Accessories

Creative Play Areas is a How-To book full of simple and inexpensive projects that parents and children can do together to develop creativity, imagination, and innovation.  This book was originally published in 1990 and sold thousands of copies before going out of print.  We now offer this book as a downloadable eBook for the first time.

*Just add it to the cart and check out as normal! There will be the download link at the very end!*

All the projects in this book were constructed by Nena and Nonia, a mother daughter team, for the enjoyment and creative development of Nonia’s children and the many other children who enjoyed the “funnest yard in town”.  Both Nena and Nonia were public school teachers who recognized a growing trend in the American system towards digital addiction, rote memorization, competition, and children who spend too much time in artificial environments where they don’t physically apply what they are learning to hands-on real life projects.  As the school system became more focused on worksheets and test scores, with less funding and emphasis on creative problem solving and innovative thought, Nonia and Nena responded with a book full of ideas to help children grow and develop naturally in an imaginative and creative learning environment.   

The book starts out with an introduction about WHY we need to give our children creative play areas, followed by a section about HOW to get started.

The book is 97 pages and features hundreds of illustrations demonstrating children enjoying fun creative projects.  The directions for each project are included.

Projects include:

Collectible items for building your creative play area

Creating different levels

Stilts and jumping things

Hit and throw toys

Sand fun

Concrete fun

Swings and ropes

Fold-up kid’s tent

Boxes, blocks, and boards

Moveable fence

Ladders and climbing things

Slides

Fun Path and obstacle courses

Tetter totter

Tires

Bow and arrow

Pillows and mattresses

Road city map

Card table playhouse

Saw Horse Animals

Woodworking

Puppet stages

Costumes and dress-ups

PVC pipe creations

Easels

Create your own instruments

Old time toys

Art in the yard or house

Most projects are geared for ages 2-12.  They were all built by moms and children with just a few simple tools. 

The book begins with an introduction:

Our modern society is in an accelerated era of technology and learning.  Our children and grandchildren will enter an adult world we can barely comprehend.  They will be expected to make many choices, and they must learn to be critical thinkers and problem solvers as they organize information into workable solutions.  We cannot prepare our children for every obstacle they may encounter in life, but we can give them experience by giving them problems to solve.

People have a basic need to learn, explore and create.  Our children need to have an environment where they can… explore, organize, create, analyze, tear apart, and build again.  These are survival skills needed to function effectively in our complex society. 

In our modern society, we have created a void in our children’s education.  In many places, we have eliminated the creative play world that our children need.  We create a gorgeously sterile environment for our children and then expect them to be creative in it, a difficult task.  If they are to become creative, critical thinkers, they must have the proper materials, the space, the time and the motivation….  

Culture is much more than microbes and fermented foods.  Culture encompasses applied knowledge and skills, passed down from one generation to the next in order to ensure the continual viability of the species.

The Clearwater Cultures family is so grateful for the love and inspiration we get from Grandma Nena, who is in her 80's and still hikes into nature with her cane to gather ideas for her next painting.

We wanted to honor her timeless watercolors by selling her prints in stationary form.

These cards are small prints of full size original paintings! They are approximately 5"x3.75". These four scenes are what come in a pack. The card stock colors will vary though.

 Great gifts for your nature-loving friends and family.  The inside of each card is blank so you can write your own greeting.   

She is the artist of our thank you notes we send out with every order as well.

You can follow Nena's Art Page on Facebook to watch for her newest paintings. It is also a way to contact her about buying her originals. Her facebook page is called "Nena Flo Law Artistry."

This is jewelry made by a fellow local artisans Anela and Glenn.

Antlers by Anela’s  jewelry is inspired by love for the outdoors! Owned and operated by Glenn & Anela (husband & wife). They get their inspiration from being outside and going on adventures. They want others to feel that same sense of adventure when they wear AxA Jewelry that they handcraft right here in the mountains of Northern Idaho.

 They started their business in January 2018 and strive to create unique and quality antler jewelry. Most of the antlers they use for the jewelry are found by Glenn, Anela and their dog Jasper right here in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest . They hike many miles to find the antlers that are shed naturally, that is why they are known as sheds. Then they are cut, sanded and drilled into usable antlers chunks. After that each antler pendant is made into a piece of unique antler jewelry paired with gemstones. Then they take the "leftovers" and make dog treats outta what is left from their jewelry making.

They really put their hearts into making the jewelry and want to thank you for being a part of their adventure!

So we are excited to be teaming up with them and adding their one of a kind jewelry that was made out of pure Idaho adventures.

You will be getting a one of a kinda unique piece of jewelry as none are the same!

Here are a few of the choices we have to offer currently:

Bracelets -  Antler bar - Jade with Lava Rock or Rose Quarts with Lava Rock ($15.00 each)

Necklaces -

• Chokers - Antler Bar - Jade with Lava Rock or Rose Quarts with Lava Rock ($28.00 each)
• Silver Chain with Antler Bar piece ($30.00 each)
• Gold Chain with Agate gemstone (Pink or Gray) pendant and Antler Tip piece (28.00 each)

(you can spray lava rocks with our Microbiome Mists and smell them for hours while receiving those beneficial microbes)

(Limited Supply of each)