Crimson Peacock Pin Brooch

I *love* this new pin design - I don't want to hand it over!  Last week I had a request for a custom peacock in red hues.  I tried a few variations on the tail design and color combinations, but I decided the lavish color combination of gold and crimson was really striking.  

The crowning glory is the crimson glass seed beads on each feather and the crown.  His wing is satin stitched hand embroidery, and each feather is free form hand-cut.  I really had a lot of fun on this one!

Octopus Hair Clip Request

Red the Octopus has a mini-me version!  I recently had a request for his reincarnation as a hair clip, but in orange rather than red.... so I guess he has actually spawned, rather than cloned.

As a finger puppet, Red was about 4 inches tall.  The hair clip is roughly 2 1/4 inches tall from head to tentacle and houses a 1.5 inch snap clip.

Handmade Mary Janes

Completed! I had to run to Michael's last night for more thread, but I finally completed the pair. I think I'm in love with them.... I wish my daughter was still small enough to wear them (but then I remember that she can now use the toilet by herself... I guess that's a good trade).

Size 6-9 months, velcro closures, completely hand-stitched! 100% wool exterior, and silky soft 100% cotton interior - they are just beautiful!  Love them too?  Get them here: pammydawn

Apples 'n Chocolate - Wool Felt Baby Shoes

I'm in the process of making another pair of baby shoes, but I ran out of brown embroidery thread.  I thought I'd post some photos in the interim!

I'm so pleased with how this pair is shaping up.  I broke the tension knob on my sewing machine yesterday, so this pair is completely hand-stitched, lining and all.  

The exterior is 100% wool felt and are size 6-9 months (approx. 4.25").  Apple green for the body, and chocolate brown for the sole.  For the lining, I used an upcycled natural 100% cotton baby onesie.  It is butter-soft knit cotton in a natural cream color.  My daughter actually never wore this particular onesie; it still had the tags on it!  I was about to take it to GoodWill, but decided it needed a new life as shoe lining instead.

After placing the lining inside the shoe and stitching the strap in place, I used a blanket stitch around the top opening to secure the lining and give the shoes a decorative edge.  I hope to finish them today after purchasing additional embroidery thread!

Red Cherry Mary Jane Baby Shoes

Red Cherry Baby Shoes - $22 by pammy dawn

I was curious to make a pair of fabric baby shoes, but wasn't sure how to create a pattern.  I had a pair of crocheted and felted baby shoes that were a bit irregular, so I cut them apart and traced the pieces.  I added about 1/4 inch all the way around to allow for seams.  After cutting out the pieces using 100% wool felt, I hand-stitched them together, trimmed the edges and flipped them right-side-out.  

The shoes resembled little ballet slippers, minus straps.  The seams on the inside were a bit bulky, so I decided to line them with some lovely cotton cherry fabric I had by designer Robert Kaufman.  I also fashioned straps of the same fabric and applied velcro tabs for closure.  I think they will look darling adorning some sweet baby feet!


Sweet cherries for sweet baby toes - 100% wool exterior, 100% cotton fabric lining and strap. Velcro closures for easy fitting. Sweet and soft, the cotton lining is pink, red, and green swirling cherries by Robert Kaufman. Hand-stitched exterior, machine-stitching and hand-stitching on lining and straps. Approximately 3.75 inch footbed, about size 3-6 months.

Death's Head Hawk Moth Custom Pin

Nearly 5 hours of work, but I think worth it!  I'm pleased with how the custom Silence of the Lambs icon turned out.  

Four layers of felt make up the body and wings which were hand-cut and stitched.  Details were embroidered as well as needle-felted using wool roving and other wool fibers.  Its wings span approximately 4 inches from tip to tip.

Inspiration image from Silence of the Lambs

See how I made it here!

Death Moth Custom Felt Pin

Custom creations are exciting and fun, and I always love a new challenge.  After my butterfly was featured on the front page of Etsy yesterday, I was contacted to create a custom "Death Moth" pin.  

Death's Head Hawk Moth

Image from the movie, Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs!  Love it!  I've immersed myself in images, trying to decide the best design and colors to use.  I also did some research on the moths, just out of curiosity.  Fascinating creatures!  

The caterpillar looks incredibly like the massive 3 inch tomato worm I plucked from devouring my Romas yesterday.... blech.

Death's Head Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Tomato Horn Worm

As soon as I have finished the moth pin, I will post photos!  Off to create!

Etsy Front Page - Mariposa Monarch

What an excellent Wednesday!  My "Mariposa" Monarch pin appeared on the front page of Etsy this morning, and as a direct result of that appearance, I've been featured on a wonderful blog. 

emmy-ray not only has a great blog, but also creates gorgeous jewelry.  A big thanks for featuring my work on your site!

Til Death do Us Part Bangles by emmyray

Peppermint Candy Hair Clip

Peppermint Hair Clip or Pin Brooch - $8.00

Refreshing and calorie-free!  Peppermint pinwheel candy hair clip is 100% wool and encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip.  I was envisioning this clip as part of my holiday set, but I think it could work for everyday as well.  Customize the color to match any outfit!