What to do with left over Walnut Shells from Thanksgiving

The New Harmonica Rascals 12 noon- 1pm

Harmonica Rascals
LA-based Harmonica Rascals play old-time Americana music. The string band was formed by artist David Bunn (guitar & vocals) in collaboration with champion fiddler Heather Bennett.  The project takes its name and inspiration from visual artist, Thomas Hart Benton’s old-time music band of the same name, formed in the 1930s in New York City. Made up of Benton, other artists and his students, including Jackson Pollack, his was the first urban revival Americana music band.  As the Italian Collective, Lucie Fontaine, has written “David Bunn’s Harmonica Rascals is the cover band to the first cover band of old-time music.”  Bunn’s visual and performance based artworks have been shown internationally, and locally in exhibitions at MOCA, LACMA, SMMOA and OCMA.  The Harmonica Rascals is his newest project.  As old-time music is social music, The Rascals are often joined by special guests.

Last Thursday's work

Crafting is in full speed each Thursday at the McComb Campus and each Friday morning at the 15th St campus. This week at the McComb campus, crafters felted tiny babies and placed them into silk worm cocoons. The cocoons will be died with beautiful natural dies and then made into necklaces.

More Crafting Thursdays

Hand carved wooden animals were filed and sanded by patient moms. Then rubbed with a combination of bees wax, mineral oil and essencial oils. The task was made easier with the smell of lavender and patchouli in the air.

Crafting on Thursdays for the Owl and Fox General Store

Look what is happening at the Thursday crafting circle!

OWL POCKETS, a perfect place to hide a tooth for the Tooth Faire. These were hand made by parents made from sweaters. 

Felted Needle Cases,Each case has been hand cut and hand felted by a parent. When you open the case, you'll find a place to keep your sewing needles. Just look at the beautiful work that went into each one.

The Grateful Gnome Book Shoppe

The Grateful Gnome Book Shoppe will be a magical boutique chock full of classic Rudolf Steiner texts, beloved children's literature, anthroposophical offerings, as well as education and parenting books. Lovingly selected books on everything from waldorf festivals to bio dynamic farming, it will be a wonderful place to add to your family's library and pick up thoughtful gifts for the holidays. 

A sneak peek at some of the children's titles for sale:

Crafting Circles have begun!

Hello Crafting Friends, 

Welcome back to school! and now in our 3rd week the crafting circles for our 

Woodland Faire have begun! 

Ms. Anjum is heading the efforts for the Fox and the Owl General store crafts, so 

join us every Thursday in the Parent-Child room at the McComb campus from 11:30 until 1:50 pick-up for serious crafting and good company. 

We will work on a variety of handmade projects to support our school at the coming Woodland Faire.  Needle-felting, woodworking, simple sewing, jewelry-making—there is something to inspire everyone’s creative impulse!  Unable to make the Thursday circle but feeling creative and have the will to work?  No worries—we will also have take-home kits available!

(Seasoned Crafters and sewers who are willing to work on some more complex projects please contact Anjum Mir anjum_mir@yahoo.com for details).

Snow Fairy Market

The Fairies have been traveling the world this summer finding special treasures for the Snow Fairy Market. Along with the hand crafted gifts, your child can find hand made items from Africa, Hawaii, South America. 

Walnuts

The Fairies worked hard yesterday with walnuts! They hollowed out the walnuts into a big bowl. Cleaned them out and then filled them with something special. After that they sealed the walnuts with wax. Rumor has it that a Squirrel will be dropping walnuts down from a tree to the little hands below. We won't tell you what's inside. You'll have to wait and see!

Woodlands Wardrobe

What will you wear to the Woodland Faire? Woodland costumes are encouraged for both children and adults, so starting planning your costumes now!

Felting

Sarah and Joy are dry felting with roving wool. The long felting needle has a small hook at the end which pulls the wool fibres together and adheres them. It's best to felt onto a piece of foam rubber like the one Joy is working with. Fibre art is used to create the beautiful dolls that Waldorf Kindergarten and lower teachers use to tell classroom stories. Children will be able to purchase these lovely fairies in the Snow Fairy Market.

Bean Bags

Hand felted bean bags stuffed with lentils will be one of the treasures found at the Snow Fairy Market. Bean Bags are an important part of Waldorf Education. Beginning in first grade students toss bean bags to build their hand eye coordination. In third grade beans bags are used in conjunction with learning multiplication tables. The bags are tossed in a rhythm as the children recite their times tables. 

Looking Forward to Falling Leaves and Acorns

We know it's not even summer vacation, but we can't wait till the Fall Woodland Faire. Please check out our blog for weekly updates.

Tommy

Tommy is in charge of the hand felted bags soon to be filled with fresh lavender.

Elves Workshop

Every Wednesday morning throughout the summer the Elves gather to craft magical gifts for the Snow Fairy Market. Please check the weekly Westside Waldorf newsletter to find out the location of each week's Elves Circle. Even if you don't consider yourself a crafter, there is lots of work to do. We know you will find your niche and there are many talented Elves to lend a hand.