Spring Green Etsy Front Page

I just created this piece yesterday, so I was completely taken by surprise when it appeared on the front page of Etsy this morning.  It's always exciting to see something you create make it to the front page!

Spring Flower Bud - Tulip Wool Pin Brooch

Spring Bud - Tulip Wool Felt Pin Brooch

Tulips are my favorite flowers.  They are so fresh, vibrant, and I love their clean smooth lines.  The inspiration for this pin is a tulip bud before it opens completely.

Fresh for spring - Spring Bud is made of 100% wool felt, hand-cut and stitched in 3 layers. Securely stitched to the back is a 1 inch bar pin.

Spring Bud measures about 3 inches tall.

Sweet Easter Bunny Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Sweet Bunny Wool Felt Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

Hopping in for spring - sweet bunny measures about 1.5 inches and encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip.

Warm brown, baby pink, and cream 100% wool felt has been lovingly hand-stitched to create this sweet little companion. His fluffy tail is made of un-dyed natural lamb's wool.

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.