Bags and Totes Archives - Bear Paw Creek Movement props, bags and totes made in the USA. Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:05:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-Bear-Paw-Creek-Full-Color-Icon-Round-Crop-100x100.png Bags and Totes Archives - Bear Paw Creek 32 32 Our Story — The How and Why Bear Paw Creek Began https://musicandmovementproducts.com/our-story-the-how-and-why-bear-paw-creek-began-creative-music-and-movement-props-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=our-story-the-how-and-why-bear-paw-creek-began-creative-music-and-movement-props-2 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:04:42 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=62274 Our Story — The How and Why Bear Paw Creek Began This January marks 25 years in business for Bear Paw Creek, this is a big milestone for us and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. We have been […]

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Our Story — The How and Why Bear Paw Creek Began

This January marks 25 years in business for Bear Paw Creek, this is a big milestone for us and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.

We have been celebrating all month long by sharing some behind the scenes, a 25% off flash sale, and still have something extra fun planned for the end of the month. We also wanted to share a little bit about the how and why Bear Paw Creek was started. For those who have been following us for a long time, this story may already be familiar to you, but we have had a lot of growth over the last several years. Including more followers on social media and our blog, which makes this the perfect time to do a retelling of our story.

Keep reading to learn about the start of our business (before we were named Bear Paw Creek!), growth over the years, how our products are beneficial, and our goals moving forward.

The Start of Bear Paw Creek's Music and Movement Props

In January of 2000, sisters Janet Stephens and Kathy Schumacher MT-BC came together along with Janet's husband, Christopher Stephens, to create a business that was then called Props & Bags, Etc. With Janet looking to create an income from home and Kathy looking for someone to create products to meet a need in the music therapy community, they meshed their passion and ideas together to create products that would serve the music and movement community for years to come.

With Christopher's innovative mind, Janet's designing and sewing skills, and Kathy's experience in music therapy and knowledge of what that community needed, they introduced the creation of a unique line of movement props along with solutions for organizing and transporting them.

The Props & Bags, Etc. 2000-2001 catalog contained: stretchy bands, bean bags, streamers, tote bags, and instrument cases.

Our Story — The How and Why Bear Paw Creek Began
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Our Development and Growth Throughout the Years

In 2001, Bear Paw Creek picked up their first wholesale customer, West Music, who we continue to work with to this day! The movement props continued to grow in popularity which encouraged them to continue going and also create more props to add to the product line. In 2008, the brand name was changed to Bear Paw Creek.

Fast forward to 2012, Janet had the opportunity to take a course on building websites with WordPress. With this knowledge added to her "tool belt", she was able to create a new website to better offer Bear Paw Creek's products to the public.

The new website allowed them to open up and quickly expand the business's retail market as well as connect with customers on a one to one level through emails, blog posts, and in later years, social media. Bear Paw Creek continues to expand and grow, reaching more retail customers, along with a growing list of resellers, stateside and internationally.

In recent years I, Madison Stephens (Christopher and Janet's daughter), have taken over the social media marketing for Bear Paw Creek. This opened up a whole other avenue of connection with our customers.

Seeing videos of stretchy bands, scarves, streamers, bean bags, and all of our other creative movement props being used in countries all around the world by people of different ages and abilities is both mind blowing and extremely humbling. It is an honor to be a part of this business my parents and aunt started and the impact it has.
Bear Paw Creek School Of Musical HeartBeats Australia Stretchy Band in Music and Movement Activity
Nancy Kopman Music With Nancy Kopman Shake Shake Shake with Bear Paw Creek Creative Movement Scarves
Pixie Pods Kids New York United States Music Classes for Kids Bear Paw Creek DiscoverDance Hoop Ribbon Rainbow Streamers
Bear Paw Creek Stretchy Band Creative Music and Movement Props for Music Therapists Teacher Jacqueline Chow Singapore Music Therapist

We have learned so much and have been inspired by all of you sharing your movement activity ideas on social media and how you use our movement props with your children, students, and patients. It has also led to some new product ideas, wonderful collaborations, and big growth for our business. If you aren't already connected with us on Facebook and Instagram, please give us a follow! And keep tagging us in your videos and pictures, it truly is one of our favorite things to see our products in use.

Bear Paw Creek: Retailer, Wholesaler, and Manufacture of Handmade in the USA Movement Props

Something that not everyone knows about Bear Paw Creek is that, for the last 25 years we have been the manufacturer, retailer, and wholesaler for our company. People are sometimes shocked to hear that our movement props are handmade by us in Missouri, USA!

When we first began in 2000, our target audience was music therapists. The music therapy community is wonderful and has been huge supporters of Bear Paw Creek. We are extremely grateful for them and all of the important work that they do! Over the years as our product was being purchased and shipped all around the world, we realized that music therapists are not the only ones that have a need for these props.

Our music and movement props continue to be used by music therapists, but are also being used by music teachers, activity directors, recreational therapists, parents, dance instructors, grandparents, physical therapists, early childhood educators, special education teachers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and so many more.

All of these amazing people combine our props with music to help their patients target specific goal areas, work on a variety of skills, and sometimes, to just have fun with music and movement. A few of the skills movement props help target are:

  • Physical development: Props can help with coordination, balance, and gross motor skills.
  • Cognitive development: Props can help with spatial awareness, teamwork, and understanding of locomotor and non-locomotor movements.
  • Creative expression: Props can help with creativity and musicality.
  • Social-emotional development: Props can help with social-emotional development.
  • Strength and flexibility: Props can help with strength, mobility, and flexibility by encouraging movement.

A Thank you for Your Support and Our Goals Moving Forward

We cannot say thank you enough to all of our loyal supporters for the last 25 years. Bear Paw Creek would not be the successful business that it is without all of you trusting us to provide high-quality made in the USA movement props, sharing about them with friends, using them with your children and patients, sharing your music and movement activity ideas on blogs and social media, and coming back again and again to purchase our products.

Bear Paw Creek is honored to have the opportunity to make a small impact in the world with what we provide. But it's all because of our amazing community of people all around the world that our products have been as successful as they are.

Looking back on the last 25 years there has definitely been a lot of change and growth. However, our core values have remained and will continue to remain the same: commitment to the people who use our products, and enthusiasm for the manner in which our customers improve the lives of others.

It is our goal to continue to equip teachers, therapists, and parents as they seek to enrich the lives of others through creative movement products and music. We understand the importance of music and movement for developing healthy minds and bodies of all ages and are honored to have your trust and support as we continue to create high-quality movement props.

Here's to the next 25 years!

Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

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]]> Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers https://musicandmovementproducts.com/boom-tote-storage-bag-for-boomwhackers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boom-tote-storage-bag-for-boomwhackers Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:07:32 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=61128 Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers® Have you ever played with Boomwhackers®? Have you ever tried to keep them organized? You wouldn't think a bunch of little tubes could be so hard to keep together but it's like they have a mind of their own. […]

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Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers®

Have you ever played with Boomwhackers®?

Have you ever tried to keep them organized? You wouldn't think a bunch of little tubes could be so hard to keep together but it's like they have a mind of their own. They just keep...rolling.

There is a solution: The Boom Tote, a Boomwhacker® storage bag with a closeable drawstring top to make them all stay in one place and a mesh top so you can see the colorful Boomwhackers®. Plus, a zippered pocket for your extras!

Keep reading for more details on the Boom Tote for Boomwhackers® plus a fun giveaway with Haleigh at Helpful Harmonies Music Therapy.

 

The Boom Tote for Boomwhackers®

Back in 2012 a friend, Michelle Erfurt MT-BC, reached out to us with the idea of the Boom Tote. She says, “I happened to have a standard set of Boomwhackers® but had a hard time carrying them around. So, I made the Boom Tote. I guess the saying 'Necessity is the mother of invention' is true! Thank you so much for checking out the Boom Tote, I know it will help you carry around your instruments.”

The Boom Tote storage bag can hold a full octave (or 8 Boomwhackers®). It has a gusseted fabric bottom which extends the fabric area on the bottom allowing the Boomwhackers® to fit well. The drawstring has a cord lock to keep the bag securely closed and features a mesh upper section so that your instruments are visible. The Boom Tote also as adjustable shoulder straps for easy carrying.

The outer zippered pocket on the Boom Tote is large enough to easily hold a set of Octovator™ Tube Caps, keys, wallet or business cards. The Boom Tote measures 9" x 29"  with the pocket measuring 6.5" x 8" x 2". One of the best parts, the Boom Tote is machine washable!

We discontinued the Boom Tote for several years while we worked on redesigning it. With several requests and people reaching out asking when it would be available again, we worked hard to finalize the design and are excited to have this product back on our website! With the help of our Bear Paw Creek Insider's group, we decided to stick with black for the Boom Tote. By keeping the Boom Tote black, it really allows the colors of the Boomwhackers® to pop.

If you're interested in learning more about Boomwhackers®, how they work, and what they're used for, you can check out the About Us page on www.boomwhackers.com. This article also has some great information on Boomwhackers® and their history.

Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers® — Finally back on the Bear Paw Creek website!
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Boom Tote and Boomwhackers® Giveaway!

You know we LOVE giveaways here at Bear Paw Creek. So, to celebrate this product being newly released (again), we're doing a giveaway!

Bear Paw Creek and Helpful Harmonies Music Therapy are teaming up to give away:

  • A Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers®
  • A C Major Diatonic Scale of Boomwhackers®

The Boom Tote giveaway is open up to those in the USA and Internationally! To get the details on how to enter for you chance to win, check out our post on Instagram or Facebook. (HINT: You can enter both places for even more entries!)

Best Boom Tote Storage Bag for Boomwhackers Boomwhacker Organization Music Educators Music Teacher Resources for Music Therapists

This giveaway ends on March 11th, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST. One winner will be drawn and announced on March 12th, 2024. Bear Paw Creek will contact you directly if you have won and will NOT require a payment method of any kind, so please be wary of any strange messages requesting payment info!

If you're like me and want the most giveaway entries as possible, enter your name and email below for an automatic 5 bonus entries. Good luck to everyone and thank you for your continued support!

Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

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]]> New Creative Movement and Music Kit https://musicandmovementproducts.com/new-creative-movement-and-music-kit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-creative-movement-and-music-kit Sun, 07 May 2023 12:51:55 +0000 https://musicandmovementproducts.com/?p=59999 New Creative Movement and Music Kit with Sprouts and Friends Inc. We have a new Personal Student Kit available and are excited to tell you all about it! The Creative Movement and Music Kit was designed by Ms. Kristin from Sprouts & Friends, Inc. and […]

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New Creative Movement and Music Kit with Sprouts and Friends Inc.

We have a new Personal Student Kit available and are excited to tell you all about it! The Creative Movement and Music Kit was designed by Ms. Kristin from Sprouts & Friends, Inc. and put together by us at Bear Paw Creek.

The music kits are a newer addition in the last several years, and we have continued adding to them. They first came together in 2020 with the goal of providing music and movement opportunities while still keeping distance and staying healthy and safe during the pandemic.

Ms. Kristin designed this music kit with the goal of bringing families with children together through music. Keep reading to get all of the details on what is included and learn more about the three different options available.

Bear Paw Creek Best Personal Student Kits for Early Childhood Development Sprouts and Friends Inc Best Resources for Music Class Teaching Tools for Parents Music Kit

Options for the Creative Movement and Music Kit

We understand that each child and family is different and what they require varies. That's why we have three of the Sprouts & Friends, Inc. Creative Movement and Music Kits available. Currently, we have the Essential Kit, Small Kit, and Deluxe Kit.

The DELUXE Creative Movement and Music Kit

This kit includes:

The SMALL Creative Movement and Music Kit

This kit includes:

  • 2 Scarves
  • 2 Castanet
  • 2 Egg Shaker
  • 1 Lollipop Drum
  • 2 Bean Bags
  • 2 Rhythm Sticks
  • 1 Drawstring Bag

The ESSENTIAL Creative Movement and Music Kit

This kit includes:

  • 1 Egg Shaker
  • 1 Castanet
  • 1 Scarf
  • 1 Pair of Rhythm Sticks
  • 1 Bean Bag
  • 1 Lollipop Drum

Check out Bear Paw Creek's Newest Creative Movement and Music Kit in Partnership with Sprouts & Friends, Inc.
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Sprouts & Friends, Inc.

If you're interested in learning more about Ms. Kristin and Sprouts & Friends, Inc., you can click here to check out their Facebook page or here to check out their Instagram! You can also check out Ms. Kristin's book, Five Little Seals, coming out on May 13th, 2023. This is a fun finger-play book about "Five little seals went out one day. Over the waves and far away. One by one the little seals leave on their own adventure, until finally they return safely to Mama seal."

You can click here to get your copy! We ordered ours and can't wait to try and incorporate it into some fun music and movement activities.

As always, we love getting to partner with other people and business to continue bringing fun movement props, instruments, and more to your lives. We hope you'll take the time to check out Sprouts & Friends, Inc. and maybe you will want to order one of the Creative Movement and Music Kits for your next day of music fun!

Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens

Madison has been a part of BPC her whole life. As a young child, she and her siblings helped stuff stretchy bands and flip bean bags. Over the last six years she has become even more involved and is now an official BPC employee with the role of seamstress and social media manager. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with family and friends, going on walks with her dog, working with horses, or cooking and baking. Madison feels honored to have the opportunity to work alongside her mom, Janet Stephens, and be involved with the family business.

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]]> New Products Include Make Your Own Streamers and Guitar Case https://musicandmovementproducts.com/new-products-include-creative-movement-products-make-your-own-streamers-and-guitar-case/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-products-include-creative-movement-products-make-your-own-streamers-and-guitar-case https://musicandmovementproducts.com/new-products-include-creative-movement-products-make-your-own-streamers-and-guitar-case/#comments Sun, 19 Nov 2017 13:52:20 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=49305 New Creative Movement Products Include Make Your Own Streamers and Guitar Case I have been busy with trying to knock some to do items off my list, but it keeps growing!  I am sure you can relate to that. One of my lists is new […]

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New Creative Movement Products Include Make Your Own Streamers and Guitar Case

I have been busy with trying to knock some to do items off my list, but it keeps growing!  I am sure you can relate to that.

One of my lists is new product ideas. I’m always thinking up more and getting suggestions from customers, so I have finally added a few to the site and updated some other products.

I will also sharing a 20% off code for Black Friday/Cyber Monday.  AND – a special Gratitude = Giving event that will be happening in the Bear Paw Creek Insiders group on Facebook.

Read on to learn more!

Recreational Therapy New Movement Products Nursing Home Early Education Teachers

Make Your Own Streamers, Bags, and Balloon Balls

Make Your Own Streamers

A little story, for 15 years I made our hoops for our streamers out of food grade tubing. Safe right?  Well – a few years ago they failed the test for compliance on phthalates.  WHAT!  I was truly surprised since this is food grade tubing, meaning we are consuming drinks out of it.  So – I went on the hunt for compliant hoops.  I landed on poly-carbonate and had a bunch made up.

Unique Musical Dance Large Plastic Hoop For Streamers Music Therapy Crafting

I thought it would be fun to offer these for sale so you can make your own streamers!  At $1.25 each, this can help the budget and for those creatives out there, you’ll love being able to make your own styles up. You could even re-use them, tying on themed streamers, and taking them off for another event.   Get your kids or clients involved making them!

Here some ideas of how you can do it:

  • cut plastic table cloths into strips and tie them on
  • ribbons
  • fabric strips  (thrift stores are great places to find fabric, sheets, or even clothing)
  • yarn
  • crepe paper streamers

New creative movement products include hoop streamers, balloon ball, Martin backpacker Guitar Case.
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Martin Backpacker Guitar Case

At a customer’s request, I’ve made up a case for the Martin Backpacker guitar. This was a fun project.  After several years of testing, I am now offering this on our site. You can find the case at this link.

Custom Martin Backpacker Guitar Soft Carrying Gig Bag Travelling Music Therapist Artist

Zipper Pouches

I just added more small zipper pouches to the site with a few new colors!  These little pouches were originally made for small first aid kids to our 4-H group.  The kids love to clip them on their bag, or belt loop to carry items in.

Unique Zipperd Pouch Clip On Pack Organize Backpack Day Hike

Balloon Ball AdditionsUnique Musical Movement Acorn Balloon Ball Circle Time Children's Librarian

Best Creative Movement Prop Circle Time Listening Lessons Apple Balloon Ball Pre K Teachers

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale and a Month of Gratitude

GRATITUDE = Four Weeks of GIVING Bear Paw Creek Customer LoveGet 20% off everything (with free shipping) from Friday November 24, 2017 through Tuesday November 28, 2017.

Use this code at check-out: cyber

AND….a month of gratitude will begin on November 27 in our Bear Paw Creek Insiders group on Facebook.  If you haven’t – come join us! 

 

 

 

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

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]]> https://musicandmovementproducts.com/new-products-include-creative-movement-products-make-your-own-streamers-and-guitar-case/feed/ 1 Boomwhacker® Music Education Tool and Boom Tote Storage https://musicandmovementproducts.com/boomwhacker-music-education-tool-and-boom-tote-storage-music-therapist-educators-teachers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boomwhacker-music-education-tool-and-boom-tote-storage-music-therapist-educators-teachers https://musicandmovementproducts.com/boomwhacker-music-education-tool-and-boom-tote-storage-music-therapist-educators-teachers/#comments Thu, 13 Jul 2017 20:31:33 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=48803 Boomwhacker® and Boom Tote Giveaway Do you use Boomwhackers®? In this post I will share a little bit of history and my current favorite video of them in use. Creator of the Boom Tote, Michelle Erfurt, is partnering with us for this giveaway! History of […]

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Boomwhacker® and Boom Tote Giveaway

Do you use Boomwhackers®?

In this post I will share a little bit of history and my current favorite video of them in use.

Creator of the Boom Tote, Michelle Erfurt, is partnering with us for this giveaway!

Boomwhackers® Boom Tote Get Organized Recreation Therapist Music Therapy

History of Boomwhackers®

Have you ever played with Boomwhackers®?  They are a wonderful addition to the music world: they are affordable, great for group participation, spark creativity, and can open up music to many that wouldn’t have a chance to play an instrument.

My current favorite Boomwhacker®  video out there is by Louie’s Cage Percussion.  It is a song medley – enjoy!

Because of my curious nature, I wanted to find out about the history of the Boomwhackers®.  The about us page from boomwhacker.com had some great information, but I enjoyed the article at Wikipedia even more.

I also love that they are manufactured in the USA, which means more jobs are created and revenue is put back into our economy.

American Craig Ramsell reportedly came up for the idea for his boomwhackers in 1994 while at home recovering from radiation therapy for cancer. While cutting cardboard tubes into shorter lengths for recycling he happened to notice the different pitches resulting from the different lengths and decided to investigate their creative potential. He experimented with various plastics before settling on plastic mailing tubes.[1] He and his partner, wife Monnie Ramsell, formed DrumSpirit as a sole proprietorship to market the tubes. The original plastic boomwhackers were first produced in 1995. The current version, which is far more durable than the earlier prototype, was released in 1997.

Ramsell started Whacky Music, Inc. in 1998, marketing a wider variety of boomwhacker sets and materials. Boomwhackers are now available to span 3½ chromatic octaves. (The addition of the Octavator Tube Caps in 1999 allowed for the third lower octave.)

In July, 2009 the Sedona, Arizona-based Whacky Music, Inc., sold its interests to Rhythm Band Instruments LLC of Fort Worth, Texas, through an asset purchase agreement. Boomwhackers are made in the USA and distributed internationally by Rhythm Band Instruments.

Boomwhackers® and Boom Tote giveaway.
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They Just Keep Rolling

Creator of the Boom Tote, Michelle Erfurt shares the following:

Boomwhackers®: loved by students and teachers… except when they need organized. How could a bunch of little tubes be so hard to keep together? It’s like they have a mind of their own… they just keep… rolling.

There is a solution: The Boom Tote, a Boomwhacker® storage bag with a closeable drawstring top to make them all stay in one place and a mesh top so you can see if you remembered all of them. There’s even a zippered pocket for your extras.

Unique Music Therapy Boomwhacker Boom Tote Bag Over Shoulder Strap Traveling Music Therapist

Want one? You can only get them at Bear Paw Creek and right now, we’re giving away a Boom Tote + a set of Boomwhackers®.

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Boomwhacker® Music Education Tool and Boom Tote Storage appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> https://musicandmovementproducts.com/boomwhacker-music-education-tool-and-boom-tote-storage-music-therapist-educators-teachers/feed/ 1 Movement Prop & Musical Instrument Organization https://musicandmovementproducts.com/movement-prop-musical-instrument-organization-dynamic-movement-music-therapy-home-schoolers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=movement-prop-musical-instrument-organization-dynamic-movement-music-therapy-home-schoolers Mon, 17 Oct 2016 11:00:13 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=47851 Movement Prop & Musical Instrument Organization As a traveling professional, organizing on the go is a must. Your vehicle serves as your office, lunch room, and closet all at the same time. In part 2 of this organization series, we explore the intricacies of being […]

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Movement Prop & Musical Instrument Organization

As a traveling professional, organizing on the go is a must. Your vehicle serves as your office, lunch room, and closet all at the same time.

In part 2 of this organization series, we explore the intricacies of being a traveling professional who travels from site to site.

You can read part 1 here.

Organizing For Traveling Music Therapists Educators Caregivers Professionals

Organizing for Traveling Music Therapists, Educators, Caregivers, and Professionals

  • Utilize a large tote bag for your various materials and for your larger instruments like hand drums, paddle drums, sound shape drums, tambourines, and all of the accessories (BONUS TIP: I recommend contacting a vendor who sells Thirty-One bags and accessories – they have a nice selection of sturdy bags of all sizes that may hold your materials, instruments, and movement props very well)
  • Organize your smaller materials, like small rhythm instruments, streamers, and scarves, in totes and bags — doing this makes it super simple to grab what you need right in the middle of a session or class
  • Use a rolling cart, rolling luggage, or even a wagon (more on this in a bit!)
  • Find and use a good quality gig bag for your guitar and invest in a Guitten
  • Use a BoomTote to keep all of your Boomwhackers together instead of letting them roll all over the car trunk

 

Are you a traveling professional? Organization tips and tricks via @BearPawCreek
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Getting from Point A to Point B:

Transporting all.the.things from place to place can be a tricky job! 

Rolling carts are always a plus — two traveling music therapists share their favorite traveling accessories below:

Just Keep Rollin’
Jody Tucker of Access Music Therapy, LLC in Duluth, MN, shares her favorite rolling bag, her visuals, and other cool materials she can keep in her HUGE travel bag…pssst, think ocean drum!

Bumping Up And Down in an EasyGoWagon
Linda of RhythmWORKS Music Therapy, LLC in Chicago, IL, shares her favorite music wagon – and it’s easily foldable and carries a ton of equipment. Check out her post!

Additional things to help you along your way:

  1. Phone and phone charger
  2. Podcasts (for when you are stuck in traffic or have a longer commute between sites)
  3. Mileage log or app
  4. Voice memo app (for when you think of a great idea, you can quickly record it for future use)
  5. Hand sanitizer
  6. A good ice scraper/snow brush or sunshade for your vehicle
  7. Umbrella

Katey of On a Good Note has written an entire Traveling Music Therapist blog series on apps, podcasts, and tips just for traveling music therapists. Check it out!

Take care of your vehicle:

Carve out time to take care of your car. Get regular oil changes and car washes, vacuum all of the seats and trunk, and throw away all the coffee cups.

Also, take some time to organize all of your materials. This is the most important step. As I wrote in Part 1 of this series, having an organized space certainly makes your life as a therapist, educator, or professional much easier.

Be flexible as a traveling professional:

Amy Buser, music therapist and owner of Wholesome Harmonies, LLC, in Miami, FL, shares about the one day she forgot all of her materials for her music therapy sessions. She relied on her music therapy training, as well as her spontaneous creativity to get through the day.

And finally, a little humor to lighten your way:

You Know You're a Traveling Music Therapist When

Do you have a great organizing tip or resource for those professionals who travel frequently? Please share in the comments below.

Julie Palmieri

Julie Palmieri

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]]> Movement Prop & Musical Instrument Organizing for Clinics, Studios, and Classrooms https://musicandmovementproducts.com/movement-prop-musical-instrument-organizing-for-clinics-studios-and-classrooms-traveling-music-therapist-home-schoolers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=movement-prop-musical-instrument-organizing-for-clinics-studios-and-classrooms-traveling-music-therapist-home-schoolers https://musicandmovementproducts.com/movement-prop-musical-instrument-organizing-for-clinics-studios-and-classrooms-traveling-music-therapist-home-schoolers/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2016 15:03:35 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=47545 Organizing for Clinics, Studios, and Classrooms We know how important organization is for music therapists and music teachers, whether you have a clinic space, a studio, a classroom, or if you travel from site to site in your mobile office on four wheels (aka your […]

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Organizing for Clinics, Studios, and Classrooms

We know how important organization is for music therapists and music teachers, whether you have a clinic space, a studio, a classroom, or if you travel from site to site in your mobile office on four wheels (aka your vehicle!!).

In part one of this two-part series on organization, we explore ways to organize your clinic, studio, and classroom spaces (read Part 2 here).

Organizing Music Therapy Clinic Studio Music Instruments Movement Products

Utilizing Wall Space

Whether you have a thriving studio or a busy classroom, having your movement props and musical instruments stored up and off the ground is advantageous. This keeps some of your most important tools away from curious hands.

Using a guitar wall mounts/hangers is a perfect way to keep your guitar safe. This neat guitar wall mount from Wallaxe.com is visually appealing and super cool (and bonus points because their products are made in the USA!).

Movement Prop & Musical Instrument Organizing for Clinics, Studios, and Classrooms-traveling-music-therapist-

If you are handy and want to make your own guitar wall mount for your clinic or classroom space, you can easily search for “DIY guitar mount” or “DIY guitar stand.” You’ll find hundreds of results, building plans, and ideas.

Our friends at Music Therapy Connections in Springfield, Illinois have put together a neat and efficient slatwall that easily holds movement props (there’s the Stretchy Band!), books, baskets of instruments, and special materials for their early childhood music classes.

Music Therapy Connections Instrument Creative Movement Prop Organization Music Therapy

The team at MTC shares their process and the reasoning behind using this simple wall piece that can be purchased right from a local hardware store. It’s a perfect solution for them as it keeps their instruments better protected and cuts down on distractions for their students and clients.

Ideas for organizing your clinic space, studio, and classroom via @BearPawCreek
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Establishing Storage Areas

Having a separate storage space in your clinic or classroom space is a nice perk, as well.

Whether your movement props, musical instruments, and visuals are stored in a closet, an office, or simply a bin or bookcase, having a storage makes your life a little bit easier.

Everything is in its’ own place so that you can easily find it for the next time.

Organizing for itinerant Music Therapists

Music therapist Kathy Schumacher from Tuneful Teaching shared exactly how she organizes her music therapy equipment — from instruments to puppets to visuals. She primarily uses drawstring bags, tote bags, and an organized system of labels.

Having an organized space certainly makes your life as a therapist, educator, or professional much easier.

For more organizing ideas, make sure to visit our Pinterest board for organizing!

TIP FOR PROFESSIONALS

Place an instrument (eggshaker, jingle bell, rhythm sticks, small tambourine) in a drawstring bag. Give it a shake and see if your students or clients can guess the instrument.

Great for sound identification and awareness goals.

Eggshakers and Drawstring Bag Music Education Nursing Home Daycare Providers

Julie Palmieri

Julie Palmieri

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]]> https://musicandmovementproducts.com/movement-prop-musical-instrument-organizing-for-clinics-studios-and-classrooms-traveling-music-therapist-home-schoolers/feed/ 6 Re-useable Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags https://musicandmovementproducts.com/re-useable-fabric-drawstring-gift-bags-organizational-products-childrens-librarians/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=re-useable-fabric-drawstring-gift-bags-organizational-products-childrens-librarians Sun, 06 Dec 2015 15:54:44 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=45922 Re-useable Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags Probably about ten years ago my sister started making fabric drawstring gift bags for Christmas and birthdays.  That is also what she started asking from me to make for her gifts – drawstring bags!  About four years ago, I got […]

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Re-useable Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags

Probably about ten years ago my sister started making fabric drawstring gift bags for Christmas and birthdays.  That is also what she started asking from me to make for her gifts – drawstring bags!  About four years ago, I got on board with converting all our wrapping paper over to fabric.  It has been wonderful and so much less waste for gift giving.  Drawstring bags are so versatile that they make a great gift in themselves.

You can find a four pack of Christmas print drawstring bags on our site for $10.

For the third year we are also sending a Christmas print bag with every order in December.

Christmas Print Re-useable Drawstring Bag Preschool Childcare Directors

Wrapping Up 25 Christmas Books

I also saw a fun idea on wrapping up 25 Christmas books to open each day with your children. I need to add a few more to my shelf to equal 25, but we started opening and reading on Dec. 1.

Opening Christmas Books in Drawstring Bag Count Down Circle Time Home School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell me your favorite book so I can build my wish list to get to my goal of 25 Christmas books!

Christmas Print Re-useable Drawstring Bag Preschool Childcare Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you wrap a pile of presents like this in 32 minutes with out paper or tape?

Check out the blog post all about it!

PIle of Christmas gifts to be wrapped

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Re-useable Fabric Drawstring Gift Bags appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Wrapping Presents in 32 Minutes With Drawstring Bags https://musicandmovementproducts.com/wrapping-presents-in-32-minutes-with-drawstring-bags/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wrapping-presents-in-32-minutes-with-drawstring-bags Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:39:26 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=45931 Wrapping Presents in 32 Minutes With Drawstring Bags Guest blog post by Kathy Schumacher of Tuneful Teaching Well, it’s December 24, 2014, and I have managed to put off my gift wrapping until today.  This is actually the first time I’ve procrastinated until this late […]

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Wrapping Presents in 32 Minutes With Drawstring Bags

Guest blog post by Kathy Schumacher of Tuneful Teaching

Well, it’s December 24, 2014, and I have managed to put off my gift wrapping until today.  This is actually the first time I’ve procrastinated until this late in the season.  Was I stressed just thinking about the task?  Nope, not at all. 

I knew I had this tote of reusable fabric “wrapping paper” waiting for me.  Some of the fabric holds special meaning.  One is made from Grandma’s apron fabric.  Others we’ve been using for so many years that the kids recognize the bags and enjoy the familiarity of it all. 

Christmas Print Re-useable Drawstring Bag Preschool Childcare Directors

 

So, here’s my pile of gifts.  I started wrapping at 11:15 and was completely finished by 11:47 — that’s exactly 32 minutes!  

 

Our tradition is to have “Santa” bring the presents in the stockings and one present under the tree, usually a family game or puzzle. That’s why you see one present in traditional wrapping paper. I performed this present-wrapping feat on my ironing board this year–I don’t recommend it–for the simple fact that I was hiding in my closet to accomplish the job due to the late date.

The tags are cut out of last years’ Christmas cards and hole punched. I tie one simple knot to close the bag, put a tag through one string and then tie a bow without an additional knot before the bow. This makes unwrapping easier for the kids.
Oh, I also get rid of all packaging before I wrap. Huge time saver and stress reliever come Christmas Day!

The dark blue bag is one that I made large enough to hold a saucer sled many years ago. Occasionally, we have a present that big, but usually I just use it to hold all the presents. When those big presents do come around, it sure is nice not to waste all that paper!

PIle of Christmas gifts to be wrapped

Drawstring fabric bags wrapping paper for Christmas presents

Unique Fabric Drawstring Bags Organizing Music Therapy Props Librarians

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Wrapping Presents in 32 Minutes With Drawstring Bags appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

]]> Soft Carrying Bag for Suzuki Qchord https://musicandmovementproducts.com/soft-carrying-bag-for-suzuki-qchord-instrument-storage-bag-traveling-music-therapist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=soft-carrying-bag-for-suzuki-qchord-instrument-storage-bag-traveling-music-therapist Fri, 06 Jun 2014 17:19:28 +0000 https://bearpawcreek.com/?p=2363 Soft Carrying Bag for Suzuki Qchord Do you ever shop on amazon.com?  It happens to be one of my favorite places to shop.  With my busy life, being able to shop from home, and have it delivered is a huge time saver.   I also like […]

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Soft Carrying Bag for Suzuki Qchord

Do you ever shop on amazon.com?  It happens to be one of my favorite places to shop.  With my busy life, being able to shop from home, and have it delivered is a huge time saver.   I also like being able to read customer reviews of products in making a decision and for improving our products.

Some of our products have been listed on Amazon for several years, but last year I became an Amazon seller myself.  In doing so, there were some negative reviews of the soft carrying bag for Suzuki QChord I designed back in 2000.  I tackled fixing the pocket first.  Recently I have updated the zipper. I had reports of the zipper teeth falling apart after one use!  That is not acceptable at all.  So I have now updated the zippers to a coil zipper compared to a toothed zipper.

Best Suzuki Qchord Soft Carrying Gig Bag for transporting traveling music therapist performer

Updated and Improved Qchord Carrying Bag for Suzuki’s Qchord

This also made me go on the hunt for a Qchord of my own to use for quality control.  They hold their price, even used!  While I was sewing, I thought someone has to have a broken Qchord that I could get. Quick search on google and I came across this post by one of West Music’s music therapists. A few emails to one of my contacts at West Music and they sent me a broke Qchord with one of my original bags along with it.  The bag was pitiful!  I am not sure the picture does it justice, but I have come along way in fabric choices and knowledge of bag construction.

Old Qchord Gig Bag Pocket Design Music Therapist Music Performer

I had another customer contact me that her Suzuki Qchord fit in the bag, but she wasn’t able to zip it! Temporary panic, since that had never happened in 14 years.  Come to find out she was using Dunlop Dual Design Straplock System, (pictured below) as this allows her to carry the Qchord around and let clients strum it.  This system is screwed in the ends of the Qchord.  In the discussion she also suggested changing the pocket to allow for carrying an Ipad.  So, I am working on  a custom bag for her, and it may become a new option or replace the current design.

Dunlop Dual Design Straplock System Qchord Gig Bag Carry Bag

Do you use a Qchord?  Do you have any suggestions or think being able to carry an ipad would make your life simpler?  Please leave a comment and let me know!

 

Janet Stephens

Janet Stephens

Janet is the founder, designer, and one of the seamstresses behind Bear Paw Creek's made in the USA line of creative movement props, and bags. She is passionate about her faith, family, and loves the journey of learning and growing this life provides.

The post Soft Carrying Bag for Suzuki Qchord appeared first on Bear Paw Creek.

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