Monday, May 31, 2010

Mama West Wind Grand Opening & Giveaway!

Once there was and once there was not, a magical meadow on the edge of an enchanted forest. The forest was home to many magical beings. Mama West Wind knew them all.

On the other side of the magical meadow was a beautiful orchard of plum trees.  Families of "plum folk", as they came to be known, lived in the roots of these trees.  They were friends with all the woodland animals and birds. The plum children loved being mischievous with their friends the gnomes... 

I am so excited to present my new Etsy store, Mama West Wind! 


For awhile now my obsession has been making toys that will delight my little boy.  I've made him felt food, felt boards, bean bag frogs, felt dinosaurs, birds,  & all sorts of different toys but none have captured our hearts like the peg doll gnomes.  I make up stories about gnomes and have made Michael & Owen gnome hats and capes to wear.  The gnome fun has yet to stop!


When I first made the peg doll gnomes I used acrylic felt and was so disappointed to see them ball up and look mangy very soon after playing with them.  I decided I really wanted to buy wool felt but I just didn't have the money to spend.  Then I heard of upcycling wool sweaters by felting them and I knew I had to try it.

I love the look and feel of them.  I recently began experimenting with different types of hats and this little one emerged.  I think it's my favorite so far!


I hand sew my peg dolls with love, delighting in the idea that what I make will be loved and played with.  I imagine the fun a child will have making up stories and living within a magical world all their own.


In the orchard little Adela is helping her mother make plum jam. She lives in the roots of a plum tree with her family. Her friends are the mischievous gnomes that live beyond the meadow and the sparrows that share plums with them. 

This is another one of my favorite little Plum Folk gals.  If you'd like the chance to win her or another peg doll please do the following. 

  1. Sign up as a Chocolate Eyes follower, and
  2. Go check out my Mama West Wind etsy store.  Come back and tell me which Gnome or Plum Folk you like best and you may just win him or her.   
  3. (optional) For an additional chance to win, write a blog post linking to my giveaway.  

Please leave your email address within your comment and I will be randomly picking a winner one week from today on June 7th.  I will close comments at 9:oo AM and announce the winner later in the day. 
    Congratulations Jen of Ancient Hearth!

     Many thanks!
    Posted by MamaWestWind at 11:05 AM
    Friends

    54 comments:

    1. KatieMay 31, 2010 at 11:21 AM

      i follow under kshuttle!!

      i love the Adela- Plum folk Fairy Tale Doll. Those are adorable :)

      kshuttle@uoguelph.ca

      ReplyDelete
    2. GraceMay 31, 2010 at 5:01 PM

      I like: Tudor the Waldorf Forest Gnome

      I am a regular reader of your blog via google reader but I just signed up as a follower too!


      Congrats on your cute Etsy shop!

      ReplyDelete
    3. Heather MidwifeMay 31, 2010 at 7:52 PM

      I love them all, Becca! But yes the two-pointed hoods are extra special. Do you make the peg bodies or buy them? I was thinking about getting some and painting them for Aizel- she has lots of her brother's old toys with holes for people, but all the people are long gone... Congrats on your etsy store. I'll try to promo it on my facebook page.

      ReplyDelete
    4. LiliaJune 1, 2010 at 7:32 AM

      I too like Adela. I don't need to be entered into the contest as I have no little ones of my own, but I just wanted to congratulate you on your new Etsy store and wish you luck with it. Your crafts are beautiful!

      ReplyDelete
    5. MamaWestWindJune 1, 2010 at 2:28 PM

      Thanks so much for all the Congrats!

      Heather, I buy my wooden peg people in the wood craft section at Hobby Lobby. They come in a bag of 8 and are inexpensive. That would be super cute. Aizel would love it I'm sure.

      Becca

      ReplyDelete
    6. janeJune 1, 2010 at 9:05 PM

      I like plum girl Adela -- she looks so cozy and cute!

      ReplyDelete
    7. AnonymousJune 1, 2010 at 10:56 PM

      I just found your blog and started following :)

      I just can't pick a favourite between Cameila and Papa Plum. I also agree, the two pointed hoods are my favourites.

      I'm looking forward browsing the rest of your blog and reading new posts and good luck with your new etsy shop!

      Stephanie

      ReplyDelete
    8. softearthartJune 1, 2010 at 11:37 PM

      Hi Papa plum fairy is just great. love and light Marie

      ReplyDelete
    9. twolittleseedsJune 2, 2010 at 12:26 AM

      Hi, Saw you on Childhood magic.
      Love Nicolae, he sounds like my son!
      Love the idea of felted sweaters, I too love felting but don't like acrylic either. What a great idea!
      This gnome would be perfect for my winter table...
      He also reminds me of the boy that wore the orange anorak on South Park with the hood on..I loved South Park!
      twolittleseeds@gmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    10. nocton4June 2, 2010 at 1:22 AM

      loving Adela here too.
      am following you now, wonderful blog, great esty store, good luck x

      ReplyDelete
    11. eidolonsJune 2, 2010 at 6:48 AM

      I love your peg gnomes! Vlad is my favorite (my oldest son's favorite, too - it's disturbing how similar we are). Glad I stumbled upon your blog!

      I bought some peg people a while back, but haven't gotten around to dressing them. I sort of got caught up in needle felting instead. And now with a newborn in the house, not much crafting gets done at all!

      ReplyDelete
    12. AriellaJune 3, 2010 at 5:31 AM

      I like Mama Plum! Very sweet!

      ReplyDelete
    13. LisaJune 3, 2010 at 5:36 AM

      Becca, great job! I'll share the giveaway on my post today. :)

      lisa

      ReplyDelete
    14. JoyJune 3, 2010 at 5:39 AM

      What an amazing shop! I love it! I think Tudor's my favorite, but they are all wonderful. :) We've made peg gnomes before, but none as cute as your upcycled ones. I think my autumn nature table needs one! PS. I'm a follower now too. :)

      ReplyDelete
    15. FrontierDreamsJune 3, 2010 at 8:51 AM

      Following now :) I can't decide between Adela and Pap Plum,love them both!!

      ReplyDelete
    16. angelinaJune 3, 2010 at 8:58 AM

      plum mama is great!
      xx

      ReplyDelete
    17. JenJune 3, 2010 at 9:34 AM

      I like Camelia. What wonderful little ones you make. I just became a follower and I wish you luck on your etsy endeavor.

      ReplyDelete
    18. kendraJune 3, 2010 at 9:44 AM

      they are all very sweet! i love nicolae. and adela. and papa. : ) found you through 5 orange potatoes. congrats on your sweet shop!

      ReplyDelete
    19. erinJune 3, 2010 at 10:06 AM

      I'm just loving Mama Plum Fairy. These are so adorable. Congratulations on opening your etsy shop, that is very exciting!

      I'm a google follower and subscriber now. :-)

      ReplyDelete
    20. ElizabethJune 3, 2010 at 4:45 PM

      Oh I love Adela, but it was a hard decision. best of luck with your ETSY shop!

      ReplyDelete
    21. Sippy Cup CentralJune 3, 2010 at 4:53 PM

      They are amazingly cute- mama plum fairy is my favorite. I follow you, Karen

      ReplyDelete
    22. mamamajulyJune 4, 2010 at 3:43 AM

      I love them all, but I think Adela is the cutest! Although Tudor is quite handsome too. Love your work! I stumbled on your blog a while ago, but I rediscovered it through 5 orange potatoes. I'm now a follower and put your Etsy shop as a favorite. Good luck with this new venture!

      ReplyDelete
    23. The Five of UsJune 4, 2010 at 3:53 AM

      Hi! I became a follower! And I checked out your store. It's a VERY hard decision just to choose which I like best. I'll say Papa Plum - Father's Day is coming. Hope very much to win.

      Jen

      ReplyDelete
    24. TwigandToadstoolJune 4, 2010 at 4:23 AM

      I like Papa Plum...your enchanted little people are wonderful...I love the idea of using felted sweaters to outfit them in.
      Good luck with your etsy store...and come by the Toadstool for a visit sometime!! (we're hoping to do a gnome giveaway of our own in a week or two)!!
      xo maureen

      ReplyDelete
    25. GinnyJune 4, 2010 at 5:55 AM

      I love both Adela and Papa Plum!

      ReplyDelete
    26. Mary BethJune 4, 2010 at 8:00 AM

      These are adorable! I really like Adela :) Beautiful work! now follow your lovely blog too!

      ReplyDelete
    27. JenJune 4, 2010 at 8:13 AM

      Oh how lovely! And congrats already on your first sale!!!! They are all so sweet and it was hard to decide ~ I'd be thrilled to receive any of them! My daughter and I were struggling between Adela and Cameila, but I think if we could only pick one, it would be Adela. But if I were picking for my hubby, I'd have to pick Vlad! Best of luck, Becca! So nice to see you sharing your talent with others. I'm sure little ones will LOVE playing with these beautiful characters and I can't wait to follow your shop through the seasons!

      I did sign up to follow and will post your giveaway on my blog at www.ancienthearth2.blogspot.com!

      Congrats early to the lucky winner!

      Blessings,
      Jen

      ReplyDelete
    28. KimmieJune 4, 2010 at 9:17 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      ReplyDelete
    29. UnknownJune 4, 2010 at 9:29 AM

      Love Adela! So sweet :-)

      ReplyDelete
    30. UnknownJune 4, 2010 at 9:34 AM

      I'm madly in love with the Adela-Plum Fairy Folk doll :) She looks like she belongs in an enchanted wood.

      ReplyDelete
    31. KerrieJune 4, 2010 at 9:41 AM

      Oh I love these! Nicolai is my favorite. :) I'm now a follower!

      ReplyDelete
    32. A BirdJune 4, 2010 at 9:50 AM

      I love the Mama Plum gnome!

      ReplyDelete
    33. MelJune 4, 2010 at 10:14 AM

      Oooh, they are all so adorable! But I think my favorite is Cameila, I just love the little hat ^_^
      Best of luck with your etsy store. My boys have chocolate eyes, too ^_^

      ReplyDelete
    34. Jen from SewnNaturalJune 4, 2010 at 11:18 AM

      I'm a new follower! Found out about your lovely blog via donni's Magic Onions.

      I love Papa Plum and Adela - both are sweet. My daughter would be so thrilled...

      Thanks for entering us.

      warmly,
      jen

      ReplyDelete
    35. Domestic DivaJune 4, 2010 at 11:20 AM

      They're great! My little one would love any of them. I especially like Tudor the Waldorf Forest Gnome.

      ReplyDelete
    36. AnonymousJune 4, 2010 at 11:41 AM

      i'm all about Adela, so sweet :)

      ReplyDelete
    37. momma raeJune 4, 2010 at 11:47 AM

      congrats on your store opening!! i love adela and i am following you. ;)

      ReplyDelete
    38. Monked & FifedJune 4, 2010 at 11:50 AM

      You are so talented...and while I love the little gnome with the more camel bump style hats and think I should win because it is my little girls birthday this weekend... :)

      no, I'd be thrilled to win, but am happy to be a "follower" and glad that you visited Monked and Fifed...
      perhaps you'll follow me aswell.
      Looking foward to reading...have a lovely weekend!!!
      a.

      ReplyDelete
    39. Obaitori June 4, 2010 at 1:56 PM

      Wonnderful. Congratulations on all of your efforts to create a shop. All your people look so sweet. Adele & her colour combination look perfect to me. Thank you for the opportunity.

      ReplyDelete
    40. April's HomemakingJune 4, 2010 at 2:41 PM

      I love Adela Plum - you have done a great job on her outfit, I love the double point hat, as well as the colors you have used for her. Great job on your new Etsy site, I look forward to seeing your future work.

      ReplyDelete
    41. sheepishJune 4, 2010 at 3:42 PM

      Tudor looks dashing in purple! I would love to have him in our home.

      ReplyDelete
    42. * *June 4, 2010 at 7:00 PM

      Congratulations on your shop!
      This work of your hands is stunning!

      ReplyDelete
    43. MistJune 4, 2010 at 7:46 PM

      Congratulations on your new shop. That must be an exciting venture!

      All of your creations are beautiful. Tudor seems especially mysterious in his purple garb, but I think Adela is my favorite. There is something just so playful about the two-pointed hat! :)

      I am a follower through Google Reader.

      ReplyDelete
    44. Hullabaloo HomesteadJune 4, 2010 at 9:33 PM

      Congrats congrats on your etsy store. Miss Adela jumped out at me. I'd love to have her come and live at my house!

      :)Lisa

      ReplyDelete
    45. Indigo, madder, marigoldJune 5, 2010 at 7:13 AM

      i like Cameila. I follow your blog and i will be blogging about your giveaway!
      theartistthemom.blogspot.com
      angela_mobley@hotmail.com

      ReplyDelete
    46. Valerie @ Inner Child FunJune 5, 2010 at 11:21 AM

      Mama Plum is adorable!! Best of luck with your new Etsy shop -- it is soooooo cute!

      valerie (at) frugalfamilyfunblog (dot) com

      ReplyDelete
    47. Lacey (schoolhousefarm)June 5, 2010 at 5:21 PM

      caeliam is my favorite!

      ReplyDelete
    48. stgrahamJune 5, 2010 at 6:24 PM

      I love the mama and papa plum. They are fabulous! You are very talented! Keep up the great work!

      ReplyDelete
    49. UnknownJune 6, 2010 at 7:35 AM

      These are all so beautiful! I let my 5 year old daughter choose the doll she liked best. Mama Plum was the winner.

      ReplyDelete
    50. MamaWestWindJune 6, 2010 at 1:32 PM

      Thanks so much for the wonderful comments! I am so blown away by all of your responses.

      Please, please make sure that you leave your email address. The last 2 commentators I am unable to find a way to contact you, either because of an unavailable profile or no contact information listed on your blogger profile. If you are picked, I'd love to be able to tell you!

      Thanks so much.

      Becca

      ReplyDelete
    51. KimmieJune 6, 2010 at 11:38 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      ReplyDelete
    52. katJune 7, 2010 at 6:33 AM

      Well! Congratulations on your etsy shop!I am sure you will have great success!Tudor is my favourite as he is very regal looking.
      Kat
      I also subscribed to your feed. You can contact me at: redravencrafts(AT)yahoo.ca
      Can't wait to win! (positive thinking you know!)

      ReplyDelete
    53. ShosannahJune 10, 2010 at 9:58 AM

      Even though I'm too late for the giveaway. I just wanted to say how cute your little fairy people are. It's obvious they have been made with love!
      I'm writing a post on some of my favorite online artists and artisans sometime this week. I will feature your lovely shop!

      ReplyDelete
    54. MamaWestWindJune 10, 2010 at 1:24 PM

      Thanks SuzyQ! I would love that!

      Becca

      ReplyDelete

    Welcome to my sweet little part of the world! Please come by often and leave a comment! I love to get your feedback and know that my friends and family have visited!

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)