Who am I?
(and why do I have a blog about my pads?)
I’m a cloth pad fanatic. Since discovering cloth pads some time around 1999, I’ve been hooked. I started making my own pads, and then decided to start up a little business selling my wares. You can find my online store at:
http://www.obsidianstar.com.au
You can also find me lurking around places like:
http://www.livejournal.com/community/cloth_pads/
http://www.livejournal.com/community/diy_pads/
http://www.livejournal.com/community/menstrual_cups
And because I love pads so much, and wanted to help make it easier for other pad-crazy women to buy more pads, I set up an online “mall” store for other pad makers to sell from.
I’ve also set up a review forum so that cloth pad users can leave feedback and reviews on pad brands they have tried.
http://clothpadreviews.forumotion.com
(yes, I really am pad-mad – Pads, pads everywhere!)
You’ll notice that the majority of the pads I have are not made by me. That is for a few reasons…. One is that I rarely get the time to (or can justify) making pads for myself 
but mostly because I like to have different brands of pads just to have a greater knowledge of the cloth pad world…. and I love fabric, and if someone brings out a pad in fabric I love, I’m often tempted to buy it 
Annie Oakley said,
6, June, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Hello there, I really like your blog. I have started making cloth pads and bought a Kiki pads pattern. However, I am new to the cloth pads and was wondering what fabric works best for the core? Anyway, you have so much experience, I would appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks for your time.
Annie
obsidian said,
9, June, 2010 at 11:18 am
I personally prefer hemp or bamboo fleece, but you can use cotton terry (like you’d find towels made from).
Some people use several layers of flannel/flannelette because it’s cheaper, but depending on the absorbency you need, you might have to use so many layers of it, you’d be better off just using a more absorbent thicker fabric so you use less of it.
I have a DIY pad section on http://www.clothpads.org
outdoorgirl said,
29, August, 2010 at 10:23 am
Hi, I have read a lot of what you’ve posted on here. I have noticed though, out of your insanely huge collection, that there is a brand you don’t have that I am in absolute love with. They are called Many Moons Alternatives from Canada….Victoria I think. Many sizes and fabric options…pocket inserts and waterproofing although optional in the organics. They are WONDERFUL! I highly suggest these to you
http://www.manymoonsalternatives.com/detail.php?pro_id=37
obsidian said,
29, August, 2010 at 10:41 am
There are probably hundreds of brands I’m missing…. some because I don’t want one of them, some because I haven’t yet got one.
I did at one stage have a want list, but it became too long
outdoorgirl said,
29, August, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Totally understandable! But if you do get the chance to add these to your collection then go for it!
obsidian said,
29, August, 2010 at 1:45 pm
well I have a couple as part of my advocacy kits (along with a couple of brands, so I can have examples of different pad styles) – so I am familiar with them (obviously not to use, but to know what they look like), but I don’t actually like pocket pads myself… I only like AIOs…. so I’m unlikely to add any pocket pads to my collection.