MOLICAAustralia

Today we welcome Michelle of MOLICAAustralia to our 

Waldorf on Etsy Team!

 

MOLICAAustralia is about the love of natural materials, the beauty of uniquely handcrafted fiber art and eco friendly living.

  Michelle has been working with 100% Wool Felt and Fleece since 2005, because the colors and textures of these natural mediums are both attractive and comforting to people of all ages.  She creates pieces with the intention of inspiring creativity and imaginative play, whilst also reducing our environmental footprint.

The business name ‘MOLICA’ is a combination of her two daughter’s names because her interest in Natural Fiber Art was inspired by them.  They are now both budding artists and do some amazing work, which they are beginning to list for sale. 

 Michelle's work is a mixture of sewn and needle felted pieces, sometimes combining the two. Some pieces are adapted from pattern books, some are her own organic patterns.  Her needle felted sculptures come from a range of inspirations and imagination, all original works.
With a background in early childhood education and working with vulnerable families teaching parenting skills, Michelle wanted to do something that combined her early childhood knowledge around children’s play and development while at the same time supporting more environmentally ways of living and enjoy her creative pursuits.                  All of her work is made with care and attention, from quality natural materials, either sculpted from wool fleece or hand cut and sewn from 100% wool felt. Sewn items are stuffed with 100% pure wool fleece and sewn with quality cotton or silk thread.

  Michelle is:

 "Inspired by nature and motivated by the pleasure this work brings to me and to those who receive a unique gift hand made with care and creativity. My work celebrates nature, living simply and having reverence for beautiful handmade creations and artistic work."

Visit MOLICAAustralia at the following websites:

Etsy Facebook
Pinterest
The Textile and Fiber Art List

And be sure to check out Michelle's blog Step Lightly on the Earth where she celebrates nature, living simply and having reverence for beautiful creations, handmade from natural materials.

Remember,  the world of natural fiber art isn't just about the 'end product'.  It is about the rhythm of the making, discovery, creative expression and a way of living...... that is what her blog is about! 

Enjoy!

The Magic Nest Giveaway

Today we're sharing a special giveaway by Waldorf on Etsy artist Lucinda Macy of Willodel.  The giveaway begins on Dec. 1,  2013 and ends on Sunday,  Dec. 8, 2013.

"In the spirit of goodwill and giving back to those who have given and all those  who would like to give and inspire the imagination, creativity and embracing the spirit of the natural world..... let us enjoy our grand extended family that we have become and are becoming!" 

Joining the Willodel shop in this giving is The MagicFairyLady shop on etsy, a shop that embraces the love of the natural world and the power of creativity in a most unique and beautiful way. 

 

Their special giveaway:

 A Wee one with her Moonrise bed and bed table!

They also have a story with this Giveaway....

For more details and to enter this contest, 

please visit the Willodel website.

Happy Holidays & Happy Giveaways!

More Blogs from Waldorf on Etsy Artists

The world of Waldorf on Etsy is filled with beautiful, natural arts and crafts, gift ideas and educational items.  Yet, the work of the artists in our group is not limited to items for sale.  We also share a wealth of information, ideas, craft projects, and creative posts about Waldorf inspired family life from a wide range of blogs.  

 Rainbow Star Sun Catcher
We originally highlighted team member blogs in our March 22, 2013 post titled Waldorf on Etsy Blogs Worth Checking Out.  

Today we have a new group of artist blogs to share with you. 

Flower Fairy

Visit the Sunshine Living blog created by Stephanie of the Waldorf on Etsy shop Petals and Sunshine.  See the journey to her beautiful Waldorf style playroom she created for her children, get a recipe for Carrot-Pineapple muffins or simply enjoy the happy pictures.   There's all kinds of ideas and information on this blog from a fellow Waldorf inspired parent to you.

Fall Felt Wall Hanging

Lorna, fiber artist and owner of the Waldorf on Etsy shop, Wandering Sheep has an information packed blog all about "felt works and fiber mania."  Her blog shares the same name as her etsy shop.  Visit the Wandering Sheep blog to learn all about felt - it's history, its making, as well as examples of her beautiful work and the processes she uses to create it. 

Needle Felted Grey Squirrel

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in the work of Waldorf on Etsy artist Claudia Marie those words ring true.  Check out the beautiful pictures of her amazingly lifelike felted creations on her blog Claudia Marie Felted Creatures

Women's Herbal Tea

Get some great ideas for Waldorf inspired Fall celebrations and enjoy the world of Goldie and her family from the Waldorf on Etsy shop Many Paths On Mountain on her blog Prelogar Land

 Needle Felted Butterfly Life Cycle

"Living, loving,learning, naturally" is what Lavendar and Ladybugs is all about!  Authored by Yuki of the Waldorf on Etsy shop of the same name, this blog is bound to become a treasure.  Be one of the first to follow it! 

 Waldorf Wooden Rabbit Toy

Whither Will I Wander offers an entertaining view into a unique world of wonderful toys and creative ideas.  Run by Pamela of the Waldorf on Etsy shop Pretty Dreamer 

Whither Will I Wander has so much variety its a must visit blog.

Pocketful of Beeswax Stars

Check out the Waldorf on Etsy team of artists on Pinterest too: 

  Waldorf on Etsy Bloggers on Pinterest

An Introduction to Play Silks

 Summer Sky Play Silk

Introducing Play Silks

By Brenda Massei of Pail & Pie

 Waldorf play silks are simple, beautiful toys that need no instruction manual for children yet often bring a puzzled look upon first introduction to adults.  Explaining the joy of play silks to an adult takes longer than showing them, but here are a few reasons parents will enjoy them too.

 Autumn Play Silk

Play Silks are Natural. 

Play silks are dyed squares of 100% silk. The feel of the scarf is light, fluid, and soft. Natural toys are less harmful to our environment and our children. 
 
  Silk Streamer Ring

Play Silks are Open Ended. 

Like many Waldorf toys, play silks are open ended. Children use their imaginations with silks. Silks become an easy backdrop for play because they are so basic. They can be used as capes, vehicles, animals, or whatever the child needs at that moment of play.  Simply holding onto a silk while running is enjoyable.

Play Silks Support The Child's Ability of Expression.

Play silks allow a child to dive into any play they enjoy and wish to play at that moment. The silks are not limiting but instead support multiple types of imaginative play. Silks are the ultimate reusable toy.  They can be the main focus of  play or a special ingredient.

Spring Grass Play Silk

Play Silks are Not Commercial.

Silks offer a commercial free option to the many store shelves full of television and movie marketed items. Children don't have to feel compelled to collect silks or use them in a manner compatible to a plot line. Play silks are free from any marketing and therefore are free to become a child's own. 

Spring Palette Play Silk Set

Play Silks are Beautiful.

Toys that are lovely to touch and beautiful to behold generate a reverence for life. Children exposed to such beauty can learn to appreciate simple, natural elegance.  

Rose Waldorf Play Silk

Play Silks for Kids

My seven year old son thinks they make great forts! Do you have play silks for your children? What do they use them for?  Leave a comment and share your ideas.

 

 Big Rainbow Play Silk

Beneath the Rowan Tree

Today we welcome Lori from the Waldorf on Etsy Team shop, Beneath the Rowan Tree

Waldorf Play Silks

Beneath the Rowan Tree is a family team of myself (Lori), my husband Andy and our inspiring, exasperating 7 year old Rowan. We share our home with two young terrors/ dogs: Archie the Sheltie and Murray the Four Pound Fury (Papillon).

Waldorf Four Season Nature Peg Dolls

 Andy works in our family print shop, I work full time out of the home and together we homeschool our daughter... gathering where our house is a mess, our dogs are nuts, my hands are dye stained and we are all happy creating, telling stories and doing what we love here in our small town, in our little home by the lake!

Waldorf Felted Wool Birthday Crown

We focus on handmade natural toys in the Waldorf tradition.  Our toys are simple, child-led, open-ended to inspire imagination.  We bring quality and experience to all we create and look forward to working with you to provide wonder full play experiences for your little ones!

 

 Set of Patterns for Waldorf Wool Animal Ball

 Our blog is hopping! at http://beneaththerowantree.com

 You'll be able to connect with us and find free tutorials, patterns and play ideas as well as lots more.
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/beneaththerowantree 

Yoga Silk Ribbon Charm Bracelet

We are located in Northern Ontario, Canada, so please allow extra time for our items to get to you, especially if you are planning for special occasions. 

Sunrise Fairy Garland Play Silk

 

 

The Indigo Forest

Today we welcome Kellie from the Waldorf on Etsy shop,  The Indigo Forest to our blog!

 

Rainbow Waldorf Gnomes

 I have always been crafty. I was brought up around incredibly gifted parents, so I suppose you could say it's in my blood. It was actually at the urging of my mother that I should start a shop. I thought it was a great idea, but didn't have a real starting point. I didn't have a clue what I would sell. I started brainstorming.

Lovely Lavender Beeswax Wood Polish 

 I figured it was good to go with what my passions were. I am very much into the natural world. I love working with natural materials. I started thinking that wool might be a good place to start. I started experimenting with wool and discovered that I loved it! 

 

Rainbow Wool Geodes

  Soon, woodwork and my mother's leather work followed and the shop really starting taking shape. I also work in the subjects that I am passionate about, such as breastfeeding! I am a big supporter of breastfeeding, birth, and attachment parenting.

Breastfeeding Doll

I also have an interest in Waldorf education and am inspired by the many beautiful Waldorf toys/items out there, which has led me to create some of my own Waldorf inspired items. 

 

Rustic Rainbow Acorn Set

The Indigo Forest has been a labor of love for over two years now and I hope to keep it up for many more years to come. It has been a dream come true for me to be able to stay at home with my little ones and create.  

  Wooden Pull Car

Double Sided Cherry Maple Pull Car

The constant support from so many different people, including my own family, is what keeps me going and I am so grateful.

Wool Play Ball

To see more items from The Indigo Forest visit Kellie on Etsy.  You can also connect with The Indigo Forest on Facebook as well as follow Kellie's two great blogs:    

The Indigo Forest Blog

 Happy Turtle Family

  

Dream Land Wood Peg

 AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

Lavender and Ladybugs

Today we welcome Yuki, Waldorf on Etsy artist and owner of Lavender and Ladybugs to our blog.  

Sweet Little Bluebird

Hi! 

My name is Yuki McNeil and I am a stay at home mom to an amazing 2-year-old daughter, Eloise.  

I love to learn new things, especially crafts.  I come from a family of artists so creating is in my blood.

 

Wool Waldorf Bunting Sprout Baby

Before having my daughter, I was a Pre-K teacher in an inner city school in Memphis, TN. I absolutely love being around children and watching them explore and learn. However, public school was not conducive to my inner feelings of how children should live and grow. It made me sad and unfulfilled to see and be a part of an environment full of children that were not allowed to have freedom in their learning and without ample time to explore and play.

Needle Felted Earth

It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my daughter and doing research for alternative education philosophies that I discovered the amazing world of Waldorf Education and Rudolph Steiner.   
This was an eye-opening experience for me and the Waldorf philosophy seemed so congruent to what I believe is important to a child’s learning and life.
 

Waldorf Cashmere Wool Cuddle Doll   I started perusing Etsy for beautifully handmade Waldorf items and began making my own. As I became passionate about making toys, I dreamed of one day opening my own Etsy shop.

 

 Custom Waldorf Playscape

 Through the busyness of being a new mom, I continued to create by using only natural materials. I made gifts for friends, gifts for myself, and gifts for my daughter. I have a crafting room full of handmade felt and wool toys!

Tiny Needle Felted Goldfinch

This past February, I made my Etsy debut with my shop Lavender and Ladybugs. I finally have a place to share and sell the gifts and toys that I love to create. I use only natural materials and I often try to use upcycled materials as well. My shop includes items such as cuddle dolls that are made in the Waldorf tradition, needle felted animals and accessories for nature tables, and other gifts such as treasure bags and lavender drawer sachets.

 

Nature Gnome Treasure Bag

My shop’s name came from two of my daughter’s favorite things in the garden, lavender and ladybugs. Because I think it is soothing and healing, I often add the relaxing scent of lavender flowers and essential oils to my creations. All my items are created with much love and passion. I enjoy everything that I create and strive to make items that will bring magic and beauty to the person that receives it.

 

Tiny Needle Felted Vegetables

Visit Lavendar and Ladybugs

on Etsy to see more of Yuki's sweet creations and visit the Lavender and Ladybugs facebook page to connect with her!