ann wood » birds

bird madness

annwood — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:59:52 +0000

Wholesale -that is what I am up to over here. I shipped off the first order for 2012 yesterday – letty and lou – for BHLDN. Here they are packaged to go. I like the idea of purchasing something from a giant retailer and receiving something so personal and direct – each unique and expressive, each made as if it is the only one I will ever make. Really. That’s the hard part. And the good part. I also like that BHLDN supports and celebrates that idea.

This set will be available soon online at BHLDN - I’m not sure if it will be in stores but I’ll find out. Over the next couple weeks I’m finishing orders for Catbird , Cog and Pearl, and another order for BHLDN – all beautiful collections I’m flattered to be part of. This is not a pace I can maintain for a great deal of time without losing my marbles though. I am still doing everything myself – every label, every package, every stitch, every word, every photo, all the book keeping, and communication etc. etc. The details are endless. My first priority after these orders ship is to get a little help with the stuff I can, should and must have help with.

letty and lou

packing and shipping and a contest!

annwood — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:11:14 +0000

I spent the larger part of the day packing and shipping things – that will occupy about half of tomorrow too. I secretly enjoy it.

Today was mostly birds and tomorrow larger things – ships. Later this week I’ll post my very inexpensive but effective method for shipping large -ish fragile things – so check back if that’s of interest.

And just for fun – a caption contest! A while back Lisa of a thread from the edge suggessted a caption contest. I think it’s a brilliant suggestion and if you check out the comments to this post you can see some of her caption ideas – so funny and perfect. And a prize! A winner will be chosen by a yet to be determined method - either a vote or a panel of expert judges and the best caption gets their very own bundled up bird!

Everyone is welcome to participate – just create a caption for this photo and leave it in the comment section:

(you can click the image for a larger version if that helps you with your captioning)

A winner will be chosen next Wednesday 12/14.

a wedding party in prospect park

annwood — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:59:31 +0000

A wedding party in prospect park. Little birds all made from turn of the century dress maker’s scraps, bits of fabric that were never used and well stored for years and years so the wonderful little prints are bright and fresh and crisp.

I haven’t gone to the park to take pictures in a long time and it was lovely – today was a perfect day – sunny breezy and 80 degrees.

After the ceremony everyone walked down to the picnic house for blueberries, sunflower seeds and lemonade.

(I’ve just added this group of birds in the shop)

song bird

annwood — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:05:36 +0000

Something new. I’ve been working on this shape for a very long time. More on this bird and answers to your questions ( it’s about time) and some new things in the shop next week. Have a lovely weekend.

the current state of affairs

annwood — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:38:43 +0000

Besides this blog, lots of things around here have been neglected and are in need of attention ( including email – if you’re waiting to here back form me hang in there – I’ll be catching up this weekend). My little victorian fishbowl terrarium ( a truly inspired gift from my sister becky) has slipped into chaos and disarray. Maybe I have a little too – we are definitely both a little extra dishevelled. I’ve collected some moss and tiny plants and will correct the terrarium situation this weekend. Next week I’ll be back with some new boats and owls and spiders and other stuff in progress. For now here are a couple recently finished things pictured with the gowns they are made from and inspired by:

queenie and french

And constance and o.

And be sure to checkout BHLDN’s new decor line – it’s beautiful and I’m flattered to be included.

busy in the bird department

annwood — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:52:28 +0000

I have been pretty occupied lately with this group of birds. They’ve been finished, packed and shipped off and later this spring, for the first time ever, sweetheart birds will be available someplace other than my shop.

I’ll let you know where you can find these limited edition birds very soon .

new shape

annwood — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:13:21 +0000

This is one of the new things I’m working on for 2011 – a small bird with a more realistic shape. I’m planning a little flock all made from this antique bodice ( hoping to get an owl out of it too).

The fabric is really interesting, it has a tiny geometric print of metallic gold specs over a silky cotton with little squares woven in.

red riding hood – selected scenes

annwood — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 16:42:08 +0000

This summer, at Echo Lake, a troupe of birds attempted a theatrical presentation: the cautionary tale of a little bird in a red cloak and a bad wolf. Selected scenes in the slide show here or hopefully below.

And a look behind the scenes.

owl work

annwood — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:54:19 +0000

I’m working on several new owls including one made from mrs. browns skirt ( on the left above), a large black owl made from this jacket and a little grey owl with green velvet horns and shoe button eyes.

I’m still going through my little scraps and making one of a kind birds, I’ve just added the first two bundled up birds of the season to the the shop and will be adding more regularly.

There is another photo of the little plaid bird visiting an apple farm here.

I had a conversation with Suzie Monday ( thanks very much Suzie) over the summer and you can find the resulting article in the September October issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.

new birds in the shop

annwood — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:24:31 +0000

And progress on a grey fellow.

I’ve just added some corsage girls, pirates, and a new sweetheart set to the shop.

chums!