I’ve been intending to post an FAQ page for my shop and blog for years and have made little to no progress in that direction. So inspired by Jennifer Murphy’s call for questions post I’m asking for your questions. And I’ll answer them. You can ask about inspiration, ideas, blog stuff, shop stuff, anything you like. You can post your question in the comment section here or on my facebook page.
I am a huge fan of your work. And I would love to know if you take custom orders. For instance, I have my great-grandmother’s wedding dress, and I’m wondering if this would be something you could transform into an owl or other creature/creation.
Hey Ann, you are truly an inspiration to me, thank you. I have a question about your finds- WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU FIND SOME OF THESE PIECES?! They are absolutely breath taking. Could you by any chance give specifics on any of the stores (online, shops, etc.) where you hunt? Thanks!
i have a couple questions:
1) you have a beautiful studio in new york city. i found the city to be so expensive! is this the sole source of income for you? (your work is amazing) if not, what do you do for a living?
2) the drape next to your bed looks like it has been a work in progress over time, did you find scrap lace and hand sew them all together at once or did you just keep adding until you were satisfied (if you are satisfied yet!)? how long did it take to complete this? absolutely beautiful, ann.
thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions!
I wanted to let you know that your work is so inspiring. More of a technical question: It looks like you do so much by hand. Is all of your stitching by hand or do you sometimes use a machine?
Wow thanks x
Have you produced a book and if not might you in the future.
Do you do workshops or tutorials.
What or who inspired you to do what you are doing now.
Thanks Ann
Lynn x
Thank you for this opportunity! You are truly an inspiration to me and I adore your work. Your work seems to come straight from the pages of a fairy tale, so I would like to know, what books/stories/tales inspire you to create?
Thank you so much for this opportunity! Your work is so inspiring and I am always amazed by the materials you use. How do you source them, do you have any headhunters for such fabrics?
Hello Ann. Your work is always an inspiration. One of my very favorites was one you called botanical experiments. Wondering if you had done more along those lines. It appeared to be a thistle or pod of some kind.
Did you grow up surrounded by antiques and bits of treasures? What was your childhood like? I always envision you loving to read and loving to find secret treasures and keeping that bit of whimsy to use in your artwork.
I love your creations! I’ve made 5 horses and have another one cut out and ready to do…did some with “mixed media” backgrounds, watercolor, acrylics, rubber stamps, and some with glued on papers. They’re fun and a good creative play project. Can’t wait to try the boats soon. Question – a coworker asked if he could buy one (I’ll just gift him one) but I wondered if it was allowed so sell items made from free tutorials if we give credit? (I was thinking of putting info on the back of the horses anyway, crediting your patterns…my painting, so anyone wondering knows it wasn’t my original idea!)
Hi Ann
I love your work, especially the owls. Ow;s mean a lot to me as they are my mother’s favourite birds. When I was growing up, we called our house the Owlerey, because it was so full of owl-themed things.
My question is about your sculptures. What kind of wire do you use for your boats? I have tried making wire sculptures before, and the wires I have tried are always so floppy and my sculptures won’t hold to shape, as the lightest touch bends the wire-even when I use armature wire from the art store!. What’s your secret?
Thanks, and thank you for being such a creative, inspiring woman!!
Toby El
I love your work and a lot of my questions were asked by others, so I will just add one more…What is your education? Do you have a Fine Arts or Design degree? If so, from where?
I have been sewing for 30+ years and last year I started making characters. After a successful Holiday Art show I submitted and was accepted to another this summer. But i am so discouraged sewing all day, doubting the progression of my work.
Is it art or artsy fartsy?
How do you keep up the positive attitude?
How do I you price?
I love the questions others have asked before me. I would only ask the same ones, so I’ll just say that I wondered if it was possible to see more of your sketches. I am very inspired by the final creations, but to be honest for me the most inspiring is the though process behind a piece of work. I like to learn from people through that. Thanks!
I just want to say I love your work also, but why owls, boats, horses and birds? Childhood memories or love of them. I really just want to know more about you lol, I am so inspired by your art. Thank you for the free patterns and tutorials, I have finished 5 horses because they are so pretty and I plan to make with my grand children a carousel that they can hang up on the ceiling with horses that they decorated themselves. I will post a picture when they finish them. Thank you again from a fan in Australia.xxx
It sounds that, like me, we all have this fantasy of what it would be like to be Ann Wood, making things in Brooklyn deep into the night. In the past, I’ve been curious as to whether you work alone or with others, if you have music playing, if your fingers hurt at the end of the day, and how many hours a day you create things. What’s the hideous reality? Do you eat beans to survive and occasionally throw a little bird to the floor on its head? How did you get past horse number twelve (this is where I have been stuck for a year.) Is anyone in your way–that is, do you have to take care of anyone but yourself? Your creations are stunning and I’m always glad to see update from you when I open my mail. Your work matters to a middle-aged woman in St. Louis.
Have you always been this gifted, or rather – have you “always” created beautiful things? Have you been crafting since young ages (then what did you do?), or did you began mainly at adult age? Otherwise I think every question I want an answer for is already asked. I really do look forward to all of your answers, and I truly admire your wonderful work!
Do you live in Brooklyn because you love it there or mainly just for the work opportunities? Where would you live if it could be anywhere – money no object?
Not sure if this question should be filed under “curious” or just “nosy”….
I always loved sewing and paper mache, but you have inspired me to combine the two! It always takes my breath away to see the antique garmets you start with, they all hold such beauty on their own, and I love how you acknowledge that. My question relates to the restoration process: you often mention soaking the white garmets, turning a gray into a white, leaving it for days, etc. What do you usually soak these in?
Ann,
I’m so excited to be able to ask you a question about your ships. I see that they have evolved in the last five years from large wire based sailing ships to the smaller spring rigatta. Is there a reason? Have your methods just evolved or were the early ships too difficult to produce and time consuming for sale. I’m truly in love with the older translucent prototypes. Not that the little skiffs aren’t darling. What methods did you most enjoy and are you still evolving?
In awe!
Mary
Mainly I wanted to thank you for all of the inspiration…your designs are so lovely and the use of found objects and old fabrics breathtaking. Most of my questions have already been asked and im looking forward to your replies. I often scour thrift stores and pick up little lovelies along the way. I’m ok at sewing and following directions but don’t have the time (two little kids), the ingenuity, or the artistic gift to put them to their deserved use. Ive thought from time to time how neat it would be to see how you would use them. That said I wouldn’t want to be weird or Intrude on your creative process. Do you like to receive small gifts?
Thank you for the tutorials…the boats have been a favorite show and tell item for my kids and they love to send them on fantastic journeys.
Darcy
Seattle, WA
Darcy
I have always been drawn to old things, fabrics and anything else with history and mystery. When I stumbled upon your blog page one day a few months ago, I could only stare in total amazement and fascination. You are using these beautiful old materials in a way that gives them new life. You are an inspiration to me and many others, if the above comments are any indication! All of my questions have been asked by others, but I would like to thank you for the tutorials, the patterns, the photographs of your work. In other words, thank you for sharing your life. And if you ever decide to hold an online class for any creation, whether horse, boat, owl or bird, I will be first person on your list!
Your work is truly inspiring and magical! Your talents as an artist and creator are very apparent. You are obviously doing what you love; following your own path (at least that’s how I imagine your life to be)! But what about the business end? What would be the best piece of advice you could give to a fellow artist/aspiring boutique owner? Thank you for the opportunity to ask!
Hi Ann,
These questions are from my kids(Brian-7 and Anna-5, who were beyond excited that a famous artist liked their boats. thanks:).
How old were you when you decided to become an artist?
Did you always like to make things like us?
I love your blog and your works!! A lot of arts and crafts seem to require a lot of special equipment, and for a little college girl like me, I don’t have the funds and/or space for all of that equipment… so when I found your blog and your things, I immediately fell in love!! I’m not too creative on my own, but saw your cardboard horses and decided to make some cardboard sheep for my room!
good question e – I’ll start this week and answer them all in several posts. Thanks so much for the questions everyone, they made me think about lots of things I should be thinking about.
Comments are closed.
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I am a huge fan of your work. And I would love to know if you take custom orders. For instance, I have my great-grandmother’s wedding dress, and I’m wondering if this would be something you could transform into an owl or other creature/creation.
Thanks so much!
Shirley
I’d like to know how you source your vintage materials, and could you explain your thought process? Thank you for doing this! (:
why owls? do they hold a special meaning for you?
Hey Ann, you are truly an inspiration to me, thank you. I have a question about your finds- WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU FIND SOME OF THESE PIECES?! They are absolutely breath taking. Could you by any chance give specifics on any of the stores (online, shops, etc.) where you hunt? Thanks!
i have a couple questions:
1) you have a beautiful studio in new york city. i found the city to be so expensive! is this the sole source of income for you? (your work is amazing) if not, what do you do for a living?
2) the drape next to your bed looks like it has been a work in progress over time, did you find scrap lace and hand sew them all together at once or did you just keep adding until you were satisfied (if you are satisfied yet!)? how long did it take to complete this? absolutely beautiful, ann.
thank you for taking the time to answer all of our questions!
I wanted to let you know that your work is so inspiring. More of a technical question: It looks like you do so much by hand. Is all of your stitching by hand or do you sometimes use a machine?
Wow thanks x
Have you produced a book and if not might you in the future.
Do you do workshops or tutorials.
What or who inspired you to do what you are doing now.
Thanks Ann
Lynn x
Hi Ann,
Thank you for this opportunity! You are truly an inspiration to me and I adore your work. Your work seems to come straight from the pages of a fairy tale, so I would like to know, what books/stories/tales inspire you to create?
Thank you so much for this opportunity! Your work is so inspiring and I am always amazed by the materials you use. How do you source them, do you have any headhunters for such fabrics?
Hello Ann. Your work is always an inspiration. One of my very favorites was one you called botanical experiments. Wondering if you had done more along those lines. It appeared to be a thistle or pod of some kind.
I would love to hear you talk a little bit about your work/studio space and maybe see a picture or two!
Did you grow up surrounded by antiques and bits of treasures? What was your childhood like? I always envision you loving to read and loving to find secret treasures and keeping that bit of whimsy to use in your artwork.
You make such magic.
I would like to know how many hours you spent making the question mark.
all i can think of is did you ever make anything ugly or did you just start out awesome?
Your work is so magnificent and I am a great admirer. I would like to know how do you make and attach the legs to your birds?
This isnt a question its just to say a huge thanyou for adding my shop advert onto your webpage.
Its so so kind of you.
You have totally made my day!
Best wishes,
Finch
I love your creations! I’ve made 5 horses and have another one cut out and ready to do…did some with “mixed media” backgrounds, watercolor, acrylics, rubber stamps, and some with glued on papers. They’re fun and a good creative play project. Can’t wait to try the boats soon. Question – a coworker asked if he could buy one (I’ll just gift him one) but I wondered if it was allowed so sell items made from free tutorials if we give credit? (I was thinking of putting info on the back of the horses anyway, crediting your patterns…my painting, so anyone wondering knows it wasn’t my original idea!)
I’d love to know what inspires you, where and when your ideas come to you. Also, do you keep a sketchbook or photo journal of your ideas?
Hi Ann
I love your work, especially the owls. Ow;s mean a lot to me as they are my mother’s favourite birds. When I was growing up, we called our house the Owlerey, because it was so full of owl-themed things.
My question is about your sculptures. What kind of wire do you use for your boats? I have tried making wire sculptures before, and the wires I have tried are always so floppy and my sculptures won’t hold to shape, as the lightest touch bends the wire-even when I use armature wire from the art store!. What’s your secret?
Thanks, and thank you for being such a creative, inspiring woman!!
Toby El
I love your work and a lot of my questions were asked by others, so I will just add one more…What is your education? Do you have a Fine Arts or Design degree? If so, from where?
I have been sewing for 30+ years and last year I started making characters. After a successful Holiday Art show I submitted and was accepted to another this summer. But i am so discouraged sewing all day, doubting the progression of my work.
Is it art or artsy fartsy?
How do you keep up the positive attitude?
How do I you price?
I love the questions others have asked before me. I would only ask the same ones, so I’ll just say that I wondered if it was possible to see more of your sketches. I am very inspired by the final creations, but to be honest for me the most inspiring is the though process behind a piece of work. I like to learn from people through that. Thanks!
Thanks so much for the questions – they are great! And feel free to keep asking. I’ll be posting answers next week.
I just want to say I love your work also, but why owls, boats, horses and birds? Childhood memories or love of them. I really just want to know more about you lol, I am so inspired by your art. Thank you for the free patterns and tutorials, I have finished 5 horses because they are so pretty and I plan to make with my grand children a carousel that they can hang up on the ceiling with horses that they decorated themselves. I will post a picture when they finish them. Thank you again from a fan in Australia.xxx
It sounds that, like me, we all have this fantasy of what it would be like to be Ann Wood, making things in Brooklyn deep into the night. In the past, I’ve been curious as to whether you work alone or with others, if you have music playing, if your fingers hurt at the end of the day, and how many hours a day you create things. What’s the hideous reality? Do you eat beans to survive and occasionally throw a little bird to the floor on its head? How did you get past horse number twelve (this is where I have been stuck for a year.) Is anyone in your way–that is, do you have to take care of anyone but yourself? Your creations are stunning and I’m always glad to see update from you when I open my mail. Your work matters to a middle-aged woman in St. Louis.
Carole, I love your question. You just made the day of a middle-aged woman in brooklyn.
Have you always been this gifted, or rather – have you “always” created beautiful things? Have you been crafting since young ages (then what did you do?), or did you began mainly at adult age? Otherwise I think every question I want an answer for is already asked. I really do look forward to all of your answers, and I truly admire your wonderful work!
Do you live in Brooklyn because you love it there or mainly just for the work opportunities? Where would you live if it could be anywhere – money no object?
Not sure if this question should be filed under “curious” or just “nosy”….
I always loved sewing and paper mache, but you have inspired me to combine the two! It always takes my breath away to see the antique garmets you start with, they all hold such beauty on their own, and I love how you acknowledge that. My question relates to the restoration process: you often mention soaking the white garmets, turning a gray into a white, leaving it for days, etc. What do you usually soak these in?
Ann,
I’m so excited to be able to ask you a question about your ships. I see that they have evolved in the last five years from large wire based sailing ships to the smaller spring rigatta. Is there a reason? Have your methods just evolved or were the early ships too difficult to produce and time consuming for sale. I’m truly in love with the older translucent prototypes. Not that the little skiffs aren’t darling. What methods did you most enjoy and are you still evolving?
In awe!
Mary
Mainly I wanted to thank you for all of the inspiration…your designs are so lovely and the use of found objects and old fabrics breathtaking. Most of my questions have already been asked and im looking forward to your replies. I often scour thrift stores and pick up little lovelies along the way. I’m ok at sewing and following directions but don’t have the time (two little kids), the ingenuity, or the artistic gift to put them to their deserved use. Ive thought from time to time how neat it would be to see how you would use them. That said I wouldn’t want to be weird or Intrude on your creative process. Do you like to receive small gifts?
Thank you for the tutorials…the boats have been a favorite show and tell item for my kids and they love to send them on fantastic journeys.
Darcy
Seattle, WA
Darcy
I have always been drawn to old things, fabrics and anything else with history and mystery. When I stumbled upon your blog page one day a few months ago, I could only stare in total amazement and fascination. You are using these beautiful old materials in a way that gives them new life. You are an inspiration to me and many others, if the above comments are any indication! All of my questions have been asked by others, but I would like to thank you for the tutorials, the patterns, the photographs of your work. In other words, thank you for sharing your life. And if you ever decide to hold an online class for any creation, whether horse, boat, owl or bird, I will be first person on your list!
Your work is truly inspiring and magical! Your talents as an artist and creator are very apparent. You are obviously doing what you love; following your own path (at least that’s how I imagine your life to be)! But what about the business end? What would be the best piece of advice you could give to a fellow artist/aspiring boutique owner? Thank you for the opportunity to ask!
Hi Ann,
These questions are from my kids(Brian-7 and Anna-5, who were beyond excited that a famous artist liked their boats. thanks:).
How old were you when you decided to become an artist?
Did you always like to make things like us?
I love your blog and your works!! A lot of arts and crafts seem to require a lot of special equipment, and for a little college girl like me, I don’t have the funds and/or space for all of that equipment… so when I found your blog and your things, I immediately fell in love!! I’m not too creative on my own, but saw your cardboard horses and decided to make some cardboard sheep for my room!
That’s all, thank you! 🙂
my question is when are you going to answer these questions?
good question e – I’ll start this week and answer them all in several posts. Thanks so much for the questions everyone, they made me think about lots of things I should be thinking about.