Felt and Fancy

Hypotheses abound as to why the fabric we tenderly, almost affectionately refer to as “felt” gives us the warm fuzzies. Is it the spiritual echoes of Sunday School lessons animated with floppy characters slapped up against feltboards? The unburdened memories of a childhood decorated with fall cutouts, perhaps, of pumpkins and scarecrows our first-grade teachers strung around the room? The wistful recollection of a favorite blanket? Whatever it is, we can’t help but smile at the mere mention of this wispy, wooly material. It’s a savvy businesswoman indeed, then, who can tap that well of warmth and turn out a grown-up line of felt brooches that any lady with half an ounce of personality would be proud to wear. When Heidi of Pink Sparrow isn’t crafting unique necklaces, earrings, buttons and other jewelry items, she pours her enthusiasm for color into images on felt that are beyond cute, venturing well into “that…is…aDORable” territory.

Sleepy apples, starry-eyed owls, smiling skulls; the subjects of Heidi’s work would be considered relatively eclectic save for the fact that each has a charmingly organic quality in common with the others. The visual texture of the lovely Prism Flower wool felt pin, for example, sends so many different color signals to the eyes that the effect is almost hypnotic, and yet the material is so accessible and natural that one can almost smell in it the sweet breeze of summer. The point of these brooches is not craft a less-expensive version of something mass produced by factory drones, but rather to celebrate the singularity and exceptionality of something original and completely handmade. And of course, it goes without saying that a Pink Sparrow brooch accessorizes one’s outfit like nobody’s business. If handcrafted jewelry is a subject you love to “brooch,” you’ll find this next bit of news especially exciting: Heidi will be giving away (are you ready?) THREE floral brooches similar to the ones pictured here, here & here to the winner of today’s giveaway. To enter, visit Pink Sparrow, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Wishing Willow subscribers earn an extra entry; be sure to let us know in a second post if you’re a subscriber. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/14/08. Best of Luck!

**We have a winner! Berry who said, "My fave is the MOD OWL wool felt pin, any of the three colors!"**