I’ve added some new little birds and sweetheart sets to the shop and I’m working towards the next update which will include boats, bats, spiders, ballerinas and owls, they will be in the shop within a couple weeks. Please join my mailing list if you would like to be notified when new things are available.
I made the ship above as a prop for a TV commercial a couple years ago. I assembled some boxes and parts of boxes into a shipish shape and then added all sorts of stuff – pipe cleaners, dixie cups, part of a birthday crown, wooden ice cream spoons, buttons, felt, etc. etc. The castle collage below was for an ad as well. I think they would be fun for little people to make ( with some grown up help).
Both involve using the die cut sections of boxes for details . I can’t resist a good piece of cardboard – I live near a fancy grocery and their recycling is full cartons and boxes with interesting cutouts and shapes.
Beautiful day, first open windows day since December I think.
Everything I make starts in a box and then lives there until it’s done. The boxes are for organization – keeping the many little bits for many little projects together and they are also a thinking tool and most importantly a way to start, it is very easy to put things in a box.
I love Twyla Tharp’s book, The Creative Habit. Here’s a little of what she has to say about boxes:
“The box makes me feel organized, that I have my act together even when I don’t know where I’m going yet. It also represents a commitment. The simple act of writing a project name on a box means that I’ve started work”
I have different sorts of boxes for different sorts of projects. You could also make your own box or use a basket – project bags are great too.
One of the first really old things I bought for making things was a purple silk bodice that was in wretched condition. The silk itself was mostly unusable- it disintegrates when you touch it .
I was originally interested in the buttons, the fantastic buttons, flinty piercing eyes, they inspired my first owl, but when I began to take it apart I found a variety of tiny prints and lovely indigo , hidden and preserved in the foundation. They ‘re mostly gone now – used in owl ears and beaks and spiders but yesterday I found one more piece of my favorite print inside a cuff. I think it’s enough for a beak for the fellow in the background and maybe a spider too.
It is snowing like nobody’s business in Park Slope.
I’ve added some spiders to the shop ( and a couple little birds too). I think the little black spider above looks curious and sort of cautious. I’ll be adding new things all week.
I do like a ruffley bum.
I’ve added some new sweetheart sets to the shop that are ready to ship, a couple notes on this shop update:
* Many of the new sets will be available to order ( delivery in 6-8 weeks) shortly after the original set is sold.
* I’ll be adding new things – little birds, sweethearts, and maybe something new everyday next week – so please check back.
A sweetheart set is being auctioned here to benefit Haiti.
And progress on a paper mache ship.
News:
* I’m way behind on email ( that’s not exactly news..) Getting a couple projects out the door and then I can devote some serious time to responding.
* I’m working towards a shop update sometime next week ( the week beginning 2/1) as well as a couple ebay auctions to benefit Haiti. You can get updates here or through my mailing list or twitter.
This cupcake of a girl’s party dress is from 1910 – it’s falling apart but the lining of almost transparent and tissue thin silk chiffon is in excellent condition, most of the lace is usable too. I tried it on. That was something.
And disturbing looking progress on something new made from this antique bodice:
