Handicrafts

The points to be borne in mind in children's handicrafts are:(a) that they should not be employed in making futilities such a pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like; (b) that they should be taught slowly and carefully what they are to do; (c) that slipshod work should not be allowed; (d) and that, therefore, the children's work should be kept well within their compass. (Home Education by Charlotte Mason, pages 315, 316)

Again we know that the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We begin to understand this and make some efforts to train the young in the deft handling of tools and the practice of handicrafts. Some day perhaps, we shall see apprenticeship to trades revived and good and beautiful work enforced. In so far, we are laying ourselves out to secure that each shall "live his life"; and that, not at his neighbor's expense; because, so wonderful is the economy of the world that when a man really lives his life he benefits his neighbor as well as himself; we all thrive in the well being of each. (Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason, p. 328)

Part of our curriculum includes learning various handicrafts. When choosing our activities I keep a few guidelines in mind based on the Charlotte Mason method we follow.

Will the item be useful? We love to make that which can be used. Aside from the obvious blankets, dish cloths and what not, I’ve recently come across the idea of the children making their own toys (which is clearly not a new idea, just new to me). And since our water damage at the hot water tank forced us to purge about 95% of the plastic, made-in-china toys we’ve accumulated over the years, we have room in our lives to give this a try.

Are my children capable of producing quality work? As “slipshod work should not be allowed” I’m careful to choose a project that lies within the scope of each child’s skill.

How long will it take to complete the project? “There is great value in a child learning that a handicraft can be worked on for a period of time with an end result of producing something of beauty that is really worthwhile and useful. Other points made were that handicrafts teach hand-eye coordination, keep young hands busy with industry, help children to see progression in skill and perhaps most important the spiritual implications of creating-as created beings we are called to be creative. Handicrafts give an outlet to this calling. (AO)” Working an item over time encourages patience, delayed gratification and persistence.

Does the project benefit others in any way? We often create with the intention of giving.

How much will it cost? These last two qualifiers are not based on the CM method, it's just a fact of life. After all, we don't have Norm's workshop or Martha's budget here. I'm careful to choose projects that use modest materials, scraps or leftovers from other projects, or found items. So this is my shameless plug for donations. We are looking for scraps of all kinds from leftover or finished projects or abandoned projects that are looking for a new home. Ribbon, yarn, fabric, embroidery floss, wrapping paper, wood, mason jars, plastic canvas, needlepoint canvas, wall paper, buttons, scrap booking paper, etc.

Does the project show some consideration for style? Yes, subjective to personal opinion. But I promised myself we would not be making tissue box covers or those toilet paper roll cover dolls from plastic canvas. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

Handicrafts I'm considering for 2008/2009:
Clothes pin dolls
Paper Cutting
“Paper” dolls using plastic canvas (this is the exception to my plastic canvas rule)
Handmade paper
Hand book binding (bind our own nature journal)
Needlepoint/Embroidery
Crochet dish towels
Candle making
Homemade soap
Canning (will we have enough cucumbers to can pickles this year?)
Sewing and Quilting (blanket for Project Linus)
Yo Yo's
Wood working (rubber band guns, horse stable and barn)

Some links I love with loads of ideas:
Museum of Childhood
Angry Chicken
Higher Up and Further In
Ambleside Online