Doll Making

Right Word:

Only Serious, Meaningful Speech

Must Leave the Lips of Those 

Who Strive for Higher Development

In the Waldorf schools and in many families the "Waldorf doll" can be found in a Younglings arms. These precious dolls are loved, nursed and lovingly tended to by the Younglings. 

I was super excited to be able to participate in a Doll Making workshop in a few years ago that was sponsored by WECAN and Waldorf Institute of Southern California Teacher Training. 

In this class we made "heavy babies." These dolls are the perfect weight and size for children between 3-5 years of age. We scented ours with lavender. 

Weighted "Heavy Baby"

When my daughter started Kindergarten she asked me to make a "Nap Time Friend." Instead of quinoa or flax I filled "Rose" with scented wool. Over time she became very long and her body had to be repaired a few times because it was "loved."

Rose with friends

I have had the opportunity to collaborate on other doll projects. 

Uncle Rudy

During Module 6 our class also made dolls. Students in Grade 7 or 8 make dolls for the younger grades.

This was a fun activity and I look forward to making more dolls. 

N'ked baby doll on the desk.

The following dolls are dolls not made during the Modules or Waldorf Workshops but ones I make personally for friends and family.

Knitted dolls

Wee Folk Dolls and Fairy Friends

 

"Text Books"

Be Aware of Your Thoughts

Think Only Meaningful Thoughts.

The students in the Waldorf Institutue for Practical Arts and Teacher Training (WIPATT) also are Waldorf teachers in training or are current teachers. We have all experienced Esoteric Science, Foundations and The Kingdom of Childhood all by Rudolf Steiner. These are only but a few of his books and lectures that are used in Waldorf Teacher Training. 

In WIPATT we are reviewing these lectures in conjunction with using these books.

Educating Through the Arts and Crafts An Integrated Approach To Craft Work in the Steiner Waldorf Schools. Edited by Michael Martin.

This is my "Go-To" book. 

Handwork Indications by Rudolf Steiner.

The Kingdom of Childhood Lectures by Rudolf Steiner.

Well Developed Intelligence Handwork & Practical Arts in the Waldorf Schools Elementary through High School. by David Mitchel and Patricia Livingston.

Grade 1 Knitting

Right Memory

"Strive to Learn as Much As Possible From Life"

 I have only been knitting and crocheting for about six years. I really enjoy knitting and crocheting because there is always a new skill, stitch, or technique to learn. I have enjoyed over the years meeting people and "chit-chatting" over knitting and and crochet projects. It is a true "Social Media." 

During Module 1 of the Waldorf Institute Practical Arts Teacher Training Ms. Mona Lewis introduced us to Grade 1 knitting and the related projects.  Whether a student learns to use the American or European version of knitting, there are two schools of thoughts regarding the techniques, knitting helps the mastering of fine motor skills. It is often refereed to as "crossing the mid-line." This is an important developmental skill for students as it connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Having the connection between the right and left sides of the brain not only is required for physical coordination but also with cognitive thought processes like math and reading. 

After making our own knitting needles with wood dowels, beads and bees wax; Ms. Lewis had our Module class complete knitted bags in basic stocking knit. The strap was "twizzled."  The wooden buttons came from the wood shop and were made by us. This is a perfect project as an introduction to knitting. The end result is a purposeful bag that is also beautiful. 

Grade 1 Project

After we completed the bags or purses we were then given simple instructions on how to make sheep, bears, or lions. Now, the instructions were for the adults and future teachers. However, for Grade 1 knitting should be experienced. 

I had time to make a bear. 

My first grade bear was adopted and has been cared for by my daughter. 

Before stuffing the bear or animals we were given the opportunity to dye the fabric in natural dyes. This was our first introduction to natural dyes. In this Module we used Osage Yellow and Eucalyptus. Ms. Lewis explained that various metals could change the colors. The "heart" of this bear was made by using iron. 

Eucalyptus dye bath.

Bless Bless

Wood Working Projects- Building

In Human Striving, Take Care Not To Do

Anything Beyond Your Power

In the Grade Three curriculum students are introduced to buildings and structures. Students explore how a Society's environments effects how the homes and structures are built. In the Third Grade students also start their formal gardening classes. 

I had the opportunity to cross over what I am doing in my current teaching profession with a Grade Three class. I am currently working and teaching High School age students who are either terminally ill or struggling with a life long health crisis. To connect my students with the outside world and other people I have them participate in Project Feeder Watch which is part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. While Social Media and computers are not normally part of the Waldorf school curriculum Social Media allows my students to connect with each on a common topic. 

This year for Project Feeder Watch three of my students designed and built Finch Feeders and Finch bird houses.

It was those designs we used to have a Waldorf Third Grade class build feeders and bird houses for their class project. 

Finch Bird Houses and Simple Seed Feeders

Thursday: Right Striving I am working on: " In human striving, take care not do do anything beyond your power."

I am making peace with working with wood. In a recent Module we made wood stools which is part of Grade 6 curriculum. The stool became a lesson on letting go and learning to breath for me. My Son, who is a cello player, loved the height and asked me to leave it at the height it is currently in. As Mr. Jack has said, "you need to make three more to understand the concept."  Onto chair #2

My chair is the one at the is under the corner of the table. 

Natural Dyes

In Ordering Your Life,

Life in Harmony with Nature and Spirit. 

~ Rudolf Steiner Exercises for the Days of the Week

During Module 2 of the Waldorf Institute Practical Arts Teacher Training my class was introduced to natural dyes by Mona Lewis. She is the Handwork teacher at Highland Hall Waldorf School. Jack Bryant is the Practical Arts teacher and he introduced us to toy making and wood working. 

Symploco "tea"  mordant

Normally, when dying fabrics a mordant that is made of alum, copper or iron is used as a "glue" for they dye to adhere to fiber. Many people are searching for non-metal mordants as alternatives. Symplocos was introduced to us by Ms. Lewis. Symplocos comes from the leaves of the Symplocos tree in Indoneisa. The Natural Mordant Project is a program which builds partnerships for sustainability with rain forest communities and indigenous textile artists in Indonesia.

Symolcos leaves a yellow tint to the fiber.

Hanging out to dry.

Natural dyes allows the children to feel connected to the Earth. This Module we were introduced to cochineal, logwood and Osage yellow. 

 Cochineal----Pretty berry color

 Logwood- beautiful violet/blue. 

 Osage yellow. -"ducky yellow." 

 Logwood and Osage yellow hanging out in the sun to dry. 

Kitchen Alchemy

We had fun experiencing what foods created natural colors for dyes. Food was placed in mason jars with a sample fiber and allowed to naturally heat in the sun. 

A "Blue Study." The variations in blue were created by different Natural dyes. They range from: woad, black beans, indigo and logwood. 

In the Third Grade Handwork curriculum the students are introduced to crocheting. After two years of knitting, crocheting is introduced by means of pot holders. Once the potholders are finished then students are introduced to "Granny Squares."  After Granny Squares students are then instructed on how to make a crochet bag or hat. Third grade is also when spinning with a drop spindle. I was able to bring my variations of drop spindles to show the class. 

In conjunction with Ms. Lewis's class of Handwork.

 I also experienced 4th and 5th grade wood working projects with Jack Bryant. In Mr. Jack's woodworking class we made the traditional ball in cup toy from a tree branch. That was a lot whittling! Once that was completed I had time to make a Jacob's Ladder. The board in the back of the collection is a portable work bench that can be added to any table for woodworking projects. 

I look forward to sharing my experiences.

Warmly,

H

Portfolio photos of classes and projects

Welcome to my portfolio for completed projects, current projects and classes that I am taking to complete my Waldorf Institute Practical Arts Teacher Training. My instructors are  Jack Bryant and Mona Lewis of Highland Hall Waldorf School, Northridge California.