Knecht Ruprecht Waldorfdolls

Waldorf Root Child Doll for Betty

2012-01-24T12:15:00.000-08:00

This root child will travel to Hong Kong soon.

Creating something out of nothing

2012-01-16T03:48:00.000-08:00

Creating something out of nothing or to repurpose something You would cast away is always great fun for me. Not only is it good for our environment, it is also a great source of creativity.
Recently we made something for our little gnomes I would like to share here. We used some little brittle branches and florist wire to make some firewood
and a tripod for the fireplace
the little axe is made from a tea lights cover and one little branch.

Puppa

2012-01-11T03:50:00.000-08:00

Of course, as a dollmakers baby, my little son got his first doll when he was very little.
I made this red baby doll for him when he was about three or four months old.
Now he is eleven months and starts walking and talking. And guess what is one of his first words?
Yes, it is Puppa!
Puppe is the german word for doll.

Dollhouse play

2012-01-10T13:05:00.001-08:00

Lots of dollhouse play is going on around here. So I decided to make new dollhouse dolls for my daughters dollhouse. The girl on the pictures is my first attempt.

Her shoes are still missing, she is still barefoot because she was brought to her new home to drink some juice
to visit her new neighborhood
to ride her new horse
and to rest a little bit before I could finish her.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-27T04:51:00.000-08:00

News from my Studio - Waldorf Doll for Anja

2011-12-10T05:42:00.000-08:00

Waldorf Wet on Wet Watercolor Painting

2011-12-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

Wet on wet painting is one of our favorit creative indoor activities these days. When I was a Waldorfstudent the Wet on Wet watercolor Painting lessons have been on of my favorit lessons at school and now it is a great pleasure to paint with my daughter using this technique.
Because the wet paint is laid on wet paper, the watercolors are flowing and blending into one another in beautiful, unexpected ways. The use of watercolors allows fluid mixing and movement on the paper.
My experience is that painting with watercolors is a very relaxing and calming activity. To invite creativity it is helpful to set up everything You need in a quiet atmosphere. All gestures of Your preparation should be performed mindful.
Our favorit Waldorf Kindergarden teacher Margit inspired us to use our pentatonic glockenspiel to surround the painting with some crystal clear and spherical tones. She always attended the childens painting sessions in her Kindergaden creating a beautiful and quiet atmosphere with her pentatonic glockenspiel. A poem can be a great inspiration as well as a little story.
To get started You will need:

A sink, basin or tray in which to soak your paper. We use a normal baking tray placed on the table for easy access.
Heavyweight or normal watercolor paper, heavyweight paper is more expensive but the result is worth it.
Some shades of watercolor paint. We use an recommend Stockmar paint
Carmine Red, Ultramarine Blue and Lemon Yellow is all You need for the beginning.
A watercolor paintbrush with flat bristles like this one.
A jar for water
One little jar for each color of paint
A flat board on which to work like this one.
A sponge like this one and a little rag

1. Soak one sheet of paper at a time in the water You have prepared. The paper can soak about 10 minutes.
2. Mix Your colors with water, add more paint to make it stronger, or more water to soften.
3. Lay a piece of soaked paper on a flat board. Watercolor paper has a rougher side and a smoother side. Lay paper down with rough side up.
4. Use a wet sponge to make sure there are no puddles of water on the paper, and wipe away any air bubbles. Paper should have a sheen to it, but not be soaking wet.

Start with just one color at a time. After painting with each of the primary colors singly, try the two color combinations: red and yellow, red and blue, and yellow and blue. Children will be excited as they experience how secondary colors are formed when combining two colors.
Let Your child experiment with the colors one by one, there is no need to explain to much. Just sit down with Your child and start painting and be a good example. Childen find out and internalize soon, that yellow and red will make a beautiful orange and that red and blue can be all shades of violet.

Imaginative play & fairy Waldorfdoll and girl hair decoration

2011-11-29T07:33:00.001-08:00

We made some Fairy Waldorfdoll and girl hair decoration in beautiful color shades last weekend. Each of them is handmade from different types of wool yarn. The wool strands can be styled with the dolls or girls hair or hang down loose. A small soft holder allows easy attachement as well as removal.

Total length approx. 30 cm for dolls and 60 cm for girls.

The girls size is just perfect for dress up play and they are beautiful in combination with play silks.

Childrens and dolls costumes and dress up accessory invite the kind of imaginative fantasy play which is so important for children. Fantasy and role play engage the imagination. Dress ups are nourishing to the senses and and encourage openended imaginative play. My daughter just loves them in all color shades. I just listed some of them in my shop here.

More Appleprints & a new Doll

2011-11-17T01:48:00.001-08:00

I just completed this girl and made her a appleprint pocket on her dress too. She is available in my shops at etsy and DaWanda.

Babies first Rootchild Doll

2011-11-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

I just listed this new Babies first Rootchild Doll in my shops here and here.

Gnomehomes and Martinmas

2011-11-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

When days become shorter and nights are cold it is the perfect time to create some gnomehomes around the house for some little gnomes to gather in a cosy place. Each year before our Martinmas lantern walk we collect moos and bark and wood pieces and set up some gnomehomes. We add some tiny apples and rose hips to prepare a little gnome snack.

Es zipfelt ein Röckchen,

es klingelt ein Glöckchen.

Pantöffelchen klappen,

zwei Händchen die tappen,

es guckt ein Gesichtchen.

Was war das? - Ein Wichtchen!

Marianne Garff

Children of the forest inspired Waldorfdoll

2011-11-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

This doll was custom ordered for a little girl in spain who is in love with the children of the forest written by Elsa Besow.
The children of the forest live deep in the roots of an old pine tree. They collect wild mushrooms and blueberries and shelter under toadstools when it rains. They play with the squirrels and frogs, and when autumn comes, they collect and prepare food to see them through the long winter, until the warm spring breeze starts to blow.

How to make a Mud Pie Kitchen

2011-10-18T02:25:00.000-07:00

We created this mud pie kitchen in our garden in springtime but now with all the nuts and fruits and acorns and chestnuts found outside it became a very busy place again.
Create the setup:
To create an outdoor mud pie kitchen for your children use whatever You have at hand. You can use old wood boxes, planks and boards or branches, bricks and pieces of wood to make little cupboards, shelfes, closets a cooktop and whatever You need in Your kitchen.
Add some dishes:
We use mainly stainless steel dishes so we can leave them outside and they will not become rusty. Look around in Your Kitchen if You can cast off something You dont need anymore or look around in thrift stores or yardsales to collect some dishes for Your mud pie kitchen.

Add a water place.
and some leaves, dirt, sand, nuts, little brunches, stones, flower petals and whatever Your childen will collect.

and enjoy!

Appleprint and Apple Doll Clothing Sets

2011-10-13T01:00:00.001-07:00

Last week we did some apple printing. The apple shapes came out really nice on the linen fabric I used for the little pocket on this doll tunic dress. Combined with the little red handknit hat in and apple round style it makes a perfect apple harvest set. It is available in my shops here and here. More apple doll clothing sets will follow on time for christmas.

Autumn Crafts - Felted Acorns

2011-10-09T10:43:00.000-07:00

Autumn with all its treasures is the season for all kinds of crafts in our home. This year we found lots of acorns during our nature walks so we decided to make some felted acorns for our nature table.
I am quite familiar with felting techniques so I just needle felted little balls and gave them an egg shape at the end of the felting process. For those of You who would like to try and need instructions I found this great tutorial by designer and artist Kim Buchheit.

Wee Waldorf Walnut Babies

2011-10-05T01:44:00.000-07:00

Like almost every year we have lots of walnuts in our garden to harvest. And like every year some Walnut Babies have to be made instantly when all the beautiful nutshells are all around us.
Some of them are available in my Etsy shop and my DaWanda Shop some of them already moved in the dollhouse of my little daughter.....

Michaelmas

2011-09-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Michaelmas is a festival that marks the turning of the seasons for us as well as it is a celebration of strength, goodness and courage. Inspired by Christiane Kutiks Jahreszeitenbuch we made a large bread decorated with a sword representing the story of Michael and his fight against the dragon.

One new Doll

2011-09-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

I just completed this doll today she is available in my Etsy Shop.

News from my Studio - Waldorf Doll for Elisabeth

2011-09-08T06:50:00.000-07:00

I just completed this doll for Elisabeth who was waiting very, very patient. Thank You so much.

How to make simple wooden toys from old branches

2011-09-05T01:58:00.001-07:00

We had some branches to cut in our garden and so we started a little woodworking session one late summer morning. We cuttet one apricot tree and one cedar tree. The apricot tree branches have beautiful colour shades but the pieces we made from got some cracks when we dryed them. The cedar tree branches are a dream to work with the wood is very soft to cut and carve and it did not make any cracks during the drying of the pieces.

All You need is:
- some old or fresh cut branches
- a saw
- cutters and knifes for carving
(I have a set of really good carving knifes from Stubai but one simple cutter like this one would also be okay.)
- sanding PaperTo make Your own building bricks You can cut Your branches in pieces of diffent length.
Remove the bark or just sand the bark a little bit to make it soft to the touch.
To make a little cradle cut one branch into unequal halves and carve a little hollow into the larger one.
My four year old daughter helped with the sanding and she had fun removing some of the bark with a "not so dangerous" kitchen knife.
The pieces we made inspired instantly to play with.

getting started

2011-08-23T04:52:00.000-07:00

First I have to say that working beside two little ones is something different than working beside just one. Thats for sure.
But even if it is really a matter of working "from moment to moment" being interrupted every couple of minutes somehow it feels completely right to me keeping my hands busy and craft with wee ones underfoot.
At the moment it works best packing everything I need in my willow basket and go work outside on blankets in the shadow somewhere in the garden.
Keeping six hands busy these days accomplishing our projects slowly but surely with lots of giggling and singsong, outside dollplay, hammock rocking and wool sneaking .

How to make a Marguerite Crown

2011-06-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Right now my days are full of children and baby activities.
Relishing those precious moments with a new baby I will take a little extra time and start sewing again in about two months.

For today I would like to share how we make flower crowns. Its a quick and easy thing to do with little ones beside in a flower meadow and at least in my case it makes them very happy!
All You need is: Marguerites

and some flexible blades of grass
tie your flowers together
and start to braid the flower stems like shown on the pictures.
Add more flowers and continue braiding like shown on the pictures.

Use some more flexible blades of grass and attach both ends together.

And enjoy!
If Your crown becomes a bit withered You can put it in a bowl with cold water over night and the flowers will be fresh to grace little pricesses again for another day.

Baby Break

2011-01-04T07:08:00.000-08:00

Baby Break at Knecht Ruprechts Manufactory.

All custom orders will be open again August 2011.

Happy Winter Solstice and How to make a Waldorf Window Star

2010-12-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Today we made some more Windowstars for our windows. They are so simple but beautiful. Here is a simple tutorial how to make them.
All You need is: A cutter, non toxic glue and paper.
Cut eight equal square pieces of paper. (I actually do not measure and just cut them freehand)

Fold each one of them like shown on the pictures.
Apply some glue

and combine all eight pices of folded paper like shown on the pictures.

Waldorf Winter Rose Doll

2010-12-07T04:39:00.000-08:00

I just completed this Winterrose Girl. She braves the elements and finds the fozen roses in the garden.

Root Child Cuddle Doll for Charlotte

2010-11-24T04:53:00.001-08:00

This Root Child Cuddle Doll is traveling to Canada today.

Cherry Velvet Doll for Cristina

2010-11-24T04:44:00.000-08:00

This little bunting doll will travel to Chicago today.

Custom Waldorf Cuddle Baby for Rae

2010-11-22T23:31:00.000-08:00

Root Childen for Madeleine and her two Brothers

2010-11-22T05:05:00.000-08:00

What a pleasure to create three Root Children Siblings for Madeleine and her two brothers Theo and Luke. They will travel to Canada tomorrow.

Advent Spiral

2010-11-20T03:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we celebrated the Advent spiral in our Kindergarden, a very special early Winter festival which takes place for young children in most Waldorf Kindergardens all over the world. The Advent spiral is a very meditative inward experience. It is a beautiful spiral of light which symbolizes each individual "I" receiving his or her light in this time of growing darkness.
The room with the spiral made from fir green and moss was dimly lit and a harpist was gently playing christmas carols on a harp. In the center of the spiral a large beeswax candle was placed.
One by one each child walked through this spiral and was lighting his or her apple candle in the center of the spiral. On the return each child placed the apple and candle on the green spiral.
As each child added their light to the gathering candles the darkness was symbolically pushed back in the room and throughout the spiral just as the returning daylight gathers in force to return at the solstice.

Custom Waldorf Doll for Linnea

2010-11-20T01:43:00.000-08:00

Root Child Girl with handspun and plantdyed Hair

2010-11-18T13:17:00.001-08:00

I just completed this custom Root Child Girl today. Her hair is made from plant and handyed lambswool with highlights made from handspun plantdyed yarn.

Martinmas - St. Martins Fest

2010-11-12T06:14:00.001-08:00

St.Martin Tischbild
mit freundlicher Genehmigung von © 2009 Waldow Verlag

Sankt Martin, Sankt Martin,
Sankt Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind,
sein Roß das trug ihn fort geschwind.
Sankt Martin ritt mit leichtem Mut,
sein Mantel deckt ihn warm und gut.

Im Schnee saß, im Schnee saß,
im Schnee da saß ein armer Mann,
hat Kleider nicht, hat Lumpen an.
O helft mir doch in meiner Not,
sonst ist der bittre Frost mein Tod!

Sankt Martin, Sankt Martin,
Sankt Martin zog die Zügel an,
sein Roß steht still beim armen Mann,
Sankt Martin mit dem Schwerte teilt,
den warmen Mantel unverweilt.

Sankt Martin, Sankt Martin,
Sankt Martin gab den halben still,
der Bettler rasch ihm danken will.
Sankt Martin aber ritt in Eil
hinweg mit seinem Mantelteil.

Martinmas is one of my favorit festivities each year. This year we had a most beautiful Martinmas celebration in our Waldorf Kindergarten with poems, songs, a round dance, a shadow play and a lantern walk with some little gnome houses made from old branches and moss beside the way.

Preparing for Martinmas

2010-11-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Golden light is turning grey,
Mists begin to rule the day.

Bare the trees, their branches lift;
Clouds of dead leaves earthward drift.

Through the field the farmer goes,
Seeds of ripened corn he sows’
Trusts the earth will hold it warm,
Shelter it from cold and harm.

For he knows that warmth and light
Live there, hidden from our sight;
And beneath a sheltering wing,
Deep below, new life will spring!

Deep below, deep below, new life will spring!

This is the pumkin star lantern we made for our Waldorfkindergarten. It will be used as decoration during the festivities tomorow.

12 inch Rose Velvet Cuddle Doll for Cathie

2010-11-03T04:30:00.001-07:00

*** Please note ***
Due to many custom orders, I am working on at the moment, all new custom orders for Christmas 2010 are currently closed. You can always ask me to be on my waitinglist. I will also try to complete some more dolls ready to go home for my shop as soon as I have some time left.

Waldorf Doll Girl for Jewel

2010-10-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Rosebud and Rootchild Dolls

2010-10-19T01:21:00.000-07:00

Rosebud and Rootchild for Ragna and Nicole

Waldorf Doll for Eva

2010-10-06T02:01:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Doll Girl for Britta

2010-09-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

Erntedank und Michaeli - Harvest Festival and Michaelmas

2010-09-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

This is my daughters harvest festival basket for her Kindergarten harvest festival

"Nun sind die Purpuräpfel reif,
Die goldnen Birnen auch,
Der späte Pfirsich sammetweich
Und bläulich überhaucht.

Nun trage, Kind, die Früchte heim,
behutsam in das Haus,
Allräunchen möchte mit hinein,
Das bangt sich so da draus."

Marianne Garff

Welcome Autumn and New Lanterns

2010-09-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Each year when days become shorter and leafs start to fall down in our garden we enjoy to make new lanterns for our tables inside. Here You can find the tutorial for this lanterns . This year we used our stockmar beeswax crayons to rub over some leafs we found and decorated the paper.

Nature Table September - Jahreszeitentisch September

2010-09-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

"Ich sitze, ich sitze

mit spitzer Zipfelmütze
auf einem Stein im Gras
und denke dies und das.
Ich klopfe, ich klopfe,
ich klopfe da und dort –
doch wenn du nach mir guckst-
bin ich fort"

Hedwig Diestel

Baby News

2010-09-23T00:16:00.000-07:00

Angel bringing new Life, needle felted by Softearthart

"Geht leise!
Es ist müde von der Reise.
Es kommt von weit her,
vom Himmel übers Meer.
Vom Meer den dunklen Weg ins Land,
bis es die kleine Wiege fand.
Geht leise!"

Paula Dehmel

I am happy to announce that we will welcome a new Baby next Winter into our family and so things will slow down a bit in my Waldorf Doll Manufactory. If You plan to order a doll for christmas please make sure You do so till November 15th.

Waldorf Root Child Girl for Wendy

2010-09-22T05:08:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Rosebud Doll for Rita

2010-09-14T05:26:00.000-07:00

The First Day in our Waldorfkindergarten

2010-09-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

This week my daughters first year of Waldorf Kindergarten started. What a great pleasure!

This little Waldorfkindergarten is a very special place. It is located in an old farmhouse in the middle of a rural countryside surrounded by beautiful nature.

Entrance of the Kindergarten

Sandplayground in the Garden

My daughter painting with plant aquarell colores.

Waldorf Milk Cuddle Baby

2010-09-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

I just finished this new Milk Cuddle Baby. Its skincolor is caramel and its body is made from a extrasoft milk colored cotton velvet fabric. It is available in my Etsy Shop.

Some new Waldorf Cuddle Dolls

2010-08-24T05:16:00.000-07:00

SouleMama Sponsor ~ NATURAL KIDS ~ Giveaway

2010-08-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Today find some beautiful NATURAL KIDS Team giveaway sets including one of my little fingerpuppets on Amanda Blake Soules Blog soulemama

The NaturalKids Etsy Team is generously offering to THREE winners (corresponding to the photographs above, in order):

A Baby/Toddler Gift Bundle - with gifts from Prettydreamer, CurlyMonkey, Imagination Toys, Polarbearcreations and Elemental.
A Preschool Gift Bundle - with gifts from The EnchantedCupboard, justhatched, Pin Pon, woodmouse, Tweet, and MuddyFeet.

A School Age Gift Bundle - with gifts from Princess Nimble-Thimble, Cute little things, muddyfeet, Knecht Ruprecht, and Woolies.

NaturalKids Etsy Team is a group of sellers dedicated to creating natural products for children. We are a diverse group of artisans who make natural toys, utensils, clothing and accessories for kids. Our sellers work with materials from the Earth, such as wool, cotton, silk and wood."

New Waldorf Root Child Doll Emma

2010-08-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

Nature Table August - Jahreszeitentisch August

2010-08-13T04:40:00.001-07:00

"Wir Blümlein stehn im Garten
und warten
In unser buntes Becherlein
Fällt bald ein Tröpflein Tau hinein.
Das wollen wir behüten
In unseren bunten Blüten.
Drum stehn wir hier im Garten
und warten."

Hedwig Diestel

A new Milk Baby

2010-08-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

Lots of Milk Babies are orded these days for the very little ones.

Waldorf Doll Girl Mathilda for Kristina

2010-08-09T01:15:00.000-07:00

Rosen Zucker - Rose Sugar

2010-08-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

We have lots of roses in our garden blooming all summer in all different colores. Once a year we make our own Rose Sugar.
The rose enhances the flavor of the sugar and makes a beautiful decoration it is great to sweeten a fruitsalad or a cake or just sprinkle a little bit on top of cookies or fresh yogurt.
To make Your own Rose Sugar, use roses that you know have not been sprayed with chemicals. Pick the roses in mid-morning, after the morning moisture is off of them.
You can experiment with the rose colores. Use dark red rose petals for pink Rose Sugar for example.
Dry the rose petals.
Use a mortar
or rub Your dried rosepedals between your fingers until they are fine.
Mix them with sugar and put all together in a preserving jar.
Enjoy!

Custom Waldorf Doll for Jutta

2010-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

New Waldorf Cuddle Dolls

2010-07-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

These three are enjoying the summer days by climbing on the firewood and walking through our green summer meadow looking around for a spot to rest in the shadow.

Waldorf Cherry Baby for Eva

2010-07-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Milk Baby Bunting Doll for Daniel

2010-07-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

Etsy Treasury

2010-07-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Find this beautiful treasury including my Cherry Velvet Baby here.

Waldorf Cuddle Doll for Elena

2010-06-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

This doll will be a one year olds birthday gift and will travel to Ireland soon.

Waldorf Root Child Cuddle Doll for Nora

2010-06-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

This Root Child Cuddle Doll is for Nora a little girl we have been together with in our Waldorf parent child group the last months.

Sunshine Waldorf Bunting Doll for Anastasia

2010-06-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Cuddle Doll for Emilie

2010-05-26T07:23:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Root Child Doll for Abbie

2010-05-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Waldorf Gnome Finger Puppets

2010-05-17T10:17:00.001-07:00

Inspired by "Hampel Pampel" the little finger puppet in my daughters Waldorf Kindergarten playgroup I made this little Gnome finger puppets.

This little Gnomes are perfect for imaginatve play, fit in every bag and can brighten up any journey. In our home this little gnomes are involved a lot in doll house play too.
Find Gnomes ready to go to Your home here.

Cherry Velvet Bunting Waldorf Doll

2010-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Find this new Doll here

Zen and the Art of Waldorf Dollmaking

2010-05-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Stich by stich I am working on each doll always trying to be mindfull.
At first glance, it may occur not to be so much effort to create such a simple doll, like a Waldorfdoll, with just a few facial features instead of more detailed ones. But actually, it is a great challenge to put life into a dolls face using only a few stitches. I do have to center myself to find calmness and serenity for that task. Every stitch has to be in the perfect spot in order to make a dolls face shine.

After my diploma at the University of Art and Industrial Design and before I had my daughter I was working on my PhD Thesis (Cultural History) concerning the concept of using different techniques of "not thinking" during the process of creating art. I concentrated my research on on the field of Zen Arts and especially on the art of Zen Painting .

"Oriental artists are not interested in a photographic representation of an object but in interpreting its spirits. The Zen artist, on the other hand, tries to suggest by the simplest possible means the inherent nature of the aesthetic object. Anything may be painted, or expressed in poetry, and any sounds may become music. The job of the artist is to suggest the essence, the eternal qualities of the object, which is in itself a work of natural art before the artist arrives on the scene. In order to achieve this, the artist must fully understand the inner nature of the aesthetic object, its Buddha nature. This is the hard part. Technique, though important, is useless without it; and the actual execution of the art work may be startlingly spontaneous, once the artist has comprehended the essence of his subject. Zen art is the restriction of means to an absolute minimum."

Fredric Lieberman

One of my favorite Zen Paintings by Sengai Gibon (仙厓義梵, 1750 - 1837)

I think the main effort about Waldorf Dollmaking or toy making in general is to find what is essential, to limit it to that and to put soul into the creation.

For two sisters

2010-05-06T03:48:00.000-07:00

Helene and Rose Velvet Baby are traveling to Canada.

Working Outside

2010-05-03T02:47:00.000-07:00

One great thing about dollmaking is that most of the work is made by hand. I need only a few things at a time to do my work so whenever possible I put everything I need in a wicker basket and move outside in our garden to work on my dolls where my little daughter can play in the meanwhile.

And if I am hungry after all the work my daughter is serving some delicious homemade sand dumplings.

My Workplace

2010-05-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to share some pictures of my atelier. I think its always nice to know where things come from.

Zwei Rosenkinder für Julia

2010-04-30T05:48:00.001-07:00

Lavender Velvet Waldorf Bunting Baby for Theresa

2010-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

This Bunting Baby is traveling to Florida

Root Child Charlotte featured in this beautiful Etsy Treasury today

2010-04-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

Donauluft curated this beautiful etsy treasury. Find adorable Jewelery in her Etsy Shop

Waldorf Puppenmädchen mit roten Zöpfen für Ilka

2010-04-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

With Natural Kids, Earth Day Is Every Day

2010-04-20T04:13:00.001-07:00

Thank You! to Jen of SewnNatural for a beautifully written article in Etsy's Storque. It really expresses the passion of the Natural Kids team for what we make and do.

Root Child for Susanne

2010-04-19T00:04:00.000-07:00

Dora a new Medow Flower Doll in my Shop

2010-04-13T05:39:00.001-07:00

Dora and all Medow Flower Dolls I make are inspired by the classical childrens book "The Story of the Root-Childen" written by Sybille von Olfers.
I continue my Root Childen Doll Series with this Medow Flower Doll Series. The Root Childen completed their flower outfits and are ready to play in the fields and on the ponds all summer.

Sybille von Olfers Rootchildren

Natural Kids Team Earth Day Promotion

2010-04-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Earth Day, the natural kids team is having a huge promotion! An easy way to connect with items handmade by natural kids team members is to search for "Naturalkids team earth day" on Etsy. You can also find details about each shop's individual promotions on our natural kids team blog.

You can also visit our shops & look for a little hand drawn gnome picture, hidden amongst our listings. Find the gnome, contact the shop seller, and you'll win a FREE idea-packed booklet about connecting kids to nature and making simple toys & crafts yourself.

Please enjoy all the beautiful creations!

How to make Dandelion Curls

2010-04-09T04:51:00.000-07:00

Today we found the first dandelions of this year in our garden.
I remember when I was a child we made lots of dandelion curls. We used them as little figures and created hairdressing salons for them in the medow or we made beautiful dandelion necklaces using the litte curls as pearls.
You will need dandelions and water.
Split the stem with Your fingers.
Put the stem in the water and voila! dandelion curls.

Ringel, Rangel, Löwenzahn,

buttergelbe Scheibe.
Schaust die liebe Sonne an,
dass sie bei dir bleibe.
Pusteblume, blühe auf,
weh‘ in alle Winde,
wehe über unser Haus,
dass dich keiner findet.
Langer Stiel und nackter Knauf,
glatzekahles Köpfchen.
Morgen blühen neue auf,
lauter blonde Schöpfchen.

Happy Easter - Frohe Ostern!

2010-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Doll Bedding - Puppenbettwäsche

2010-04-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

One of the most essential accessory in all dollplay going on in our home is the doll bedding. Combined with a simple little basket, a doll cradle or a doll's pram little blankets and pillows make a comfortable and cosy place for each doll to rest.
This Pillow and Blanket Sets are stuffed with pure organic lambs wool and made from pure linen or cotton fabrics which I buy directly in one of our last local weaving mills. Please find more information about the fabrics I use here.

Cuddle Doll for Star

2010-03-31T05:59:00.001-07:00

This cuddle doll was custom ordered for a little boy with carrot red hair and will travel to Montreal tomorrow.

Nature Table March - Jahreszeitentisch März

2010-03-31T01:15:00.000-07:00

Der Hase kommt! Seid alle still,
Ihr Kinder haltet Ruh´!
Weil er euch überraschen will,
macht eure Augen zu!

Er hüpft zum Neste in der Nacht,
Springt fort in schnellem Lauf.
Was hat er schönes mitgebracht?
Macht eure Augen auf!

Hedwig Diestel

Rose Velvet Bunting Doll for Lara

2010-03-30T02:57:00.000-07:00

99 Sales on Etsy

2010-03-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

Thank You to all of my kind customers!
My 100th sale on Etsy will include a little Organic Felt Bunny as a free gift! I am really glad for all the opportunities places like Etsy are offering, allowing very little businesses like mine to realize their dream and get connected with buyers and sellers like my fellows over at the Etsy Natural Kids Team sharing the same interests all over the world.

Root Child Bunting Doll for Ariella

2010-03-26T01:47:00.000-07:00

New Red Doll Hair Color

2010-03-21T05:31:00.000-07:00

Recently I had some requests for dolls with red hair. I found this beautiful "natural red" 100% Alpaka yarn. I have some in stock now for more redheaded dolls.

Meadow Flower Little Snowdrop Doll

2010-03-20T05:09:00.000-07:00

Schneeglöckchen, ei, bist du schon da?
Ist denn der Frühling schon so nah?
Wer lockte dich hervor ans Licht?
Trau doch dem Sonnenscheine nicht!

Wohl gut er's eben heute meint,
Wer weiß, ob er dir morgen scheint?
Ich warte nicht, bis alles grün;
Wenn meine Zeit ist, muß ich blühn.

Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Celebrating Spring Time - Den Frühling feiern

2010-03-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

Frühlingslicht von Marie-Laure Viriot
mit freundlicher Genehmigung von © 2009 Waldow Verlag

Zwack der Zwerg zog eine Zwiebel,
tief im Walde, wo er wohnte.
Und zur frohen Frühlingsfeier,
sprang draus blau ein Blümchen auf.

Zwack der Zwerg rief her den Hasen,
hurtig aus dem Moosverstecke
" Laufe Lampe sag es allen,
das mein kleines Blümlein blüht."

Und die Lerche in den Lüften
und der Maulwurf moosvermummelt
und der Hirsch aus sichrem Horte,
Rehlein rasch und rennbegierig.
Alle nahen , alle neigen
ihre Näschen, ihre Augen
blaues Blümchen anzublicken,
das zur Frühlingsfeier blüht.

Hedwig Diestel

Tutorial for Traditional Waldorf Paper Lanterns

2010-03-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

I was asked if I could make a Waldorf Paper Lantern Tutorial which can be purchased in my shop. Here it is, it was a pleasure to make!

This tutorials 14 pages are filled with lots of pictures and step by step instructions how to make a Traditional Waldorf Paper Lantern which I have listed in my shop.

This lanterns are fun to make with Your kids. You won't even need a special paper, just few simple things you most probably have at home like a cutter, watercolors, some glue and writing paper.

Beautiful lanterns can be made using Your childrens aquarell paitings or paintings made with Stockmar beeswax crayons.

Eine deutsche Version dieser Anleitung gibt es hier.

Spring Children

2010-03-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Find these spring children here and here.

About Waldorf Dolls - Über die Waldorfpuppe

2010-03-15T05:09:00.001-07:00

The Waldorf Doll has been used in Waldorf education for generations. It is traditionally handcrafted using only natural materials like lambs wool and cotton, materials that are soft and warm to the touch.
When cuddled, a wool stuffed doll takes on the warmth of the child, a warmth that makes the doll come alive.

"As the child nurtures & mothers the doll, he is - not simply metaphorically but also in reality - caring for himself. It is important therefore, that we offer a doll that closely resembles him/her, not so much in features but rather in proportion. The child's "felt experience" of the doll will remain with him/her. So let's keep the doll simple, proportional & tactilely truthful."

Shariffa Oppenheimer in regards to Waldorf dolls

The appearance of a Waldorf Doll is intentionally simple with minimal facial features in order to allow the child playing with it to improve and strengthen imagination and creativity.
The beauty of simplicity is stimulating creative learning by drawing on the child’s imagination.
"When they are fashioned simply, they make the entire range of human appearance possible through the child's imagination."

Jaffke Freya, Toymaking With Children

The origins of this type of doll come from a strong European tradition of doll making. Many dolls were made by mamas at home during long winter months from materials that were at hand, like sheep's wool and cloth scraps, instantly giving life to those simple materials.

About Dollplay - Über das Puppenspiel

2010-03-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

"Play with dolls is of special importance because it is one of the ways through which the child can externalize his own inner being."

Rahima Baldwin Dancy, You Are Your Child's First Teacher
Everything learned and experienced by the child can be repeated in doll play. If the child is progressing through something, the doll will do the same very soon, too.

"The Doll is special among toys, because it is an image of the human being. With the doll's help we can seek our own identity. We can reveal our own innermost thoughts, sorrows, and joys to our doll friend."

Karin Neuschütz, Das Puppenbuch
Play is the true work of our children, therefore whenever possible we should provide them with the best and highest quality play things. Less is often more. Providing less playthings but therefore in high quality does not automaticly mean to spend a lot more money. A good way to prevent an overflow of toys can be if more family members want to take a share on something special for an occasion like a childs bithday. Surrounding our children with handmade and natural toys means that their memories will be full of these natural, important, and handmade things, rather than toys that are unimportant, inexpensive and disposable.

Lavender Boy for Gracena

2010-03-12T05:55:00.000-08:00

Knecht Ruprecht featured on The Magic Onions

2010-03-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

Donni the very talented artist of Fairyfolk was so kind to ask me if I want to write a guest blogpost about Waldorfdolls on her blog The Magic Onions and I happily agreed. Find my words about Waldorfdolls here. Here is a link to the other inspiring posts in her Discovering Waldorf series. Thank You Donni, for inviting me to share my thoughts with Your readers!

Organic Felt Bunnies in Wool White - Bio Filzhäschen in Wollweiß

2010-03-11T05:24:00.000-08:00

Find these little Felt Bunnies for Your easter basket in my Etsy Shop.

Wurzelkind für Fiona

2010-03-10T03:43:00.000-08:00

Überall in den Wiesen und Wäldern machen sich nun die Wurzelkinder nach und nach auf ihren Weg.

"Und als der Frühling
kommt ins Land,
da ziehn gleich einem
bunten Band,
die Käfer, Blumen,
Gräser klein,
frohlockend in die
Welt hinein."

Sybille von Olfers, Etwas von den Wurzelkindern

Cuddle Doll for Isabella

2010-03-09T04:40:00.000-08:00

New Chocolate Brown Boy

2010-03-03T07:03:00.000-08:00

This doll is available in my shops at DaWanda and Etsy

Root Child Girl for Judy

2010-03-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

A new Root Child Girl went out today for a little walk and found the very first snowdrops of this Year.