Mariposa Monarch Pin with Needle Felting

After completing my first Mariposa pin, I found I wasn't completely satisfied with how the body turned out.  

My newest tools cluttering my creation station are felting needles - barbed, nastily sharp little probes that when jabbed repeatedly into wool fibers, mesh them together.  

They are fantastic!  You can practically sculpt with these bad boys!  Not to mention how satisfying it is to plunge an extremely sharp object into a pillow like substance, but I recommend its stress-relieving qualities.  

I think I am pleased with the more life-like appearance of his body now - here are the before and afters.

Before:  rolled felt body, wound with embroidery thread

After:  needle-felted body

Crocheted, Felted, and Needle-Felted Mini Purse

It started with a small obsession for crocheted scarves, and grew into a curiosity for more crocheted accessories.  Since becoming reacquainted with my crochet hooks this winter, I've been searching for more projects to get my fix.  

This little bag is so simple, yet so cute!  I started with 100% merino wool yarn - (this is a great project for a beginner too!) and the whole bag is single crochet in a round (except for the base, which is also single crochet, but each row is turned).  I also decided my purse needed an internal pocket.  I crocheted a square, turned the bag inside out stitched the pocket to one wall using the same merino wool yarn.

After I was finished crocheting the purse, I put it in a laundry bag, and put it in the washing machine on HOT with a little bit of soap.  It really shrinks a lot!!  The fibers mesh together in a process called fulling or felting.  It comes out wet and pliable so you can mold it into a more purse-like shape.  I put mine under a ceiling fan on high speed for a day and it was completely dry by that evening.  

Of course I couldn't leave it alone at that point!  I got out my new TOYS - felting needles, and some wool, needle-felted some little fuschia flowers and stems, popped a button on one side and attached a felt strap.  Voila!  So much fun!

For the Memory of Cora Paige

Cora Paige, a beautiful 11 month-old girl, lost her battle with cancer.  Her family wishes to build a playground in her memory.  Many of the wonderful shops on Etsy have dedicated the proceeds of listings for this purpose.  Spend your dollar here to help heal a family aching for the loss of their precious baby girl.

Cupcake Hair Clip with a Cherry On Top!

Cherry Cupcake Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Who can resist a delectable dessert - especially one that has zero calories?!

This adorable cupcake pin or hair clip is created using 100% wool felt, and 100% cotton thread. As a hair clip, it encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip, and is about 1.5 inches across.

The unique cherry bead on top came from another delightful shop on Etsy -
CandyLandBeads and is made from polymer clay.

This hair clip has SMALL PARTS - while the bead has been securely stitched to the cupcake, it is NOT recommended for children under the age of 3 due to choking hazard. Please supervise your child while wearing, and do not let any age child place the cupcake in their mouth.

I only have 5 of these beads, so order yours while supplies last!

Etsy Front Page - Woodland Butterfly

Woodland - Majestic Green Swallowtail Butterfly Pin

This beautiful treasury made it to the front page yesterday!  I wish I had been home to see it.

Etsy Front Page - Superbowl Sunday

Football Fanatic Hair Clip or Pin - $8.00

Woodland - Majestic Green Swallowtail Butterfly Pin

Woodland - Majestic Green Swallowtail Butterfly Pin Brooch - $28.50

The inspiration for this mini felt sculpture is the Majestic Green Swallowtail Butterfly. I took some artistic license in the coloration of the wings. So it follows that this pin is truly unique.

Woodland is made-to-order, and hand-crafted using 100% wool felt. Each piece will be hand-cut and stitched, making this butterfly as unique and without duplicate as it's fluttering inspiration. (Photo is an example only, your butterfly wing pattern will be similar, but unique to your pin).

Backing this wearable art-work is a 1 inch bar pin, securely stitched to the fourth layer of felt. Nearly life-sized, Woodland is about 2.5 inches across, and about 2.5 inches tall.

Hope for Handmade Toys! CPSIA Postponed!

Three cheers for hand-made toys!!!!

My Sweet Valentine Wool Felt Hair Clip or Pin

This press release was issued today giving hope to crafters and small-time children's toy manufacturers.  Keep rallying behind the cause - this is just a POSTPONEMENT!

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

The stay does not apply to:

Four requirements for third-party testing and certification of certain children’s products subject to:

The ban on lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after December 21, 2008;

The standards for full-size and non full-size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after January 20, 2009;

The ban on small parts effective for products made after February 15, 2009; and

The limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after March 23, 2009.

Certification requirements applicable to ATV’s manufactured after April 13, 2009.

Pre-CPSIA testing and certification requirements, including for: automatic residential garage door openers, bike helmets, candles with metal core wicks, lawnmowers, lighters, mattresses, and swimming pool slides; and

Pool drain cover requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA.

Handmade garment makers are cautioned to know whether the zippers, buttons and other fasteners they are using contain lead. Likewise, handmade toy manufacturers need to know whether their products, if using plastic or soft flexible vinyl, contain phthalates.

The stay of enforcement on testing and certification does not address thrift and second hand stores and small retailers because they are not required to test and certify products under the CPSIA. The products they sell, including those in inventory on February 10, 2009, must not contain more than 600 ppm lead in any accessible part. The Commission is aware that it is difficult to know whether a product meets the lead standard without testing and has issued guidance for these companies that can be found on our Web site.

The Commission trusts that State Attorneys General will respect the Commission's judgment that it is necessary to stay certain testing and certification requirements and will focus their own enforcement efforts on other provisions of the law, e.g. the sale of recalled products.

Please visit the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information on all of the efforts being made to successfully implement the CPSIA.

Celtic Knot Shamrock Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Symbolic and intriguing, the Celtic trinity knot has been hand-stitched on a 100% wool, grass green shamrock. Put on a little luck for St. Patrick's Day!

Hot Pink Celtic Trinity Shamrock Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Green Celtic Trinity Shamrock Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Forbes Article on the CPSIA

I thought this article in Forbes on the CPSIA just about summed up the mess small businesses will be facing unless this law is amended.  

Apparently, Ron Paul was the only congressman to oppose the CPSIA.... I suddenly have warm and fuzzy feelings for the man.

CPSIA - Sale

In an effort to bring awareness the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), the EtsyBaby Team is holding a promotional sale.  To see the list of vendors participating, visit the EtsyBABY website.

At Pammy Dawn, I am offering 10% off purchases of $15 or more.  To redeem, enter "HANDMADE 10" in the notes to seller upon checkout, and wait for me to email you an adjusted invoice.  Discount not applied to shipping.

An Apple a Day Hair Clip

Save Hand Made Children's Items from CPSIA

Was it the law-makers' intent to put micro-businesses, like mine, out of business? As of February 10th, these 100% wool hair clips will be considered TOXIC "contraband" because I cannot afford to have each of my designs tested (redundant - the hair clips are already certified lead-free, and wool is intrinsically lead-free) for lead and phthalates (redundant - wool does not contain plastic).

Green Earth Flower Hair Clip

Princess Punky Bones Hair Clip

Posh Peacock Hair Clip