Sad Week.

On Tuesday our family dog suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Anyone who has pets in their home probably know how devastating it is to lose such a beloved family member. Doing my best to keep up with the orders this week.

Rest In Peace Skyla aka "Skeeter Louise"

Scavenger Hunt! Win Prizes!

The Etsy team I am on, the Eclectic Artisans Team, is having a scavenger hunt! You have a great chance of winning a prize!!! Read this post for all the details!

And the winner is.....

Jennifer!!!!! You've won the Bride Ribbon Sculpture Giveaway! Please email me with your name address and how you'd like her mounted. Or if you'd prefer the 50% off a custom made Bride, let me know! I left a comment on your blog since I didn't see an email address for you.

Congratulation!!!!

New! Tutorial Bundle Packs! Save $$$!

How to make these ribbon sculptures in a new bundle pack at PunkyNMunky!


I've had many requests for creating bundle packs of tutorials. I do run a buy 4 get one free for the tutorials all the time. But I thought these smaller packs might be nice to offer!

With this one you will get the following tutorials:
Rapunzel
Dorothy
Alice
Evil Queen

Have fun!

Bows for Back To School

Are you or your little girl heading back to school? Or just love shopping for new accessories? Here are just a few hairbow styles I have available! There are so many colors to choose from!

Last days to enter!!!

Come read this post and enter to win!!!!!

New Ribbon Sculpture Instructions!

Finally! After having these pictures on my computer for over a year, I finished the Ballerina Ribbon Sculpture Tutorial! I have included the variations that you'll need to turn her into the Sugar Plum Fairy. You can find it in my Etsy Shop in the Tutorial section! From now until July 31, 2009, any of my blog readers can receive a $1 discount on the Ballerina Tutorial by entering BLOG1 in the message to seller at time of check out!

Bridal Giveaway!

Time for another giveaway! This time I'm giving away this beautiful Bridal Ribbon Sculpture!!!

She can be mounted to a lapel pin, a hair clip, a magnet, or left unmounted. If you are the lucky winner and would prefer a different hair or flower color, I can award to you a 50% off discount on your custom order! The Bride retails for $7.

Entering is simple!

For one entry: Simply comment below and be sure to include your email address or contact information!

You can increase your chances of winning by any or all of the blow (1 additional entry for each, please let me know what you have done!)

Link to my blog or Etsy shop from your Facebook page!

Link to my blog or Etsy shop from your Twitter!

Follow my blog

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/punkynmunky

Become a fan of Punky N Munky on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Punky-N-Munky/71276959019?ref=ts

For 2 extra entries, post about my giveaway on your blog! (please provide a link)

So that's 8 possible entries in all! Remember to come back and comment about all that you have done to receive your entries and be sure to leave me a way to contact you! If you have already done some of these, such as follow my blog or a Fan on my Facebook page, you can still count them as entries!!!

Last day to enter is July 31, drawing will be held shortly after!

Good Luck!!!

SCAVENGER HUNT TIME!!!!

It's Scavenger Hunt Time!! From July 1st through 10th the Eclectic Artisans Team members are hiding the American Flag as one of the photos in an item listing in their shop!

There are 15 shops and 15 flags - it's YOUR job to find where they are hidden!

Be one of the FIRST FIVE people to EMAIL Michelle (e-mail address on the team blog post - just click here to find it!) the listing LINKS (all 15) as to where the flag is hidden in each shop and you will win YOUR CHOICE of THREE of the prizes shown!

Prizes are as follows:
1st person to email all 15 flags will get to pick 3 of the 15 prizes
2nd person gets to pick 3 of the 12 prizes that are left
3rd person gets to pick 3 of the 9 prizes that are left
4th person gets to pick 3 of the 6 prizes that are left
5th place person gets the remaining 3 awesome and fabulous prizes!

To find out more about who is participating, what you can win and where to start hunting, check out the EART Team Blog!

READERS! Just FOR YOU! We ARE ALL also Offering up a 20% discount off your purchase before shipping in ANY of the shops listed! Just use code: SCAVENGERHUNT20, This code expires on July 10th. (To use this code, please put it in the notes to seller upon check out and wait for a revised invoice!)

Win Prizes!!

Want to win these wonderful prizes?!?! Stay tuned for the Eclectic Artisans Street Team Scavenger Hunt! It begins July 1st, so keep your eyes here!

Free Paint!

Someone dear to me shared this link with me today and I thought I would pass it on to you! I mean, who doesn't like free? I'm sure everyone has something that they need to paint. I plan on using mine on an old nightstand for Punky's bedroom!

https://www.glidden.com/index.do

Custom Orders

I love custom orders! This past month or so I've been pleasantly challenged by a few different buyers! Here are some recent requests!

Edward, Bella, and Jacob dressed as in the Prom scene from the Twilight movie. These are mounted to magnets.


Wonder Pets


Hungry Caterpillar, Hot Air Balloon, and Crab. The Little Red and Wolf were previous designs.


Most proud of this one Inspired by Mary Poppins!

Twitter

So I'm trying to figure out this whole Twitter thing. I've started to "Tweet" (is that the right word???) when I have new listings and also just some casual tidbits throughout the day. I've also just added a "retweet" button to my little blog here. If you have a Twitter account, and you like a post that you read here, you can send it to your Twitter and "Retweet" my post, easy peasy!!!

Oh, hey, you can find me on Twitter here https://twitter.com/punkynmunky! Follow me if you'd like, or not :) I do try to follow most everyone back!

I've been featured!

I've been featured on the Eclectic Artisans Team Blog! Check it out!
http://theeclecticartisansteam.blogspot.com/2009/06/fridays-featured-artistpunkynmunky.html?showComment=1244216500447#c1537799845695510324

Look at this!

One of my sculptures is on one of my favorite blogs! Lauren's Bite! Check it out here! If you are a Twilight fan you'll love her blog! She is so funny! Thank you Lauren!

The Eclectic Artisans Team: Wordless Wednesday...

The Eclectic Artisans Team: Wordless Wednesday...

Another giveaway??

I'd like to do another giveaway for May. But the problem is, I don't know what you would want! Please tell me what sort of thing I can make that you'd all love to receive!!!! You can check through old posts or here in my shop for inspiration :) Please let me know!!!

"Sparkly Edward" or "The Skin of a Killer"

So after a friend of mine suggested that I make the Edward "Sparkle", I went for it :). I like him better this way :) I had thought about naming it "The Skin Of A Killer", but thought it sounded a bit harsh, I didn't want to scare anyone away! This one I modeled after the scene in the movie where Edward shows Bella what he looks like in the sun with his shirt open...



Bella: It's like diamonds... you're beautiful.
Edward: Beautiful? This is the skin of a killer, Bella... I'm a killer.
Bella: I don't believe that.
Edward: That's because you believe only the lies... the camouflage. I'm the world's most dangerous predator, Bella. Every thing about me invites you in. My voice, my face, even my smell. As if I would need any of that... as if you could out run me... as if you could fight me off. I'm designed to kill.
Bella: I don't care.
Edward: I've killed people before.
Bella: It does not matter.
Edward: I wanted to kill you at first. I've never wanted a human's blood so much, before.
Bella: I trust you.
Edward: Don't.

I currently have it listed in my Etsy shop here: Sparkly Edward and Bella

Edward and Bella

So I went ahead and made another set to list here :) I'm hoping someone loves them as much as my daughter and I do!

And So The Lion Fell In Love With The Lamb

"And so the lion fell in love with the lamb."
"What a stupid lamb"
"What a sick, masochistic lion"

Edward Cullen and Bella Swan

(click play on my play list on the right to get the full effect for this post, they are my favorite pieces from the movie soundtrack)

Yes, I AM one of those Twilight people :). Can not get enough of the books. The movie was pretty cheesy, but I loved it too. I bought the special edition DVD and after showing my daughter the special scenes that showed you how they made the movie (so she could see it wasn't real) I let her watch it. She is now a little obssessed with MovieBella and MovieEdward (he'll never live up to the BookEdward that I've created in my mind). Anyway, as usual, I get a lot of inspiration for my work from her and she wanted an Edward and Bella ribbon sculpture. So I made them :) These are my first attempts and she loved them! They are modeled after the Forest Scene. She played with them all morning before school :) Trying to decide if I should make another set for sale on Etsy???

If you have not read the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, what are you waiting for?

March Give Away Winners!

Yay! I love give aways!!! You can read about the March Give Away here. For everyone who entered I put the names in a bowl and asked Punky to pick one out to be the winner.


Congratulations Paige!!!!!! You get to choose your hair bow or headband!


Of course Munky wanted in on the action so I let him choose one too. So we have two winners this time!!!!


Congratulations Eetomost! You get to choose a headband or hair bow as well!!!


I will email the winners. Thank you all for entering! Watch for the next giveaway coming soon!

Snow on the last day of Spring Break!

Yuck! What a miserable week we've had weather wise for Punky's Spring break from school. Mostly cold and rainy. They did have one nice day that they got to play outside, sunshine 55 degrees, a nice spring day. This morning we woke up to this


But the Punky and Munky really enjoyed themselves this morning though. Had to dig out the snow pants and boots I'd put away first LOL!


Makes it kind of hard to think about all the spring/summer items I have made and need to photograph! I keep waiting for a nice day to get outside, I'm tired of taking boring pictures inside the house!

Leprechaun Trap and FREE SHIPPING!

It's St. Patricks Day! Yay! I'm not Irish myself, but since I married an Irishman that makes my children Irish and I like to have fun with that :). Punky and I made a Leprechaun trap the other day. We adapted some instructions I found in the Family Fun magazine. Those Leprechauns are tricky little fellows, wonder if this trap will be good enough to catch one today??

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I am offering Free Shipping in the US and if you live in Ireland at my Punky N Munky Etsy shop! Just put FREESHIPBLOG in the message to seller at time of check out! Good through Midnight tonight US central time!

March Give Away!!!

It's been awhile since I've done a giveaway. I've been wondering what to do. I've decided to let the winner choose between two items. Either a 3" Hair Bow or an Adjustable Headband! (click on the picture to be taken to the item descriptions) The winner can even choose the color that they want!

Here is what you need to do. First go to my Etsy shop punkynmunky and then come back here and comment telling me which is your favorite item. Please include an email address or someway of contacting you. This giveaway is open to US residents. International readers are welcome to enter however, I ask that you split the shipping costs with me :)

The winner will be chosen by random on or soon after March 31 and contacted asap. I'll probably put all the names in a hat and have either Punky or Munky choose the winner, they like to do that :)

The winner can choose from these colors:

Please be aware that colors may differ in different monitors:
1. Cranberry
2. Red
3. Orange
4. Yellow
5. Light Yellow
6. Turquoise
7. Island Blue
8. Centry Blue
9. Navy Blue
10. Forest Green
11. Emerald Green
12. Chartruse
13. Mint Green
14. Pistachio
15. Lt. Pink
16. Pink
17. Hot Pink
18. Shocking Pink
19. Light Orchid
20. Delphinium
21. Sugar Plum
22. Regal Purple
23. White
24. Ivory
25. Cream
26. River Rock
27. Oatmeal
28. Mudpie
29. Brown
30. Grey/pewter
31. Black

last picture
32. Blue
33. Robins Egg Blue
34. Aquamarine
35. Apple Green

Good Luck!

New! Adjustable No Slip Ribbon Headbands!!!

New in the punkynmunky etsy shop! Adustable no slip headbands! I am in love with how simple and elegant these look in the hair.

They are made from grosgrain ribbon with the ends sealed to prevent fraying. To prevent slipping out of the hair they have been treated on the inside with silicone. I sent my model here to school with one in her hair fully expecting to find it in her backpack when she came home. Nope, still in her hair!

Each one has a toggle to adjust the size of the headband to fit many different sizes! I use approximately 29" of ribbon which fits my 5year olds head as well as my big ole head!

So many different colors to choose from, this is just a sample of colors! I have more and I can even order other colors if I don't have what you want!

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

I was so excited to finaly sit down and make this ribbon sculpture! I've loved the story since I was a young girl. I really like how it turned out. I love the pink and brown color combination. The Three Bears are approximately 2.5 inches tall and Goldilocks is 3" tall. Both are on a hair clip. Wouldn't that look cute in your little Goldilocks' hair?

Goldilocks and The Three Bears ribbon sculpture hair clip is currently available in my Etsy shop!

Shamrocks

Phew! I had an order for some ribbon Shamrocks that I was excited to fill! As I measured out all my ribbon I noticed that I would not have enough to complete the order. So I immediately ordered some more Emerald Green ribbon from one of my suppliers. I was thrilled when it arrived on Thursday, but was then promptly disappointed when I opened it up and had Apple Green Ribbon!!! Apple Green just doesn't cut it for St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks! I called the supplier and she was kind enough to send me the correct ribbon Express shipping. I was biting my nails hoping it would arrive by Saturday (which is when I had planned to ship this order). Yay! I was so excited when early in the day it arrived!!! Since I was behind schedule on this order I worked off an on throughout the day (instead of just naptime and after bedtime), letting the kids watch lots of TV so I could get it all done LOL! These were fun to make though, so it was a good time. I just finished up the last one and letting the adhesives cure overnight. I can package them up in the morning, print out my shipping label, and have it all ready to ship on Monday. This way I can enjoy my day at my parent's with the kids tomorrow!

CPSIA meets Dr. Suess!

I found this link in the Etsy forums. I thought it was nicely written and fun to read. http://www.easyfunschool.com/the_CPSIA_meets_Dr_Seuss.html

Finally getting motivated again!

The last few months I have been very unmotivated to create due to the CPSIA. Even when we got the "stay" I just was feeling very 'blah' I guess and have just been working on simple hair bows and simple ribbon sculptures. Well today I finally got the urge to make something new! I feel so much better! It's not finished, but it's working out how I envisioned. Although it is alot more work than I anticipated. It might be a one of a kind creation! I cannot wait to share it with you all!

From Hair Bows Wonder World!

One of the fabulous prizes I won in an Etsy challenge was from a very talented and super lovely Etsy seller, Hair Bows Wonder World. She makes the most realistic beautiful roses and flowers out of ribbon! This is me wearing the yellow rose I won! I tucked the end of the pin after I took the picture!


Taking a look through her shop I am always amazed at the work she can do! She has recently branched out into making flowers and accessories for weddings! Here are just a few, you really need to check out her shop if you plan on getting married anytime soon! She has other accessories not just for weddings too, so check it out even if you aren't planning a wedding! You won't be disappointed! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5814372

I hope this one is available when my husband and I renew our wedding vows on a tropical island somewhere on our 10 year anniversary (that's the dream anyway!)


This one is just so delicate and beautiful!


How elegant!

I can't believe these are all made from ribbon!

Just takes my breath away!

Thank you Lynn! I love my rose!

Relief???

So I just read that the CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements and read the quote below. I've also read of people cautioning that it is only "proposed", but either way it is a step in the right direction! There is so much that needs to be worked out, I just hope it gets done before the year is up!

"Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements. The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted. The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay."

CPSIA Does it affect you? I bet it does!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbeshttp://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.htmlDid you know?

If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Nutcracker Ribbon Sculpture Instructions

Just listed for those of you who want to get a jump start on your Holiday crafting! A set of instructions to make the Nutcracker ribbon sculpture that you see pictured. You can use the finished sculpture in a variety of ways! Mount it to a clip to wear in your hair or clip to a package! Put it on a pin back, or a magnet! Or even make it into an ornament!

There are 25 pages with 60+ pictures to clearly show you how it is assembled including mounting options.

Stop by my shop today to see what's available! http://punkynmunky.com

Twitter

So you Twitter? I was recently introduced to it. Not sure if I like it or not yet, but if you want to follow me, I'll be posting updates to listings and other tidbits about my day there if you'd like to keep up with me! I'll follow you too! You can find me here https://twitter.com/punkynmunky.

500th sale!!!!

Yay! I did it! Made my 500th sale! The lucky buyer bought the No Slip Grip Tutorial and chose the Spikey Bow tutorial for her free item.

499

I just sold my 499th item in my shop on Etsy! Wow! I want to thank all of my wonderful customers for helping me get this far! I just hope that I can continue past Feb 10, still waiting to hear of any revisions or for the law to be repealed.

Anyway, on a lighter note, whoever is my 500th sale will get to choose a second item for free (of equal or lesser value)!!!!!! I'm not promoting it anywhere but here, so maybe it will be surprise for that individual :)

Etsy-versary!

January 11 will mark my 1 year anniversary on Etsy at http://punkynmunky.com/! I cannot believe how time flies! To show my appreciation to all of my valuable customers I am offering free shipping on all items! Just put FREESHIP in the message to seller or send me a a conversation and I'll refund your paypal. If you'd prefer a revised invoice just let me know!

I'm also offering BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on all tutorials (second/free tutorial is of equal or lesser value than the first)! For tutorial buyers, please purchase your first tutorial, then put in the "message to seller" or send me a conversation with which one you'd like sent to you for free.

These offers are valid from today through Monday January 12, 2009.
http://punkynmunky.com/

Wendy