mamaroots

no to CAFO

The other evening I helped do the book support for a symposium about CAFO (concentrated agricultural farm operation)  It is more and more enlightening and frankly frightening to hear about CAFO operations. Especially in the midwest heartland of farming.  I come from many generations of heartland farming on my mothers side and it does make me sad to know that I am the second generation out of our family to not be farming.  My grandmother sold the 100 year farm after my grandfather passed.  It was shocking to go by the old farm last summer on our trip and see the barns gone and hog operations building up.  I think it would have broke my grandparents hearts.

But not just in a nostalgic sense, this is really going to become a huge public health issue.  The good news?  You get to vote everytime you spend your dollar.  Some of our steps for our family have included buying milk from a local dairy in reusable glass, doing our CSA, shopping at the farmers market, and the big one; our urban chickens.  

The next step we are in the early stages of talking about- meat rabbits.  Mind you we are in the talking stages since this animal is spiritual for me.  I do feel that if one chooses to eat meat it can be done mindfully.  But really can anyone say that about meat that is purchased from standard grocery stores? We can start the revolution.  

One of the most amazing points I heard from the symposium was that one of the speakers made mention of the "mommy bloggers" and the power we have- we need to start thinking about our children and their future.  If we train our selves to be so inhumane to animals that we raise for food, won't we inherently start an evolutionary process of killing our hardwired system of empathy?  Does that scare the shit out of anyone else?

I am looking into more of what we can do in our own urban yard.  This book is wonderful- Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman.  Not is it just a visual dream, but good concise bits on info to get started with; like breeds of rabbits!

I end you with another story of my eldest.  We were at a antique shop this past weekend.  I stepped into the bathroom and when I came out Si told me Jasper had broke a piece- yikes.  I look on the floor and see a broken rabbit and then look to up to see Jasper already up at the counter talking with the manager telling them what happened.  I saw the panic in his eyes and had a crappy initial reaction of "why did you pick it up?" We left our name and number for them to contact the booth owner to see if they would give us a discount and then left.  

Tears and sorry was streaming from him once we hit the car.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks of what an amazing job he had done handling himself.  Without waiting he took responsibility and talked to them. Kuddos my boy, accidents happen but how you react to it says tons!  It also hit me that he was looking at it as a present to me- yep I probably could have had a better parenting moment.

Bad news- it was an antique rabbit tureen from Normandy France.  Good news, the vendor gave us 50% discount from the $90 price tag.  A little research showed me this particular tureen is valued much more so I guess it could have been worse.  Jasper offered to do some extra chores to help pay for it, looks like daddy will have an extra hand cleaning the chicken coop this weekend!  Little super glue and we have a little reminder of learning from our mistakes, including myself.  Watching him handle himself this way- priceless and the best gift ever.  

this moment- blessings for Maggie

{this moment} - A Friday ritual via Soulemama that I was keen on doing this week- a simple sweet moment from the past week.

This moment of cutting away my blessingway yarn in celebration of a little girl who was born into the loving arms of her mama and daddy yesterday.  One of my favorite traditions of blessingways- the mama cord is what we call it.  At the end of the blessingway- joining together the mamas with a single strand of yarn, calling forth our maternal lineage, howling of course, and then cutting the strand into our own bracelets that we wear until the baby is on earthside.  

I will have the pleasure of wearing many more bracelets in the upcoming months!

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!

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!

the tea party

You know how sometimes a cup of a tea is just what you need.  It is sweet, warm, always there when you need it.  Last weekend I had the pleasure of having a special crafty mama gathering.   It was slumber party style and so much fun.  We celebrated one of my dear friend's birthday, crafted until the wee hours of the morning and enjoyed a delicious breakfast in the morning.

It was truely a Time to Embrace And enjoy.  I am honored to have such a lovely circle of women as friends. A circle of laughter, crying, crafting and tea drinking mamas.  So what better way to gift them then to search down each one a tea cup all of their own.  I had so much gifting them these vintage cups.  And yes I had quite a good time hunting down the cups too!  Also these incredible edible butterflies were the perfect addition for my friend's birthday that is very connected to butterflies.  Check out all these goodies from Sugar Robot.

I don't ever doubt that when women gather we can bring about change.  So this was a tea party of the different political type.  We are powerful when we gather, when we share story, when we mother and when we create.  And us liberal types will still share a cup of tea with someone who shares a different opinion than us, we just may give them an extra lump of sugar!

I will be back in this space later tonight after I share a solstice day with my boys- we are off for a nature walk and then will be creating a ceremony for me and the boys tonight.  I am moved by this Mother of All Release Ceremony call that is happening world wide tonight.  We will be creating our bundle after our nature walk, bonfire, and celebration Feast!  Happy Solstice everyone!

pink is

Pink is really not my favorite color, though I have been liking it more in my older years.  But, pink in October means awareness, sadness, and yes anger at the the ugly thing that is Breast Cancer.  I wanted to take a moment to share a link to a personal story shared through a best friends words.  

Amber- aka Woodmouse- aka Parenting Illustrated with Crappy Pictures (which is totally hillarious and so honest BTW) shares the story of her best friend that is fighting breast cancer- please stop by and read and help if you feel the calling.

My husband's mama is a breast cancer survivor and though I met her towards the end of her treatments, I know if affected her so much and my husband is so glad she is a survivor.

So I made a little piece for the shop- it is Ribbon.  You might wonder why the heck I chose a cat.  Well when I was thinking that I wanted to make an activism piece for the shop I knew I wanted to make the pink scarf, but what animal.  

Having grown up out in the country, well before my baby sister was here for me to witness nursing, I had my outside cats, and as usual on a farm many got pregnant for the toms and then a pack of kittens were in the hay in the barn.  Little bitty I was always enamored with how mama kitty just nursed all those little kittens.  Early on I was aware naturally that mammals had nipples and boobs, breasts, ta-tas- whatever you want to call them for nurtouring and nursing and feeding.  

So in a nutshell, that is how I decided on Ribbon the Cat- a simple part of my past, and well I am a cat person.  Profit from her sale will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation.  Please remember though that this month is not just about wearing pink ribbons; hug your mother, your sister, your friend and check your self out, feel your breasts- I did and it took just a couple minutes to do.

rebuilding bluebird

Jasper and I worked together to make our pattern for our bluebird- the official bird of our state- our symbol of hope for our community neighbors as they rebuild their lives, their homes, their worlds.  I have cried so much this week for this town torn apart.  I am also so impressed with everyone in this state I am so proud to call home.

Even in the midst of being in another round of tornado warnings- 2 more towns hit yesterday in Missouri, everywhere we are able to find ways to help.  The boy's school is doing a fundraiser, and there are food drives, shoe drives, a beautiful midwife giving free care, and so many other ways Missourians are coming together for Joplin.  The lines have been out the door at the blood centers for donations.

I listed the first batch of bluebirds tonight and they have all sold- thank you ever so much!  As soon as I have these ready  to ship I will be listing another batch.  Thank you so much for your help with the project.  The boys and I will be working on these throughout the summer as we see on the news each night that this is long term devastation.  

I will keep you posted to our progress in raising funds.  With love from the heartland-

recipe for life

Hello all- sorry the posts have been lighter the past week, I have taken a little bit of a breather from the shop and did some spring cleaning/re-decorating at The Womb Room this past week.  It started actually on Mother's Day afternoon.  The boys and I worked together cleaning, moving, etc . . . something just felt right giving a good cleaning to the space that I have created to serve the mamas in my community and circle.  

So tonight as I am brewing a couple jars of ice tea on the hot afternoon for me and the boys I thought I would share a good basic recipe for creating a mama activism center.

1- Healthy amount of space-  Having a dedicated space really is helpful.  You might check around in your community to see what you can find.  I have the fortune of using the top of a house that is owned by my doctor.  It really fits our need.  Having a dedicated space allows you as the host to create a nest of comfort for mamas to come and relax in outside of their everyday world- house, work, etc.  The space I have has a library, a giving tub for items people want to share, a kitchen area, and a main gathering room.

2-spinkle of art- I love combining beautiful art and fabric in the space.  Art that empowers us as mothers and women.  I have a leaning towards red- hence the redecorating in the main gathering room!

3-dash of books- the lending library is stocked with all empowering books that are hard to find at the library.  These do not all have to be new books- try finding them used when you can.  

Mix these all together well with programming surrounding sharing real experiences as women, as mothers.  The space respects each other's privacy by creating a safe place to talk.  Because I am so craft oriented there is usually some crafting of some sort happening.  Other activities include activism, blessingways, ceremony work, and general tribe building.  Almost always potluck style food and drink are shared and I ask for a donation when the space is used.

Don't be afraid to have some basic ground rules, don't be afraid to ask for help, start small and watch it blossom.  Social networking sites really help you stay in touch, Facebook Fan Pages and Yahoo Groups are great ways to create events and share the information.  

I will be taking some new pictures this week to share of the updated space, but even if you don't have that magical space, there is pure magic just in women gathering.  I hope that you are able to continue to build your tribe around you!

This week we are crafting with Kombucha and learning all about brewing this great elixir!  For my local mamas- I am getting things arranged to have 1 day a week set hours that The Womb Room will be open- keep you posted!

earthy

cotton and wood

Thanks so much to everyone for Silas' birthday wishes- he is such a big fella- totally digging his new own personal music player.  One awesome feature is that you can lock down the volume- this is great since his ears gather fluid in the middle ear when his asthma/allergies are flaring up and he jams the volume up and we were worried he would damage his hearing so that was a great feature.  So he has a lovely selection of Weird Al, Grateful Dead, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and some Fiddler Tales on his shuffle so far!

How is your Earth Week treating you this week, or more appropriatedly how are you treating you mama earth this week?  I thought I would feature a couple ideas that I love today.  The first is some cotton.  I recently decided to start taking better care of facial skin since I have officially entered my last year of my 30's and have been using some different cleansers, toners, and sunscreens.  Just a splash of water is not quite cutting it these days!  When I finished a bag of disposable cotton balls last week I thought what am I doing, so I checked around and found some really sweet reusable cotton rounds that I will getting soon- use, wash, re-use.

The other cotton idea that I mentioned before is re-using vintage hankies.  I loved helping my sister make her wedding invitations with upcycled hankies.  They were a joy to make and also so fun to get in the mail.  I know I will be taking mine with me to the nuptial celebration and shedding those tears of joy for my baby sis!  I really liked making some for Easter in the shop and plan on making more for Mother's Day.  It has been ages since I have bought disposable kleenex.  The idea of sending out the upcycled hankie with a love note that they can then just start using it as a hankie!

I know we do have a focus on planting and hugging trees for the environment but I really do like the idea of Wooden Nickels for business cards and coupons.  They are re-usable and sustainable.  I recently got received a business card from wool food maker extraordinaire- I love it!  We almost always have a couple kicking around the house from one of our local handmade ice cream shacks- we drop them in the bucket and they keep re-using.  Pretty hard to do that with paper.

I would love to bring these into my shop, I am doing some research on a local source and using scrap wood possibly.  Still keeping that on the horizon and adding the cotton circles.  Those are just a couple of my ideas for this Earth Day- how about you?