blog – Page 53 – ann wood handmade

the forest and squam art retreat

May 14, 2014

by annwood

I sure do like to make something and then wonder around the forest looking for a perfect spot to photograph it. It’s an intersection I’ve always been attracted to. I finished this indigo fellow in the Adirondack Park over the weekend with a particular mossy stump in mind for his photo.

indigo owl

mushrooms

I also worked on my toadstool pattern and technique – that is one of the shapes I’ll be teaching at Squam in the fall ( there are just a couple spaces left in the class – you can register here). There are so many things I want to share in that class – so many possibilities. I’m also excited that there is a free afternoon built into the schedule – the forest at Squam is spectacular and it would be such fun to photograph what we create.

seed pod

I’m building lessons around shapes and techniques that can be used as jumping off points – like the toadstool shape, a seed pod shape, a very particular way to create stems, root systems, textures etc.

botanical_and_spider

I’d love to see you there – if you have questions I’m happy to answer – just send me an email.

P.S. – if you can’t attend the retreat but you’re near by or don’t mind traveling to New Hampshire – come say hello at the art fair ! I am already deep in preparations for that – It’s going to be an adventure.

on my work table

May 6, 2014

by annwood

It’s nice to have a mix of paper and sewing projects, as glue or paint or paper mache is drying I sew – it makes me feel like an overachiever. I’m also spending time everyday working on my class for Squam in September and patterns for my make something project – I’ll have an update on both of those a little later this week. Below is a peek at what I’m working on:

Some sewing – a little owl and mushrooms. I think that indigo print is the most owly fabric ever – thank you Sri Threads.

Get the sewing patterns:

And paper flamingos! I can’t make them without also making a big pink mess – I’m making 60 this week, flamingo madness……

Ship progress- I haven’t made a translucent ship hull in such a long time I forgot how and had half a dozen painful failures on the way to this one.

And a big guy, Nestor, a dark and rubenesque owl just finished.

spring

April 30, 2014

by annwood

Everything is blooming in Brooklyn – There are blossom trees up and down Union St. and my view is all pink, pale green and white for just a little while.

brooklyn spring

Spring has not quite happened upstate yet- but it’s thinking about it. I spent a few days wondering around up there and sewing lots of little birds for BHLDN.

moss

moss and lichen

I gathered some mosses for a new terrarium I’ll put together this evening – right now they are doing fine in a plastic strawberry container with a damp paper towel on the bottom wrapped loosely in plastic. I picked up some charcoal from the same area as some of the moss to add to the soil. I have had mixed results with my previous terrariums – maintaining the right moisture balance, preventing mold etc. One thing that seems to help is watering only with water from the nearby creek, I wonder if distilled water might be good too? Any tips appreciated. There are a few more photos from the lovely gloomy weekend after the break.

make something

April 23, 2014

by annwood

Update – the pattern shop is open and I’m adding new things all the time.

I’m working on something new : In a few weeks I will begin to offer patterns and kits for sale; some brand new things as well as a couple of my most popular items. I’m going to start with six projects and build from there. I’ll share my creative practices, techniques, top secret tips and tricks and inspirations. I’m very excited and energized about this and I hope you will be too.

I’ve got lots and lots of ideas for projects I’d like to share – fabric, paper mache and crepe paper- and I would also love to know what you might like to make or techniques that interest you. If you like you can let me know in the comment section or send me an email.

begin

I have timed carved out every day (and night) to work on this, drafting patterns, recording steps and sourcing kit materials etc. and I hope to have the first few things ready for testing in about two weeks.

Sign up below ( be sure to check the “make something “ box on the sign up form) to stay updated and be notified of the launch – subscribers will also see sneak peeks of some projects and have a chance to be a pattern tester.

the box method

April 21, 2014

by annwood

*This post contains an affiliate link – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.

The part where you have to start…

If you’ve been visiting here for a while (thank you) you know I’m a big fan of Twyla Tharp’s book *The Creative Habit – particularly the box method. Here’s a little about 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’m overwhelmed with projects right now and that makes me a little frantic and anxious. Anxiety makes it hard to focus which produces more anxiety etc. etc.

“Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity” – T. S. Elliot

I’ve never been good at moving multiple things forward and the boxes help immensely with that – they contain the projects in more than a physical way. This past Saturday I devoted an hour to gathering and boxing.

I chose a collection of fabrics for toadstools, owls and hummingbirds and garment fragments in shades of black for 2 dastardly owls.

The search focuses me and spending time ironing ( which I secretly love) starts to slow my brain down.

As I make my little piles, put them in their boxes and write the project name on the tag I feel forward progress, ideas that were vague start to solidify, panic recedes and I feel better and clearer about the coming too busy week – enthusiastic even.

Go put some stuff in a box!

Do you get my free weekly-ish newsletter? There are tips and tricks, ideas, stuff to try, all the latest news and blogposts and extra stuff, just for subscribers, delivered mostly on Friday. Pretty much.

influence

April 16, 2014

by annwood

I came across a youtube video recently that stunned me. When I was 5 or 6 My mother took me and my younger sister (who was very small at the time) to the movies. It was a big deal- my mother didn’t drive – not at all – and we lived in the country so a long walk to a bus etc. with little folks – pain in the butt. I was mesmerized by the film and have had images from it floating around in my head ever since. I did not remember the name and it was so long ago and so pre internet I couldn’t imagine I would ever find it. And then I came across this video and recognized it instantly: the tales of beatrix potter

It premiered in 1971 – the Royal Ballet presentation of The Potter tales. There are lots of clips on youtube and you can find it in it’s entirety on DVD on Amazon. My strongest memories are of the Jeremy Fisher and squirrels on paddle boats segments.

I love the moodiness and there is an intersection between pretend and real elements – a particular note – that has always held a huge appeal for me. I believe this film played a huge part in who I became and what I do. You might also enjoy this series of behind the scenes photos by Lara Platman of the making of the costumes ( it is still performed on stage).

ship work

April 10, 2014

by annwood

I’m working on several new ships – it’s been ages and I especially love to make boats in the spring. The first is made from tattered antique gowns, layers of silk, tulle satin, lace and sheer cotton – stitched and stitched in a meandering way – inspired by the eccentric mending and layers of boro textiles.

The 2 below are paper mache. I start with a layer of brown paper, torn up paper grocery bags (very old lady of me to save them) for the first layer over the cardboard armature and then layers of newsprint. I usually let some or all of the newsprint show so I divide it according to type size and style and I have a box of clipped out words saved (also very old lady of me).

The next is a translucent paper mache ship – a big one – in its beginning stage when it looks like a cocoon. I’ve hung it to dry and I can start to apply the finish layers in the morning – I love waking up to dry paper mache.

And my rat problem has gotten worse……

cake topper giveaway

April 7, 2014

by annwood

You could win your very own crepe paper bunnies! In celebration of spring I’ve teamed up with fellow Brooklynite Vané Broussard of Brooklyn Bride to offer you the chance to win a pair of forest folk cake topper bunnies – a perfect cake topper or an unexpected Easter basket treat for someone special. The winner gets to choose the flower and glittery slipper color for mrs. bunny. Find all the details and enter here. The winner will be chosen on Friday 4/11.

good luck!

owl work

March 27, 2014

by annwood

I’m working on some new owls – a new smaller owl shape for me with some new details. I’ll finish these tonight and photograph them in the morning . They are part of my “new creatures” update tomorrow ( friday 3/28 ) evening.

owl work

And onother new shape – a hummingbird – a bit larger than a real hummingbird but still quite small, she fits in the palm of your hand. The bird and owls are made mostly from Sri textiles – I love this muted palette.

Another new creature Laurent ( all my rats are french) and a blue owl.

He’s big and blue and bad, and has some junk in the trunk.

stoop sale

March 21, 2014

by annwood

Happy spring! I’m spring cleaning like nobody’s business and preparing for the second annual ann wood virtual stoop sale. There will be a couple antique garments, some vintage fabric and paper (the usual suspects) as well as some original art work and a truly odd assortment of other things. The sale is happening on etsy : https://www.etsy.com/shop/annwood on Sunday evening, March 23rd, at 8 pm (new york time). As always – you can refer to my calendar to know what’s coming up. There are some previews below and maybe more tomorrow if time permits – this is always more work than i think it’s going to be.

The beading on this wretched antique cape is all black glass, hand done and super detailed – there are lots of different designs and cool dangly things.

Below – another detail form the cape beading, paper mache flatware, a drawing of a ship, a celluloid flower pin from the 50’2 and some art deco chandelier crystals – they’re lovely and I have a bunch.

I think I’ve mentioned before – I had a pretty serious puppet phase in the mid 90’s – the little theater and odd little cast of characters has been in a box forever – maybe someone will enjoy it. I also made tons hand puppets and gave them away, the remaining spare parts and almost finished puppets will be in the sale on Sunday too.

And shells – lots and lots of shells – some I collected, most I purchased. So many possibilities……….

march

March 11, 2014

by annwood

I love March. Especially after a winter like this has been – and it’s not over – but the last couple days have been glorious. The sun was out, the windows were open and I worked on little birds this morning.

I finished the little group of camper birds this afternoon and started photographing things for the shop.

(after their official photo they went off to enjoy the day)

I got such a late start on photos I had very uneven light – I have found that a sheet of cheap drugstore white poster board makes a very serviceable reflector.

Checkout the difference with and without:

(The birds and lambs will be in the shop tomorrow 3/12)

Sri Mushroom Specimens

March 3, 2014

by annwood

Occasionally, and always unexpectedly, a package magically appears in my vestibule from Sri Threads. They always inexplicably contain exactly what I need at that moment and things I couldn’t even dream of – all thoughtfully collected by the brilliant eye of Stephen Szczepanek. When a package appears I make tea and put on music and spend way more time than necessary unpacking and examining – it is such an incredible gift. The textiles are remarkable in color and texture and history – bits of eccentric mending and exquisite wear and patina that bring qualities to whatever I make that just pass through me – that is such a particular sensation – an ideal.

I think the magical and thoughtful way they come to me brings a certain spirit to the objects as well -they spring from a wonderful set of circumstances I did not and could not invent – happenstance is magic.

This weekend I finished a group of 12 little experiments made from Sri treasures – each numbered and signed ( the numbered series will close at 100).

I’ll finish photographing them today and add them to the shop tomorrow 3/4.

Update: if you would like to make your own mushroom specimen you can find the pattern here.