My new purse

And the little critters who left me alone enough for a few minutes each night to let me finally finish it. PH and I have often lamented the sorry state of women's handbags. There are too many rhinestones, studs, gold latches, useless-decorative pockets, extra handles and patent leather parts for me to feel comfortable with. I don't want my purse looking like a cheap hooker. Not even with my new hair, it still is not me.
So I decided to make myself a test purse and then, if it worked, make it a flagship purse, one I really wanted to carry around flaunting it's happy existence without all the standard purse-deco, clutter garbage. The front panel is hard felted merino in blues and greens and silvers with a lot of sashiko mermaid stitching. The pocket on the front panel came from the leather coat I used on the back panel. This is truly and unsale-able item due to all the hours of stitching involved in it's subtle decoration.
The back panel is an up-cycled suede leather coat, and the inside is a fantastic flannel print with old cars and the appropriate accessories for traveling around in such ancient vehicles. I wish I had taken a photo of the fabric before it went inside the bag.
This is a close up of some of the stitching and (shame on me) my logo embroidered on in flashy red and white. I am a fame whore just waiting to be recognised :)
When I went to school for ceramics I would have called this red and white mark my 'chop' and stamped it on the underside of all my works as a signature of sorts. Somehow, even with the switch in mediums I still feel like this makers mark is important. Maybe even more important in a world filled with cheap, mass-produced goods where the items aren't even seen by the people whose names appear as the chop or brand.

The Etsy Shop

This post isn't much to look at, but it is big news!!
Little brown badger has an Etsy shop. Indeed, now there are two places to catch the latest in LBB happenings and crafty outpourings. For the moment the Etsy shop is focused on bags and purses, wet felted merino wool and re-purposed leather goods. Come on over and check it out. There are still many things to be ironed out and many more items yet to be listed so keep checking back!!

The Haircut

Somehow, while I was changing diapers, encouraging little people to eat their veggies, potty training and infinite other mothering chores I forgot I had a head.
I know, I feel bad for every single person who has been forced to look at my head for most of the last 5 years. I just didn't know I was rocking such a sad, sad, SAD head of shaggy, neglected dog hair. I am officially sorry. And it is with a sigh of relief that I introduce you to my new hair.


I have a lot to learn about doing my own fabulous hair. I really underestimated how much product I should be using and this morning after doing my hair myself I looked much fluffier. Note to self: pile on the gunk for sleek, shiny hair. I feel like I should have known to use more product. When I woke up this morning, the morning after the great hair revolution, I felt like my head had been buttered. Gross yes, but lovely, oh sooooo lovely.