Waldorf Handwork

I remember how excited I was when "Living Crafts" hit the stands. It has been a year and I am still just as excited to get this in the post! Each issue has never disappointed , not once. There are so many talented artisians in each issue. Shortly, after it had come out I recall a lady saying she had taken a look at it and was unimpressed, not caring for "Waldorf " crafts. Waldorf really isn't about crafts per say, but handwork. Why wouldn't one love working with natural fibers like wool and wood, or spinning and weaving fiber into all kinds of yummy yarns and materials to be used for the various knitting and felting processes that the Waldorf schools teach. Or step into the drawing and watercolor world that they introduce. If your unfamiliar with the types of handwork the Waldorf schools teach please acquaint yourself with them. They are teachers and supporters of working with the elements from the natural world. Getting in tune with nature and using it to create and inspire from within. The natural foods and breads and baking they teach are beyond yummy! The Waldorf Book of Soups is delicious! I have some of their books in my sidebar. I cannot help but think that Beatrix Potter,Thoreau and Tasha Tudor would have been very impressed with a Waldorf school and the type of pedagogy it holds dear. So many old-fashioned endeavors sprinkled throughout the curriculum.

I would encourage you to look at your local book shop for this seasons Living Crafts--you'll get a taste of what the Waldorf and most natural living folks get up to in the "crafts" department. Also, there are many Waldorf handwork blogs but I do like this particular one and if you get a chance do pay a vist to her at Teaching Handwork.

Waldorf play is all about the imagination and the use of as many natural materials to facilitate it as possible. This is a custom order crown I finished for a little boy named Cormac who has a birthday coming up. He likes cars and this cotton twill fit the bill. Now what child doesn't like to take himself on a journey to faraway lands slaying dragons and restoring the kingdom to order and all that I ask! The crown was made from natural felt and hopefully will be worn many times and see numerous successful adventures.

I don't know if I would classify this crown as a Waldorf craft, but I do know my children and those I have gifted with these crowns or a handknit dolly sweater or a little wooden gnome outfitted in plant dyed natural felt have all been very grateful that I know something about Waldorf Handwork.