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Waldorf crafts

Making a Waldorf weighted doll

waldorf-doll-making

A few weekends ago I had the most beautiful experience.

I birthed my first proper Waldorf doll, led by the talented and patient Mary Hirsh-Jones.

making-the-waldorf-doll-head

Learning to make a Waldorf doll is something I have dreamed about for many a year.

But for a variety of reasons, such as my little ones needing me at home, it hadn’t come to pass.

how-to-make-a-waldorf-doll-nose

So I was so very happy to be joining the circle of women to create and share.

And there really is something very powerful about a circle of women who meet with positive intentions. For me it led to an outpouring of creativity and a filling up of my soul cup.

sewing-our-waldorf-dolls

As we started, Mary asked us to think intentionally about what we are creating, for whom and what we pour into that process. Keeping our thoughts in a kind and supportive place, so our love could infuse our babies as they are birthed.

The intentionality of Waldorf doll making is one of the aspects that really sets these distinctive dolls apart.

mary-teaching-us-how-to-do-the-eyes

So I held my son Teddy, in my mind’s eye, as I began to take the steps to create his baby.

Making the doll’s head was a very involved process, with much layering and wrapping of wool, shaping with string and bringing to life with the simplest of eyes and mouth.

getting-eyes

Throughout the day I was amazed to see the Waldorf babies emerging from the beautiful natural materials and our hands.

Each so distinctive, a reflection of the child the baby would go home to.

We felt so beautifully supported through this creative process with Mary leading the way, helping and guiding throughout.

teddys-baby

Thank you lovely Mary, I can’t wait to join you as you tour Australia again next year.

For anyone interested in attending Mary’s Waldorf workshops in Australia next year you can join this Facebook group.

beautiful-waldorf-doll

a-weighted-waldorf-doll

You can read about Mary’s felt tapestry course here and more of my handmade projects here.

???  And follow along on Facebook and Instagram to see snippets of our days ???

Blessings, Kelly

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The Balloon Tree

the-balloon-tree-by-kelly-of-happy-whimsical-hearts

Coming together in a circle of women to create and share is a special thing.

Two weekends ago, that is what I did.

felt-tapestry-rice-pad

We sat circling the most luscious collection of wool. The colours, textures and scent enticed us.

And there I discovered the – so very addictive – art of needlefelting tapestries.

the-balloon-tree-creation

We were guided by lovely Waldorf artisan Mary Hirsch-Jones.

Mary has been touring this wonderful country of ours, teaching groups of women how to make weighted Waldorf dolls, create felt tapestries and more!

mary-needle-felting

Mary supplied us with a hessian rice pack to work on, which was a lovely change to the usual foam.

She poured delightful wool into the center of our circle, enticing us with the colours and textures. So much beautiful fibre to choose from!

felt-tapestry-workshop

With me, was my somewhat battered copy of the storybook, The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman.

A story my mother read to me as a child, and which I now read to my children.

balloon-tree

The Balloon Tree is a story of hope and overcoming adversary.

Moon balloon, moon balloon, tickle the tree

Four balloons, more balloons, blossom for me

the-balloon-tree-felt-tapestry

As I chose fibre and started laying it and felting it into place, I held the story and illustrations in my mind. Slowly building the tree up out of the tapestry.

Before the beautiful balloons bloomed out, a riot of rainbow colour.

needle-felting

I will be felting more pictures I am sure. What a special day and a special craft to learn

Blessings, Kelly

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