Category Archives: General

projects this wednesday

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well, I can’t post a picture of the project I just finished because it is a birthday present and I just mailed it out today- so I will post pictures when I know it has arrived. But, there is always something else.

I’m thinking about glasses and nerdy girls.

And, the studio project creeps forward. This was from last weekend-

And now- look what was delivered today! I found this ten drawer flat file at a recycle place in Boston called Extras for Creative Learning. I brought some supplies over last week to donate and had a big score! It needs a little cleaning up and some paint, but it is helping me think about how I will be organizing my new space. Also, giving me some more incentive to keep moving forward.

Another thing- have you ever heard that expression- “Nature abhors a vacuum”? Well, I think artists’ abhor open spaces- well empty tabletops anyway. I cleared most of the stuff out of the room to work on it, but somehow I seem to have started a new art project in there… I’m going to have to go back in there and rein things in again!

more reportage…

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Last Friday, my Boston Etsy street team- Boston Handmade, had a meet-up with Maria Thomas, the new CEO of Etsy.

Here is my photo of the event-

There are much better photos and a great recap here on the BH blog. It was so great to meet her- we all came away feeling that Etsy is heading in the right direction with a thoughtful and intellegent leader.

And there is more-

You know I love blogging. I’ve been doing it for 5 years now and it feeds something in me. There are lots of reasons to blog and lots of great things that come as a result… but I have to admit- presents in the mail can not be beat! What is better then getting an email saying “I found something I knew you would love” from someone you have never met in real life (see related story here!). This came in the mail for me last week-

Thanks Mary! You were right- I love it all!

There are various side benefits to scheduling a workshop/class at my house. It is like having your mother-in-law come to stay. The house gets cleaned up, projects get done. When I decided to do the workshop, I used it as an incentive to move forward on a stalled house project- the bedroom that will be my new studio some day. Yes, a room that actually has heat! Anyway, the room has been in limbo for … I’m too embarassed to tell you how many years. Various life events happened after I got started on it and then everytime I thought about getting back to work, I felt totally overwhelmed. Well, I have made great leaps forward.

It is not done, but it all seems doable at this point. Maybe I will be working in there by next winter. I am not going to go overboard with unrealistic expectations!

Cleaning up meant collecting things to go to the Salvation Army. You see, I have to restain myself from going- my rule is, I have to donate a bag if I want to go shopping. So, on Friday, as I was driving down to the meeting with Maria Thomas, I stopped by to drop off my bag and take a quick look.  ooo, all knits, 3 for $1. I spent $3 and came home with another load of cashmere, angora and wool. Yum!

tiny world class report

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I have so much to tell and now it seems like too much! I am so far behind so I will jump in and tell you about some fun stuff from the last week- in no particular order.

I will start with yesterday- the tiny world workshop. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!

There were 7 “students”, plus me. Here we are, working at my dining room table-

further along-

and here are some of the tiny worlds, some not quite finished, at the end of the class-

Barbara-

Amy of Bumble Belly Designs. You can read her report and see more (better) photos here at her blog.

Brooke was very brave- she had no sewing experience but decided she wanted to give it a try- look how well she did!

Jen (her report) and Ginny (another blog report of our class)-

Becky’s- I only have a blurry picture of her adorable castle-

and Jane-

It was a great day. I will definitely do it again. Right now I am planning for August, since I had a request for then.

I will do another post with other blog-worthy news which includes- omg… a clean house!, house projects moving forward, a sale at my favorite thrift shop, and getting to meet the new CEO of Etsy- see you soon!

tape love

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I spent some time in New York looking for decorative tape.  I like to use it to jazz up my boxes when I ship out an order. I had no luck. Actually, it was worse then that- everyone acted like I was asking for something totally nuts! I tried the Japanese bookstore, Pearl River an oriental import store in Soho, Pearl Paint (art supply store), a paper store… well actually several.So, I came home, googled decorative tape and hit the jackpot at Archie McPhee– Hallelujah! Lucky me! I got tiki tape, sausage tape, cowboys, black cats, pirate tape, wacky rubber duckies and sushi tape. Probably a lifetime supply.

From my walk yesterday- winter bricks.

nyc report 4- wrap-up

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and the rest of the story.

We spent a lot of time walking around and on buses. The unlimited transit path is the best.

Great storefront!

I went to the Folk Art Museum and saw a show of paintings by Ammi Phillips. Excellent. I always like to visit the gift shop at MOMA– lots of excellent design. And it is right across the street from the Folk Art Museum so why resist?

The embroidery show was well worth the trip uptown. It was all a little overwhelming- the kind of show that I’d rather visit several times because there is so much to absorb.

Here are some pictures of Central Park- it is always a surprise to me- how there can be this space in the middle of Manhattan.

We spent lots of time on a bus, looking out windows, enjoying neighborhoods.

Isn’t it amazing that NY really looks like this?

And we got home on Saturday night. It was a great trip and already I can’t wait to return.  I have been back up in my studio, so I hope I will have some new doll work to show by the end of the week. Goal of the week? Keep warm!

nyc report 3- purl

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Next stop- Purl in Soho. You know, purl bee in real time?

I !LOVE! this store- it is so pretty and inspiring and they have all kinds of goodies that look so tempting to try. The glow from the window works like a magnet on me! Above is the fabric store- Purl Patchwork and below is the yarn store.

And, lucky, lucky me! I had a gift certificate!

I felt like a kid in a candy store. I binged on felt- 100% wool in beautiful colors. They sell bundles– 8 selected colors, 8 x 12, gorgeous… how could I resist. It’s like having that new box of crayons or the new paint box- such perfect colors! I also picked out some of the bigger sheets and one piece of the hand dyed woven wool. But that’s not all! I’ve been meaning to get a copy of Jane Brocket’s book and there it was- perfect, onto the pile. And then to finish it off, some pearl cotton in my favorite colors- I’ve never seen them before and can’t wait to try them. Underneath it all is a canvas bag which I will happily be carrying my projects around in. Everyone can be jealous that I got to shop at Purl!

nyc report 2- Redhook

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On Thursday morning (day 2) we headed out to Brooklyn again. This time we were going to visit Jen and Brian at their studio in Redhook. I can’t seem to stop myself from gushing… the area was incredible! So, lots of pictures-

look at the windows, and the shutters-

This wall- amazing-

Windows with great metal shutters-

Industrial views-

Windows from the inside-

Me talking- bla, bla… see the wall behind me and the window?

And back outside again- the Statue-

I just can’t get enough-

It was a great visit!

nyc report 1

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Day 1- we left Boston in a winter storm. It is becoming a habit.

We went on the BoltBus. It has wifi and that was great fun. I was very happy that I wasn’t the one driving in the terrible weather. We made it safely to the city and only a little bit later than scheduled.

The snow had turned to rain by the time we got to NY. We left our baggage at the hotel and went out again. First stop- Kinokuniya– the Japanese Bookstore. It is very close to where we were staying. I was hunting for some decorative package tape to liven up my Etsy packages. They have a great stationary department at Kinokuniya, but no luck with the tape. Lots of other very interesting things to look at though. Next was a walk through the Fashion District- always fun.

We stepped into a store full of magazines and because it was in the fashion district, I shouldn’t have been amazed when I realized that almost every one was fiber and fashion related. Wow! I picked up one magazine that looked interesting- embroidery in fashion- price $55- eek!

We were on our way to Brooklyn to see Disfarmer, Dan Hurlin’s newest puppet show. To add to the fun, we took a water taxi to get there. Everything in the city was wet (including us), shiny and beautiful  (not us). I experimented with trying to get some night photos- I’ve been inspired by the city photos of my Boston Handmade friend Kerry. I love the way she captures the feeling of neighborhoods. Here are some of my wet city pics-

Waiting for the water taxi-

And then on the boat-

and outside the window- everything is jiggly because of the movement of the boat-

That is the Chrysler building above.

We made it to Brooklyn, had dinner, saw the show, made it back to the hotel… phew! What a day! That’s enough for now. I’ve been away from my studio for way too long and I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things today.