Spring Goddess Class

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor of being invited to teach a needlefelting class to a group of ladies affiliated with Wintergreen Farm, a local Biodynamic, Organic farm that raises wonderful vegetables, fruits and beef. I wrote a post about my kids class field trip to the farm last year called Farm Field Trip, which you can read about by clicking the link.

With a delicious snack potluck spread out on the table and mugs of tea at hand, everyone got down to work with mats, needles and wool, to create their own Spring Goddess to take home. Many of these folks had never felted before, but they all took to it quickly and enjoyed the discovery of a new outlet of artistic expression. I loved seeing the diversity in everyone's work, and all the various personalities that emerged in their art.

Here are a few photos of these lovely ladies' inspired creations.

It reminded me how important and nourishing it is to get together and craft. This is something women have been gathering together to do for ages, and fitting it in to our modern lives and schedules is worth taking the time for. Hosting a craft night, taking a crafting class with friends, or even setting up a regular craft circle is something I would encourage any and all of you crafty (or even not so crafty) folks out there to do. Creativity and inspiration are meant to be shared.

Happy Crafting!

May Faire

This week I'm getting ready for the annual May Faire at my childrens' Waldorf School. For the last couple of years, I have volunteered to coordinate artisan vendors, and I am thrilled about the returning group of crafty folks and a few new ones this year. With such a rich arts curriculum at the school, it's nice to see so many creative parents in the community. I'm looking forward to spending the day there with my booth, chatting with friends as they stroll around and enjoying the festivities. Until then, I'll be busy crafting!

Merry Beltane!

Blog Giveaway at Wooly Moss Roots!

It's Springtime, and the birds are busy building nests in trees, shrubs, barn eaves and marsh grasses all around us. I, too, have been busy building nests in my craft room. I am giving one away over at the Wooly Moss Roots blog this week, so head on over there and put in your entry:

http://woolymossroots.blogspot.com/2012/04/giveaway-from-sponsor-mountain-hearth.html

 

Entries are open this Saturday through Wednesday, April 25, and the winner will be announced on Thursday. You can also fnd more of these nests, along with needlefelted wool art, seasonal fairy dolls, gemstone bead jewelry, and kitchen items made of recycled wool sweaters in my online shop:

Mountain Hearth Handcrafts.

Folks who visit the Wooly Moss Roots blog can find a coupon code for 10% off in my shop through the week after the giveaway.

I also feel I would be holding you all back from a wealth of inspiration if I didn't encourage you to visit Taryn's blog in general. Wooly Moss Roots , is a delightful account of a family's simple homesteading life in the coastal mountains of Oregon. She shares beautiful photographs, recipes, ideas, and reminders of gratitude for all the things we love in life. She and her husband, Jeff, are amazing handcrafters and artists, and you can find their work at their Mystic Orb booth at the Eugene Saturday Market, as well as on their online shops: Mystic Orb Shop, and Wooly Moss Roots Shop. You can also read more about their homesteading life and art from Jeff's point of view on his blog: Mystic Orb.

Lady Spring is on the Way!

I just sold this Lady Spring seasons figure on my Etsy shop this week, and it reminded me that Spring is on the way! Out my window I can see some pink plum blossoms starting to burst out, and the green leaves of bulbs are popping up left and right. It also reminded me that I need to get busy crafting up some new Spring items, so be sure to check up on my Etsy shop in the coming weeks for Lady Spring and her fairy friends.

http://www.mountainhearth.etsy.com/

Mason Jar Warmers

My mason jar warmer is in the running for Cold Antler Farm's mason jar cozy contest! She asked readers to post photos of their creative solutions to insulate canning jars for holding hot beverages. You can stop by Jenna's blog to view the post and leave a comment to put in your vote at:

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2011/11/warm-jar-flash-mob-part-2.html

You can also find more of them in my Etsy shop at:

http://www.mountainhearth.etsy.com/

I hope everybodys hands are staying toasty out there.

It's cold outside!

Mushroom Hunting

With the rain and mists of Winter in Oregon comes one of my favorite reasons to go out in the woods. Mushrooms. Wildcrafting for fungi is a delightful way to spend a November afternoon, and my enjoyment of these excursions often carries over into crafting inspiration.

With Chanterelles piled all over my counter, in my dehydrator and in many of my meals last year, I started making these little Chanterelle mushroom folks. I found just the right color of orange wool felt, and stitched up their wavy little caps.

I made little translucent white faces from clay to give them a little extra character.

Here's my King Bolete among the oak leaves.

And  brightly colored Amanita toadstools are a lot of fun to play with. Just remember not to eat them.

It's good to take time to enjoy the fungus among us.

You can find more of these little mushroom folks in my Etsy shop here at:

http://www.mountainhearth.etsy.com/

Garden Goddess

It's late Summer and gardens are bountiful. All the gardeners are busy harvesting, and baskets are spilling over with ripe fruits, squash, carrots, potatoes, onions, greens, garlic and tomatoes. Many folks are proudly wearing dirt under their fingernails on a daily basis.

 The Garden Goddess is smiling on us.

I needlefelted this seasons figure from soft, colorful wool roving in honor of late Summer. You can see more pictures of her here on my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74251325/garden-goddess