mamaroots

herbal give-away

Time for another wonderful opportunity to bring some herbal goodness into you learning environment at home.  Februrary is all about Birch.  I was in such awe of these trees on our trip last summer out east and was picking up the fallen bark when I could.  I have a bag tucked away for a special occasion.

 

If you would like to learn more about birch, you will love the Herbal Roots Zine that Kristine from Luna Farms lovingly puts together each month.  

 

Leave a comment here between now and Feb 2 and I will draw a winner and e-mail you a copy of the February issue.  Bonus entry points for following me and Kristine:

mamaroots facebook

mamaroots twitter

herbalroots facebook

 

Good Luck and if you are wanting to add a little lovable wood sea lion to your collection, swim on over to Herbal Roots for a chance to win one of my wood critters!

 

rainbows

You know that feeling after thunderstorms when the rain clears, the sun comes out and there is the biggest rainbow in the sky.  Does it still stop you in your track to see those bands of color up in the sky? Maybe not quite at the "double rainbow" intensity, but I still am in awe and happy when I see rainbows.

Well, for the past 3 years there has been a stormy tide in the toymaking industry.  You have probably heard me talk on and off during the past 3 years about trying to figure out what all of the CPSIA regulations would mean.  To be honest there were many times I did not know myself.  There are many folks that are much more eloquent with their understanding but I thought I would do a post about how I understand everything.  There has been the past few years of a "stay" until the government could figure out the new law.

This past fall there was a pretty big amendment to the original CPSIA regulation that was enacted that originally wanted all individual toys or run of toys to be 3rd party tested.  This most recent amendement actually helps small batch toymakers.  I strongly recommend you check out this page if you are thinking about making toys to sell.  It is very informative, please also watch the webcasts that are listed there as well- I thought they helped me with trying to understand the regulations.  

What many folks may not realize is that these regulations went into effect on Jan 1 of this year- essentially the "stay" was lifted.  I will try my best to let you know how this relates to me as a wood toy maker below:

1- I used natural materials that are by nature lead free- these are exempt from further testing.  This was exempted the first year.  There is a list here that includes wood, yarn, wool etc . . . please refer here: Table B on the exemption list.  If you apply no paint or surface coating of any type- you are still need to label and track, but not test your paints.  But if you add surface coatings you need to keep reading.

*If you use paint of any type, even AP Certified Non-toxic, and plant based washes or paints you are required to have the paints 3rd party tested in a CPSIA approved lab

2- I registered with the CPSC as a Small Manufacturer.  The toys I make are not intended for children under three and I label all of the packages with the required standard warning.  I am not required to do small parts testing because my toys are intended for children under 3 and I am a registered Small Manufacturer.  

3- Toymakers are required to track and label their toys, due to the size of my toys I label the packaging with both the small parts warning and with my tracking label.  See my original post here on my tracking and labeling.

Now, that may seem complicated and it has felt so, but I actually thought the registration process with CPSC was pretty efficient, and in January of this year I had my paints tested and there was an expense to that but the lab I worked with was great- VHG Labs, they had results to me within a day.  If you are a member of the Handmade Toy Alliance you get a reduced testing rate.

What have I learned in the process?  I really like working with some woods with natural coloration like walnut.  This is such a lovely wood that requires no additional brown coloring- and feels gorgeous! When I took a little break after the holidays I realized I was working too much. I like Red Bull and all, but I needed to cut back.  I like knowing that I am a small toymaker, not a mass producer and that alot of effort and times goes into each of my toys, clear down to the packaging.  

Will I continue- oh yes, but not at the same level.  I will probably continue to hold off on custom orders and make what the inspiration fairies whisper in my ear- this week I am so happy to be able to use rainbow colors where I want again!  So here are some links again if you are thinking about getting into the biz:

Handmade Toy Alliance

Keeping Up with CPSIA Team on ETSY

CPSIA

CPSIA- Small Business

 So how do I reward you for reading this very lengthy post on my process?  By encouraging you to go ahead and jump in and make some toys if you are inspired.  The process may seem odd and complicated and I am so thankful to the dedicated folks at the Handmade Toy Alliance that worked so hard on our behalf.  It was time where I knew I could not be at the legislative sessions that they attended but I could certainly contribute money to the Alliance to help pay for the expenses.  If testing seems expensive and daunting to you- just keep the wood unfinished.

Wood toymaking has been around for generation upon generation.  I really enjoy seeing new toymakers pop up and see their toys, because heck I am really still pretty new myself.  I have been making toys going on about 11 years now with about 4 years in a primarily wood medium.  This year I am learning to knit to add that to the mix!

But I am still rambling, I really hope this post has helped.  Please don't take me for an expert on the CPSIA and research and ask questions.  But also please don't dive into the business without understanding the government regulations either.  

Remember that reward part- well I wanted to give away a copy of this book that is a sweet, very well done book on making wood toys done by a fellow Etsian Erin from Imagination Kids.  It is a great start to the world of wood toymaking.  

So leave a comment here between now and Tuesday at midnight and let me know your favorite color to be entered into a drawing for the book.  Want extra entries?  

follow me at Facebook and Twitter

share on your blog or other social media love

Good luck and again I hope this helps!  Viva la toymaking!

p.o.m.

Excuse me as I briefly interrupt this grey winter day for just a spot of color and flurry of pom pom making that won me a couple "you are like magic" moments from my boys upon watching them be made.  I will take a compliment like that any ol day!  If you would like a few more pom eye candy I made a whole board just for them!

What do you do with a bowl of poms?  They quickly became furry friends, pretend fireworks for Chinese New Year, and of course a creative game of pom in in paper bag from across the dining room!

Year of the Dragon-

Happy Chinese New Year!  I knew I had to do a little something special for my eldest who has and adores dragon energy!  I improvised the traditional Chinese Paper Dragons a little more yarn and felt style for some story table play!  I little bit of knowledge of a knitting tower is needed, but in case you don't have one and want to make this today the head of the dragon makes a nifty finger puppet too!

You can download this Once Upon a Table project below and print out the PDF- have fun today!  Don't forget that fortune cookies, dumplings, and hot tea make a great snack- that is what has been requested for an after school snack by my young dragon puppeteers! 

Download New Year Dragon

old meets new with friends

My monthly crafty mama gathering had us embracing the old with the new.  Have you ever seen those beautiful old friendship quilts.  The remnants of a gathering of folks putting together a quilt and adding their names one stitch at a time.  I had a notion of wanting to do this with this special group of crafty friends.  I pondered how to do this with all of our busy schedules.  

It then occured to me, another part of the quilt rescue mission that seems to be a part of my crafty life these days.  I was originally looking for an unfinished top that we could add our names, and then fell in-love with the set of vintage Dresden Plates.  It was just right, the stitching could happen on each mama's lap and happen inbetween sips of wine, breastfeeding babies, chocolate, and more stories.

Once all the blocks are gathered back up, and we catch anyone we missed this month, I will be adding these to a dark red back fabric that I thought looked somewhat Turkey Red, adding a teal back drop and binding, then we will be able to tie it together.

I am continually assured that re-claiming this art/craft DIY movement is powerful.  When women gather and create- watch out!  I am just loving knowing that we supporting each other and creating this new quilt from these vintage pieces.  The original makers probably had not idea how powerful they would be for us! 

I will continue to show you the progress!  Be sure to check back tomorrow as I have a new Once Upon a Table project for you- special for Chinese New Year!

flying

Chilly, windy midwest, Winter's Bone kind of day.  Not the meth Winter's Bone, but grey and cold to the bone Winter's Bone.  The perfect time to have another inside picnic.  Gather:

snacks, quilt, new story prop, and hot chocolate!

I wanted to review for you today the new book that I fell in love with this week.  Sora and the Cloud by Felicia Hoshino.  I think I was draw to this because I have boys, but also the illustrations drew me in immediately.  It is a lovely look at children's imaginations, and perspective- from above, where snails and ants are in the streets and squirrels fly airplanes!  We loved the little details in the drawings and the gentleness of the cloud.  Especially when we found the mama eating rice balls at the end, one of our favorite treats!  We also enjoyed the bilingual nature of this book, though we did not know the Japanese characters it was lovely to see them on the page.

This led me to another thought of having a good world atlas handy when we are reading stories from other parts of the world.  Barefoot Books put out a great atlas that is has their classic illustration style mixed throughout the continents and areas of the globe.  

So while the boys were finishing up their after school homework I cut out a quick cloud for us to have as both a story prop to use, and reminder to the boys of where their imaginations can take them.  After reading the story Silas was pretty convinced that you could indeed stand on clouds, he was not so sure earlier!  But in case you don't have a scroll saw at your quick disposal, I can only image that you could create a pretty quick and cute cloud out of some cotton balls or wool!  Hope you get read this one soon!

serving

I have been on the hunt for a snack service set for a while.  It takes me back to my childhood.  Though I was born in the mountains, I was raised in rural midwest farm country.  When I was little I remember my mama getting together with other women in our little community.  They would rotate houses, the hostess would make tea.  This usually consisted of tea, coffee, and punch along with an assortment of sandwiches and desserts.  Ugh the palmento sandwiches though!  I remember the serving snack sets- everyone seemed to have sets that were brought out. 

After tea and visiting the women would set up almost an assembly line scenario where they were creating bed pads for the elderly at a local nursing home.  It was made of newspaper and old sheets that were sewn together.  

As girls, my sisters and I would go with my mama, enjoy the punch and other treats including those chalky mints, and then sit and watch the women as they worked.  I am not quite sure when the women stopped gathering, but I have always remembered those days when I see the snack sets out in the fleas/antique shops.  I am reminded of the simple service these women did.  

I tracked down my first set, I love the leaf pattern!  I served my boys with some snacks to break it in and today we will be finding a service to do for our community to celebrate MLK Day.  Since our temps have melt the snow and it will be almost 50 I think it will involve trash picking up at a park.  

Thanks mama for all that great influence growing up, you are always my best teacher!  Next time I will remember the chalky mints!

it worked

Seems like we just needed to make our little elf jar to bring some snow, it was really just a dusting but I will take what I can get!  I was born in the mountains, raised on the midwest plains, a brief stint back in the mountains to return to the midwest plains to be near my family.  But to be honest I really miss the mountains!  Snow takes me back there!  

Now, onto a welcomed 3 day weekend!  Maybe some toymaking, maybe some thrifting, maybe some valentine planning!  How about you?

plan b

Like many other folks out there in DIY crafty netuniverse, I saw the Mason Jar snow globes around Christmas time.  Smitten- oh yes, and deteremined to make.  I read, gatherered my 3-g's:

glycerine, glitter, and glue

I even sent hubby to the store for a gallon of distilled water!  I tracked down some complete kitsch little elf figurines!  I had a repoduction hoosier jar that I thought would be perfect.  We glued, let the glue set up, added the other g's and sat back with our ahhs!  That last about half a day because the second round of said shaking that is required to make snow swirl set the elves and subsiquent wee deer free from their glue.  

Shew- glad we splurged for the glycerine as they just gracefully landed with no damage.  I got some good recommendations on new glue to use and went looking for it among the Beta fish to no avail and decided to go waterless.  More of a terrarium type feel!

Tracked down a vintage jar that did not have to be quite a waterproof, added a tree, and I am even more smitten!  Now even though the Christmas decor is packed away we can have a simple little winter treasure out for a bit.  I am convinced this will finally bring us snow!

Could you not just see this with a little leprechaun or rabbit for spring with green glitter!  Good grief!

So, my tips- go for the cool jars at the fleas/antique shop.  This older Ball jar was $4- not too shabby.  Also look for the kitsch little ceramic figurines, I migrate towards the 1960's era Japanese made for some reason.  I did a simple "ceramic elf" search in the vintage part of Etsy.  The little tree came from Hobby Lobby- go the the doll house section for oodles of neat options.

Now I am wondering how these would look with little wood toys inside hmmmm . . . 

on the way to Brementown

Old Befana stopped to help sweep out the last bit of Christmas.  The boys found their stockings filled with a couple chocolates and a fun Brementown Musician's storytelling puzzle.  It was fun to see them put it together that all the pieces between the two stockings and realize that is was not a super hero donkey, our cat and dog, and lone roaster, but indeed the 4 friends on their way to Brementown.

One of the Grimm stories that we are quite fond of!  Fun story and a good story to incorporate a music element into your storytelling- and maybe some fun stacking on the back attempts!  Enjoy this one if you have not yet, and the story set is a Russian made set from here.  Pretty fitting as a gifts from old Befana!