ancient artwork for this cat sculpture. This is all made from recycled cardboard tubes. 😀 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

It's a rainy, wild evening down here in the South West, so I'm hibernating and making a tiny Christmas cottage. 😁🎄 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #UKTeaching

Looking for a last minute gift for someone creative? Someone who works with kids, or likes to get arty with their own? Then this might be just what you're looking for . . . my book 'Art Shaped' has over 150 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's here . . . www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s... #edusky

Work in schools is done now until January . . . and the cardboard reindeer is up on display. Thanks to everyone here who has shared, ‘liked’, commented, and made me smile this year. Wishing you a relaxing Christmas. 🙂 D #edusky #UKEd

It's a rainy, wild evening down here in the South West, so I'm hibernating and making a tiny Christmas cottage. 😁🎄 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #UKTeaching

My latest project 'Paper Plate Robin' is perfect for Christmas, but also an idea you could use all year round. The making video, photos, and instructions are the latest post on the 'news' link on the website www.darrellwakelam.com (Intellectual property of D. Wakelam) #edusky #UKEd #UKTeaching

Looking for a last minute gift for someone creative? Someone who works with kids, or likes to get arty with their own? Then this might be just what you're looking for . . . my book 'Art Shaped' has over 150 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's here . . . www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s... #edusky

Hi, I'm Darrell, I create 3D art projects with, and for kids mainly using cardboard. My book 'Art Shaped' has twice been top of Amazon's 'craft book' chart, and has over 150 five-star recommendations from parents, teachers, and homeschoolers! 🙂 It's here ... www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

I've been repairing some old artwork today, including this very old friend, recently rescued from my loft. This lion used to be on display in my old studio, here it is in a 'film' photo from about 1997 😅 This lion is older than some of you are. 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

I had a bit of time today to add to the last of the Ancient Egyptian faces I'm making. I'm learning a lot from looking at the style and sophistication of their beautiful designs. * Recycled tubes and a spoon. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

The kids from The Taunton School are very proud of their finished Harry Potter sculpture. 😮 Over 60 pupils from Years 5 - 8 have worked in teams to create this artwork in just two days. You can see how much effort they have put in. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky