Sunday Morning. . . 18 Months Later.

In many ways, it feels like years since I last wrote. Chronic pain and depression have taken their toll.

One of my goals as I attempt to make this journey back to a happier self is to post at least once a week. However, speaking from experience, posts will always be sporadic. What's different is I am trying to stop beating myself up about missed goals.

There hasn't been much productive time since the last post, but some is better than none. You'd think that there would be tons and tons of completed projects in an eighteen month time span. Alas, not so much.

Purchased some wool felt a while back (when there was still a few dollars in the coffer). Made a lot of brooches with it. Over a hundred to be exact. Little projects make me feel like I'm accomplishing something without increasing my pain level.

My favorite is a little birdie that takes about half an hour to make (and will be priced appropriately at $5). As you can see in the photo, they are each a little different - rather like having their own personality. I call the ones with snowflake flowers "snow birds". LOL

Am going to call them "cheer up" birds and make little cards to be sent with them. Another marketing tool that could pay off big. There are at least thirty Cheer Up birds made so far. Might have to increase the price to $7.50 to offset the cost of materials for the card.

The other brooches range from simple to rather complex.

This is an example of one of the more complex brooches using several different stitches, threads and beads on a two and one-half inch circle of felted wool. The back is a brooch clasp.

It is based on the yin-yang symbol.

Brooches like this are in the $20-30 price range.

A stylized, beaded flower vase on felted wool is a good representative of the mid-range brooch.

As with most of the brooches, it measures about two and one-half inches in diameter and is backed with a brooch clasp.

Brooches similar to this average $10-15.

This simple woven two color brooch attaches via a simple safety pin.

It is based the Swedish Hearts traditionally made with paper and filled with candy treats before placing Jul/Christmas Trees.

Like the "cheer up" birds, it will retail for $5.