Beeswax candles...

The short days and long nights of winter call for some gentle, nurturing family activities at ours. We've been enjoying making our own beeswax candles to light our evening meals. The gentle light and honey scent bring warmth to our table and our home. Our children delight in watching the candles flicker and melt at different rates and how rolling the candles differently brings different results.

Rolling the candles is fun for everyone in the family, with warm hands and honey scents filling the air as we work. Even our three-year-old rolls candles with ease, after a little help to roll the wick. We like to play with different shapes, from tall and slender to short and triangular.

Sometimes we'll mix things up and cut out shapes from the beeswax to decorate with. We decorate the candles we've made or make garlands to decorate our home. Sometimes we make extra candles for gifts that'll bring a little honey warmth and light to a loved one's home.

You can find our beeswax and candle making kits here.
Find a collection of our favourite beeswax related pins here.

Decorate your own toothbrush

Venturing out to buy the family toothbrushes at the supermarket can be a bit disheartening if you're after something without licenced characters or gender-specific colours. Racks full of pink, glittery princess toothbrushes and blue cars and transformers burst forth as you try to find a colour and character mix that fits your child's tastes... Sometimes sighing when it doesn't and when what's on offer for what should be a simple tool is... disappointing. 

Then there's all the plastic and fact that these tools should be regularly replaced. If you're a family of five, like ours, that's a whole lot of plastic thrown into landfill over a lifetime. 

We like to keep things simple by buying bamboo toothbrushes in bulk here. They're soft, lightweight fair-trade, sustainable and compostable. All things we love.

To combat the confusion of five plain wooden toothbrushes in the holder, we decorate them ourselves. Any paint will do, but our favourite, most simple way to decorate them is using our Giotto Materials Markers. They're permanent paint markers that work on absorbent materials like ceramic, stone and wood. Easy to hold, mess free and vibrant and make for a fun activity. What we love best is that we can choose our most favourite colours and patterns and every toothbrush is different. Like a little evolving art installation in our bathroom. 

You can find our Giotto Materials Markers here. 

*NB: we've not been paid to endorse the environmental toothbrush, we just thing they're a great product*

Buttons...

A lazy afternoon, no plans and a big sister wanting to create something quick and fun to give her two smaller sisters...




By a stroke of luck, her Grandmother (who has impeccably good taste and a sense for these things) gave her a Sukie Button Factory and before we knew it we had a button each and spares. There was talk of gifts and friends and suddenly buttons were being counted and grouped, then divided and multiplied. Colours were discussed and new Sukie-inspired designs were created... And I do believe we have a quick and fun lazy afternoon craft project on hand for a long time to come.



Find our Sukie Button Factory here.

Knitting

Knitting has become wildly popular in our home since the arrival of our Art Viva knitting needles to Spiral Garden. Each of our children have a pair that they knit with and particularly taken with learning the skill is our middle daughter who has only just turned seven. Although it's never too early or late to learn,around six seems to be just right for beginning, as many Waldorf/Steiner schools will agree.

Our daughter has been knitting for a little while. First on big, chunky needles, but has moved to our size 5 Art Viva needles. They are short in length, so perfect for small arms to use and small enough to be portable too. She's found the more regular size needle easier to use than a chunky needle for creating knitting projects she wants to make.

There's still a way to go before her knitting is perfect, but the leaps she's making with co-ordination and concentration are amazing. And it gives her a little something calming and quiet to do as she works with her hands. She still says the little rhyme we use to help her remember and it's so gorgeous to hear her mutter it under her breath, over and over, as she works...

"The rabbit goes through the hole,

around the tree,

back in the hole,

and away goes he..."

Do you like to knit? Or have your children learned the skill yet? 

You can find our Tasmanian handmade Art Viva knitting needles and knitting kits here. 

You'll find some helpful links on children knitting below:

The Benefits, Basics and Service Projects of Knitting for Kids  - Imagination Soup

Knitting and Intellectual Development - Millenial Child

Teaching Children How to Knit - Waldorf Handwork

Teaching Children How to Knit {VIDEO} - Martha Stewart

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Inspiration

Do you have a nature table or season table?  We do, and it has grown and evolved alongside our family.  A friend shared this link with me the other day, for anyone looking for inspiration.  There are some stunningly simple ideas here, as well as amazing pieces of handcraft...

Hand Felted Playmat

Happy New Year!  Creative blessings to you all for an amazing 2012!

Gnomes

We're back!  Almost all of the new products and re-stocked favourites have been uploaded to the online store, so grab anything you want for Christmas as many items are limited stock...

Today I found this link to the BEST gnome tutorial online I've seen yet.  It is easily adapted to different size doll bases.  Fantastic gift idea!


Related Products
Wood & Wire Dolls 10, 15 and 20cm high
Little Doll Family Kit
Debresk Doll Furniture
Tree House
Tree Branch Furniture
Tree Branch Playground
Craft Packs (for felt, fleece, etc)

Using the Knitting Helper

One of our best sellers is the Knitting Helper which is imported from Europe by Mercurius for Spiral Garden.

It's a very simple design made from raw timber with a stick for looping the wool over each hook. Instructions are included, but we also found this tutorial online and wanted to share the link with you.

We have many knitting helpers in stock right now, at only $7.50 each, they're a great gift idea!

Related Products:
Hand-dyed Yarn
Knitting Kit (yarn only)
Crochet Hooks

Rainbow Made

We are so blessed to supply so many products from Rainbow Made ~ toys to inspire!

Lis from Rainbow Made creates our seasonal dolls, felt items, nut dolls, breastfeeding mamas, slinging papas, custom dolls, elements fairies, various craft kits, fleece packs, gnomes, silk playcloths, cotton playcloths, muslin playcloths and the gorgeous 'soft' componenets of our very popular craft packs.

If you go to Lis' Rainbow Made blog, you will see instructions and tutorials for all types of crafts.

If you're keen to puchase any of the seasonal items or kits, almost everything is back in stock right now! But hurry, Lis' creations sell out fast, and because everything is hand-dyed and handmade, it can take awhile for new stock to arrive.

Simply go to the Spiral Garden web store, and type the name of the item into the Search box on the left. If you need assistance finding anything, never hesitate to contact Bel.

Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Exchange - Autumn

Here's something not organised by Spiral Garden, but I thought I would share it again. I joined the Summer Exchange and it was great fun!

Ready for a ‘Autumn’ crafting challenge?

Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Exchange is inspired by the small nature table Katie has tried to start for her young children to mark the changing of the seasons. She has found most material and craft project sourced for inspiration is often based on seasons in the northern hemisphere which is not always relevant to us. Seasonal changes where we live in the southern
hemisphere can be subtle and quite different from what is happening in the northern hemisphere.


Like her children, Katie is learning about the unique seasonal differences in Australia. She is new to crafting and new to keeping a nature table. She would love some inspiration and is sure other people would as well.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have Seasonal Craft exchange reflective of the seasons of the Southern Hemisphere? A crafting challenge, a chance to create your own symbolic item reflective of the current season and a chance to inspire a stranger through your chosen craft...

To participate you need to include a minimum of one handmade item that you can swap with your allocated partner.


Guidelines:
* The swap is related to the theme - Autumn.
* The swap is open to everyone. You don’t have to live in the Southern Hemisphere to participate!
* You must be willing to mail overseas and honour your swap commitment.
* Participants will be allocated one (only) swap partner. You will send directly to your partner and they will send directly to you. Swap partners will be randomly allocated.
* No prior crafting/ art skills required.
* Participation should be done in the spirit of openness, appreciation and sharing. The only requirement is the item you send should be handmade by you with love and care. Make something special that you would love to receive yourself.
* No returns!
* The exchange is open to all ages.
* All packages must be mailed by the 15th April, and should be suitable to send in the mail.



Requirements:
* At least one, no more than five items are to be sent.
* One of these items must be handmade. It can be an object, an artwork, an ornament, small handmade book, something to display. The key requirement is it is something made by you.
* If you would like to include additional items things that could be included might be items from nature (unless you are shipping internationally), a card, additional artworks, a candle, purchased items made from natural materials (no plastic/polyester/foam/etc) etc.
* All of the items must be seasonally appropriate.
* You may want to include in your package a little blurb about your items and/or yourself.
* In addition, it would be wonderful if you were able to document the process of making and the final product. These images can be posted on the Flickr group Southern Hemisphere Seasonal Exchange.



How Do I Sign Up?
Sign ups will take place until 14th of March.
The first 100 people to sign up are in!
Please email Katie with your Real Name, Mailing address (in English) and Email address to be entered into the swap.

Your privacy will be respected and your details will not be passed on unless you give permission.
Partners will be allocated after sign-ups have closed. Katie will confirm when you have been added to the list. Please be patient, this may take a couple of days.

As mentioned previously, Katie is a mother of two very young children, new to crafting and has only co-coordinated something like this once before, so your patience and understanding is really appreciated.

Inspiration
Thanks to Seasons Round Exchange and New Zealand Handmade Christmas Ornament Swap.
for inspiring the idea of the craft swap.

Seasons Round Exchange
The SavVy { Seasons } - a modern Swap
Soft trees Swap
Rhythm of the Home
Seasons South and North

Autumn Craft Pack
White Craft Pack
Create @ Spiral Garden

More New Products!

We're rapt to introduce a range of new products...

Crayon Rocks, only $10.00 for 16 fabulous colours (pictured above).

Felt Balls of varying sizes and shapes from 50c each.

Felt items for your Nature Table, only $7.00 per set.

Craft Kits from $12.50.

... and more! Check out our New Products link today!

Teaching Handwork

"Handwork is a form of birth, you conceive the idea, you nurture it, you wait and dream of the what it will look like when it is all made, then the final push and you are done... a master piece!"

The creator of Teaching Handwork is the mother of 2 beautiful girls who also teaches Handwork in a local waldorf school to over 200 children every week. She invites you to come share your thoughts and new craft ideas for the children. What a wealth of inspiration!

Wood & Wire Dolls

I just love to see what others make with Wood & Wire Dolls. Here, they mostly become gnomes or fairies. Imagine my surprise when Spiral Garden customer Sue sent me this photo of Kate & Warwick's wedding cake! Wow! A gorgeous cake and a beautiful idea.


What have you made from Wood & Wire Dolls? I'd love to see...

Candle Kits are Ready!

At last I've been able to source beeswax sheets from a reputable supplier... Tonight I have busily been creating some Candle Kits and they're now ready for those customers waiting to purchase them. Thank you for your patience!

The Kits comprise of four sheets of quality beeswax and a length of wick to make up to 6 long candles. Included is a basic instruction sheet to make cylindrical, tapered and block candles.

The sheets smell of honey and have a beeswax honeycomb pattern. The wax is provided by hard working Australian Bees. The resulting candles are very clean burning with a natural colour and beautiful glow through the wax at the top of the candle as it burns down.

Wrapped in clear cellophane.

Candles made by request.

Craft for the Holidays

Are you a Facebook Fan and/or newsletter subscriber? If so, you'd know about the special offer valid to 31 March 2010. If not, contact me.

Planning on doing some craft in the Easter holidays? We've just fully re-stocked the craft supplies, check them out here.


Some places we get ideas for craft include:

Rainbow Made

The Silver Penny

Craft Ideas

Don't forget our Specials page - items added all the time, most of them while stocks last, others expire 31 March 2010.

Autumn Craft

There has been great interest in our Autumn Products and a customer wrote today to ask about ideas for crafts to use the Autumn Craft Pack. We're working on some fact sheets to go with the craft packs for those customers who need some help choosing what to make. I do really like the idea of keeping it open-ended and more organic though, and the results customers have shared amaze me!


We stock some books with craft ideas, as well as the wonderful Living Crafts magazine subscriptions (back issues coming in 2010).

There are also endless ideas shared by generous like-minded folk online. Here are a few (try searching for waldorf, steiner, craft, autumn, fall and see what you can discover too!)

Mama Roots' Tomten Pattern (in preparation for the coming winter)

Walnut Cradle at Make-Stuff (another one for the nature table)

Craft Ideas' Autumn Leaves (for the window, a mobile, a wreath, or...?)

Gnome Tutorial at Wee Folk Art (there's also a cute sleeping bag pattern here - adapt to any season)


Items you can make from our craft pack include, but are not limited to -
* cards, wall hangings, mobiles or single decorations (a leaf on a piece of yarn, for example)
* bags, purses, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, crowns
* fairies, gnomes, dolls, animals and other little figures for play or the nature table
* beds, pillows, blankets, rugs, clothes - capes and hats, flowers, leaves, tress and other accessories for above characters
* finger puppets and dolly peg puppets
* photo frames, pin cushions, pouches, garlands, yarn dolls, felt food...

Santa Claus

I was rapt to receive an email from Roshanne in NSW recently, to show how she created Santa from a 15cm wood and wire doll to go with her Anamalz Christmas Box set.

Roshanne crocheted his whole outfit in a beautiful glossy red yarn left over from her sister's blessingway with fluffy white wool for the trims. His hat has a strap that doubles as a beard!

No Papparazzi!

Please continue to send in photos of your creations from Spiral Garden products, and your loved ones enjoying their gifts from Spiral Garden (if you don't mind them being published, of course)!

Using the Craft Packs

I often hear of projects families have made together using the Seasonal Craft Packs Rainbow Made and Spiral Garden put together...

This week Savannah shared this photo and said, "Here is a tic-tac-toe game we made with the felt, velour and thread from the Summer and Christmas Seasonal craft packs."

Related Products:
White Craft Pack
Spring Craft Pack
Summer Craft Pack
Autumn Craft Pack
Winter Craft Pack
Christmas Craft Pack

Christmas Products

Festivities Cards by Sarah Laidlaw - pack of 6 - $12.00

Of course all of our products are suitable to buy as Christmas and/or solstice gifts, but these few are specifically chosen for celeberating Christmas... Happy Shopping!

Anamalz Christmas Box Set - $29.95

Felt Pocket Santa - $5.50

Christmas Craft Pack - special price - $22.50

10% off all Art and Craft

For two weeks only we are offering 10% off all Art and Craft products in stock at Spiral Garden.

Offer closes 10th October 2009.

Spring is in the Air

Acknowledging seasonal changes is one way for humans to experience the rhythm of life. As our children witness the unfolding of each season, they grow a little and appreciate the wonders of nature. To know each season through walks, observation, activities, and games helps our children to develop a more intense relationship with planet earth. In most of Australia, the seasons are not as marked as in other climes… There may not be snow-capped rooftops or dazzling autumn leaves, but there are many less obvious signs that we are a part of the cycle of nature known as the seasons.

A seasonal table or shelf is one way to reflect the changes we witness through displaying items from nature, art and craft and dioramas. The table can also reflect festivals and other events that mark the cycle of our year. For ideas on creating a seasonal table you can look to books on Steiner or Waldorf education or search the Internet, where educational ideas abound.

Spring is the perfect season to take a nature walk… To witness the wonders of life emerging from the sleepiness of winter is magical for children and adults alike. Look for birds nesting, flowers in bloom, and rainbows. You could create a nature journal for sketches, photos, descriptions, pressed leaves, texture rubbings and other records of your walks.

Springtime is perfect for germinating seeds. Do you have a garden? Even a small plot will help your children to learn about the weather, insects and the life cycle of plants. Children love to grow peas, cherry tomatoes and other “snack foods” to munch on while they play outdoors. Saving seeds from what you grow to be planted next spring will illustrate the cycle of the seasons and help to mark another year passed. If you don’t have a garden, a few seeds of alfalfa or cress will sprout on a piece of wet cloth. Beans can be sprouted in glass jars, and if placed correctly one can witness the root structure growing as well as the soft green leaves emerging toward the sunlight. The miracle of germination and growth is fascinating to any of us who take the time to watch. Gardens assist us in experiencing this season at its fullest.

Snowdrop and Ulba Bulba - by Susan Whitehead

Songs, stories and poetry are pleasing ways for children to welcome a new season. There are many wonderful books of modern and traditional poetry for children. Or write your own! Poetry and songs written together are a lot of fun and you can include your personal observations. Stories to read together in spring include those about caterpillars, insects, frogs, eggs, baby animals and plants. Our family usually gather together all the books from our collection and the local library which we see as pertaining to the emerging season, and keep them near the seasonal table to be enjoyed over the coming weeks. Dolls, toys and puppets can enhance the storytelling experience. You can make your own from natural fibres and items collected on nature walks, or from pipe cleaners and felt.

In the animal kingdom, we can observe many wonders when spring arrives. A simple bird feeder will ensure hours of viewing for humans, and some very grateful birds. Nesting boxes, ponds, worm or ant farms and cocoons or hungry caterpillars in jars allow close study of other creatures. Your pets or backyard wildlife and the living things you encounter on your walks will invariably show different behaviours throughout the year.

Craft is one way in which children can express their seasonal observations. There are many beautiful craft books in libraries and shops, and a plethora of ideas on the Internet.

Some spring crafts include:

• Pressed flowers and leaves
• Paper flowers from crepe paper, wrapping paper or tissues
• Leis of real or paper flowers to wear
• Shredded paper birds’ nests with papier mache eggs
• Butterfly paintings – fold paper in half, dollop paint on one side only, fold again and rub – open up and see!
• Wind socks from lightweight, brightly coloured fabrics
• Rain sticks using hollow bamboo or cardboard tubes
• Puppets of birds, frogs, butterflies and caterpillars for your storytelling

Even very young children enjoy craft time. If they are shown how, step-by-step and provided with pre-cut materials and assistance when required, they will delight in creating beautiful and useful items to celebrate the magic of the new season.