New eCourse -- Waldorf and Anthroposophy!

 

An exciting new ecourse begins on August 15th through Little Acorn Learning! 'The Five Spheres of Waldorf Education' will be led by Dr. Rick Tan.

This ecourse encapsulates the sweeping themes of this educational movement: Self, Relationships, Balance, Rhythm, and Course. Dr. Rick Tan will discuss one sphere per week and the relevant topics in anthroposophy and Waldorf that are connected with the sphere. Join us! Click here to register.

Crochet eCourse Trailer

Here's a quick clip from the middle of our first lesson on crocheting!  You are welcome to register for the eCourse any time over the next 5 weeks.  Work at your own pace and enjoy learning the basics of crocheting and Tunisian crocheting! 

Growing and Growing....

Syrendell is growing!  Our family and our business are blossoming this year, and we feel very fortunate. 

Baby #4 is due early October.  With each baby, Jennifer's belly seems to pop out earlier! 

Joey is ending her Grade 6 year with Medieval Games (variety of Waldorf schools participate) and camping at Cache Creek.  She's almost as tall as Mommy!

Wilson is finishing up Grade 1, reading, writing and loving math.  He grew out of his indoor shoes, so he and Mommy made a new pair by wetfelting wool.  He's excited about the baby!

The baby kittens are almost full grown.  They still love to hang out with their mom. 

Ricky has grown this year in grade 8 at Davis Waldorf School.  He did a 20-minute presentation on the clarinet, including performing his own composition.  To end the year, his class went to Kroka wilderness camp in New Hampshire and visited colonial sites in Boston, MA.

Our summer garden is planted, and growing!  Corn, peas, beans, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, various squash, tomatoes, onions, beets, radishes, daikon, rutabaga, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatillos, strawberries, cucumbers, and a variety of herbs. 

Our consulting services, workshops, and private lessons are expanding at Syrendell!  We thoroughly enjoy our adventures with homeschoolers, Waldorf schoolers, and others who want to learn more about fiber arts, art, aromatherapy and music.  eCourses in crocheting and Anthroposophy coming soon through Little Acorn Learning!

New patterns, eBooks, handwork supplies and handspun yarns are in the making for the Etsy shop.  The baby is inspiring Jennifer to create some Tunisian baby clothes and patterns, as well as publish the 6-years-in-the-making mothering meditations eBook.  The family is also busy crochetng, knitting and sewing baby toys and clothes!  Grandma knitted the white hats, and Wilson knitted the bear and cat.

Growth and change are all a part of life...and we are enjoying it!  Thank you for reading our blog and joining us on Facebook.

Handwork Felting eCourse! - Starts May 9, 2011

Handwork ECourse from Little Acorn Learning
Felting - 5 Weeks - Only $80!  Starts May 9, 2011
Instructor: Jennifer Tan, MA from Syrendell

Felting is one of the most primitive textile arts. Its origin is unknown, but swatches of felt were discovered in Europe and Asia dating as far back as the Bronze Age. Nomadic tribes had relied on felt's durabilty and versatility to make practical items such as blankets and tents. Created by the massaging of wool fibers in a liquid medium, felt can be shaped into many useful and decorative items. Legend has it that a Christian monk, who was trying to evade Roman soldiers, had found wool hanging from branches and put it into his sandals. After some time, his sweat and water from stream beds as he ran, created felted socks! In the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, felted bowler hats were very popular. A process that used mercuric nitrate to make the hats was employed, but the poisonous fumes that the workers were constantly exposed to caused neurological symptoms, which may have led to the expression "mad as a hatter."


Jennifer Tan, master fiber artist, in her five week felting course, guarantees you will neither have to become a fugitive of the Roman Empire nor a lunatic ala Mad Hatter to enjoy the art of felting! She will introduce the techniques of wet felting and needle felting where you will create beautiful projects with a wide array of applications. In her course, Jennifer will accompany her teaching with Waldorf-inspired verses and songs.


You will develop a love of this truly magnificent craft long after Jennifer's course is done. She does not guarantee that your family will not go insane from the many felted items you will undoubtedly begin to create!


Week 1: What is felting? (wet, needle, felting sweaters, felting crochet/knit/woven items) Types of fibers and supplies. Carding fibers.
Week 2: Wetfelting - scarf
Week 3: Wetfelting - sculptural (balls, eggs)
Week 4: Needlefelting - landscapes
Week 5: Needlefelting - sculptural (fairies, animals)



This ECourse is 'Work-As-You-Go' Each Week with New Tutorials and Inspiration Posted Weekly for a Duration of Five Weeks. You Check in When You Have Time. No Pressure, No Requirements - Just Suggestions.  To register and see the list of recommended reading, click here.

Anthroposophy 101 ECourse

A song celebrating the seasons, a story about gnomes, children jumping in puddles, crafts of felted wool - a picture of Waldorf. When people are intrigued about this educational stream, they ask, "Where did this come from?" When you say Steiner and anthroposophy, most will be puzzled. Steiner? Anthropo-what? For those who are eager to learn more about this cutting edge Renaissance man, and the spiritual foundation that sparked Waldorf education, Anthroposophy 101 is for you.

Anthroposophy 101 is a deliciously intriguing sampler of Waldorf and anthroposophy presented by Dr. Rick Tan through Little Acorn Learning. An informal and interactive format allows you to reflect on the basics of anthroposophy, while expressing your artistic nature. Dr. Tan, a Waldorf teacher, artist, musician - a Renaissance man himself, offers his personal thoughts and insights. He aims for you to find your own creative and spiritual paths.

This six week ecourse will cover the following topics:

* Human Wisdom (1 week)

* Steiner's Renaissance (1 week)

* Cosmos and Earth (1 week)

* Waldorf Stream (1 week)

* Five Spheres (1 week)

* Human Freedom (1 week)

Join Little Acorn Learning's Very First ECourse Offering, and at your convenience, follow the directed exercises, learn a little something about anthroposophy, and learn a little something about yourself!

ECourse Begins February 27th and is 'Work-As-You-Go' Each Week with New Lesson Plans and Inspiration Posted Weekly for a Duration of Six Weeks. You Check in When You Have Time.

Only $100 for the ENTIRE Six Week Session!

To Reserve a Space: www.littleacornlearning.com