The Wonders of Willodel

Have you ever stumbled upon a special wonder - a breathtaking view, a small restaurant tucked away in some little town, a special meadow in the midst of a deep forest - a place you happened upon totally by chance and after visiting were so thankful for whatever detour led you to that specific location?  This is the feeling I experienced after my first visit to the world of Willodel.    

 

Sod House

Willodel is the Waldorf on Etsy shop run by artist Lucinda Claire Macy.  She opened her Etsy shop in 2010, focused primarily on functional bird houses and whimsical houses for gnomes, fairies and all manner of wee folk made out of hand collected wood from wind fall trees. 

Functional Bird House

She'd been making little houses for many years, selling them at art shows and holiday fairs around the western United States but grew weary of all the driving and felt an online shop would be a nice alternative. Her Waldorf on Etsy shop, Willodel features natural handmade toys and home decor, with bits of artwork and books.  This shop is filled with lovingly hand made items meant to delight the heart, inspire the imagination and foster creativity for all who are wanting, while embracing everything natural. . . 

 

After wading through the "break in" period of learning how to sell online, starting a blog, getting a business facebook page, doing giveaways and the like things eventually began to come together for Lucinda with time and persistence.  Her greatest enjoyment has been the wonderful, like minded people she's met through her shop. 

 "It was a joy for me to realize how very many people there were 'out there', sharing the desire to embrace a natural life style, honor hand made things and choose them for children to play with.  Finding the greater Waldorf community, the world wide one, was a great gift."

 Home dyed sod roof project

With time Lucinda began to want to expand what she was doing to include working with wool and felt, something she hadn't done for many years, since her now grown girls were about 6 and 7.  She jumped in quickly and began experimenting with what could be done. 

When wooden house orders get piled up, she has to pull back from the felt, but gets back to it as soon as she can.  This year Lucinda looks forward to doing a lot more with felt.  She's currently learning to use her own dyes. By and by you will see more and more felt houses and other things in the Willodel Shop, not just houses but wee folk as well. 

 

 Wee Folk

The other area Lucinda has explored some and wants to do more, is with educational lessons.  This season she made a Cecropea Moth set, for learning about metamorphosis.  Look for more learning sets from Willodel as well as some posters and artwork in this area. 

 

Cecropea Learning Set

"I was fortunate enough to be brought up in an artistic household and was encouraged to 'make & do' since early childhood.  Big messes with paper mache and wood shavings were never frowned upon and my passion for artistic expression and creativity grew wild, free and strong.  I lived in a rural setting, immersed in the flora, fauna & geology around me.  All my work reflects my great love and respect for the natural world and my passion for creativity.  I do many things . . .from map making, graphic design and painting. . .to woodworking, soap making, landscaping and house design.  I have published one book commercially and two other myself.  I believe that living in harmony with Nature brings peace to the Earth and joy to the soul ~ . . .and that making beautiful things is a self-fulfilling process that benefits all mankind, the natural world and ourselves.  I very much hope that the things I do inspire others along the way to embrace nature and creativity."

 

Summer Work Table

Lucinda supports herself with her work and is ever grateful for the opportunity to do this and continue to meet wonderful people.

"The last thing I'd like to say is how grateful I am to be able to do what I love doing most. Every day I am grateful for the renewed opportunity to go to my shop and studio and work. And, that through the use of technology, to reach all those people with whom I can do business, who buy my work and whom complete the circle of creation by their thank you's and their love of the work. Everyday I am grateful for these things."

 There is so much more to the world of Willodel.  
Willodel's Waldorf on Etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/willodel
Willodel blog:  www.willodel.blogspot.com

Willodel's Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/Willodel

Willodel artist and shop owner, Lucinda Claire Macy's blog:  http://lucindaclairemacy.blogspot.com

 Bent Twig Nature Display Shelf 

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your explorations into the wonderful world of Willodel!

Waldorf on Etsy Blogs Worth Checking Out

In addition to the beautiful creations on Waldorf on Etsy, there's a world of information on raising kids, creating art, making crafts, and experiencing Waldorf inspired lifestyles available on the blogs and websites of the individual artists who make up this special Waldorf on Etsy team.

The purpose of today's post is to share with you links to some of these Waldorf on Etsy blogs and encourage you to explore them for yourself.  They are hosted by artists from all over the world and reflect the depth and diversity of the Waldorf experience around the globe.

Roses and Cream Studio

A place to dream, create and look for unique creations - like this currently featured chocolate bunny or the linen tea bags for recently made for her daughters dolly tea party.

www.rosesandcreamstudio.blogspot.com

Pioneer Kids

 

Recycling, raising boys, crafting, gardening, exploring - it's all here and so much more - a great resource, especially for homeschooling families from the owner of the Waldorf on Etsy shop Pail & Pie
http://pioneerkids.wordpress.com

ziezo

An inspiring blog about raising children in Kenya and a personal favorite of mine - so many great ideas for meaningful activities with your kids as well as interesting posts about the life of ziezo in Kenya.

  http://ziezokenya.blogspot.com/

Sevgi Dolls

Sevgi is a Waldorf inspired doll maker living in Turkey, Sevgidolls blog is 

a place to meet her new dolls and learn more about them. 
  http://sevgidolls.blogspot.com 

Fairy Shadow

 

Check out the upcycled garden at Fairy Shadow's blog.  Tania's unique hair accessories and adorable fairy babies make the perfect eco-friendly addition to a little girls Easter basket or Easter outfit.

www.taniaprosser.com

Willodel

This blog is such a delight to browse through!  Willodel creations bring out the child in everyone - I love these gnome homes and fairy and elf dwellings

http://willodel.blogspot.com/

LaFiabaRussa

There's all kinds of interesting things to look at and explore on blog from Oksana, a Waldorf on Etsy artist living in Italy, called La Fiaba Russa which translates to The Russian Fairy Tale in English.

http://lafiabarussa.blogspot.it/

Soft Earth

"Enter the enchanted world of needle felting. . ." that is Soft Earth Art.  New Zealand is a land of beauty well known for its sheep farming.  Marie of Soft Earth combines the magic and beauty of her surroundings with that of the simple beauty of wool into amazing needle felt creations.   
softearthart.blogspot.co.nz/

A Little Handmade

 "I am being the change I'd like to see in the world. Every day I strive to work to relieve the suffering around me. I am learning all the time, lessons in humility, understanding, opening our hearts instead of hardening them, and so much more. . ."

www.alittlehandmade.blogspot.com

Magical Forest Creations

This blog gives us a peek into the world of Magical Forest Creations.  Want to see the process Auromira uses to make her magical mountain play sets?  That is just one of the many things available on her blog.

www.magicalforestcreations.co.uk/

The Indigo Forest

Visit the Indigo Forest to enjoy the "everyday musings of a happy mama!", to learn about the natural polishes she uses on her wooden creations and how she makes them or read about the five etsy shops that have recently caught her eye.  This and so much more at:
www.theindigoforest.blogspot.com

This happy mama has another blog also worth checking out.  She's even got a recipe for elderberry syrup!

 www.happyturtlefamily.blogspot.com

Enchanted Glade

Visit the blog of Carmen, a Waldorf on Etsy artist, nature lover and dreamer from Italy to see her beautiful needle felted creations.  If you don't know how to read Italian, use the google translate tool available here:   http://translate.google.com/
to translate her words into English.
http://intreccidilanafatata.blogspot.it/

Happy Reading!

Today we meet Sevgi, an engineer as well as a Waldorf on Etsy artist, living in Turkey.  Her love of dolls and sewing inspired her to learn how to make dolls when she was 15.  A few years ago she started making Waldorf Dolls.  Her Etsy shop, SevgiDolls specializes in handmade, organic dolls. 

Violet

All of Sevgi Dolls products are made of organic wool and certified organic materials. The dolls have colorful clothing and different hair colors to provide children a colorful world and imagination. The dolls have smiling faces so that children have smiling friends, so they will learn and like smiling. 

 Lulu

  The main reason Sevgi started making Waldorf dolls was the humanistic approach of Waldorf education. Since it aims to foster creative, analytical understanding and idealism, the humanistic approach helps individuals to develop free and morally responsible perception.

Ipek

The dolls have various hair and skin colors in regard to being without prejudice. Sevgi Dolls philosophy promotes an eco-friendly, innovative, multicultural, peaceful and happy life style. Sevgi's wish is for our children to have a clean world and a happy future. 

Wendy

To learn more about Sevgi and her beautiful dolls please visit her Waldorf on Etsy shop, SevgiDolls as well as connect with her online through the following links:

Sevgi Dolls on Facebook

Sevgi Dolls Blog

Sevgi Dolls on Pinterest

Made to Order

by Sevgi
ENJOY!

A Basic Introduction to Rudolf Steiner’s Four Temperaments
by Brenda Massei

Ruldolf Steiner promoted the idea of four temperaments, the concept of which have remained rather unchanged since their creation by Hippocrates. Steiner believed the four temperaments, “naturally never manifest themselves in such pure form. Every human being has one basic temperament, with varying degrees of the other three mixed in.” He contends that as we strive for adulthood, we should try to balance our own temperaments. 

Little Red Forest Child
For elementary age children a look at the dominant temperament is a helpful way to promote understanding in the adults who care for them.  Steiner stated “When we meet the children we very soon see that they have different dispositions, and despite the necessity of teaching them in classes, even large classes, we must consider their various dispositions.”  His inspired desire to not fit every single child into one peg was apparent.

Yellow Mandala Window Star Sun Catcher
Today, Steiner’s ideas can help any parent, teacher, or parent-teacher. For instance, applying routines for a phlegmatic child will help both the parent and the child alleviate transition problems. When you understand your child’s dominant temperament, you can approach situations with the best chance of success. Also, if you are having a hard time motivating your child, Ruldolf Steiner’s look at the temperaments may help you find a new approach.

Forest Maiden by Kelly Sundstom
Rudolf Steiner suggested that children usually have a dominant temperament from the four named by Hippocrates: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic. Blogs, websites, and books are awash with charts on the topic. You can use this small chart as a jumping off point. Please browse the recommended reading for a more in depth look at the temperaments. 

The Four Temperaments:

	Choleric	Sanguine	Melancholic	Phlegmatic
Element	Fire	Air	Earth	Water
Color	Red	Yellow	Violet	Blues
Thrive on	Short Term Tasks	Variety	Security	Order
Challenges	Bossy	Fickle	Self-Absorbed	Laziness

Online Charts Available Describing the Temperaments in Depth: View Here
The Four Basic Temperaments: View Here

Felted Wool Acorns
Recommended Reading and Reference:
“The Four Temperaments” Ruldolf Steiner. Ruldolf Steiner Archive, n.d. Read
Steiner, Rudolf. Discussions with Teachers. NY: Anthroposophic Press.  

Text available here
“Children and the Four Temperaments – What?!” The Waldorf Parent’s Forum. Ms. Ilian,  Sept. 16, 2010. Text available here
“The Four Temperaments.” The Parenting Passageway.  Carrie, May 28, 2010.

 Text available here
“The Four Temperaments and their Role in Waldorf Education." WWS Questions and Answers. Jack Petrash. March 28, 2012. Read

 

Woolen Mittens

A special thank you to Brenda Massei of Waldorf on Etsy shop, Pail and Pie and the author of the Pioneer Kids blog for sharing this information with us!