ann wood

I’m working on a mini version of my owl. Part of the plan was to simplify him a little but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

I’m making him from a quilt I got at the fleamarket here in Park Slope a couple weeks ago ( I’ve been getting tons of good stuff lately and will post more soon). The nice lady I bought the quilt from said it’s made from WW1 army blankets. It has a beautiful indigo edge that I’m using for his legs and wing linings and probably his beak. I love the colors of the quilt and the check pattern; it is all hand sewn and must have been an immense amount of work. I didn’t buy it with the intention of taking it apart and would not be ( I feel a little badly about doing it) but it has some issues that make it unusable as a quilt.

Thanks very much to everyone who commented and offered advise on the bird rip-off post. I’ll let you know what, if anything, happens and I’ll probably have a tiny bit more to say about the situation in a little while - if you visit here regularly you know that that’s pretty much the most I’ve had to say about anything ever and it kind of wore me out. There is also a lot going on in my terrarium and I’ll be sharing that as well as the date of the long overdue shop update that I am working furiously towards later this week.

It’s not something I’m good at but I’m trying to cut down on the time I waste looking for stuff. This shelf is an effort in that direction and it’s working out - plus, I just plain like putting little things in little boxes.

I’m even worse at organizing my time and tasks and feel almost constantly overwhelmed or, no matter what I am doing, guilty or anxious about what I’m not doing. I’m going to try the Alice list/category system.

Despite the chronic mental disarray there is a lot of stuff getting accomplished; just not as fast or as much as I would like and not as efficiently as I think is possible. There are lots and lots of birds in progress ( if you’re on the bird waiting list you’ll be hearing from me soon). Here are a few doing their synchronized swimming routine.

It’s easy not to post. Especially when I get a little busier than is comfortable, but my whole life goes better if I post here regularly and make my bed. So, a post everyday this week to get back in the swing of it. I’ll also be making my bed but not reporting on it unless something note worthy occurs.

For today a photo of part my bulletin board .

p.s. The Ballerina on the little pink stand is for you freda - I’ll email photos of the rest later today.

An american avocet still in the sculpting stage.

And later on getting her feathers.

Just like her friend the willet her feathers are made from the skirt of a thread bare, swiss dot, edwardian lawn gown. She’s lying on a piece of it here.

I have a couple shore birds in progress. This is a willet.

Here she is a little further along.

I’m outfitting The Antonia with new sails for the tinlark show.

She’s almost done, maybe a picture later.

And two more sails for the Ginger Rose.

I’m hoping to finish her tomorrow.

A new ship for the Tinlark show, The Bonnie Prince Billy

(you’re welcome to contact the gallery for purchase info on ships)

I’ve been a slacker on my flea market reports lately

I got this green pot a couple weeks ago. I love it, it’s my current favorite color.

WIP: another sail for the Ginger Rose and some first thoughts on a new ship.

A sail I’m working on for a new ship, the ginger rose.

A brand new paint box to replace this one which has finally given all it had to give.

And some sails in progress.

They progressed all the way to being attached to the hull today and I’m hoping to post a finished picture tomorrow.

Work in progress for tinlark.

The last daily bird for a while, at least until after the tinlark show.

Rosey will be in the shop at 8PM EST.

* I can’t take little bird orders right now. I wish I could but I’ve got to focus on things for the show and current orders. *

* Cake topper orders are closed for June and July *

* I’m getting off the 6 am photo program. It has served it’s purpose. The super early start is working well but taking the picture is a distraction. *

*Paper mache- I use wheat paste, Golden Harvest wheat paste ( wall paper paste)*

And some sails in progress yesterday.

The daily bird

Dominique will be in the shop at 8 PM EST.

If you’ve check out Laura Normandin’s blog then you already know I’m participating in a show in LA this July at Tinlark Gallery with Laura and Maggie Hiltner. It’s flattering to be included with such talented people. I’m enjoying making things for the show and excited in kind of a mildly hysterical way about the experience - I’ve never done anything like this before and the thought is a little overwhelming. I’m doing an installation in the project room that will include the 100 horse project.

The space is perfect for the horses and I’m also making new ships and some other things. I’ll be posting progress photos and will probably be getting myself on some kind of self -inflicted program soon to insure steady forward progress.

I’ll give you more news on the show as it becomes available.

Today’s bird, Freda, looks like she means business.

She’ll be in the shop at 8:30 PM EST.

I’m not sure for how long but at least for this week. This is rosalee.

She’ll be in the shop at 8:30 PM.

Something Christmasy in progress:

I’m still working on it. Here’s a shot of the little set.

And another not so pretty behind the scenes picture.

This is what about 95% of the pictures I take look like.

*news about ships , 100 horses and some other things tomorrow*

The daily bird - ava - 8PM EST.

I tried to post Wednesday’s bird, lucy, here yesterday but wordpress was being weird and slow and wouldn’t let me. Here she in prospect park. Lucy was a good poser. It was kinda breezy yesterday and she stood on that skinny little twig unassisted.

And a little work in progress.

A few cake toppers are hitting the road tomorrow and these are some millinery bits and pieces getting a little paint and glitter for one that I’m finishing up right now. I made a last minute trip to Tinsel Trading for flowers this afternoon.