Greenparent

waldorf doll hair tutorial

2013-04-25T14:38:20+01:00

Hello, I have just posted a free tutorial on my blog for how to do waldorf doll hair, including how to knit a wig for any sized doll. Thought this might be of interest for someone out there
http://nestledunderrainbows.blogspot.ie/2013/04/knitted-waldorf-doll-wig-tutorial.html
hugs Laura

Set up etsy, registering as self employed reasurance needed please

2013-04-09T10:51:01+01:00

Hiya
I’ve set up an etsy shop my dh works full time and im a sahm so i recieve child benefit and child tax credit. Im scared basically of coming unglued of being classed as having an income and loosing my tax credit. I am doing the right thing arnt i? I wont loose my tax credits until i earn enough to cover the amount i will loose at least? i’m scared of ending up in poverty. Please help. xxx

free waldorf doll clothes knitting patterns

2013-04-08T19:47:37+01:00

Hi all
I thought I’d share my knitting patterns for my 16 inch doll’s clothes on my blog, thought it might interest some of you
hugs Laura x
http://nestledunderrainbows.blogspot.ie/2013/04/free-waldorf-doll-clothes-knitting.html

Etsy help Please.

2013-04-05T12:40:03+01:00

Please can you help with constructive comments as to what I maybe doing wrong.
Have had nearly 300 looks at the shop but not one sale.
Is it that some of the items are made to order? are my prices out? photos no good? Or just not worth buying?

Feeling pretty low about it and just want some advice please. K x

Nice, inspiring craft websites for older kids?

2013-03-04T09:08:33+01:00

Ok I admit I love those glossy lifestyle blogs, those Soulemamas and Magic Onions and Alphabet Glue and all the rest with their very white walls and arty mud.

But my kids are getting older, 7 and 9, and we’re looking for inspiring stuff for them now at this age. TBH its really nice visuals I want. At this point, without wishing to be arrogant, but 5 years into homeschooling I can generally work out how to make this stuff if I see if, if that makes sense, so its not a how to. (I don’t mean I’m after those lovely house type blogs but more that a picture of a finished product is fine-that’s actually why I used to spend a lot of time on Soulemama, but she no longer posts much about her kids after around age 7. Which ,as as aside, I really do respect her for)

I’d say the Crafty Crow, sadly, which was a big resource, is now consistently coming up too young.

My older one is very into 3d stuff-clay and so on, also wood/carving, any loves metal work if he can find a way to do it. My 7 year old likes anything. I’d say both have good craft skills but less good drawing skills.

Any lovely blogs you can share?

oh and yes pinterest but no because it eats my life

Also, my kids would really really like websites aimed at kids to tell them how to do crafts.

If anyone else is in this predicament, just to say a bit hit around here has been Vi Hart (find her through Khan Academy)

Art station for preschoolers?

2013-02-24T08:11:30+01:00

Hello all!

For some time now, I have been contemplating setting up an art station for my younglings (4.5 and 2.5). They both love to draw, and have developed a habit of climbing onto DH’s desk (forbidden zone) to get pens for the purpose. So it would start off being drawing based (no paints or other craft materials for the moment).

I think the 4.5 yo is old enough to be responsible with it. My concern is with the 2yo. She LOVES to draw, and would benefit greatly from the autonomy of such a station, but she is a crayon eater, and has a preference for drawing on non-paper substrates (i.e. the couch, walls, floors, tables….she even took a nail to an antique dresser to draw….not as horrid as it sounds, but bad enough and could have been heart-breaking). So I can not trust her yet to be responsible, but would like to give her the opportunity (supervised) so that she can rise to the occasion eventually.

My kids prefer pens (of course), anything that mom and papa use. They have a conniption if I offer crayons or colored pencils. I resist markers- they scare me…the kids draw on their bodies too, and I just don’t know what’s getting absorbed and how bad it is.

So, specifically I am looking for:

1) suggestions/ (pinterest links??) for organization and set up, taking both the kids needs into account. DS needs free access, DD needs restricted access. I don’t have much shelf space (the obvious answer) at least until I’m further along with the Great Declutter of 2013. and

2) ideas as to materials. Paper, I know, but I’d really like to wean them off of pens. I just don’t have/want to have enough hairspray to get the ink out of everything, and every day involves at least one Great-Pen-Hunt when I need to write something. I’ll provide colored pencils, and crayons if I can get my hands on some nice beeswax ones, but markers….can any of you recommend some brands that are washable, but non-toxic…. in our sense as opposed to the industry’s sense, iykwim…...

Thanks in advance, and I’m looking forward to your ideas!

Crochet causing sore wrist?

2013-02-14T15:14:37+01:00

I have a sore arm/wrist at the mo, think it is combo of rubbish set up of computer so my mouse hand is a bit…dangly and doing a fair bit of crochet. I only have a cheapo metal hook and am wondering whether an ergonomic one, or one with a chubby handle might be better. Does anyone know about hooks or even have a decent one they would like to sell?

To all of you working with wool

2013-02-08T13:44:24+01:00

I am involved with a museum of agricultural history, where I currently teach breadmaking and rag rug making workshops. They have several sheep there, and in the spring time have a sheep themed event. For ages I have wanted to develop a (school) children’s workshop doing something with wool. Not so much yarn, as well raw or carded wool. The workshops tend to be 45 minutes long for up to 30 children per session, so teaching them how to use a drop spindle won’t work I think, as there’s only me to instruct and teachers/parent helper to help, but they mostly can’t spin either. Does anyone have any suggestions what sort of activity might work? Wet felting is too messy & wet to do in large groups (no suitable space either); needle felting could work for the older children perhaps?

I am not a spinner myself (but happy to learn new crafts & skills) and don’t know any spinners around here, so rely on the experts to advise me. Do you think children could spin a length of yarn with just their fingers? Does that work? I’d rather not invest in a bag of wool before i have a vague idea whether things might work.

I look forward to your ideas and suggestions!

love, Sunshinexx

Crochet booties with sheepskin lining.

2013-02-17T00:53:22+01:00

I’m seriously considering purchasing some sheepskin cut offs to make booties with sheepskin soles.
I’d use real wool too for warmth.
If I were to make crochet sheepskin lined (bottom only) boots, I’d realistically need to charge between £15-20 a pair.

Would folks pay that?

Etsy At Last!!!

2013-02-07T19:57:27+01:00

Have finally found a little window of time to myself today and launched my etsy shop…..please be gentle, still have banners and profile photos to work out, but at least I have started!!

Not sure how to link it, but I am MoonChildToys.

Is there a greenparent group?