Meet Sydney artist Dorothee Peters (@doro__creative)! She makes kids and family crafts and shares them online to inspire households across the globe. From seasonal decorations to DIY home décor, Doro’s family-friendly ideas are beginner-friendly and made for little hands. Dive into her aesthetic world to find out more!

How do you make time for creative projects?

Making time for creative projects is something I've learned to prioritise. I began documenting my creative journey on Instagram during the initial COVID lockdown. Having just relocated to Munich, Germany, for a flight attendant job that I subsequently lost due to the pandemic, I suddenly had a lot of free time with everything shut down and not knowing many people. Turning to arts and crafts and sharing DIY ideas on Instagram became a fantastic way to fill that time. Now that life is busier, I mostly plan my projects during the week and then set aside a few hours on either Saturday or Sunday as my dedicated "arts and crafts time”. Keeping my materials easily accessible helps me get started and allows my ideas to flow.

What’s something you’re proud of, that you don’t often get to talk about?

Something I’m incredibly proud of, but don’t often get to talk about, is my experience of moving to Australia on my own and building a life here. The past year presented a lot of unexpected challenges, but I managed to navigate through them, found a job in Sydney, made some great friends and even explored new hobbies. Looking back, I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and how much resilience I’ve shown this past year. 

What’s a project you’ve been thinking about but haven’t got around to?

Since moving to Australia, I’ve spent a lot of time at the beach and started collecting little coastal treasures like seashells, sea glass and driftwood. It inspired me to incorporate them in my crafts and combine them with my newfound love for clay. I’d love to learn how to make succulent planters that I can decorate with my beach finds. Another idea I have is to craft little bowls for jewellery and trinkets using large seashells and incorporating serviettes for a more unique touch. There are a so many ideas swirling around in my head and I am excited to bring them to life.

What 3 art mediums or supplies would you take to the moon?

I’d bring air-drying clay, acrylic paint and some paintbrushes to keep myself busy on the moon.  

What’s your creative process like? Do you prefer to plan it out or jump in and learn as you go?

When it comes to my creative process, I’m definitely a planner. I enjoy mapping out my craft projects and often jot down quick sketches of my ideas. Before starting anything, I gather all my materials so that when I sit down to create, I can focus solely on the making. I especially love crafting for special occasions like Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day etc. and I usually start brainstorming ideas weeks ahead. While I appreciate spontaneity, having a plan helps me bring my vision to life more effectively, especially when time is quite limited.

Who are your creative cheerleaders?

My biggest creative cheerleaders are definitely my parents. Ever since I was a kid, they've been incredibly supportive of my passion for drawing, painting and crafting. Throughout my school years, art was a central subject, and my parents were always there to help me realise my ideas by getting the supplies I needed and giving me valuable input and feedback. My sister and my best friend Stefanie are my creative allies, and we often work together on small projects or share new ideas we find. They, along with my other friends, have been incredibly supportive of my creative journey on Instagram, always liking and sharing my posts, which means a lot to me.

Aside from making and sharing kids art, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

Aside from the joy I find in creating and sharing kids' art, I’m also passionate about gymnastics and cheerleading. I competed in cheerleading for about 9 years, and it has always been a huge part of my life. I also love hiking, and I truly miss the German Alps. If you ever visit Germany, be sure to check out Walchensee and hike up either Jochberg or Herzogstand – the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes are breathtaking. Since moving to Sydney and being so close to so many fantastic beaches, I'm really keen to pick up surfing as I love being in the water and all kinds of water sports.

How do you tackle art block? What gets you creating again?

When art block hits, I usually step away from crafting entirely and try not to overthink it or pressure myself to come up with new ideas. I've learned that forcing creativity rarely works and that my most creative moments often strike when I'm out in nature. So, for me, tackling art block is often about giving my brain a simple break and focusing on other things I enjoy. Sometimes, that little bit of distance and a change of scenery is all it takes to reignite the creative spark.

Do you have a fave memory or moment from sharing kids’ crafts online?

Not in particular, but the creative community on Instagram is incredibly supportive and I really value that. It also brings me a lot of joy to see others recreate my crafts and share their own versions with me. Seeing their unique style and creativity come alive in the finished pieces is truly wonderful.

Are you a sweet or savoury person?

For me, it's a definite split right down the middle. I'm 100% a half-sweet, half-savoury person. I absolutely love a good BBQ, and my favourite German dish is potato pancakes with salmon. However, I also can’t live without my nightly ice-cream runs or the occasional slice of cheesecake. So, asking me to choose is impossible as I happily embrace both – the sweet and the savoury sides of the culinary world!

See more about @doro__creative by checking out our gallery, where her art journey is featured! Stock up on textured craft supplies for the whole fam by checking out our Play range. If you feel ready to create, #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with!

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