Nature's Art Box From t-shirts to twig baskets, 65 cool projects for crafty kids to make with natural materials you can find anywhere

by Martin, Laura C.; Cain, David

• ISBN13: 9781580174909
• ISBN10: 1580174906
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-03
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Summary

Whether it's a city park, a suburban backyard, a farmer's field, or the sandy seashore, there's a treasure trove of natural art materials out there. Twigs, vines, pinecones, flowers, leaves, rocks, shells, moss, feathers - they're all gifts of the earth. Add just a few inexpensive store-bought items, such as glue, string, and wire, and anyone can create beautiful, natural works of art. In NATURE'S ART BOX, writer, gardener, and nature-crafter Laura C. Martin offers 65 cool projects kids will love to make, using materials they can find just about anywhere. She explains how to make paints and inks from flowers and other plants; how to use shells, moss, seedpods, and cones to embellish large objects; how to build elf-sized furniture; how to decorate picture frames, birdhouses, and keepsake boxes with woodland treasures; and how to dig clay, weave vines, and make natural dyes to color T-shirts. While Martin teaches kids to see the possibilities of the natural world, she also teaches them to respect what the earth offers. She warns them against stripping bark off live trees, plucking every flower in the field, and clearing the ground of every nut and seed. NATURE'S ART BOX helps kids learn to be good artists and conscientious stewards of nature's resources.

Author Biography

Laura C. Martin has been writing about nature, crafts, and gardening for 25 years. She has served as garden editor for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and Georgia magazines. She is the author of 18 books, most recently The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers, which was featured on the Discovery Channel. Her lectures and workshops on crafts and gardening delight audiences across the United States.

Table of Contents

Art from Nature	1	(12)
Vines, Twigs, Cones, and Moss	13	(42)
Vine Wreath
Vine-and-Twig Ball
Raffia Basket
God's Eye Picture Frame Chess Set
Mini Woodland Furniture Stick Animals
Twig Basket
Totem Pole
Woodland Basket Woodland Creatures
Bark and Moss House Spanish Moss House Pinecone-Roof Cottage
Moss and Cornhusk House
Gourds, Pods, Husks, and Seeds	55	(20)
Gourd Doll
Gourd Buffalo Rattle
Okra Pod Canoe and People Cornhusk Hat
Angel Ornament Bean Mosaic
Seed Packets Cantaloupe Seed Necklace
Clay, Stones, Sand, and Shells	75	(26)
Clay Pot
African Necklace
Polymer Clay Fetishes Animal Stones
Painted Stones Sand Painting Zen Garden
Shell Buttons
Shell Neck Piece
Shell Candles
Paints, Inks, and Dyes	101	(44)
Greeting Card
Nature Journal
Fantastic Creatures
T-shirt Purple Handbag Amulet Bag
Sachets
African Design Body Paint
Painted Quiver
Flowers and Leaves	145	(26)
Dried-Flower Bouquet
Dried-Flower Garden Dried-Flower Fairy
Magic Wand
Flower Headband Name Mug Fern Print
Window or Tree Ornaments Funny Faces
Stamps, Stencils, Molds, and Seals	171	(28)
Potato Stamp Gift Wrap
Heart Canvas Bag
Nature Print Gift Bags
Nature Print Cards and Stationery Leaf Rubbing Gift Wrap
Fern Stencil Box Flower-and-Leaf Barrette, Pin, or Magnet
Clay Fossil Clay Wall Hanging
Sand-Cast Paperweight
Sand-Cast Sea Treasure
Appendix	199	(15)
Nature Skills
Suggested Reading
Gift Suggestions
Index	214