Water Lily Pin Brooch

Water Lily - by pammydawn - $20 on Etsy

Fresh, lovely, serene.

Layers of white, cream, and yellow 100% wool felt have been needle felted together with merino wool roving. Nestled in the center of the bloom is a golden ball of merino wool. Securely attached to the muted green wool is a hinged bar pin. The bloom measures approximately 4.5" in diameter.

I ♥ Happy Customers

The last two weeks I've been dragging bottom a bit - my 27 second grade students are a bit overly exuberant (putting it mildly), I caught a cold from one of them, Hubby has been working late, and my three-year-old munchkin keeps me on my toes daily. I can hear the violin music already - enough moping! I'm sure there are many with much heavier burdens than mine, but it's only human to wallow a bit now and then....

So I was just grouching along today, finally getting home from school (tomorrow is Back to School Night) at 10:00 PM, and wanting to just veg in front of my computer screen for a bit.

How surprised was I to open my email and discover the loveliest little piece of email joy - a happy customer completely made my day! I'm always so thrilled to hear back from customers, and it definitely perked me up to read her lively and lovely message. She gave me permission to share it with you - enjoy!

"Oh, my GOODNESS, Pamela!

Like, seriously!!!

I received my package and I am literally in seventh heaven -- I am ECSTATIC about the pins and I never knew I could love something so very much. You are a GENIUS with felt and a needle, for real! They are all perfect and I adore them one and all. I have placed them all on a large hobo bag that I got on sale at Target and they just make the bag POP. They look so sweet and adorable and awesome, and they really give the bag some much-needed character. The bag is soon to be my go-to bag for everything, so I'll be showing off your pins a LOT. :)

I'm going to take a picture of the bag with all the pins and post it as an appreciation photo on Etsy for you -- that way you can see your work in action! So I'm gonna hold off on leaving you feedback until I get that picture uploaded so I can post it along with the feedback.

I can't thank you enough for your attention to detail and amazing workwomanship! I really appreciate your work and I'm so thankful that I came across your Etsy shop. :)

So look for my feedback and appreciation photo in the next few days, k?

Thank you again and I'm sure I'll be back for more pins in the future! Yay! :)

Love,

Jen"

How can you not grin after reading that? Thanks Jen for brightening my day!

Matryoshka Doll Hair Clip or Pin

The next installment in my holiday line of Heritage Hair Clips is a Russian Matryoshka doll. She is made of 100% wool felt and accented with merino wool roving that I needle-felted. About 2 inches tall, the doll encloses up to a 1.5 inch snap clip, but is also available as a French barrette or pin brooch. Like the traditional doll, she is completely customizable! Any color combination you can dream up, I have available for you!

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!

Name that Squirrel!

After a month or so of much-needed vacation, I've finally felt like creating again!  My fall collection needed a nutty squirrel, so here is the first sketch, yet to come to fruition.  Now comes the task of choosing felt colors, textures, and naming the critter.  

I'd love to hear from you if you have any fabulous suggestions!  If I pick your name, I'll link to your blog/website in the final listing on my shop, Pammy Dawn.  Please be sure to leave your shop link when you comment if you have any burgeoning ideas!

Sketch Copyright Pammy Dawn Designs, 2009.  No reproduction without permission.

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

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!

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.

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

Valentine's Day Hair Clips

Break out the hearts, Valentine's Day is right around the corner! To celebrate, why not spruce up with a heart or candy hair clip or pin?

My Sweet Valentine Heart Hair Clip or Pin

Strawberry Cream Pinwheel Lollipop

Heart Felt Letter

I Heart Edamame - Soy Bean Pin Brooch or Hair Clip

Edamame Soy Bean Pin Brooch or Hair Clip

Can't get enough of this fantastic legume? I sure can't! Proclaim your adoration for this delicious and healthy snack with a 100% wool felt version. Available as a pin brooch or a hair clip - please indicate your preference at checkout.

Edamame measures 2 inches by 1.75 inches. Encloses either a 2 inch snap clip, or 1.5 inch snap clip. French clip also available.

Mariposa - Monarch Butterfly Pin

Mariposa - Monarch Butterfly Pin Brooch

Mariposa - the inspiration for this mini felt sculpture, is butterfly in Spanish. It is also the home in which I grew up, in the rolling foothills approaching Yosemite National Park. Sadly, you don't see as many majestic Monarchs there as in the past, but it is still one of the most beautiful places I know come Spring and the blush of wildflowers.

Mariposa has been hand-crafted using 100% wool felt. Each piece has been hand-cut and stitched, making this butterfly as unique and without duplicate as it's fluttering inspiration.

Backing this wearable art-work is a 1 inch bar pin, securely stitched to the fourth layer of felt. Nearly life-sized, Mariposa is 3 inches across with wings fully extended, and about 1.5 inches tall.

I Love Sushi Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

I Love Sushi Hair Clip or Pin Brooch - $8.00

Craving sushi? Get your chopsticks on this hair clip or pin before they're all gone!

Made of 100% wool felt, this hair clip encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip or French clip, and measures almost 2 inches from tip to tail.

Pink and Yellow Rubber Ducky Hair Clips

Classic Rubber Ducky Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

I'm not sure why I haven't thought of doing rubber duckies before now, but I had a request for some ducky hair clips, and so, voila!

If only they squeaked....

Made of 100% wool felt, the duckies measure just under 1.5 inches across, and enclose a 1.25 inch snap clip.  They are also available in a larger size, enclosing a 2 inch snap clip.  Also available as a pin, and would look adorable gracing a diaper bag.

Jingle Bells Penguin Hair Clip or Pin

Jingle Bell Penguin Hair Clip or Pin Brooch

My newest made-to-match creation:  Jingle Bell Penguin.  Ringing in the holiday season, Jingle Bell Penguin is festive and ready to celebrate. He is decked with a fluffy green wool wreath, embellished with tiny jingle bells. He measures about 2.25 inches tall, and about 1.5 inches across. This felt creation is 100% wool felt.

Small Holly Berry Hair Clip or Pin

By popular demand, I've created a smaller version of the holly berry hair clip.  The larger version measures just about 2.5 inches long, enclosing a 2 inch snap clip.  The smaller replica is just under 1.5 inches long and encloses a 1.25 inch snap clip.  More appropriate for babies with little or fine hair than the larger version, but is also useful for keeping back the fly-away hairs in big girls too.

Small Holly Berry Hair Clip or Pin

New Photos of Raggedy Ann Hair Clip or Pin

Needing whimsy?  Feeling nostalgic?  Indulge your inner child with a Raggedy Ann wool felt hair clip - completely hand-cut, and hand-embroidered, just like your favorite doll.

Raggedy Ann Wool Felt Hair Clip or Pin Brooch - $10.50

New Pictures for Gingerbread Man Hair Clip or Pin

Sweet and spicy gingerbread - tantalizing, yet this variety is inedible! Add some sweetness and spice to your holiday wardrobe.

Gingerbread Man Wool Felt Hair Clip or Pin Brooch - $7.00