The Goodness Store

The Goodness Store, originally uploaded by Svadilfari.

Ironic? Goodness and Coca Cola??
I'm not sure the two things fit in the same sentence, but I like this.

I think we should all have a 'Goodness Store' to visit. Perhaps one where we can store all the little good bits of our "everydays".

And of course, revisit the "Goodness" when we most need a pick up or helping hand.

Here is my goodness for today.

• Miraculously getting Henri to the bus, just in time!
  
• A beautiful clear blue sky, all morning
  
• A full grocery trolley, filled with everything on my list, for just over $200.
  
• Almost the whole supermarket to myself at 8.30am
  
• Ned as my little helper in the trolley. What a star!
  
• Ned eating his yogurt ALL BY HIMSELF!
  
• Ignoring housework, finishing all the drawings for my gocco cards and for Moondew symbols
  
• Bubba's midday nap lasting for two and a half hours!!!
  
• Husband home early
  
• A visit from the puppy across the road, AND time for a pat!
  
• No bills in the postbox!!
  
• Dinner at our neighbours. Good company, a few laughs, AND not having to cook. Unbeatable!!

I'd like to put a few of these on the shelf in my Goodness store. What about you??

Playful prose- Learn a new word a day!

Human brain - please add comment and fav this if you blog with it., originally uploaded by Gaetan Lee.

I am a big learner. I have my fingers in a million different pies.

It can be quite chaotic at times.

I sometimes long for the peace that belongs to somebody with one interest or hobby.

My husband says to me, "Can't you just have one idea that we can work on??"

But learning keeps the brain active, and alive, and full of flexibility!

Yoga for the mind, one might say.

If you like to learn in small doses, rather than big, it might be time to visit the Wordsmith website where you can have a new word AND its definition delivered direct to your email inbox.

And, if you are interested in the most current brain research (I love this work and how it relates to individual creativity and development), visit the Queensland Brain Institute Website -Seminar Series Online to hear the podcasts of the current public lecture series. Number Four (Building the Cerebral Cortex) is on next Wednesday, 5th August, for those who might also like a real-time human-delivered lecture.

I'll see you there!

Nourishing moments- Creative websites to visit

Why not visit Post Secret , where readers send in their untold secrets on a postcard...

or this...I love lists and so does Bill Keaggy. He has compiled all the shopping lists he has found (over 1000!) and you can visit his website here

Got to love the PMS shopper's list he found: Kotex tampons (super plus). Cupcakes. Snickers.

I think we all understand.

One goal in my life is to learn to 'see' what is not always obvious to me, to open my eyes, to increase my perception. As a non-stop talker, this is a real challenge.
I like Abba Richman's work, as it helps me to see things I would not see on my own.
The 'alphabet' work is quirky. I like quirky.
Check it out here


And this... I had tears of laughter the first, second and third time I watched! Stavros Flatley . Go visit, I dare you!

Tuesday musings- Boundaries, Flexibility and Open-mindedness

I love to visit our local Steiner-inspired kindergarten. Each month, we get together to learn and grow.

Today was sharing day. There were stories of doll making, of the vivaciousness and verve of one teacher who so inspired her group with her presence as much as her content (Go, Sandra!!), of open discussions about crayons, colours and drawing opportunities for children, how to make a sandstone mix for carving, and a few insights too.

I shared some of my experiences of the Modelling course I participated in, led by Michael Howard. I demonstrated one of his rice drawing techniques to the girls, and then it was their turn. It was compelling, both to view and to do. Pushing and pulling rice to make simple form shapes was almost meditative for some. Who knew????

Rice drawing is not something I have ever done before. It is quite random. I haven't 'played' with a food for years to be honest, with the exception of providing macadamia, hazlenuts and avocado seeds for the children in class to use in their 'homes' and 'shops'.

It's not that I am against using food, but I like to raise the concept of food to its worthy heights- as something to nurture, salve and feed us; as a builder of community and as the centre of seasonal gatherings and special occasions.

In many places, food is used without consciousness. Food is a throw-away resource; a cheap and cheerful art material.

Pasta necklaces, pasta painting, artifically coloured playdough, vegetable printing- I'd rather make a necklace out of lovely beads, paint with plant-based pigments that come alive on paper, bake a batch of biscuits or make lino stamps. Things that last.

I always try to find real things to do, things I would do with or without the children present. I also want to make things that are beautiful, truthful and good.

But rice drawing has captured my imagination. The task of managing the rice is so symbolic of our journey as parents. There is lots of give and take, boundary pushing on the part of the children and our job as 'backstop' to hold family boundaries firm.

I love that rice drawing is impermanent, and has a fluid quality to it that allows everyone, young and old, to join in without fear of making mistakes. I think a well-planned rice drawing task could help a lot of children scramble over a big hurdle to reclaim their inner creativity. I think it could help adults too.

I love working with adults in this context. I feel so lucky for the privilege of working out of a creative realm.

I am off to Bribie Island next week to give a talk on Steiner Early childhood education as there are some parents there who are keen to learn more. I love this work. I love the sensible ideas. I thrive on helping people (especially parents who are the guardians of the next generation) to open their own thinking and seeing and not just take my word (or anyone's words) for it. I like to be open minded. I love questions. I learn as much as they do, from the different views people bring to the conversation. I love this.

There is never one way, one path, one idea. I like this too.

Things to do- Make up a (morning tea) song

I have been singing (and singing !!) and working with young children for many, many years.

In Waldorf settings, we sing a blessing before meals. I like this idea- I have seen this transform a busy mealtime into a time for everyone to really relax and enjoy the food and company. I also like that it provides a moment for a 'breath', that time whilst we wait for everyone to get ready and settled. We can all catch up with one another again. This is good stuff in our busy world.

I have sung all the 'standard' songs and more, and even though many of them are beautiful, quite frankly, I am tired of them.

Moondew playgroup is starting soon, and I want to breathe life into the times I will share with these families. I can't wait to see just who will come....

Anyway, sitting in the car on my drive in to meet the girls Saturday, I played with a few tunes and this one is quite fetching! I wish I could sing it to you!

(I sang it into my mobile phone dictaphone- another techno first!)

"My little apple tree, Thank you
My big banana tree, Thank you
For the special gift of fruit so sweet,
We fill our bellies, what a treat, Thank you!!"

We almost always have apples and bananas so I felt this was fitting and yet, still representative of all fruit that might come to grace our morning tea plates on a certain day.

Why not make up one for your favourite meal of the day??

Fun things to do with Fingerknitting #1

Here is one idea for the many metres of fingerknitting you will soon have lying about your house! (That is, if you have 4-9 year old children or inspired mama's)

Ned was laughing so much as I tried to put it on him for a picture! But this is the hat in full.

The fingerknitting is stitched onto a large piece of wool felt. The wool felt is precut by an adult into the shape of a gnome's hat. This is then folded in half, and the joining seam has to be blanket stitched closed, before the embellishing with the fingerknitting can begin.

Children (4+)are more than able to stitch the fingerknitting onto the felt template, using a running stitch and just following the fingerknitting around and around.

Why not try this little ditty...

Gnomes take steps, one by one,
in and out, and up and down
Follow the path, now you have begun
be sure to smile and not frown!

Ps Here is my attempt at giving you the template!! You can see it, only just! The impish gnomes have thwarted my efforts again!

Sharing stories- Women time

Tonight was a rare occasion. Four mums, all with young children, out for an evening of chatter, story sharing and good food- oh, and chai!

Jen, Naomi, myself and Renee spend time (with a few others) one morning a week with our little children at Lavendilly Playgroup.


We've been meeting up for about a year, yet rarely have much time to share at all, busy as we are watching children. So finally, after many attempts, a free weekend loomed and spontaneously, we jumped on it!

The Cavern, at Nobby's, is a cool hang out, with live music, and way too many females- Where were all the men?? Any guy on the GC looking for his soulmate should better head down there, honestly. I think we were the only married women in the place!!

(The Cavern is where my sister and her musician husband had their Wedding reception last year)


Birthing stories were a feature of our conversation. That, and stories of womanly transition ceremonies for girls having their 'first bleed'. It is so nourishing to know that many young girls receive more than the old 'here's a pad, love' talk.

I was inspired by one story of a stepmother who, upon learning of her stepdaughter's first bleed, spoke kindly and honestly with her about the many new things that would come with the transition.

Together, they celebrated her move into womanhood, and shared a day of pampering. The young girl was massaged, nails were painted, skin was dosed with perfume, there was a purchase of a new dress and the day culminated in a special dinner for Stepmother and daughter. What a gift of positivity and honouring for this young lady. I like this story!

Renee was in her new 'imported from England' tights and shared with us her new fashion tips!
Most importantly, we all wore lipstick!!
Thank you, girls, for your delightful and inspiring company!

You can do it! Winter Display table

Ok, I admit it. I was a Waldorf/Steiner early childhood teacher for many years. Can you tell???

I think the idea of a 'nature table' might give it away!

Here is mine, newly set up on my reclaimed-from-op-shop sideboard and ready for my new Moondew playgroup to begin....

I love all the gifts and golden drops of wisdom I have been given through this work and I especially LOVE what the nature table can bring into your home and family life.
If you are keen to grow the gifts of creativity and imagination in your children, this is a wonderful place to start.
There are no rules, or regulations to how to set up a 'nature table'. My only guide is to keep it simple. I have to remind myself of this many times, because as adults, we tend to overdo it- choosing the cutest dolls, the fancy cloths, the busy scene.
It helps to think about the colours you might use, depending on the season and what is true to you in your part of the world.
In Winter here, we have amazing blue sky days, crystal clear with lemon yellow light in the morns changing to golden light in the late afternoons. Our night sky is open, cloudless and bright, the colour of navy.
So for me, the mid winter table is a mix of dark blue and mid blues, yellow tones and perhaps brown shades for the earth that surrounds us here in the valley. I'll often add a wattle branch or two, with their powder puff flowers looking like little lanterns on a stick.
A small table, a shelf up high, or some hanging space is all you need. Depending on the age of your children, they might like to add their special treasures they find in the garden. This helps the scene to be an organic unfolding, much like Mother Nature herself. My nature table is pretty dynamic, changing every 7-14 days, depending on what is happening in our surrounds. I like to take my cue from the world around me.
Nature tables are a subtle way to influence your children in positive ways. You can add handmade things, such as dolls, flags, knitted animals, signs, felt trees- whatever takes your fancy. Also, things that have meaning for you such as a bunch of flowers, crystals, marbles, a pretty picture. Children will begin to love the very things you do!!
If you want to break free of the grip of the demand for toys with commercial images (saving dollars and your sanity in one fell swoop!), then this idea is a must-try!
I'd love to see how your one did turn out..

How to Fingerknit

Fingerknitting is king of crafts!

For years, I have watched little children transform into master creators just through the learning of this simple skill.

Fingerknitting has many, many uses!! Why not ask a child for some ideas???

One way to teach fingerknitting is to use a small action story or verse.

Here is one I like to use:

"Over the log, off jumps the frog
Pull the knitting down, run back up to town".

Here is how.

Step One:
Slip knot loop goes onto first finger- left hand for 'righties', right hand for 'lefties'

Step Two:
"Over the log,"

Long length (attached to ball of wall) goes over the finger, next to the slip knot loop.



Step Three:
"Off jumps the frog,"

Pull the slipknot loop OVER the top of the long piece that is now resting upon the finger
Be careful not to let both wool 'loops' slip off the finger entirely. This tends to happen at first!

If it does, back to step one.

Step Four:
**MOST IMPORTANT** "Catch it!!! "

Use your thumb to 'catch' the new loop onto the finger. This secures fingerknitting and prevents wool from running away from you in the next step.

Step Five:
"Pull the knitting down,"

Take the 'knitting' (piece of wool that is NOT attached to the ball.) This is the beginning of your 'fingerknitting' and will begin to look like small knitting stitches after about 6 times of doing these steps through.

Pull it down until it 'locks' into place and can't go any further. Be sure your thumb is still 'catching' the loop on your finger.

Hint: If your thumb has let go, the wool will run and run away from you and no 'locking' will occur. The loop on the finger will then grow tremendously large! Rescue this by pulling on the other wool string until loop on finger returns to normal size.


Step Six:
"Run back up to town... "

Now, let go of the 'thumb catch' and pull on the wool string that is attached to the ball. This will return the loop on your finger to a 'slip knot' and you can begin again.

Back to Step Two: "Over the log... "

Just waiting for your inspiration to begin!

What will you make???

How to finish it off: Cut the wool and tuck the end into the loop.

Pull it tight until it knots. Done!

You can fingerknit a piece of fingerknitting (double fingerknitting!!) to make really super strong cords, ropes, ties etc. These are great for skipping ropes, bag handles and for building cubbies!

How to make a slipknot

Slip knots are handy things. They are so versatile and helpful and wonderful if you are ever stuck out in the bush.


Slip knots are necessary for knitting and fingerknitting too. Who ever thought that a knot could ever be useful?

Making a slip knot as an adult should be easy. Sometimes, it is. Sometimes, it is not.
Want a helping hand??
This is my little story I tell when I teach how to make a slipknot.


Here is a little bird with a beak and top feathers.



A worm is coming along. See him inch his way along.
(Take the end of the wool and run it over the finger and thumb from the front).





Here he comes, looking for something to nibble.
(Bring the wool down and back towards you so that there is now a cross formed in the wool)



Watch out! The bird catches the worm!!
(The two fingers forming the beak, reach through and catch the LONG strand of wool ie: the bit attached to the wool ball)


He takes the worm into his mouth.
(The two fingers hold onto the wool strand tightly and pull it back into the loop).

Yum! Yum!
A finished slip knot, ready to use.

July Winter Warmer #1- Star jumps!

Why not join me in celebrating all the good things winter brings??

Today's winter warmer is to do 10 star jumps!

I love the stars. I love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson too.

"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore. . . but every night come out these envoys of beauty and light the universe with their admonishing smile."

Okay, star jumps under the starry sky. Now, that is poetry in motion.

What is your winter warmer idea?? Leave a comment here!

Mothering and a Creative life

I was recommended a book by Justine of MixtapeZine recently called "The Divided Heart". I haven't had the chance to read it yet but evidently it deals with the challenges of being a mother and an artist, and how one finds time, love and effort for both. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Mothering, if you want to do half a decent job, is something that calls for so much time each day. There are many monotonous moments, (let's be honest), as well as many joyful ones. There is the constant guilt too, when you want to do something of your own, whether it be to make something, write something, cook something or read something, that you will miss one of those grand motherhood moments -a first step, a first word, a hilarious giggle at the cat.

Last week, my sister babysat Ned whilst I attended to my conference duties. By lunchtime-having followed his crawling trails up and down pathways, fed him a few times, changed nappies, given him a drink or two and let him crawl some more- she said to me, "This is so boring. Is this what it is really like??"

For someone used to full time work between the hours of 9am and 5pm, with set tasks to complete and a purpose, motherhood can be a real shock.

I believe the biggest thing mothers can do is to change their expectations and mindset. Somehow, we have to find ways to enliven our days. This is where creativity and imagination come into play. My motto is 'things for a beautiful life'. When I can take the mundane, small moments in life and elevate them through some sort of action (making, doing, singing, playing), then things go ok.

Like the photo of my sculpture effort, all it takes is a bit of pushing and pulling to make something new appear.

Motherhood and a creative life can go hand in hand. It is a juggling act, for sure, and a tug of war at times, but it is totally possible.

Laps, not laptops

Two interesting bits I read today, in the US Working Mother magazine I have borrowed from the library.

One was the concept of a 'stay-cation', where families choose to spend their holiday time at home, exploring their own town and being visitors to all that is local. In these busy times, I love this concept and idea. Children would love it- days at home, spending time with their loved ones, and building friendships with the neighbours. Time for lazy days in pyjamas, bonfires, bbq's, planting a vegie garden, a bit of craft and boardgames. Just 'time' for life.

The second one was about a Grandma, a former educator, who advocates for 'laps, not laptops' in how we teach children to read. I am all for this.

I love technology and the newest gadget. I also love human to human, heart to heart, relationship building. Sadly, sometimes, technology divides rather than unites, humans. As Eleanor said, think of the i-pod. Now, we all walk around in our own little worlds of music, separated and individualised, and apart.

More time in laps, with mum, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunty and uncle, sister and brother, friends- perhaps the sheer joy of reading and sharing these life moments can have a greater impact than any computer program. I like to think so.

Birgit, Doll maker extraordinaire.

This is Birgit, my good friend. Birgit is a wonder around our parts.
Birgit is a doll maker of many years and loves to share her skills with any, and everyone, who wants to learn.
She is a hard task master. When you make a doll with Birgit, you get to know just how well your fingers can work and how strong you really are. There is no getting away with being lazy, that is for sure.

About three years ago, Birgit came to visit us and spent two days here teaching a group of about 12 of us how to make a doll. I made a beautiful boy doll, and put my love and care into him. I named him Reuben.

Never did I think I might have a little boy who would one day cherish Reuben, but it has happened!

And the great thing is that Ned loves Reuben and cuddles him tight.

This past week, another 14 people shared in one of her workshops. I felt so blessed that Birgit was able to offer this. Her skill and precision in making beautiful dolls is noteworthy. These are dolls that capture both adult and child imaginations and demand our attention and love. In our modern world, with so many chinese imports, mass produced products and short shelf lives, a handmade doll like this is a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Especially in this age of plastic.

It is a joyful moment to complete something you have made by your own hand, and can be passed to your child/ren and loved for life.

A doll is a representation of humanity and when we put our blood, sweat and tears into her or him, we imbue the doll with something human and true.
Doll making with Birgit becomes a process of pregnancy and birth, and we go through our very own process of labour to bring about this amazing doll.
I believe there is a part of us that goes into the heart of a doll like this, some quality of who we are and what we stand for.

I encourage you to find yourself a local dollmaker.
We hope to have Birgit down to Silkwood in the near future once again. Perhaps, you could join us in this "doll-growing" (like nurturing a seed in the garden) quest.

'Saints of Hope' Kindergarten

wooh! Cold days and nights. King Winter has arrived to share some frosts!

I'd like to share some details of someone else doing good work.




One of our presenters, Susan Perrow, has been heavily involved with setting up a kindergarten in Nairobi, Kenya.

They have a new blog Saints of Hope Kindergarten that you can visit to see what amazing work is being done.

Thank you to everyone who donated a coin or two on Thursday night at the Australian Sharing. We raised over $497.00, all of which will go directly to the program.

If you would like to help out in other ways, you can collect Susan's contact details from the blog.

Susan also has a new book, "Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviours", which you can see in my 'have you read this' sidebar widget. Click on it for more details...

I have seen great responses from children over the years, as I have worked with some of Susan's stories. In particular, Baby Bear Koala and Little Gold Hat. Why not have a read and try a story or two for yourself?

Craft for a cause

My friend, Melissa, has a daughter with a disability. But, rather than sit on her bum and moan about the fact, she is doing something to help. I am in awe of Melissa. I truly am.

Above and below, you can see some crafts that have been made by helpful volunteers who then donate these to Melissa's charity "Ayla's Rainbow Foundation". Each season, Melissa makes patterns available to anyone who wants to help. These people then make the item of their choice, hopefully out of natural fibres and materials, and donate them to be sold on Melissa's etsy store or at craft markets. All of the proceeds then go to the charity, and will be used to provide Ayla with a full time teacher aide when she begins school at Silkwood.

I bought this orange knitted basket. I LOVE IT!!

If you want to help, by either making something, donating some funds towards materials or perhaps purchasing a finished item (all made with more than enough love!)- go here to visit Ayla's Rainbow Foundation

I'm sure Melissa, Ayla and her family would love to see you visit sometime. Please pass on this link to anyone else who might like to give a bit of their time to help....

This is me, in organiser mode, with my friend Avril. This is us, on business, in the craft co-op.

I think I am looking a bit worn and torn by Thursday, I must admit!
Avril was a presenter for a rainbow dip dyeing workshop. Look at the lovely rainbow silk cloths she dyed with her group.

Later in the week, I came along to help everyone share some ideas on how we could use these cloths with children.

One lady, Jenni, dyed her silk horizontally. What creativity! Her cloth is planning to become the background of mountains, forests, sea, hills etc that sit behind her stories she tells, as a backdrop.

Other ideas included:

1. Singing 'Lavendar Blue dilly dally' complete with silk puppet story

2. Using the cloth in a birthday celebration as a cloak and turban for the birthday child

3. Creating rainbow butterfly wings for play

4. Rolling up small strips of coloured silk into 'roses' and displaying them in a basket for children to use in play

5. Making a rainbow ring around a birthday child, with all the friends holding on to the silk cloth and encircling the child, whilst singing a birthday song and walking slowly around the child/adult to honour their special gifts

Archetypes vs stereotypes

I am not really a cat person. I prefer dogs. But, this cat is too cute for words and I wanted her desperately, so she is now home with me!

The friends of Little Yarra school had a wondrous collection of all kinds of animals- geese, sheep, giraffes, camels, elephants, cats and more. Busy, busy people. By day two, the animals were all headed to new homes. I trust they will be happy where they go.

Little girls (and boys) on swings are one of life's true delights to watch. Here is a lovely artistic piece. If you enlighten me with the artist's name, that would be wonderful.

What a lovely looking regal family. I covet them all to come and live with me!

Looking at these dolls above, I am reminded of my promise to share some musings on archetypes and stereotypes.

This late in the evening, let's just say that stereotypes are skin deep whilst archetypes reside deeply within us all.

One example is the young child's desire and need to take a simple cloth and make it become either a 'superhero' or 'princess'. A stereotypical view is one which quickly judges the choices made by children. It may "assume" (that old assumption viewpoint!) that the children have chosen these roles based on gender only, and/or perhaps, it may have something to due with the mass commercial overload that children receive in the marketplace
(Think Barbie, Superman, Spiderman, Sleeping Beauty etc on lunchboxes, school bags, cutlery, plate sets, toys, in Happy meals, ice skating musicals- will it ever end????).

An archetype, however, gives us the freedom to look more deeply. We begin to see the 'character traits' that belong to different types of 'role models' and realise that all these conflicting and harmonious parts reside in us all- albeit in differing strengths and levels.
We all have a princess/prince within us, who longs to be taken care of. We value the courage and strength of a valliant knight/superhero and long for superpowers (or a lottery win!) to help us through trials and tribulations.
Let's face it, we all have a witch (or dragon) that roars her ugly head every now and then. I acknowledge my inner witch and try to keep her fairly pacified with lots of sleep, healthy food, a bit of exercise (I promise to do better now that VY is over!) and a creative inner life. But, when life gets tough, she 'protects my back' and comes out with a vengeance.
I suppose that somehow we have to strive to balance all the archetypes that make up who we are, and find out where we lean more strongly. Do we nurse and care for others, or inspire great things through our teaching? Are we frail or weak, needing to lean on others or do we have the skills of a jester in making light of every situation?

Archetypes help us NOT to label or pidgeon hole others into small boxes, but to remember we are all wholes, made up of many parts.

Tell me what you think.... Leave a comment if you can. I'd love to read them.

John, the wood carver

This is my favourite image in the craft shop. I cannot resist the absolute cuteness of this little man standing outside his house. If I bought this, I could not claim it was for my children as the truth is it would have been for me! But, after spending $427 (yes, you read right!!) in the shop, I resisted and will now have to make my own.
One thing I couldn't resist were these hand carved animals by John Elliot. Waddling wombats, delightful ducks, rambling rabbits, teeny tables and chairs and donkeys as well. I chose a wombat, a mother and baby duck, and a wee rabbit for my collection. It continues to grow.
I am so appreciative of all things wooden and carved, especially when I have yet to finish my spinning top after 3 sessions and have to look forward to more knocked knuckles in my quest for completion!! (Contact me at my email if you want John's details)

These animals below are different again. Both in the timber they are made from (pine) and the intention behind them. I was told that these animals have been created as a gift for the Vietnamese orphanage kindergarten initiated by Thahn and Ben Cherry, and once sold, the profits will go directly there. I'm not sure who exactly made them but I love the generosity, love and care of this gift.

I love this twee little birdy pincushion and all the hand embroidery. I sometimes wonder where people get the time, yet know that if a desire is strong enough, time seems to stretch....

Finally, today, these little people caught my eye. Their detail is perfect and their dress so archetypical. There are ponderings to be shared on the difference between archetype and stereotype. Perhaps tomorrow....

Nikki, Mia and Avril- shopkeepers

Firstly, I must say a magnificent THANK YOU to Nikki, Mia and Avril and all their helpers for the marvellous job of organising, displaying and coordinating the VY craft co-op. I had no idea, and neither could they, of the massive undertaking this was to be and yet, they powered through it with a smile on their face and love in their hearts. These photos are just the tip of the iceberg and in no way, can convey the artistic talent of both the craftspeople and Nikki, Mia and Avril who were in charge of the display. I can tell you, there was not much left by 11am on day one. The shop only opened at 10.30 and it was shoulder to shoulder in there!!
One of the most beloved makers was Heidi Thickins. Her collection of 77 dolls, both itty-bitty and itty-itty-bitty ones, were a big hit.
These little bunny babies were quickly snapped up. If you would like one of Heidi's dolls, email me at amber.greene (at) hotmail (dot) com for her details and I am happy to pass them on!!

Tanya, who makes these dolls below, is one of my personal friends and I am never quite sure how she does it, with 2 children and baby in tow. Her mum, Merrilyn, also knits exquisite sets of 7 gnomes that just delight.
My favourite is the Knight. He is filled with character and is such an archetype of the human soul. To contact Tania, email me and I'll pass on her details....

These dolls also found new homes pretty quickly.
And check out these gorgeous lovies.
Sally Martin was one of our workshop presenters, sharing with her groups, practical activities that aimed at increasing artistic perception and observation. I have never seen such beautiful cards and paintings that hint at the spirit connection we all have.
More photos tomorrow...
(I took 297 of the week. It is hard to choose! More can be found at Vital Years Blog from tomorrow...)