May 2012

Do you have any idea how much fun it is collecting things for the shop? It's AWESOME! As we are putting together the shop and making it our own, we think about the things we like and use, and those things we think our readers will like, which not amazingly, is very similar :)

Having said that... Michelle and I try to be conscientious consumers. We like to buy local, organic and sustainable products. We like to support cottage industries and small shops. We also like to buy Fair Trade products. Although there is no single definition of Fair Trade, the tag above gives a quick summation of Fair Trade:

Why Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is a system focused on alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability through ethical global trade. By supporting fair trade products, you are taking a step towards making the world a better place.

Why buy Fair Trade?
~It respects and appreciates the hard work of people.
~It provides a living wage for marginalized producers.
~Fair trade is anti-slavery, anti-child labor.
~It supports the conservation of the environment.
~It empowers women and minorities.
~It is a way of making your voice be heard to demand equal rights worldwide.

If you are interested in learning more about Fair Trade, visit Fair Trade Federation.  

Over the next few months, we will be adding many Fair Trade items to our shop. Another nice thing about owning our own shop, we get to sell the things we would buy ourselves! How cool is that? Whenever possible, we like to use reusable bags, whether at the grocery store or at the local Farmers Market. We also use them all around our house filled to the brim with our various crafting projects. Although this is a smart ecological practice, there is no reason in the world for the bags not to be beautiful and fun!

For starters, we are adding 2 different Fair Trade Bags to Wee Folk Art Market Place. These are what I call "market bags" as opposed to "grocery bags". By MY definition, market bags are flat rectangles sewn together, whereas grocery bags have an additional panel added, creating a flat bottom. Our two styles of bags are:

Assorted Jute Shoppers

Eco Shopper

 

If we seemed to have been rather elusive this week, its because we've been hard at work creating our Spring Gnomes for Wee Hands. Look for the tutorial in the next day or two. Plus, these mega sized gnomes will be available in Wee Folk Art Market Place in sets of two in the next couple of days. I always feel like I'm bragging, but I love the colors and designs on these little... I mean BIG guys! They were also very cooperative for the photo shoot :) Watch for them soon!

Green and Orange Gnomes

Purple and Pink Gnomes

Blue and Yellow Gnomes

Just the perfect size for Wee Hands :)

 

First off... Michelle and I can't begin to thank everyone enough for all of your kind words, uplifting thoughts and all the prayers we've received on our blog, Facebook and emails. The day after we shared with readers, my mom called me, all weepy and said,

"Did you see everything all those kind people wrote on your blog?"

"Yes, Mom. I did."

"Funny, somehow it helps."

Funny and awe inspiring how words from strangers can touch your life. Whenever there is a crisis, people materialize, ready to help and shoulder some of the burden. I have much faith in humankind :)

And now, an update... Although the decision to place Dad in a care facility was agonizing, he made the transition with little incident, and in many ways, he is now afforded more autonomy than he had at home. He has taken to the routine, enjoys being able to amble the halls, and the home is within a few miles of the houses of Michelle, my mom, and I, so frequent visits can easily be worked into our days. It seems we picked the right time to make this move. The relative ease of his transition has truly been a gift to everyone that loves Dad.

Michelle and I will be back next week. Again, thank you for all your support... "Funny, somehow it helps" :)

When is the right time to bring fanciful gnomes into your child’s life? As soon as they are sitting up and ready to play, of course! Our Big Gnomes for Wee Hands were designed with our littlest ones in mind. The large bodies are easy for wee hands to grasp, and with no small parts, safe for supervised play. Make a pair (one for each hand, of course) or make all six in this series for a delightful Spring Rainbow of Big Gnomes!  

Our Big Gnomes for Wee Hands measures 6 1/2" x 1 1/2".

Note: Check the bottom of the page for a link to a different set of Big Gnomes.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR EACH LARGE GNOME:

Materials for Each Large Gnome:
Large Wooden Peg People - 3 9/16" x 1 1/8"
Wool felt in light and dark matching colors
Embroidery floss in coordinating colors
Crafting glue
Favorite stuffing material (optional)
Beeswax wood finish (optional)
Pattern

Note: All materials used should be non toxic and child safe.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO PREVENT MISUSE OF MATERIALS.

IMPORTANT: There can be significant variations in the sizes of the wooden pegs even from the same manufacture and even in the same shipment! Before cutting the body wraps out of felt, cut the pieces out of paper, and "try them on" your wooden pegs. Make adjustments to the paper pattern before cutting out your felt.

Directions:
Make a copy of the pattern.

Cut hat and cape out of the dark felt color and the body wrap out of the light felt color. Using the pattern and photo as a guide, cut out the applique pieces.

Check the peg to make sure the bottom is smooth. Occasionally, a little nub may remain on the bottom of a peg. If there is one, simply sand it off with a small piece of sandpaper or a nail file.

You may choose to finish the exposed parts of the wooden pegs with a beeswax polish. I love the rich look it gives the wood. Only finish the head, shoulder and base, not the area that will be glued. I use a small, hard bristle paint brush to get in the neck. This is an optional step. 

 
Glue body wrap to the wooden peg. Match the bottom edge of the wrap with the bottom edge of the wooden peg.

Add appliques and embroidery to the cape using the pattern as a guide. Blanket stitch the outer edge of the cape.

Using 2 strands of floss that match the cape, sew a running stitch close to the neck edge on the cap. DO NOT tie off.

Gather the running stitch slightly to make it fit around the peg's neck. The back of the cape should be centered with the back (the seamed edge) of the body wrap. Stitch closed at neck.

Lift the cape and in the center back, from the inside, tack the cape to the body wrap using 2 strands of matching thread. This will prevent the cape from turning during play.

Using 3 strands of contrasting floss, satin stitch a closure at the neckline.

Mark the overlap line on hat. Embroider the flowers using the pattern for placement.

Form the hat by matching the right edge of the hat piece with the overlap line. Pin together. Using 2 strands of matching floss, sew the hat together using a running stitch or blanket stitch. (I used a running stitch.)

 
Blanket stitch the lower edge of the hat using 3 strands of embroidery floss.

 
You can stuff the hat or leave it empty. If the gnome is going to be played with by very young children that will put the gnome in their mouth, I highly suggest you stuff the hat so it retains its shape. Using your favorite stuffing, stuff the inside of the hat stopping about 1/2" from the edge.

 
 
Place a line of crafting glue on the inside of the hat near the edge. Position the hat on the gnome tilting it slightly backward.
 

Give your Big Gnome a name and introduce him or her to some Wee hands!

Here is another set of Big Gnomes you may enjoy!

http://www.weefolkart.com
Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2012. All rights reserved.

 

All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. Wee Folk Art retains all rights. Read our FAQs found HERE for specifics or contact us at weefolkart@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Patterns may be used for personal use only. If you are interested in obtaining a Cottage Industry License so you can sell items made from our patterns, information can be found HERE.

 

We just returned from a wonderful visit with the Little Lady and here Mommy and Daddy. Drew and Meghan went to a bed and breakfast to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary. This was the first night they have been away from Little Lady for the night. It was a monumentally successful experience, one that everyone enjoyed. (BTW... look at the mark on LL's right cheekbone. She did that within 5 minutes of Mommy and Daddy leaving the house :)

Anyway... of course I couldn't go there empty handed, so the night before going, I put together a Color Matching Peg People and Pots game. She loved it, although I love the concentration on her face as she was matching colors. We tend to forget that for children, play is work and work is play :) Below are the easy peasy instructions along with resources to getting your materials if they are not available locally.

WARNING: Although the pegs pass the No-Choke Testing Tube test, for children under three or for any child that still puts toys in her mouth, only allow child to use these with parental supervision.

Materials:
2 3/8" wooden peg person
1 5/8" wooden bean pot
paint - soy, water color, milk paint or other non toxic, child safe paint
wood finish
sandpaper and/or dremel

Directions:
Check to see if the wooden peg fits in the bean pot with plenty of clearance. 

If they do not (and they probably won't) you will need to shave down the inside of the pot. By far the easiest and quickest way to do this is to use a dremel. You can always attach a sanding drum to an electric drill or hand sand the inside.

Go over any rough spots with sandpaper, and check to make sure you have plenty of clearance to easily slide the wooden peg in and out of the pot. Remember, paint and finish take up space, too!

Paint one peg and one pot the same color.

When dried, finish with a non toxic beeswax finish.

Find a container just right for storing. The boxes from our Christmas cards this year are wonderful sturdy boxes so we repurposed one of those. Just the perfect fit! You can also make a drawstring bag for them.

Children will use these to match colors. They will also stack them, and incorporate them into many play situations. We made ten peg/pot sets using primary colors AND chartreuse, turquois and lavender. The Little Lady loved saying these words :)

Wooden pegs and pots:
Craft Parts
Casey's Wood Parts

Paint:
Soy Paint