Yelena

Today we welcome Yelena Beskrovni, owner and artist of the Waldorf on Etsy shop, Yelena's Anthroposophical Toys.

About Myself

 Mother and Baby Fox

I studied pedagogy in Ukraine, but in those days I was yet to hear anything about Waldorf.  However, even then I felt that there must be a better method to bring up children than the modern factory-like grade system.  One day I heard about anthroposophy and I was instantly hooked.

 

 Waldorf Fairy Tale Horse

Later I moved to Israel and brought with me the love for Waldorf education and the desire to help children benefit from its teachings.  I started working in a non-Waldorf kingergarten.  At first the management was skeptical about Waldorf, but when they saw that children were becoming much more open, trusting and caring, they warmed up to anthroposophy and Waldorf ideas. 

How Did I Start Making Toys?

 

 Hoop Tower Game

I've always wanted to make toys.  I took lessons and discovered just how wonderful the process of making one really is.  I believe that every doll I make has its own soul - the pose it takes while I make it, the way its head is turned, all make it unique. 

What Is Special About My Toys?

 Handmade Giraffe Toy

I make my dolls only from natural materials.  I use high quality merino wool (and occasionally mohair) and only natural dyes. It's very important to me not to expose the children to any harmful materials or mass-manufactured elements.

Handmade Dolphin Toy

In addition to the toys in my shop I also make toys for the kindergarten I work in.  I love to see how the children play with them, use them to enrich their fantasy and learn about the world.  My toys are durable, stable and washable - they must be because every day  I see how the children enjoy chewing and bending the toys when they play.  It gives me great pleasure to know that my toys help children in addition to being fun to play with. 

 Squirrel With Mushroom

 Come visit my shop

Thank you, Yelena Beskrovni

Yelena's Anthroposophical Toys

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

 

 

Lila Kids

 Today we meet Sarah Kreckel, owner of the Waldorf on Etsy shop Lila.

Lila Kids Apron 
Why an online shop?
In my past life I was a history teacher, a curriculum designer, and a teacher trainer. I've slept in mud huts, been on an NCAA championship team, hiked on five continents, and dabbled in yoga. Now, designing and sewing are essential creative outlets for me. It's a time and space that's just for me and enables me to focus intently on something I enjoy beyond measure. 

 

Pencil Case Rolled Up With Ribbon

I have a husband, a five-year old, and two teenage stepkids, all of whom offer useful opinions about my products. I started sewing when my little daughter turned one and I was finally getting a full night's sleep. My best friend suggested, after she actually paid me money to make all her Hanukkah gifts, that I should open an Etsy shop. So I did. It's completely fun and I really love developing new products and working with customers.

 Mommy and Me Apron Set

Why do I make what I make?
As both a former teacher and a mom of a Waldorf kid, I believe that children should have time outside and time to play creatively every day. I also think that the things they play with should be beautiful and made of natural materials. A good toy should open rather than close opportunities for creativity. Everything I make reflects this concept. The fabrics I use tend to be modern and geometric, which reflects my own style.

Super Hero Play Cape

What’s so special about the fabrics I use?
Most of my fabric comes from a family-owned textile mill in my town. The mill has a small retail store where they sell some of their handprinted fabrics to the local public. Usually, the mill sells directly to the designers who commission the fabric. If you happen to be a client of one of the designers (if you are a Kennedy, an Astor, or a Gore, for instance), you can see the fabric in your house. Otherwise, you are out of luck. This means that my designs won’t show up on your friends or your friends’ kids (unless you give them as presents!) and everyone will think you have great taste.

 

 Beautiful Child's Smock

The coolest but also most frustrating element of shopping at the mill is that the fabric they have for sale always changes. Once they sell out of something, it's gone forever. You can be sure that only a few items of a particular fabric will ever be available in my shop. This means that what you purchase from Lila is almost one of a kind! 

 

Tea Party Linens

Why do I think quality material is important For kids?

I am a strong believer in the Waldorf emphasis on surrounding children with beautiful things. Kids are naturally drawn to complementary colors, symmetry, and simple designs. When children have the opportunity to be creative with tools and spaces that look inviting and feel comfortable, they approach their art projects more calmly and with less distractibility, and they seek out creative time more often. Your kids will be happy to use a special pencil holder or to wear a beautiful, soft smock because it makes them feel great while they do what they love! And you'll be pleased to see them so engaged and thoughtful with their work.

 

Pencil Case Open and Ready for Creating

More Ways to Connect with Me

Please follow my posts on Google+
This is where I share information about my studio and my fabrics, upcoming products, creative ways to use them, shows and markets I am attending, and everything else.

 Child's Messenger Bag

  To see more of Sarah's beautiful, quality crafted items please visit Lila her Waldorf on Etsy shop.  She ships free in the USA and welcomes custom orders! 

Blue Kids Apron

  Enjoy Your Day!