Artigianati.com

Avalon Theisen, 9, trims leaves from a grapevine to make a wreath in Camp Bayou's new Crafting Naturally series. Assisting, at right is Camp Bayou volunteer Jeri Hundertmark. The classes, which began Jun 4, are designed to allow visitors to enjoy nature while staying out of the summer heat.photo by LOIS KINDLE

by LOIS KINDLE

RUSKIN - Summer in Florida causes some folks to hibernate, even though they would like to be outside. Camp Bayou's Dolly Cummings would like to change that.

"The heat and humidity can be a challenge," Cummings said, "but we still want people to be able to enjoy Camp Bayou. Not everyone enjoys being outdoors in the summer, so we needed a way to share nature — in the air conditioning.

Cummings recently came up with Crafting Naturally, a two-month series of Friday crafts classes designed to engage participants in nature-themed activities while promoting sustainability.

"We are giving them a reason to come out without having to break a sweat," she said.

In her first class, Cummings demonstrated how to make wreaths from grapevines, which can be found in a neighbor's yard or grown in your own. The plants encourage wildlife to visit by providing a food source for birds, shelter for rabbits and a roosting area for bats, she said.

Deborah Theisen brought her home-schooled daughter, Avalon, 9, all the way from Wesley Chapel for the class.....

Read more at  -  http://southshore2.tbo.com/content/2010/jun/23/a-crafty-way-to-beat-the-heat/news/