Animals Part Two from the Waldorf On Etsy Team

This week we have animal items from 6 more shops around the world.  Next week will be something different but I have not decided yet.  Let me know in the comments if you have an idea.

Weekly posts showcase handmade items crafted from varied materials.  I also share the item on my Pinterest, Tumbler, Twitter and Facebook page.  Where possible I have included social media links for the artist/crafter.  We appreciate you sharing on social media.

Needle Felted Poseable Chipmunk from ClaudiaMarieFelt

Claudia from Illinois, USA loves to needlefelt!

"Bring the woodlands inside with this little chipmunk. He is a little smaller than a live chimpmunk and he was created with wool through the art of needle felting. This listing is for one (1) chipmunk.This chimpmunk is poseable and you could change his poses with your mood. He could also be posed holding a nut in his hands. He has a wire frame that runs through his body, limbs and tail. He was made of a variety of natural wool and fibers, mostly natural hues. He is soft and was created with shetland wool, mohair and alpaca wool. He is about 8 inches long including his tail. He stands about 4.5 inches tall in the crouched position. My needle-felted creations are original designs that I create from photos and drawings. I sign each work on the bottom with a needle-felted logo."


She is on Facebook and Instagram

Tiger Doll from TomboyNanny

Melissa Mara from California, USA has a shop full of brightly crocheted items.

"A perfect children's bedtime toy, this orange and black cat would be a perfect friend! He'd be a great Hobbes for your little Calvin (or Susie!). He's about 10" when sitting (and yes, he can sit up on his own). He is made of bright, durable acrylic yarn, with hypoallergenic polyester stuffing. He can be tossed around and tackled by a 5-year-old and still hold his shape.  This item is MADE TO ORDER, so if you would prefer him in a different color, I can make one in pretty much any color imaginable, in about 3-4 business days. Just message me."

Check her Facebook and Blog and Instagram.



Hungry Squirrels Color Sorting Game from BraveBeaver





Emese from Hungary crafts in wood with her two teenage sons.

"Fall is here, squirrels are hungry. They go nuts about these colorful acorns. Help them find more and more.  This color sorting, and fine motor skills developer game is a great tool to teach colors to your kids by sorting felted acorns, basic math concepts with the dotted dice.  The game is simple: roll the dice and gather the right amount and color of acorns. If you roll black, you miss a turn. If there are less acorns left in that color, you miss a turn. Easy peasy.  This is handmade wooden toy, painted with non-toxic paint, finished with beeswax. The dots are burned in the wood.  Our hand-made, Waldorf education inspired toys are made with big care and love."
Brave Beaver on Facebook

Art Print Puppy from illustratingforkids

Micha Klan from Germany has many lovely original designs for children in her shop.

"Puppy hunting a butterfly. When my dear old pet was a puppy he loved tu hunt everything that was moving. And all the children in the neighborhood had fun.  By now it is eleven years old and lies most the time snoring under my desk.  This digital painting is a lovely wall decoration for small children.  The size of the image is:  20 x 25 cm with a small white rim.  The printing will be done after your order.  You have the possibility to choose between two paper qualities:

1.The image will be printed on Torchon Cellulose paper, warm white from Hahnemühle.
This paper is a watercolor paper with a fine texture and a matt surface.
2. The image will be printed on artist carton, brilliant white.
Both printings will get a Hahnemühle finish, which protects them from dust and color fading."
Micha has a blog.

Luigi, little monkey form RoseetMarie

Karen Baudry from France made this sweet doll and also many classic Waldorf dolls.

Here is Luigi, the little Monkey! About 11 inches, Luigi is realized with a brown false fur and a cotton jersey fabric. Luigi is stuffed with virgin carded wool. The face is embroidered in the same way as waldorf dolls. Luigi is a quite soft animal which asks only for cuddles!! Completely realized in the hand, he will suits for the game of children over 3 years. Hand washing - Natural drying

Find her on Facebook and her website.

4 Card Set Birds of Beebe Woods by Salley Mavor

Salley Mavor from Massachusetts, USA makes exquisite figures in felt with  detailed embroidery.

"Set of 4 printed note cards of detailed images from Salley Mavor's embroidered sculpture, "Birds of Beebe Woods". The full piece is reproduced as an 18" x 24" poster, which is also available on Etsy:https://www.etsy.com/listing/108276498/birds-of-beebe-woods-18-x-24-poster
The image shows a close-up of the wool felt birds, clearly depicting the hand embroidered details. This image show close-ups of the flashy blue jay and regal gold finch, clearly depicting the hand embroidered details. Please note: the copyright watermark will not appear on the card.  Set of 4 cards, 4.25" x 6", with envelopes. Bulk discount available on orders of 24 or more "Blue Jay" note cards. Just request a custom order.  The original BIRDS OF BEEBE WOODS piece will be displayed May 15 - Sept 15, 2015 at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Oct 21. 2015 – January 10, 2016 ~ "Insects to Elephants" at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts in Cedarburg, Wisconsin."

Salley has a blog. and is on Facebook.

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Gnomes Part Two

Gnomes! Gnomes! Gnomes!

Oh dear, I missed last week due to family obligations.  But here I am with gnomes from six shops in our Waldorf on Etsy Team.

Each post showcases handmade items from different countries, crafted from varied materials.  I also share the item on my Pinterest, Tumbler, Twitter and Facebook page.  Where possible I have included social media links for the artist/crafter.

To change things up a bit next week will feature animals from shops in different countries crafted in a variety of ways.

Basil the Gnome from Hillcountry Dollmaker

Joyce in Texas, USA makes a wonderful variety of large dolls -pirates, mermaids, storybook characters, and animals-elephants, dragons and bears to name a few.  Click to find her on Facebook.

She writes about her gnome: "Although most at home in a garden, Hillcountry Dollmaker gnomes have a fondness for humans and would love to live with a compatible family. Just under 11" tall, body is made of hand dyed cotton velour, he has beard of goat locks, embroidered face. He is wearing a wool felt tunic hand dyed in hues of blue with embroidered details. This is a custom listing and you may choose eye color, skin tone and clothing colors for your special friend. Also, check out my girl gnome Marjoram, who is available in another listing."

Seed Pod Gnomes from Koester Kindje

Margriet from the Netherlands is imaginative in creating gnomes and accessories for them. She writes "My passion is designing and creating jewelry and making fairy tale figures out of wool, wood and silk.  I design one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces, all handcrafted with attention to detail and quality.  Everything I make is close to my heart. "  

Find her on Facebook.

Gnome Play mats from The Pot of Gold

Kitty Moore from Germany is a needlefelter inspired by "folklore, legends, fairy tales, storybooks and nature. ". 

She writes " This play mat is double the fun because it is reversible!  Side 1: Has a green field with a border of multicolored flowers. There is a duck pond and 3 little toadstools.Side 2: Is the forest. Here there is a stream with stepping stones, an evergreen tree plus more flowers and toadstools.  I needle felted this play mat with Merino wool, so it is super soft."

Felt Pocket Dolls from Domus Lodus 

Sunchuko from Croatia has colorful gnomes and crocheted items in her shop.  

"I am a Waldorf inspired crafter,always trying out new crafts,materials and techniques, but always prefer natural materials."

Gnome House and Gnome Peg Dolls from Green Mountain Wee Woolies

Valarie Mazzarella from Vermont, USA works with wool from her Romany sheep.  Click for her Facebook page.

She describes her beautiful listing: "An adorable felted wool home for your gnomes. Gnome home has been knit from wool yarn and then felted, roof comes off. Inside each home you will find three wood gnomes, dressed in a crochet wool outfit. House measures 7” tall, 12” around. Gnomes measure 2 1/2” tall.  Toys crafted of materials like wood, wool, silk and cotton connects our children with the natural world and encourages creative and imaginative play."

Rainbow Girl Gnomes from Gnome Werks

Danyal Boyd of Oregon, USA paints peg doll animals and figures.  Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. 

"Rainbow Girl Gnomes, available here as a full set of 6- Each gnome wears a hand embroidered wool felt cap that has been stuffed with wool batting, making for a very sturdy and cozy gnome! These adorable gnomes are painted in all the beautiful colors of the rainbow with non toxic watercolors, and sealed with a non toxic acrylic sealer for added gnome protection. Each gnome has its very own facial features, drawn with a wood burning tool, making for a lovely and unique set of gnomes."

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Tilly Tilda

Today it's my pleasure to introduce you to one of my favorite Waldorf on Etsy shops, Tilly Tilda, and welcome Tilly Tilda's artist and owner Suzy Mae to our blog!

 

Rabbit Nursery Art

 “The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things.” ~Plato 

I believe that all things emanate an energy. When I create I create with love and joy and I believe this comes through as a warmth.

Yellow Waldorf Fairy

I am a dreamer, poet, Mama to 5 girls, artist, maker of happy messes, fan of unmade beds. Inspired by sunlight and those still unkempt sacred wild places.  We are a family inspired by all things Waldorf. I fell in love with the traditional Waldorf crafted dolls and began to make them 6 years ago.  They have such a simple, soulful quality about them.

  Girl & Bird Nursery Art

 The name "tillytilda" is a nickname of my little girl Matilda who is now 6 years old, and the biggest fan of my handmade dolls. I call her my little apprentice doll maker.

Since childhood I have always loved to make and create. I have fond childhood memories of hours spent sorting buttons, trims and scraps of fabric into dollies, teddies and outfits for them all. Waldorf dolls have simple facial features that do not overwhelm a child. A child may bring their own imagination to a doll. Their doll will become a dear and special friend, a keeper of stories and reminder of adventures taken together.

Waldorf Pocket Doll - Amaya

As I create, a story is being woven through my hands. That is why each and every doll is unique and their characters become so alive for me. I hope that this translates. Especially for the children who will play with them. I start every single piece from scratch. Simple fibres, that enliven and quicken my heart and ignite the embers of a dream.  "Amaya seemed happy enough in her lace trimmed lavender dress but looking into her deep brown eyes I knew there was more to this girl than simply lavender and lace lovely though it is.  As soon as she spied my fluffy, sky wisps of merino sparkling like sunlit water in the evening light I noticed her eyes light up." There's more to this story, visit TillyTilda's blog  to read more and see the accompanying pictures of Amaya.

And then there is the wrapping. I use eco friendly wrapping materials as much as possible.  I like to keep it simple, elegant and rustic. I want the wrapping to be part of the experience of receiving a tilly tilda doll or crown. I want it to be a warm "hello" and a gentle "shake of the hand." An introduction and a welcome. 

Beret Knitting Pattern

One or two simple, lovingly crafted natural toys are the kind of toys a child will connect to, bond with, love and as the skin horse in the Velveteen Rabbit says " be loved real" in a child's mind and heart.

 

  Blue Fairy Waldorf Doll

As they are made entirely of natural fabircs the dolls themselves have a wonderfully comforting feel to them. These dolls are perfect for snuggling under blankies with. They are also very easy to dress up, as their arms and legs are very flexible. Tillytilda dolls are made in the old German doll making tradition. In accordance with the Waldorf pedagogy they are made using natural materials which are safe, soft and hard wearing. Children will love to touch these dolls soft mohair yarn locks and hold their comforting carded fleece filled bodies.

Waldorf Crown

 Almost all of my work has once been a dream. Not necessarily a sleeping dream, but something on the periphery of my vision in waking hours. Each creation seemed to me something that needed to become "real."  One part vision, one part whimsy, one part the child in my arms and the last part my own childhood heart. What I create is an essence of all these things fused together expressed in form. Every piece carries a little bit of story in it's fibres.

 

Vintage Paper Origami Butterflies
To see more of the beautiful creations of Suzy Mae please visit her Waldorf on Etsy shop Tilly Tilda

Visit TillyTilda's blog 
Visit Suzy Mae's parenting blog A Soulful Life

Like Tilly Tilda on Facebook

Follow her on Pinterest

Check her out on Red Bubble

~ENJOY~