Crafting as a Practice of Relating to the Natural World

Abstract

This paper begins with the author's personal experiences and interest in relating to the land through crafting activities. It then briefly outlines some historical context about the ways craft curricula has been associated with environmental education. The significance of using crafting activities as a way of attending to embodied knowing and creating a practical context for learning/making is discussed. Crafting activities are recognized as a way of engaging and interacting with the environment in a manner which may encourage a sense of reciprocity with the earth and ultimately a deeper relationship with the land. Based upon a collection of crafting narrations, the author outlines eight guideposts and how each guideposts can be used to explore various perceptions of the environment.