Handicrafts

We are trying to do a Charlotte Mason style education following the advise of AmblesideOnline.org. One of the recommended subjects (along with about 15 other subjects) is handicrafts. Some suggestions are:Leather-embossing, Repousse and Woodcarving, Book-binding, Cardboard-Sloyd and  Basket-making. 
We have not been this ambitious so far but after helping 7 year old E make a cardboard canoe coated with wax and painted to look like birchbark and then an indian doll to steer it I am exhausted. These projects  which required her learning two new embroidery stitches and the ins and outs of dealing with applying hot wax were well beyond the scope of the pom pom and googly eye projects we have enjoyed in years past. The results are below.

Another skill learned was perseverance under trials i.e.: poking one's thumb with a needle, frustration with the needle coming un-threaded multiple times and the thread getting tangled. There were several cries of vexation but always she kept in mind her goal to finish the project before her noon  P.E. class. She saw it through to the end. Finishing projects is not one of my strong suits so I am pleased that she made the effort to finish.

I also want to say that I have a huge stash of regular arts and crafts supplies and have them available in bins in the girls room. I call it their maker lab and E frequently gets items out to make something for her dolls to use. She just now fashioned a bow and arrows out of a rubber band, some twist ties and some tiny dowels. So I think it is valuable to keep a variety of supplies on hand.

Here is another list from AO 
macrame*
knitting
crochet
rug hooking*
embroidery
plastic canvas needlework*
cross stitch
felt projects*
clay sculpting*
beadwork
carving-soap or wood*
quilting/patchwork*
weaving-paper, yarn etc.*
braiding/knotting floss e.g. friendship bracelets
lanyards*
wax modeling*
woodworking*
basket weaving*
paper cutting*
doll making
spool knitting
applique
smocking
tatting
needlepoint
wire sculpting*