A former Barrow school teacher has started up new nature making sessions for children and adults in South Cumbria.
Elenor Chetwynd-Knagg, 41, held her first babies and toddlers' taster sessions at Swarthmoor Hall in mid-September as part of Nature Makers Cumbria South.
The tasters were so successful that the mum-of-one, who is trained in willow weaving, went on hold Mindful Makers sessions for adults - which included a pressed flower lantern session.
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Nature Makers is a national initiative to help children, families and adults connect with nature and themselves.
Created by Tamworth-based Faye Smith in Spring 2019, the award-winning franchise has now become the UK’s leading provider of mindful nature art, craft, and play experiences.
Its values and mission statement are something that resonated with Elenor, as well as being an opportunity to combine her love of both teaching and nature.
She moved back to Stainton in 2022 and now has a three-year-old son.
Elenor said: "As someone who grew up in the country in Cumbria, I have always been around The Lake District and love the amazing scenery and landscapes in the county.
"My dad was a big influence on me too and was always taking me on adventures in the woods.
"I was always very creative and loved making things with my hands.
"I absolutely loved being a teacher and when I returned to England I expected to go back into teaching, but then I found Nature Makers which allows me to work around my son.
"Having worked as a teacher in an amazing school that encouraged a connection with nature and creativity, I ventured on many outdoor trips.
"I saw just how much children enjoy being around nature and how important time in an outdoor environment is.
"Nature Makers combines my love of the outdoors and everything creative; whether it’s den building making bows and arrows or taking photographs of natural objects and stunning scenery."
Elenor says nature sessions are eco-friendly and vegan-inspired with participants creating things from all natural materials.
Groups also go out on hunts to explore the nature and wildlife around them.
The children who attended Swarthmoor Hall loved making natural butterflies, wriggly worms, slugs and nature windows with items found.
No autumn schedule would be complete without an Halloween event however, so Elenor has created the Halloween Art and Craft Party taking place at Swarthmoor Hall on October 31.
The morning session running from 10.30am to 12pm will involve pumpkin painting, mini-broom making, spider web craft, printing and stamping.
She added: "I am really excited to be running these classes in South Cumbria as when I researched, I was really surprised to find that there was no one running Nature Maker Sessions in this beautiful part of the world.
"I’m really excited to meet everyone so people so if anyone wants to book to join the fun then please do come along, or take a look and see if some of the taster session times to see what suits."
To find out more, visit the Nature Makers Cumbria South website or Facebook page.
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