Nature Arts and Crafts 2026

It’s winter. What are our nature-loving friends doing these long cold evenings?

As I considered this, I thought that if there was an arts and crafts display at the local farm market, I would think that fun to see. So, why not do a Nature Friend Arts and Crafts project? Fellow subscribers can enjoy your projects and perhaps use them as idea starters for their own projects.

Some of you, no doubt, do arts and crafts for sale. Maybe you turn bowls on a lathe using “exotic” wood. My friend, John Coffman, made this red oak box with a natural crack lid. Isn’t it neat?

Perhaps you design macrame flowerpot hangers. Artists/photographers might paint/photograph nature subjects and frame in rustic antique barn boards. One of my callers last week would enjoy if someone taught how to cut and polish rocks. What about scrimshaw art on antler? Rustic lamps, woven baskets, pottery, birdhouses—all are fair game.

This could be a large event with a wide variety of topics. We would like to picture all of the submissions in an Arts and Crafts supplement. In upcoming Nature Friend magazines, some will be published along with the added educational or inspirational content.

I’m calling this an activity, not a contest. I am not expecting to assign ribbons like has usually been done in the past.

As I consider that (A) you might do your craft for sale as a business, or (B) you might do a craft to sell even though not as a business, I’ve thought I’d like to see you successful in that goal. So, how might that work? Let’s see.

Rules

• The household must have an active subscription to Nature Friend, or be the giver of an active subscription.
• We encourage you to include something of educational or inspirational value with your submission. Submissions chosen for placement in Nature Friend will benefit from this.
• Projects can be photographed and photos submitted. It is not necessary to submit the actual project. Photos should be well lit, in sharp focus, and attractively arranged without unnecessary clutter. Photo quality will make or break your submission.
• No jewelry-themed crafts, please.
• Submissions must be received by March 31, 2026.
• Mail to: Nature Friend, Arts and Crafts, 4253 Woodcock Lane, Dayton VA 22821, or email to ArtsAndCrafts@naturefriendmagazine.com.
  • Mailed submissions: Photos on USB drive as high resolution .jpeg or .tif files.
  • Emailed submissions: Photos as high resolution jpeg attachments.
  • Emailed documents should be in .doc, .docx, .odt, or .pdf format, or in email text body.
  • Include a cover sheet with all of the information shown on the sample.
  • Clearly label every piece with your information. Photo file names should include person’s name and subject, so we do not lose track of what photo goes with who (e.g. Kevin Shank, cardinal.jpg.).

Nature Arts and Crafts Supplement:
How to be entered into it

We are charging a $10 nominal fee to enter this event, to help us offset the costs associated with compiling the Arts and Crafts supplement. For those who want to enter but do not want to pay the $10 fee, you may still submit. However, the submission will not be published in the supplement. Only if it is chosen for inclusion in the Nature Friend magazine will the piece be published.

If you are selling your art or craft, you may provide a print-ready PDF ad to accompany your project. Ads must pertain to the art/crafts you sell, not additional topics or categories unless otherwise approved by us. The ad will appear in the Arts and Crafts supplement, not Nature Friend.

Business card $50
4″ x 5″ quarter pg. $100
8″ x 5″ half pg. $175
8″ x 10″ full pg. $300

Projects we choose to feature in the Nature Friend magazine will be rewarded upon publication. If the subscription to Nature Friend has lapsed, that will be renewed as the award. If the subscription is active, another form of reward will be given.

Each submission should include a cover sheet with the following information: