Waldorf inspirations Archives ~ Page 50 of 83 ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts

Waldorf craft books

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For me, crafting was my path to discovering Waldorf… {and a very lovely path it is *wink*}

I was drawn to the whimsy, simplicity and beauty of Waldorf crafts. Made generally by hand, using beautiful natural materials.

So entranced by rainbows, gnomes, sprites and the other trappings of Waldorf, I have re-discovered the joy of handmade toys and clothes. Knitting, woodwork and hand sewing have become my favourites, but I also dabble in needle felting and even dying my own play silks!

And the wonderful thing is, because of the simplicity of the Waldorf approach, the patterns and techniques are easy to learn! And so here are some of my favourite crafting books…

#1 The Gnome Craft Book

Dipping into the pages of The Gnome Craft book is such fun! It includes wonderful patterns and simple instructions for making gnome finger puppets, stick gnomes, cuddly gnomes and gnomes for the nature table.

Many of these gnomes could be made by children too.

#2 Creative Play for Your Toddler

This lovely book introduces toys to make for your children for different stages of play, including imaginative play, interactive play and discovery.

It includes patterns and instructions for many classic Waldorf toys like Waldorf dolls, ribbon wands, knitted rabbits, felt horses, blocks, fishing sets, wooden rafts and parachute people. I often return to this book for ideas for gifts, and enjoy revisiting the description of the different stages of children’s play.
#3 Natural Wooden Toys

I love flicking through the pages of this book and being inspired to craft with wood. It includes helpful explanation about how to cut wood for toys and options for painting them with natural paint.

There are many wonderful patterns for trees, animals, rainbows, castles and dragons! Ohh, I can’t wait to get the scroll saw back out!!

#4 The Nature Corner

For inspiration for your nature table, this is a great book! It includes beautiful photos of nature displays through the seasons and many patterns with helpful instructions.

I’ve used a number of the patterns when making animals to go with the knitted farm that the children received at Christmas. And I’d love to try my hand at making the Mrs Thaw *grin*

#5 Knitted Animals

This book includes some very sweet and simple to knit animal patterns, which was really handy when making my knitted farm.

I also pull it out when making toys for babies… such as gorgeous knitted horses!

#6 Gifts from the Garden

And this inspiring book is not so much a ‘Waldorf’ craft book, but one that complements the ideas of Waldorf to use items from your own backyard to create with.

It was a gift from my mum, and I must admit I adore it and would like to make everything in it! From body scrubs, preserves, bath bombs, milk bath mixtures and edible sugar flowers… love, love, love ~ a book for mama *grin*
I think the further I wander down this path, the more awakened and creative I feel I am becoming…

What Waldorf crafts are you drawn to?
And what are your favourite Waldorf craft books?

Happy crafting,
Kelly

October 3, 2013 by Kelly

What is it about Waldorf?

So, what is it about Waldorf?

What has drawn my family to this lifestyle and educational path?

As I learn more about Waldorf, the more I identify with this approach, the more I aspire to parent in this way. So I thought I would share what it is about Waldorf that resonates with me and why I think it suits my family {and I should say, there is still so much for me to learn!}

Rhythm

Having a rhythm to our days helps them flow, with clear points anchoring the day, but with flexibility should inspiration strike or something unexpected come up.

Our rhythm provides a sense of balance, times of breathing in {time with me on a set task} and breathing out {free play}. And we often transition using song.

My children seem to thrive with the expectation of what will occur during their days. And love knowing tomorrow is bread day, drawing day or daddy day.

Even as a working mum having a rhythm through the evening to bedtime gives me time to reconnect with them… using candlelight to anchor us and provide moments of intention.

Play

When visiting a Waldorf school for the first time, the beauty of the play spaces opened my eyes to a different way to inspire play.

With beautiful & simple toys made from natural materials. Bountiful baskets of loose parts such as blocks or shells for open ended play. Together with homely areas with play kitchens and dolls for play through imitation…

There is a focus on unstructured play and unscheduled time… to allow them to be in their bodies and go at their own pace, immersing themselves in their play… as if in their own little worlds.

Nature & the seasons
There is a focus on nature and the seasons through daily awareness and appreciation.

With the change of the seasons come stories, songs, crafts and baking that hold the season in reverence. And with this comes an understanding of the World around us.

I hear my son playing, and as he does he sings to himself about falling leaves in Autumn, butterflies in Spring, sunshine in Summer, before turning to King Winter during the cold months.

For me, this focus on nature and the seasons has elements of ritual… of honouring Mother Earth and the natural rhythm.

Creativity

Embracing Waldorf has brought creativity into our home. Creativity that leads to beauty and inspires wonder.

Before starting our little family, I would not have described myself as a creative person.. not since I was a child myself!

Making my own toys, and rediscovering handmade has helped me appreciate the value of things, to be satisfied with less and reawakened my creative spark.

And my children amaze me with their own creativity, which I observe in their play, their drawings and their crafts. Thank goodness for creativity!

Festivals & celebration

With Waldorf there is great emphasis on celebrating the festivals of the year, including Easter, Christmas and birthdays.

These celebrations provide special anchor points throughout the year. They help build family and community traditions ~ with a Waldorf twist!

Such as bringing special homemade aspects to these celebrations… like a homemade birthday banner, or gingerbread house…

And the night before my children’s birthday, I tell them about the day they were born ~ a story they love!

Simplicity

For me and my family, Waldorf brings a general slowing down, in great contrast to my time outside the home for work. And a gentleness that I hope provides my children with support and love in their endeavours.

So we aim for simplicity, in our home generally, with our toys, our books {okay, I struggle a bit with this one!} and with our thoughts and intentions.

We try to ensure our days are not filled to the brim, allowing time for whatever may come ~ a challenging aspiration in our culture of busy fullness.

And so to us, Waldorf is a work in progress. With areas for improvement, like a reduction in screen time.. where we aim to find a balance that works for us.

I hope you enjoyed this little taste of what it is about Waldorf that we love

Now, I’d love to know…
What do you love about Waldorf?
Or if you are new to Waldorf, what would you like to hear more about?

Warmly, Kelly

This post was part of the series
‘How to bring Waldorf into your home…’
by Kelly of Happy Whimsical Hearts