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.
Slow progress, stitched and stitched.
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:
I took a new photo of the willet ( made from an edwardian lawn gown) for a project I’ll tell you about later. She’s examining a painted detail on a beautiful little table I got at the flea market a couple weeks ago.
A merry wobbler tucked into a little wool nest.
Part of tree costume for someone little.
And an owl costume made of old sweaters for another little fellow.
They were such fun to make.
I started working on an owl on Saturday made from this ruined antique bodice and someone very wicked is emerging.
I fully intended to make another scoundrel but this guy is so scoundrelly he makes the other look like a pussycat – he kind of surprised me. I already know who he is, a really villainous character, and I’ll tell you his name as soon as he is finished. I also got a massive cold this weekend and spent an insane amount of time staring into the internet. I came upon 2 honest, insightful posts about making stuff and selling it, one is by future girl and that led me to another by dudecraft, both talk about money, creativity and motivation.
I’m running out. I was working on some new bats and spiders over the weekend and realized that the big spool of wire I got at the flea market a couple years ago, the wire that is ideal for bats and spiders, the spool that seemed like a lifetime supply when I got it, is nearly gone. There weren’t any markings on the spool and I don’t know what it is- it’s pretty stiff and it’s flat on two sides; if you’ve got any ideas on what it might be or where I might get more or if you have some in your basement – I’d love to hear about it.
Or raven or bat -maybe something new.
Underneath are some old wallpaper scraps I got at the flea market last week.
The bodice has lots of wonderful hand stitching inside and it has great black glass buttons. Speaking of buttons -an almost finished owl with very fancy antique button eyes.
I came across this strange plant a couple weeks ago in a forest in RI – I’d love to know what it is.
*check the comments for name info – they are called ghost pipes and some other great names.
Tiny top hats, corsages and boutonnières.
And a little blind lamb.
This little white donkey is tiny – not much bigger than my thumbnail. I love taking his picture, this one makes me think of kaspar hauser.
The Avocet has never been very steady on her feet and she is having a little operation to correct the problem.
A new owl – mr. guppy.
He’s made from an antique flour sack and dress makers scraps from the early 1900’s among other things.
He also has some 19th century thread sewn into his ears.
The threads are courtesy of stephen szczcepanek and I love them. I’m not sure what circumstance he finds them in but they absoutley belong in owl ears and probably some other places too.
And some amazing kimono sleeves my friend stephen sent me.
A little spider, out for a stroll among the mushrooms.
Away she goes, showing off her fancy posterior.
* learn how to make your own paper bag mushrooms here*
I’m working on a few things for the shop ( including some birds). I’ll post when they are available – definitely before the weekend.
* If you’re waiting to hear back from me hang in there – I’m going to spend a lot of time over the next couple weeks catching up on email.
