How to Make Tiny Polka Dot Wet-Felted Coin Purses
Tiny Wet/Needle Felted Coin Purse
How to make a wet felted coin purse
Wet and needle felting techniques are used to create this charming coin purse. A cute sew on metal frame completes the project.
I hope that along the way you will learn a few techniques which you may not have encountered elsewhere. My aim is always to make wet felting interesting and very easy for everyone.
Things you will need to complete this project:-
A small quantity white wool roving
A small quantity of colored roving
1 Polystyrene ball - 90 mm
1 Polystyrene ball - 70 mm (Can be substituted with a small balloon)
Grated Olive Oil Soap or Dishwashing liquid.
Sushi mat
Tape measure
A small sharp pair of scissors
Sewing needle
A felting needle
Embroidery thread
Tea towel or hand towel
A sponge
NON ESSENTIAL ITEMS:-
A Salad Spinner
A small balloon
A field of poppies
Wool roving and a felting needle.
Step one
Start by pulling off a piece of white wool roving which should fit comfortably around the ball with just a small overlap. The loose ends should then be needle felted to the ball.
A 70 mm and a 90 mm polystyrene ball with white merino wool roving
Needle felt
Wrap the white roving around the ball. It should lie as flat as possible against the sides of the ball.
Tuck it firmly around the ball and needle felt the loose fibers to the ball. Ensure that the layer is evenly spread throughout with no thin spots anywhere.
Thin spots should be filled with slivers of fiber.
Needle felt white roving to the ball.
Cover both ends in white wool
Add more wool fibers to both ends of the ball as indicated in the images below. Smooth the fibers down with both hands and needle felt the wool to the ball.
The uncovered ends
Needle felting the wool roving to both ends
Smooth over and needle felt at end
And the other end
Step 2 - Colored fibers
Repeat the first layer but this time cover the white layer with a layer of colored wool. You may wish to use several colors!
I combined a few different fibers, using a pair of hand carders as shown below.
Cover the white wool with merino wool roving
Partially covered white wool
Completely cover the white wool with colored wool
A few essentials and one non essential item!
Freezer bag!
The freezer bag is a non-essential item. but one can be a used to effectively help smooth down the fibers. I find it easier to roll the ball on a sushi mat. I feel I am less likely to disturb the fibers using this method
.A sushi mat is highly recommended, not only for this project but for many small projects.
If you want to try the freezer bag method, add a little water to the bag and then place your wool covered ball into the bag. Gently massage the ball with your fingers held around the bag until the wool becomes smooth. Retain it in the bag in the bag until fully felted or take out and roll on a tea towel or on a sushi mat.
Freezer bag method
Or use a sponge to wet the fibers with hot soapy water
Wet but not saturated!
Apply hot soapy water with the sponge. Complete this stage by pressing down the wool with your fingers as you move around the ball/ It should be wet but not saturated.
Roll gently on a sushi mat
Salad Spinners were not invented just to dry lettuce leaves!
I love using a salad spinner for small projects like this. They are great for taking out excess water from a project. They are also very helpful when it comes to felting. Put the project into the salad spinner and spin until the mechanism begins to feel stiff. This is a sure sign that the wool is becoming a little dry and that too much soapy water has collected in the bottom of the container.
Lift the colander part of the strainer and dip the ball back into the soapy water below. If there is too much water in the bottom, pour it out and repeat the spinning process.
Every now and then, take the ball out, wet it again and roll it between your hands. Doing it this way will ensure a lovely smooth finish.
In no time at all, the ball will soon become felted.
Now who said that salad spinners were made just for drying lettuce leaves!
Salad Spinner!
Putting the ball into the salad spinner
Put the lid on!
Spin for about thirty seconds, check the contents, if too dry, wet again from the contents in the bottom of the salad spinner. Roll between the hands every now and again.
Cover the salad spinner
Rinse when felted and then roll the ball on a kitchen towl
Step 3 - add the decoration
Needle felt as desired - examples are contained in this tutorial
Needle felt if desired
Needle felted white polka dots
Wet and hot soapy water
Needle felting
The needle felting areas will need felting in order for them to be incorporated into the rest of the wool. Wet with hot soapy water. Rub gently at first and then roll hard on a sushi mat or kitchen towel until felted.
Once they begin to felt, you can try the salad spinner again for faster results.
Roll the needle felted areas on the sushi mat
Rinse and roll
Finally, rinse in hot and then cold water and roll on a tea cloth or put in the salad spinner.
Rinse and roll on a dry tea towel
Measure the opening
Measure 6 cm across the top of the ball to make an opening for the coin purse.
Tape Measure
Place a marker
Place a marker, in this case, I used the needle and the tape measure. Cut along the edge of the tape measure. The distance should measure approximately 6 cm for a purse this size.
Cut the opening with small sharp scissors
Pull the cut open
Stretch the cut area slightly until you can see the area below. Make sure all the fibers have been cut right through to the ball below.
Expose the cut area
Hot water
Take the ball to the sink and run hot water over it.
As you do this, you will feel the ball stretch under your fingers. Gently ease the ball through the opening.
Put felted ball under a hot tap
Ease the ball out through the opening
The ball, a balloon and the project
Two choices!
Once the ball has been removed, rinse the project under running water until the water runs free of soap. Put the small polystyrene ball into the cavity left behind. There will be room to spare.
OR
Add a small quantity of water to a small balloon, blow it up, just enough to allow you to insert it into the cavity. It should be blown up to about the same size as the 70 mm ball which you may have purchased especially for this project.
Please see images below.
As seen here, I used the balloon out of preference to the polystyrene ball.
Polystyrene ball or balloon!
Place ball/balloon into the cavity and massage with hot soapy water
Note on using a balloon for this project
A balloon can be easily extracted from the cavity at any stage which is why I prefer using one at this stage.
Leave it in until you have completed the project. The balloon will give your coin purse a lovely shape.
Massage the opening
Begin massaging the purse with hot soapy water. Concentrate on the area around the opening at first.
You will soon feel the fibers contract as the fibers shrink back to the required size.
Rinse with hot and cold water
Rinse in hot and cold water
Finally, rinse in both hot and cold water.
If using the polystyrene ball, remove the ball before it becomes too tightly enclosed in the cavity. If this happens you will have to put it back under hot water and stretch it to get it out.
Note - this will not happen if you use a balloon.
Fulling the project
Full the project. This can be done by hitting the project against the edge of the sink or a waterproof table. You will soon feel and see the fibers shrink back.
Fulling the project - notice the shrinkage!
Sew on the curved metal purse frame
Gather together, embroidery thread and scissors. Open the curved metal frame and place it over the cut edges as shown here. Use the scissors to tuck the cut edge under the lip inside the frame.
Be careful not to pop the balloon with your sewing needle:)
Embroidery thread, needle, small coin purse frame and scissors
Sew in the small metal arched purse frame
Sew in the 
The video included below though spoken in Chinese does a superb job of describing how to do this.
Use a small sharp pair of scissors to push the edges up into the frame before stitching.
Try not to burst the balloon!
I leave the balloon inside until I have sewn on the arched frame.
Any excess water can always be removed with the salad spinner and the project can be left to dry, either with the balloon left in or out:)
Sewing on the purse frame
The finished project - one really cute little coin purse
Examples of designs you may wish to use in your design
How to sew a metal frame for your coin purse
Felting tutorials
What type of felting tutorials do you need:-
Your comments please!
I love to receive comments or answer any questions you may have on any of my felting tutorials.
I hope you enjoy making this project as much as I did.
Sally
Questions & Answers
© 2015 Sally Gulbrandsen
Comments
- Author
Bonjour Chantal
Je vous en prie. Je vous souhaite un succès avec votre projet.
- Author
You are very welcome Jeannette. It is always lovely to receive such positive feedback.
Thank you.
Sally.
Thank you for this lovely tutorial. I love the idea of a pretty little change purse.
I hope to make this using your instruction. They are very detailed and I think will be easy to follow.
Regards
Jeannette
- Author
Marilyn Pahl
I am glad you enjoyed this tutorial. This project is mostly wet felted with a just a little needle felting. In fact you could probably get away with just wet felting it if you did not wish to add the spots to the coin purse.
Interesting to hear about your Mother and her needle felting. Most of my own work is wet felted though I do sometimes like to use needle felting to add embellishment or detail as was done with this project.
I have not had a problem with moths and don't know if they are prevalent in Naples, Florida but would imagine that you would be pretty safe if you keep your wool in a large sealed plastic container, preferably not in plastic bags as humidity may felt the wool. I find that wool is best kept in thick paper bags inside a large plastic container with a lid.
I hope you decide to experiment with needle or wet felting. Felt is a wonderful medium to work with.
Enjoyed the tutorial on making this darling little coin purse. I came from Toledo, Ohio and my grandmother years ago did needle felting as her profession. She made birds, flowers, vines/leaves for a millinery store. Her work was in high demand, and she had her own studio at home that had a window with an eastern exposer. I live in Naples, Florida and would love to work needle felting, but concern myself with semi-tropical weather here. Should the wool be in air-tight containers? Will I have a problem with bugs?
- Author
Stacy Birch
Glad you like them. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
These remind me of old fashioned bags, so pretty.
- Author
Suzi HQ
Be careful Suzi, this hobby can be addictive! If I can encourage others to learn how to do wet felt then I will have done my job. It is always nice to receive a HOTD and this one was no exception. Your visits are always valued and appreciated. Thank you so much
Sally
What a fab craft Sally, so new to me! Love this style of coin purse and definitely on my to do list now. Thanks for exceptional detail on all stages, much appreciated! Delighted you received so many comments and a worthy HOTD!
- Author
Kierstin Gunsberg
I hope that you enjoy making them these little coin purses as much as I did. Small is definitely very cute in this case.
Very cool tutorial! I love to wet felt but I haven't been all that ambitious in my endeavors so far. Someday I'll have to give this one a try :)
- Author
AliciaC
Nice of you to stop by to comment of this project. I enjoyed making these them. The HOTD was a bonus and came as a very pleasant surprise.
Your comment is valued and appreciated,
Thank you very much,
Sally.
These coin purses are so cute, Sally. I love them! Your instructions in your wet felting hubs are always so detailed and useful. Congratulations on the Hub of the Day. You certainly deserve this honour.
- Author
ocfireflies
That is a very nice thing to say. I think you poetry is pretty awesome too:) It makes me want to have a go sometime. It is so nice to see you again.
Blessing to you Kim.
Sally
Sally,
I can see why this hub was chosen for HOTD! You are AWESOME! Would love to have even just a little of your talent.
Blessings,
Kim
- Author
Prompt Writer
Glad you like it, thank for stopping by to comment
Sally
Soooo adorable.
- Author
Jackie Lynnley
Glad you liked them and hope you find time to make the coin purses. Thanks for the congratulations.
Sally
Congrats on HOTD. These look like so much fun I will have to give it a try as soon as I can. These would make such cute little gifts!
- Author
D.A.L Well then, I will have to see what I can do:)
You have a great week-end.
Sally
Sally that would be a fantastic idea I like that idea of an owl. Look forward to seeing it.
- Author
D.A.L.
Thank you so much, it was kind of you to stop by to comment. I know that birds are poles away from felting but perhaps I decorate one of my future items with an owl)
- Author
Pixelhound
Thank you very much, I appreciate your stopping by to comment.
Sally
- Author
Faith Reaper
You are never late, you are welcome at anytime. Glad you enjoyed seeing this project.
I am always happy to have you grace my pages.
Bless you
Sally
Sally, congratulations on your Hub of the Day Award. Well deserved , well done!
Congratulations on your hub of the day.. !
Congrats, dear Sally! Well-deserved. This is so adorable. I missed this one of yours. You have such a unique craft to share and you are excellent at all of the welt felt projects you have presented.
Blessings always
- Author
DzyMsLizzy
Glad you found this interesting and useful. Thanks too for the vote up. I hope that I did not make it look too complicated because it really is not, nevertheless, I thank you for taking the time to comment on this tutorial.
Best wishes
Sally
- Author
Gigglish
That is a very satisfying comment to receive. It makes me feel as if I have done my job well. It really is one of the most satisfying projects I have done. Who would think that a small purse could turn out some cute:) I really hope that you do leap into trying it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on this tutorial.
Sally
Congrats on HOTD!
Excellently explained and illustrated. I'm afraid I'm a lazy crafter, and this looks too complex for me, but I know it is a very popular craft, and you explained it well enough for me to understand it. I've heard of 'felting,' but never really knew what it was.
Voted up, interesting and useful.
That is so cute!
I have been somewhat interested in felting for awhile, but never really saw a project that I would really, really, really want to do. This one is so great that I would certainly want to try to create if I do ever make the leap into trying it.
- Author
ForLoveofCupcakes
Thank you, I hope that you enjoy making a green polka dot purse - there I was thinking that I should have put the poppy purse to the top of this hub:) You make me glad I did not.
Have fun and don't forget to look at the shoulder purse I posted yesterday. It has a twist, it uses a completely different ball to work with but is equally easy. Thanks for your visit and the vote up.
Sally
This is absolutely adorable! I am in love with the color green with the white polka dots. I want one so bad; can't wait to try to make it!!! Thanks for sharing; great hub - voting up!
xoxo Jamie
- Author
PurvisBobbi44
Bobbi, thank you for the vote up+++, the share, twitter and pin.
I have been overwhelmed by the response this hub has received today. I am so grateful to everyone who has been so supportive and kind, yourself included. Thank you so much.
Best wishes,
Sally
Hi Sally,
This was an amazing detailed project that would be easy enough for non-talented crafters like me to make.
I voted up+++ and I will share with Twitter and pin it on my re-pin board.
And, congrats on HOTD--you deserved it.
Bobbi Purvis
- Author
techygran
Thanks for sharing, pinning and tweeting this hub, I am so glad that it came across, that wet felting is for everyone, young or old. I want people to know that creativity is there for everyone.
Your well thought out comment is appreciated.
Sally
sallybea:
Congratulations for this HOTD-- no wonder!-- beautiful presentation and a very easy to understand tutorial! I am sharing this, pinning it, and tweeting it so others can have the joy of creating that you so clearly love! ~Cynthia
- Author
debraw50
You are very welcome, it was my pleasure, thanks for stopping by.
Sally
- Author
Emese Fromm - you are so right, once you understand the process you can work with it.
Most people when they start out, tend to shrink the wool rather less than more. Remember that your project will shrink about thirty percent overall but it does depend on the type of wool you choose. I prefer Merino Wool Roving.
Mistakes are usually made when the wool is not sufficiently felted and this is when your item can fall apart before your eyes.
Utilize a tumble dryer if you want you need your item to shrink more or hit it hard on a hard surface.
I hope you try it again. It is probably one of the most creative art forms I know.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Best wishes,
Sally.
- Author
RTalloni
I think purse making with frames is definitely the way to go. The frames can be recycled from an old purse - see the bag tutorial I did yesterday when I used a Gertie ball to shape a shoulder bag on.
The little frames for these tiny purses so reasonable to buy. Large medium or small bags definitely look better when a frame is used. I hope you will let me know how you get on when you make your little coin purses.
Thanks for the comment, it is valued as always.
Sally
HI Sally, Thank you so much for sharing with us. These are really cute. Would make cute gifts.
This is such a cute little purse and a great tutorial on felting. I think I'll give it a try. I never felted before, though I've tried a few years ago, but I don't think I fully understood the process. I didn't realize how much the wool would shrink and I ended up with a very tiny piece of felt. You described the process in so much detail, it makes a lot of sense to me now.
Thank you for this tutorial!
Congrats on your Hub of the Day Award for the delightful project! Nice hub! I've not used the purse frames yet in my bag making but am planning to make some small ones next month.
- Author
colorfulone
So glad that you enjoyed it and yes, those little purses really are cute!
I very much appreciate your stopping by to comment,
Thank you
Sally
- Author
tillsontitan
I love all things creative and felting is one of them. It is a growing art form, one of those lovely things which encourages new ideas. I love it. I appreciate the vote up, useful, awesome and interesting. It makes this so rewarding. Thank you
Sally
Sally, this is another very detailed tutorial. A well deserved HotD.
Those little purses are so cute!
What great hubs you write about wet felting. You are obviously well versed in the art and do a great job judging by your pictures.
Congrats on your HOTD it is well deserved.
Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.
- Author
Kristine Manley
I hope your niece enjoyed this Tutorial. I very much appreciate your comment and support.
Thank you
Sally
- Author
Arachnea
Your support is valued and very much appreciated. Thank you for the share.
Sally
- Author
Thank you so much Billy. It was a lovely surprise to receive this award. I so appreciate your continued support, this place would not be the same without you.
Have a lovely day Billy
Sally
- Author
heidithorne
Thanks for the visit and the much appreciated comment. I loved making these little purses. It is so very nice to be rewarded for doing something one enjoys doing.
Best wishes
Sally
Your felting hubs are so incredible! This one is exceptionally cute and so worthy of the Hub of the Day Award. Congrats!
- Author
MHiggins
I hope you daughter enjoys the tutorial. The vote up and the share is much appreciated too. Thank you
Sally
- Author
Marcy Goodfleisch
They are very simple to make Marcy. There really is very little which can go wrong if you follow the simple steps. They make great little gifts and cost very little to make.
Thanks so much for your continued support, it means a lot to me.
Sally
Excellent tutorial! I am going to share this with my daughter; she will love it. Very well written hub with great pictures to go with it. Congrats on HOTD! You definitely deserve it! Voted up.
Just stopping by again to say congratulations on the HOTD...well deserved, Sally. I love it when my friends are recognized.
This is a wonderful Hub, and congratulations on HOTD. These make great little gifts for teens; my niece would love this.
I don't think I have seen anything like your particular kind of crafting anywhere. Good, detailed instructions.
I so enjoy reading about your wet felt crafts. Shared!
Sally - this is amazing! I've seen those little coin purses, but had no idea how they were created (no seams, etc. - puzzling!). The process has several steps, but it looks fairly easy, once you get the technique down, I'd assume? And it could be a lot of fun to make them as gifts.
Congrats on this most excellent HOTD! Great choice for that award!
- Author
Phyllis Doyle
Thank you so much. The little coin purse would make a lovely gift. It takes so little wool to make it and the little curved purse frame does add interest to what could be a very plain purse without it. I am so glad you enjoyed reading the tutorial and looking at the images. Your comment is valued and appreciated.
Congratulations, Sally, on HOTD. The little coin purse is so cute and would make a lovely gift item. This wet felting technique is really interesting and looks like fun. I enjoyed reading and looking at your pictures. Very well done!
- Author
FlourishAnyway
That's sweet of you, thank you so much. You have a great day.
Best wishes,
Sally
- Author
purl3agony
So glad you stopped by today. It was a lovely surprise for me to discover my little felt purse on the front of my feed this morning. Thanks for the congratulations. Your visits are always valued and much appreciated, Thank you so much.
Sally
I'm back to say congratulations on HOTD. Well done!
So glad to visit Hubpages today and see this as the HOTD! Just wanted to stop back and say congratulations!! Very well deserved :)
- Author
Glimmer Twin Fan
Thank you very much. I value your constant support and it makes me happy to know that you enjoyed this one.
Sally
A very hearty congratulations on this HOTD and this project. Sally, I just love your projects and this may just be my favorite. Well done.
- Author
Anika Diaries
Wet felting is certainly growing in popularity. It can be as creative as one likes. I very much enjoyed making these little purses, somehow their cuteness adds to the charm of making them.
Your comment is valued and appreciated, thank you
Sally
- Author
gmwilliams
Cute they say come in little bundles and these little coin purses sure fit the bill - little bundles of felted wool. Glad you found the process interesting. I appreciate your taking the time to comment, thank you.
Sally
Congrats on HOTD! Very creative and out of the box. I haven't heard or tried anything like this, so I am absolutely amused at the idea itself. Superb work of art.
This is extremely creative & interesting in addition to the purses being SO CUTE!
- Author
peachpurple
You are very kind and no I have not thought about zazzle. I played about with the idea of having an Etsy Shop, began the process and then decided that I might as well have my own little shop on my own website without having to pay anyone else:)
It seems that the site, HubPages and e-Bay are keeping me occupied at the moment. Thanks for stopping by to comment.
Sally
wow, you sure are good at felt craft, have you tried selling at zazzle?
- Author
Colleen Swan
It is an easy process, you just have to take it step by step and you end up with this great little coin purse. Thanks for the vote up. Your comment is much appreciated.
I had thought this would be easy, but in fact it is an interesting process and a lovely end product. Nicely illustrated. Voted up
- Author
Writer Fox
How very kind of you. I very much appreciate the visit and the comment. It means a lot, especially when photographing these projects is always done using one hand - sometimes it bit of a challenge too when one has to contend with poor light during our very British winter weather. The only place I have is a tiny conservatory, without which, I don't think I could do them at all. Thanks too for the vote up, it is much appreciated.
Sally
You are so creative! I really think this deserves Hub of the Day. Your instructions are detailed and the photos are terrific. Voted up!
- Author
Iris Draak
Glad I could bring a smile to your face and I so agree with you, there is something rather cute about this project. I like it's tiny-ness too. Thank you so much for stopping by, every visit is valued and appreciated.
Sally
- Author
FlourishAnyway
Thanks for stopping by, your comment is valued and appreciated, you are very kind.
Sally
Sally, your wet felting articles always make me smile. Your creativity and craft shine through. This project is particularly whimsical. I am fond of tiny things and this appeals to me for its craft, beauty and teeny tiny-ness. Wonderful. :)
I would love one of these. You are the goddess of wet felt crafting. Go diva Sally.
- Author
MsDora
How nice of you to read this step by step tutorial - even though I know you are not into wet felting. You are valued as is your continued support of my work.
You have a great day.
Sally
Another great creation, Sally. I followed every step to make sure I understand the how of these masterpieces you present. Excellent!
- Author
purl3agony
It is incredibly easy - this was my first experience of using one of these lovely little frames which I found on e-bay. The ones I bought have little holes through which you can sew the felt on with needle and thread. Push the edges of felt up into the little frame with the point of your scissors and they will stay there - so easy. I loved doing this project and made four in just a few days in my spare time. I want to move onto a larger bag now - I have just found the perfect base on which to make it:) Watch the video above too - see how easy it to add the arched kiss frame. They are so reasonable to buy - I bought five at a time because I think that these would make great gifts at anytime of the year.
So glad you enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed making the purses - thanks too for the share, vote up, beautiful and the pin. Your support is valued.
Best wishes,
Sally
I love all your felting tutorials, but this one is definitely my favorite. I adore these little purses on vintage-style frames and have always wanted to make one. The thing that I'm afraid of is attaching the metal frame. How hard is it to sew the frame on the purse and make a clean seam/attachment?
Thanks so much for sharing! Voted up, beautiful, and pinned!
- Author
Hello Devika,
I am well thank you. Thanks for the vote up, useful, interesting and beautiful. I appreciate your valued support and well thought our comments.
Thank you
Sally
Hi Sally, hope you well! You always have such amazing ideas. I like the way you presented this unique hub. Always worth a try. Voted up, useful, interesting, and beautiful.
- Author
randomcreative
Thanks for being such a loyal and supportive hubber - every comment is valued,
Thank you
Sally
Adorable! Thanks for another awesome tutorial.
- Author
always exploring
Yes, it is true, it takes time but there is so much enjoyment from doing so, always a pleasure, especially when the cost is so little. I very much appreciate your very thoughtful comment.
Thank you
Sally
This is amazing! I love the poppy purse. So much work! I would never have the patience to do this, but I admire anyone who takes the time to make beautiful craft items. Thank you for sharing...
- Author
ChitrangadaSharan
You are very welcome and I appreciate your visit and very kind comment. I am glad you found the instructions were easy to follow.
Thanks for the vote up, it is much appreciated.
Sally
This is a very well done and well presented tutorial about making the cute coin purse. Choice of colors is also lovely. Looks easy to follow and make some.
Thanks for the instructions and pictures. Voted up!
- Author
Hi DJ
There are lots of things I can't do though I will always bust a gut trying to do them:)
I am glad you enjoyed reading this tutorial - now I just have to get you to try one:)
I so appreciate your continued support - it is a always such a pleasure to have you grace one of my pages.
Thank you,
Sally
Hi, Sally,
You are so clever! Is there nothing you can not do?
I do enjoy reading your tutorials. You explain the procedures
very well, and it does look like it would be loads of fun.
Great Job, Sally!!
DJ.
- Author
Hi Billy,
Glad it made you smile - something for us to fill with our Hubpage earnings:)
Thanks for your loyal support Billy, it means a lot, especially when I know you don't do wet felting.
You have a superb week too
Sally
The coin purse made me smile. Obviously I know next to nothing about wet felting, but you obviously do, so I'll once again say job well done, Sally.
Have a superb week!
bill
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