The principal element of this part of our web guide is on artwork or crafts found in, or harvested from, natural sources.
From a child's first pinecone animal to gallery-worthy driftwood sculpture, these crafts foster a deep connection between the maker and the environment. As interest in sustainability grows, so does the appeal of creating art from leaves, stones, shells, and fallen wood.
Working with natural objects brings textures, colors, and forms that cannot be satisfactorily replicated through synthetic mediums. The vein patterns of a leaf or the unique characteristics of sea glass carry a story of botanical or geological history.
Nature crafts are ideal for introducing young minds to art and ecology. Projects often require minimal tools and supervision, inviting open-ended exploration. Examples include leaf rubbings with crayons and paper, painted rocks for garden markers, pinecone bird feeders using peanut butter and seeds, stick-and-clay fairy houses, and flower petal collages on cardboard. These activities build fine motor skills, spark curiosity about plant and animal life, and instill respect for the outdoors through hands-on experience.
For the dedicated weekend crafter, natural materials are fascinating resources for refining techniques and developing a cohesive body of work. Ideas might include pressed flower framing and botanical bookmarks, driftwood mobiles and candleholders, branch weaving for rustic wall hangings, shell mosaics on picture frames or trays, and eco-printing fabrics with leaves and flowers. Hobbyists often invest in simple tools, such as hand pruners, craft knives, and natural adhesives, and may research methods of preservation to extend the lifespan of their creations.
At the professional level, nature crafts have produced fine art and design objects worthy of gallery and consumer attention. Makers combine traditional craftsmanship with innovative processes, often emphasizing sustainability and provenance. While these may include any number of products, examples might include hand-turned wooden bowls made from reclaimed timber, genstone and pearl jewelry set in recycled metals, natural dye textiles produced in small-batch artisan studios, custom botanical resin furniture and lighting, and large-scale installations using foraged branches and vines.
Artists such as Olga Reinhard (botanical resin art) and Dan Havel (outdoor installations) are well-known practitioners who use natural media to redefine contemporary art.
Responsible nature crafting demands mindful harvesting and sourcing. Ethical standards may include only collecting fallen or dead materials rather than live plants or protected shells, using reclaimed wood or driftwood to reduce deforestation, partnering with certified fair-trade suppliers for gemstones and dyes, and educating participants about local regulations and plant protection laws.
Nature crafts naturally align with seasonal changes, a fact that deepens the artist's appreciation for nature's cycles and the freshness of the raw material.
From simple forest-floor discoveries to museum-quality installations, nature crafts offer an expansive spectrum for creativity, whether inspiring a child's first masterpiece or anchoring a professional studio practice, working with natural materials cultivates artistry, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong dialogue with the living world.
Recommended Resources
With more than 25 state chapters, the AGS is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering interest in gourds, from cultivation and seed saving to artistic manipulation, historical uses, competition, and decoration. AGS serves as the central hub for gourd enthusiasts nationwide, offering resources, events, awards, and a quarterly magazine, "The Gourd Magazine." The organization maintains seed-saving programs, sponsors national awards, and trains judges for ground competitions.
https://www.americangourdsociety.org/
Instructions, examples, and resources for eggshell sculpture and carving are featured. Included are safety tips (such as egg dusting being potentially hazardous to health), lists of suppliers of tools and ostrich, emu, duck, and other eggs used by "eggers," as well as a link to a list of egg art groups. Although the website is hosted on a free web host and has not been updated since 2001, it includes an extensive library of information on the craft likely to be useful to aspiring eggers.
https://lujs.tripod.com/EggLessons-INDEX.HTML
Translating to "shining mud ball," Hikaru Dorodango is a Japanese art form that transforms earth and water into a mirror-smooth sphere purely by hand, with no lacquer or glaze involved. The craft began as a rustic pastime among Japanese schoolchildren, who shaped mud into rough balls. In the 1990s, Professor Fumio Kayo of Kyoto University of Education codified techniques for creating perfectly round, glossy specimens as part of research into play psychology, and later helped globalize the craft.
http://www.dorodango.com/
Native Tech is an educational website dedicated to documenting and teaching the technologies, crafts, and artistic traditions of Native American peoples of the Eastern Woodlands. It was created and is maintained by Tara Prindle, an archaeologist with the Nipmuc Undian Association of Connecticut. The site combines historical essays with illustrated how-to guides on traditional techniques, making it both a reference and a practical workshop resource. Special features are included.
http://www.nativetech.org/
The online hub is dedicated to inspiring children and the grown-ups who guide them to explore the outdoors, collect natural materials, and transform leaves, flowers, seedpods, and other materials from nature into imaginative works of art. Key sections include seasonal craft ideas that use natural elements as primary materials, full-length guides and activity books, step-by-step nature craft projects, and curated links to additional online content, along with the benefits of using nature in art.
https://naturecraftsforkids.com/
Centering on eco-friendly crafting, gardening, and natural living, the site features tutorials on needle felting, do-it-yourself home decor, raised bed gardening, wildcrafting, and natural health remedies. The website is operated by Lori, who began crafting under her grandmother's mentorship, building expertise through floral design education, managing a floral shop, and running a craft boutique with her mother. Its content features sustainable crafting and upcycling.
https://www.naturecrafty.com/
