blog – Page 53 – ann wood handmade

victoria magazine

January 14, 2015

by annwood

Every year Victoria Magazine chooses a small group of women entrepreneurs to acknowledge in it’s January/February issue. I always look forward to it and I was surprised and flattered when they asked to include me this year. That’s me – top row, second from the left!

You can find the magazine on news stands and bookstores etc. and it’s also available in digital form here.

I truly appreciate the encouragement and acknowlgement. I can hardly believe it was almost 9 years ago that I sort of accidentally began this. It has changed and evolved over the years in ways I could not have predicted. I think this year in particular is going to be very interesting – I’ve got all sorts of plans: I’m excited about the weekly creativity posts I started this week. I’m also launching a mini email newletter this week (the first goes out this Thursday). I’ve got new patterns in the works and personal projects I’m moving forward this year. And just so you know – I still make lots and lots of birds – this is the first large group of the new year – headed for BHLDN.

my big creative year

January 12, 2015

by annwood

Shadows of things to come………

A big creative year. That’s my wish and intention for myself for 2015. I’m committing to take action on ideas I’ve been sitting on, to look harder and deeper for inspiration and to make more time to explore my curiosity. Curiosity has always been my driving force and trusted compass. It’s so easy to become mired in busyness and lose sight of how important it is to make time to explore. I always intend to make time but the deep and inescapable truth remains that hope is not a strategy. There are though, tools and systems and practices that work if I use them:

The first is so easy and for me might be the most powerful – a note book and a pencil. It’s also the practice I’ve been most consistent with throughout my life. The more you use it the more effective it is. Record ideas immediately as they come to you – it only takes a moment and it must be on paper. I’ll go on and on about this in a future post – I love my notes and sketches but I could be so much more consistent.

Schedule everything – all that stuff I do that keeps the lights on still has to happen but it could be done more efficiently. A lot more efficiently. I’ve been experimenting for a few weeks with how I schedule myself and I’ve learned a bunch I’ll share with you later on. I’m also exploring systems and tools to make some of the less inspiring but important tasks take less time. There is so much available that could help – it just requires attention and planning.

Put ideas and exploring on the schedule, even in a small way. Ideas need space, time, support, discipline and momentum. Even when I’m super duper busy – there is time somewhere- even 15 minutes can be powerful if its truly focused and consistent.

Collaborate more- some of my most significant growth and most satisfying projects have come from collaborations. I finished 2014 with a big project with Fortuny that I loved and I’ll share that soon (the photo at the top of the post is a sneak peek). Below are a couple other favorite collaborative projects.

It’s such a simple question: What would you like to happen this year? Why not make it your big creative year too? Each Monday of 2015 I’ll share what I learn – what I’m experimenting with, what’s working and what isn’t. And I’d love to hear from you – what would you love to accomplish this year? What new practice will you try? What challenges you? What lights you up? What tiny change could you make to bring you just a little closer to doing something you’ve dreamed of?

so long 2014

December 31, 2014

by annwood

One more post for 2014, and on one of my favorite subjects – the magical occurence of an unexpected package at my door. A surprise from Sri Threads.

I love every bit of it and I have a sort of ceremonious way of opening these packages – I go slow- each thing revealing itself, my wheels start to turn and the generosity and thoughtfulness wash over me. It’s such a beautiful gift. I’m planning some new botanical experiments inspired by this sheer saffron net- and already made a few new toadstools – the last of the year. I see owls and songbirds too.

I hope 2014 was good to you and wish you the best in the brand new year.

new things in the shop

December 18, 2014

by annwood

I’ve just added a few new things to the shop ( including a dastardly owl).

fortuny creatures

December 17, 2014

by annwood

I spent much of the last two weeks working on a large order for Fortuny Venice. It was a good excuse to replenish my fancy antique button stock and I found some wonderful stuff.

Cats! I love them so much I may never be able to use them.

I brought the whole group to the spectacular New York Showroom yesterday to be packed and sent on to Venice – these creatures have exciting lives.

(photos below by Meena Dimian)

a couple related notes:
* If you’re curious – Abby Glassenberg and I talk about my work with Fortuny ( and lots of other stuff) in episode 23 of her podcast.

* Stay tuned in January for a new Fortuny collaboration – I can’t wait to show you.

handmade christmas

December 7, 2014

by annwood

I got a tree! And I made ornaments to put on it. It’s my first ever as a grown up and it’s a living potted tree- a Norfolk Pine. I hope it’s happy here for a long time. I also hope deciding to live with a tree in my tinyish Brooklyn apartment wasn’t a mistake. I like plants and they seem to tolerate me well enough – I think we’ll be all right.

Full disclosure, the holidays aren’t my favorite, I don’t exactly look forward to them but I decided to dive into the parts I can get enthusiastic about. I like making things – I like making presents for people and I do love a Christmas tree. I pulled out my box of saved Christmas treasures, some that I made as a child and I created some new things. I’m so happy with my little tree it has nearly unscrooged me. Some of the handmade ornaments are below and I included links to the patterns or tutorials where possible. The first is a little clothespin ballerina I made as a child – she magically reappeared last year.

Find the cardboard horse pattern here and the paper mache teacup here. The ballerina is part of a set I designed for Crate and Barrel – they are sold out online but still in some stores.

(click the tumbnail for a larger image)

The little soldier above is another childhood clothespin creation – his arms are coffee stirrers and his hat is a pom pom. The silk bird has a fluffy, lace wired tail that winds around the branch – she was made with this pattern. The little blue bird is a gift for my sister Catherine. It’s embroidered with her wedding date and made from a blue vevet dress that was our mother’s. It’s made from the merry wobbler pattern. The little white whale pattern is here And the pattern for the felt boat is here. Or for another boat ornament idea you could print the template for my free paper mache boat at about 50% of the original size.

merry merry!

new patterns in the shop

December 5, 2014

by annwood

I’ve just added 2 more new patterns to the shop – that’s three in the last week! It hurt my brain a little – sewing all this coming weekend seems like a tropical vacation compared to all that step writing, photgraphing etc. – I do enjoy it though – very much. And I love these patterns – if I do say so myself and apparently I do – sweet as ornamnets or gifts, quick and simple to make and they have all sorts of other possibilities – like mobiles or garlands…. And they are small – a great way to use the little bits you’ve been saving – I’ve got lots of little bits.

He’s got a blow hole and spout!!

I hope you enjoy them and as always if you’d like an email when new patterns are released you can sign up here.

new pattern : merry wobblers

December 1, 2014

by annwood

I’ve finished my third pattern and it’s available now. Merry Wobblers are cheerfull little birds that are easy to make and it’s a great way to use little bits of saved fabric. There is also a pattern and instructions for the little nest pictured and a leaf tassel for hanging.

I’ve also posted a little video on how to embroider the eyes ( this works well for the little bird pattern too) – it’s a useful trick for hiding knots when sewing or embroidering. If you don’t see the video below click here: http://youtu.be/F733fJH_Uq4

If you’ve made my paper mache ships wobblers make perfect little passengers. And I’ve included a couple other ideas below.

I hope you make Wobblers!

And a couple other notes:

* Check back later this week for 2 !! new patterns.

* Squam Art Retreats has posted their 2015 offerings and pre- registration is open – I’m teaching my botanical class again in June (spring 2015) – I’d love to see you there. I’ll post about the class a little later this week and if you have questions please email me.

my next workshop : Sweet Paul Makerie

November 13, 2014

by annwood

My next workshop is open for registration. I’m teaching Stitched Botanicals this coming April (11- 12th) at the Sweet Paul Makerie. You can get all the details about the weekend, classes (the teacher line up is spectacular – so many people I admire) and registration right here.

I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been a huge Sweet Paul fan from afar forever – I worked with him earlier this year and was incredibly impressed and the Makerie retreats always look so beautiful. The spring retreat is taking place at the Antropologie / Terrain head quarters in Philadephia. Hope to see you there and if you’ve got questions just email me.

birds made from my pattern

November 12, 2014

by annwood

I’ve collected a few images of birds made from my pattern to share- people have made wonderful, imaginative birds and taken fabulous photos:

from Becky – “the stand off”

from Christina – Daisy Chain Creations

from Amanda – Hanging by a Thread – A snow scene!

In Dots – by Irene (love the tags)

from Karen- these are so sweet- checkout the satchel on the bird in the center

and a thoughtful little bird in the garden by Abby Glassenberg!

armature

November 5, 2014

by annwood

I’m working on a large project, a collaboration that I can’t show you until January or there abouts – the photo below is of some of the many, many muslin drafts I make on the way to a new design.

This is the first time I’ve made something jointed and pose-able (which these will be) and I came across something new to me and you might find it useful in your own projects: coolant hose.

Also known as The Best Stuff In The World if you’re making something pose-able or just need a flexible and reliable armature. It’s made by a company in Taiwan called Jeton. According to their website they specialize in: adjustable coolant hose, doll armature and doll eyes. It’s quite a niche. I purchased it through CR’s Crafts – I got the 3/16th inch coolant hose and the 8th inch doll armature ( it’s just like the hose but no hole. This stuff is easy to work with and holds its shape well. I purchased my joint hardware from C R’s Crafts as well – they have a huge selection right here. If you buy cotter pin joints I recommend you get the tool – it makes bending the pins much easier. The joint hardware is new to me too – and it’s giving me all sorts of ideas…. I love new supplies.

I’m also working on several new patterns and the next is just about ready to go- I’m photographing the steps and beauty shots now – here’s a peek at the new and improved merry wobbler.

If you’d like an email when new patterns are released you can sign up here.

making things

October 2, 2014

by annwood

For weeks and weeks I’ve been occupied with lots of the things necessary to keep a making things business afloat and there hasn’t been much time for making things. I’ve worked on web stuff, book keeping stuff, teaching stuff, designed some things and did some press stuff (some fun things coming in the spring) among other things. All good and important things but I miss my time, my hours and hours in my place making things. This week I finally got back to it and made this dastardly fellow out of one of my favorite ever Sri Threads treasures – a thick striped gray wool flannel- just enough for one bad tempered owl. Also made from Sri Textiles – a curious spider, her legs are hammered iron wire – I use a little anvil. Skittering away with her bustle in the air. And new mushroom specimens – more of the signed and numbered edition. All these things and more will be in the shop in about a week- you can sign up for the mailing list if you’d like a notification. And I made a dress! My first ever – it’s a jumper / apron / pinafore / sort of affair. The older I get the more I dress like Holly Hobby and I’m OK with that – it’s contemporary Holly Hobby. It’s got pockets and french seams and I’m very proud of it -it was challenging and satisfying and I want to sew lots more clothes. I got the pattern here – there aren’t a lot of instructions but I was able to figure it out and I found a tutorial on french seams here.