Resource!

Thank you to those who attended the Waldorf in the Home and Zen and the Art of Handwork blurb I shared at the California Home-school Expo this year. I hope to see you again next year and stay in touch through this new GnomeSchool blog, where I will share my lessons, artwork, ideas and resources! "GnomeSchool©" is my after school/home-school Waldorf inspired program, that helps children add another dimension to their self learning. Aimed at inspiring, sharing, and giving a passionate, hopeful and loving view of what's possible for the growing human!

The list below is not exhaustive, but is a great start for supporting your efforts at home!

"Waldorf in the Home." A two-day conference held annually each fall in Fair Oaks, California and in Boulder, Colorado; spring conference in Fair Oaks, only. Contact Informed Family Life at (303) 546-0070 or www.waldorfhomeschooling.org

- Waldorf Without Walls. Quarterly newsletter and advisory help from Barbara Dewey, 89900 Mill Hill Rd, Bowerston, OH 44695. (740) 269-3038 or www.waldorfwithoutwalls.com.

- Christopherus Homeschooling Resources. Consulting and publications from Donna Simmons, PO Box 231, Viroqua, WI 54665. (608) 637-8031 or www.christopherushomeschool.org.

- Live Education! P.O. Box 306, Aptos, CA 95001. Provides an excellent home-based Waldorf curriculum for K-8. (831) 457-4243 or www.live-education.com.

- Resources for Waldorf home schooling parents: www.waldorfresources.com and Waldorf Inspired Students at Home (WISH): www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com.

- Rudolf Steiner College offers weekend and summer courses on all aspects of Waldorf teaching and parenting. Extensive bookstore and mail-order service. 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, CA 95628. College: (916) 961-8727; bookstore, (916) 961-8729 or www.steinercollege.edu.

-Waldorf Institute of Southern California, offers a year round training program and summer intensives on all aspects of Waldorf curriculum. WISC

Overview of handwork through the grades ( not an extensive list!)…

Kinder– polishing, sanding, folding, beading, dying with plants, sweeping, finger crochet.

Grade 1 – making needles and knitting squares into animals, flute case, balls

Grade 2 – knitting and purling, more complex patterns, making a gnome ( person)

Grade 3 – crochet, dominant hand mastery! Hats

Grade 4 – simple embroidery and cross stitch, mirror images, balance, fractions.

Grade 5 – knit in the round with multiple needles, hats, socks, mittens

Grade 6 – dollmaking or stuffed animals, make own patterns!

Grade 7 – wet felting, slippers, bags, hats.

Grade 8 – sewing machine ties into industrial revolution!

High school handwork transforms into practical arts taught by craft masters!…spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, woodwork, book binding.

Supplies are easy to find and relatively well priced to get directly from farmers or from these companies..

Phaedra's etsy shop! - felting supplies, workshops, waldorf inspired gifts, custom art and ideas!

High Prairie Fibers - fabulous fibers, tell Abi hi from me!!

Joggles - mixed media heaven!

Weir dolls and crafts - everything you could wish for! tell Susan I sent you!

Felt crafts - foam, needles, wool

Felting and spinning supplies - a large list and links to many others places.