It's Earth Day

Do you have any activities planned for earth day? We didn't. We have made our whole lives as earth friendly as we are willing to go at this point. We did 2 things though.

First, we sent our last package of pads to the Luhwahwa Youth Development Foundation. Last summer I started sending pads and pledged to send over 100. I sent several each month and just came back from sending a very large package with the rest of my pads. It was extremely expensive to ship the packages but there was some help from very kind helpers with monetary and sewing help and it is a wonderful cause that is right up my alley!

The Luhwahwa Youth Development Foundation (www.luyodefo.org) is a non-profit, community based, non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides support to marginalized communities across the Kasese district of western Uganda. In developing countries, the issues regarding menstruation and lack of access to sanitary products are often kept silent and what should be a right of passage into womanhood is often a gateway to dropping out of school. Menstruation is a silent issue; half of adolescent girls consider it a disease and don't know how to deal with it. Most girls/ women are unable to afford sanitary napkins. The lack of feminine products and information lead to girls dropping out of school early as they have no opportunities to maintain their hygiene during menstrual periods, miss lessons and fall behind. Most often, girls face the embarrassment of blood leaking through their clothes (spotting). This lack of protection leads most girls to miss up to five days of school monthly. That is a lot of days over the course of a school year, 6 weeks!

The pad project is not just about raising attendance. It is about raising the profile of girls at home, at school, and in the community. It is about teaching them to advocate for themselves. It is about telling them to be proud, and that they have the right to be healthy and educated. The implications of this are significant. Today’s young girls will teach the next generation about puberty, sexuality, and reproductive health. The conspiracy of silence will have been broken. Through this project helping girls feel empowered, we really can create social change. Girls who feel empowered are going to ask questions and push to get their questions answered. They’re going to understand what’s happening to their bodies, and be able to make informed decisions that keep them healthy and safe.

The second thing we did was talk about the things we do in our home that help the earth. We don't use any paper products in the kitchen. We use hankies instead of kleenex. We don't litter, we rarely use a car. There are many other things, but they have become a part of our daily life and just feel normal. They don't feel like anything special, but everything helps keep our earth the way God meant it to be!

Holiday Showcase: Our Children's Earth

Today we are visiting Our Children's Earth, enjoy!

 

Where can we find you?Website: www.ourchildrensearth.org
Etsy: www.etsy.com/people/ourchildrensearth
Ethical Community: www.ethicalcommunity.com/shop/our-childrens-earth
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Childrens-Earth/109367279088893
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/rchildrensearth
Blog: ourchildrensearth.wordpress.com/ 
Pintrest: pinterest.com/rchildrensearth/

What is life like in your studio?Our studio is full of a huge variety of items. I like to figure out how to make new things so I am constantly coming up with new creations or gifts. Some days, I want to sew so I make our Recycled Sweater Coats or reusable sandwich bags, some days I want to make jewelry so I make our bottle cap earring or vintage record jewelry, some days (ok most days on this one) I love to shop and find awesome vintage items or supplies at Thrift Stores, Yard sales or from friends. Our shop has become this great eclectic place to find treasures and our studio definitely reflects this.

What is your favorite giftable in your shop?I love our Recycled Crayons. They come in a huge variety of shapes and colors. That way you can give them for any occasion. The thing that is great about them is that children and adults love them.
www.etsy.com/listing/89821868/recycled-heart-crayons-hearts-weddings

Why is handmade important to you?I think that we lose the heart in items when we just make them by machine or from someone who just clocks in to work and does not care about the outcome of the products. There is truly something magical about creating an item from designing it to actually finishing the product. I love to support other artists also since I know how long it can take to make something. The other great thing about homemade is that it gives us a chance to use Eco Friendly products and recycle. Like we only use water based glue in our shop but if it was mass produced I am sure many of products would be made with harmful chemicals.

Share a handmade gift anyone can make.I love our Button Hair Accessories:
www.etsy.com/transaction/59306119
These are fun and easy to make. 
1. Get a hair barrette from the craft store.
2. Find some great vintage buttons or use old buttons off shirts that you can't wear anymore
3. Take your glue gun and glue the buttons onto the barrette. Becareful not to burn yourself and do this over newspaper incase the glue drips off the barrette.
4. To add something fun you can also glue material or ribbon on the barrette to create some fun designs.

Is there anything else you would like to share?We can all make a difference in the world. It can be little or big, it is up to us to make the world the way we dream it should be.

PoM Club is Here

The pad of the month club is here! You can join the fun here.

Here is the info...

The first week of each month we will ship a new pad to you. It will come in a mystery color or print so it will be very exciting to see what will come each month. At the end of th year you will have 3 panty liners, 3 medium short pads, 2 of each of our other pads, and 2 panty liner packs for when you are on the go.

 

Here is what you get and when:

Month 1 - Pantiliner with pack

Month 2 - Medium absorb short pad
Month 3 - Mediun absorb long pad
Month 4 - Heavy absorb short pad
Month 5 - Heavy absorb long pad
Month 6 - Pantiliner with pack
Month 7 - Medium absorb short pad
Month 8 - Mediun absorb long pad
Month 9 - Heavy absorb short pad
Month 10 - Heavy absorb long pad
Month 11 - Pantiliner
Month 12 - Medium absorb short pad

This is a fun way to either build or add to your stash. Plus who doesn't like a little surprise in the mail each month. Your first pad will come the month after you order (example: Order in May, first pad in June).

All of our pads are easy to care for, just toss them in the wash and wear them again. The edges are cut with a pinking shears and will fray. This leaves less bulk than sewing the edges under and makes them more comfortable as well as helping to conform to your body.

All our products are made in a smokeless home. Our fabrics are pre-washed before sewing.

Our absorbency levels:
Light - Panty liner for very light flow/spotting
Medium - pad for everyday/normal flow
Heavy - pad for heavier flow days

Looking for absorbency information? You can learn more at http://morganbubble.blogspot.com/2012/02/pad-absorbancy.html

Pad Absorbancy

Today I set up pad absorbency testing. The idea was to add 2 more levels for higher absorbency using single and double layers of Zorb. Here is how it worked, and bear in mind that blood does not react the same way as water as it is thicker.

Each pad got it's own plate and sits on top of 2 squares of toilet paper because it shows moisture the most. They are all made with 2 layers of flannel on top and a layer of fleece on the bottom for moisture wicking. What is different about each is what's on the inside. The tea cup pad has 2 puffy layers of Zorb. The polka dot pad has 1 layer of Zorb. The floral has cotton terry cloth inside. The pantie liner, in space print, has nothing in the middle. Time to see what happened during the experiment.

We added water to the middle of each pad one teaspoon at a time with a dropper. They would likely hold more overall, but my period doesn't usually cover the entirety of the pad, so we focused the "flow" to one small spot.

First is the lightweight pantie liner. Adam adds water to the middle. We wait for about 30-60 seconds between each teaspoon in an effort to simulate a natural "flow".

The pantie liner held 2 teaspoons but soaked through before the third could be added. What we noticed at the end of the experiment was that the whole liner was wet, meaning it really soaked up all it could and spread across the whole cloth to do it.

Next up is the medium absorbency pad. This is the pad that we started the pad line with (not including the liners). This pad held 3 teaspoons (or 1 Tablespoon, or .5 oz) and then it was done. It is better than the pantyliner for holding liquid, but not by much. Here is where it gets better. The pad stayed mostly dry. The water did not absorb much into other areas. The benefit here is that you have 1 Tablespoon of absorbency in several places, so as your flow moves across the top of the pad you will continue to have absorbency.

Now we get into the new pads. The last 2 I am talking about are brand new, as in I made them today. It takes a bit for a brand new pad to draw water, so it took a little bit for the water to soak in from the first dropper full. The single layer of Zorb was the best by far and will be joining our inventory. It held twice as much as the terry variation with a whopping 2 Tablespoons (or 1 oz, or 6t). It did come out damp across the whole top so you know it won't let you down till it has nothing left to give.

Last and not quite least is the double layer of Zorb. The neat thing about this pad was that you could see how the inside stitching did in fact stop the "flow" from going right off the edge. It was also this pad's down fall. The water soaked through the stitching at only 5 teaspoons, 1 less than the single layer. The water stayed centralized and the rest of the pad was dry as the desert, which means it still has more to give. But with it's flat out bulkiness and less than great absorbency, it will not be joining the inventory till it has a serious redesign, if at all.

So, now that that is done, it is time to order more Zorb and get sewing. If you want to buy pads from The Crazy Elephant, check out thecrazyelephantboutique.com. Do you want to be the first to know when the single layer Zorb pads are available? Follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/thecrazyelephant) or drop me a line in the comments section!

Pad Line Launch

The day is finally here! The new pad line is available, right now, in our shop! This line has been requested and questioned more than any other thing we make. So today I am going to introduce you to our pad line and try to answer every one's questions. If I don't cover some of the information that you were hoping for, please feel free to ask in the comments section or convo me in our shop.

Panty liners
 
This is the line that got it all started. From the very first listing they took off and quickly became one of our top selling items. They are perfect for light days or to just stay fresh every day. They are made with 2 layers of cotton flannel and a layer of fleece on the bottom to help with grip. They are slightly larger and longer than my Kotex liners and are much more comfortable. They are held in place by your underwear and I have never had mine slide around. I find them so comfortable in fact that I forget I am wearing them. They run about 7.5 to 7.75 inches long, 3.25 to 3.5 at the widest point across and 2.75 at the narrowest point.


Little Peanut Panty Liners


Medium Pads

These are about the same size as the store pads that I used to use. I noticed the difference right away. I put on my little peanut pad and it felt so soft and fluffy. This is a great pad for normal days and normal coverage. They breathe while still giving me the protection I need. No more moisture lock and irritation from plastic lined pads for me. They are made with 2 layers of cotton flannel, a layer of fluffy terry cloth, and a layer of fleece on the bottom to help with grip. Stitching down the side of the pad keep your flow focused on the center of the pad and helps the pad to conform to your body's shape. They are roughly 10 inches long, 3.5 inches across at the widest point and 2.75 inches across the narrowest point.

Medium Peanut Pad

Long Pads

These are my favorite pads! The long length gives me all over coverage so I never have to think about how I am sitting, laying, or whatever. They breathe while still giving me the protection I need plus they feel so soft and cozy on your skin. No more moisture lock and irritation from plastic lined pads for me. They are made with 2 layers of cotton flannel, a layer of fluffy terry cloth, and a layer of fleece on the bottom to help with grip. Stitching down the side of the pad keep your flow focused on the center of the pad and helps the pad to conform to your body's shape. They are roughly 12 inches long, 3.75 inches across at the widest point and 3 inches across the narrowest point.

Long Peanut Pad

Other Info

The edges are cut with a pinking shears and will fray. This leaves less bulk than sewing the edges under and makes them more comfortable as well as helping to conform to your body. They are held in place simply by the fact that your underwear is snug. So many people write back after trying my pads saying they were so surprised by how well they stayed in place and how comfy they were. I have never liked wings and certainly am not going to start now, especially when they work great without them.

 I toss my pads in with my darks in the laundry. You can put as much or as little care into them as you want. I for one just toss them in, but you could rinse or soak and wash them separately, it is all about what you feel comfortable with.

Starter pack with one of each

Another question I get asked a lot is how long they last. It does come down to how often they are used. I wore mine everyday to work for added security. That means I wore each pad roughly once a week. So after a year, about 52 washings or more, they became a little thread bare. The ones that were the worst were, of course, my favorites, which I wore every washing, so they probably doubled that total of washings. I still use them but have been gradually adding in new ones. They still work well and are absorbent, but look a little more on the ratty side.

Have you tried our pads before? Feel free to put your review in the comments section!
 Find these pads and more at:
 http://thecrazyelephant.etsy.com

The New Mystery Item

As comfy as the liners

I have been asked so many times by so many people to expand from just pantyliners to pads as well in my Mommy Essentials line. Well, your requests have not fallen on deaf ears! I spent months researching designs and thinking about what I wanted for myself as well. This is the design I ultimately came up with. It is quite similar to the pantyliners I currently make, and one of my best selling lines I might add. I have worn them and they are so comfortable. I have not had a chance to "properly" test them yet. I made them so that they are longer than disposable pads giving a much more secure feel for night time wear. I slimmed down the original design as they were a little wide. These pads are made the same way as the liners but with a fluffy terry cloth center. These won't be in shop till I feel the have had a thorough test. They are coming though and I will let everyone know when they are ready to order!



Prints like this make monthly visitors a little more fun



What's in Your Lunch?

Pirate pack collection



School starts today for the public schools in our town. Many kids will bring their lunch boxes for that first lunch of the school year. So what is inside? I bet there will be a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit snacks, chips and crackers. There is one main thing that will be in most of those lunches, garbage! A lot of it too. When I grew up each thing I ate came packaged in some kind of plastic that ended up in the trash when I was done eating. It is one of the main reasons that I designed the lunch packs. Since we don't go to school, we use our for picnics and long car trips. Here is a clip from our listings:



"Pack your lunch box with flair with our complete lunch pack. Not only will lunch time be fun, it will also be environmentally friendly. Your set includes 1 sandwich sized bag, 1 snack size bag, and 1 coordinating napkin for complete lunch time packaging that is entirely reusable. The bags close and open easily with the traditional sandwich bag closure. The outside of each bag is 100% cotton and the interior is nylon. The napkin is 2 sided cotton. All 3 pieces are machine washable. Do not wash or dry any warmer than warm. Hot water or dryer air can melt the nylon and that’s just no good. They can also be brushed out or wiped out and reused between washings."



Halloween pack collection

 School may have started, but it is not too late to make your child's lunch the coolest, and greenest, in school. So stop by the shop and see what is available, and feel free to ask what other colors we have that are not listed yet!

thecrazyelephantboutique.com

Little Tissues are on the Way!

By request of Adam, we are going to be carrying little tissues! They are the perfect size for kids and come in colors that are so much fun. Kids run through paper tissues like they are candy. I know that Jayne doesn't really get good use out of them when he uses the paper ones. The great thing about the flannel is that it just goes in the laundry basket to be washed and used over and over again. Plus you avoid the awful sore, red nose that comes with paper. You will see our little tissues in our shops soon and at our upcoming live shows as well. I know that cold season is coming to an end, but that just means that allergy season is around the corner!

Brand New at The Crazy Elephant

We have a new addition to the merchandise family at The Crazy Elephant! They are pantiliner packs. I have been using my own for a while now and I finally have the first one for sale. Now you can tote your little peanut pantiliners in style! This little pack is a great way to conceal your spare liner in your purse or contain your used one till you get it to the laundry basket. Each pantiliner pack is made with a cotton outer layer and nylon on the inside. Simply fold you liner in thirds and slide it inside the pack. It makes a package size about the same size as a traditional use and toss liner but is so much more fun!