Book Review: Nature Craft

I have two creative daughters. When we're outside, they're always picking up feathers, pine cones, helicopter seeds, sticks, acorns, and special rocks. I try to keep most of their treasures outside in a special place for them, although some rocks get washed and end up in their inside collection. However, beyond that, I'm at a loss for what to do with them. Enter Nature Craft, a new title by Fiona Hayes.

Hayes takes found items from nature and alters them to create whimsical new creations -- nests, flowers, owls, bunnies, coral reefs, and more. There are a couple masks, but most of the projects are meant for display. The cover doesn't accurately convey the contents, as I feel the most winsome projects didn't make the cut on the front.

The snail project, using clay, sticks, and seashells, is darling, and the tortoise was another favorite of mine. The birds and koala just make me want to squeal from their cuteness! The trees and snowflake would make charming Christmas ornaments. And the uses for helicopter seeds are brilliant, as we have no shortage of those in our yard and neighborhood.

These projects seem accessible to my girls, currently 4 and 8, although depending on glue needs, I might need to intervene if a glue gun is necessary (I burn my fingers enough with that as it is so I won't expect my daughters to manipulate that on their own). I have a digital copy of this book, but I want to add a physical copy to our home library -- it's the sort of book that invites page flipping and I want to facilitate ways for my girls to sprawl with a copy and be inspired. Some of the projects have natural items that we won't happen upon (sheep fleece, for instance, although as a knitter that aspires to be a spinner, I do have roving on hand), but substitutions could easily be made.

I know I will be referencing this book throughout the year to make use of my daughters' found treasures. And these creations are so charming that you better believe I'll be crafting right alongside them!

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)