The Elder Tree is a beautiful native tree of the UK. It's beauty fills the shrub layer of the forest and it is forever giving to the forager and crafter.
It's wood is very unique as it has a soft pith which is easy to remove leaving a hollow branch, it's perfect for making a range of craft items. In this film we show you how to make a necklace from basic elder beads. This activity is great for your wellbeing because::
1) Get Active - Get out on a walk with your family to find a local Elder Tree
2) Keep Learning - use this session to learn a crafting technique to create an object of skill and beauty with your family. Once you understand the techniques why not challenge your development and discover more techniques online to further your skills.
3) Be Mindful- Learning a craft as a process is known to settle our minds, because it requires a type of focus that can help shut other things out while we are doing it, giving the mind a 'break'. Over time if we develop this craft, the settled mind can fall into the state of flow.
4) Practice Kindness- Depending on your family, know that you may need to prepare materials beforehand and give patient help if you have younger children, aim to respond with kindness to their needs.
5) Think Community - Is this object being made for you or for a stranger to find. Make someone happy and leave your creation to be found, or leave on family members doorsteps, or those of neighbours, share the love. Post your beautiful outcomes and share any tips in the comments below.
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