Pincushions For Christmas

(EMAILWIRE.COM, September 27, 2007 ) Sacramento, CA - Mina struggled to open the large old treasure chest shaped box, a task too hard for any five-year old, especially considering the weight of the lid. Expecting to find a treasure of coins, she sighed with disappointment, reaching into the box and pulling what appeared to be a porcelain shoe with a soft top made of red velvet. “What is it grandma?” she asked her grandmother who was sitting at the edge of her bed. “It’s a pincushion dear,” she replied. “But what’s it for?” Mina asked in her little voice. “It’s so I can keep and sharpen my pins and needles,” she told the girl whose look of confusion brought a big smile to her grandmother. “Someday Mina, you will learn how to use a pincushion.” Mina looked at her grandmother and said, “But it’s so old. I want a new pincushion.” “Well Mina,” her grandmother told her, “remember that something old will always be something new for someone else.” Forty five years later, Mina has taken to heart what her grandmother told her. Now in her fifth year of business under the name of Mina’s Treasures, Mina has created and sold numerous one-of-a-kind pincushions that people buy as gifts and heirlooms. “I’ll take an old porcelain, metal, or tin container and I renew it and make it useful again,” says Mina. “By adding ribbon, fabric, other ingredients and embellishments, that item can easily become a useful and beautiful heirloom pincushion.” Having researched the history of pincushions, the materials used to fabricate pins and needles, and learning what material will best protect them, Mina has taken a step back in time to the Victorian era and has created pincushions that are beautiful and decorative making them useful and collectible. In addition, she has added a magnet to help pick up fallen pins and needles. “The red tomato is the most popular pincushion out there today because it is very cheap,” says Mina. “Plus, they are usually made out of dirt, cotton, sawdust, and sand, yet carry a fancy name like “Emery Pincushion.” I use the original ingredients that were intended to sharpen and protect your pins and needles, and, I add my own touch to make each pincushion unique and personal. A perfect christmas gift.” For more information about Mina’s Treasures and her pincushions, readers are invited to contact Mina directly at minastreasures@hotmail.com.

CalMagazine.com
Adrian Perez

aperez@calmagazine.com