5.27.2008

Studio Tour Part I

My husband and I moved into our old 1920's house last November, and it's been a long process of fixin' it up and making it 'a home'. I blogged last Thanksgiving about my new studio space (previously used as a bedroom for an elderly woman) and was just unpacking boxes then. So, finally i've got things sorted out and thanks to some spring cleaning efforts, I present to you *my studio* in a 2 part (or possibly more!) series. (you can click on the pics for slightly larger ones)

Let me begin the tour with ye olde feedsack rag ball~ ahh, pray tell what mysteries lie inside it! I bought this great-looking solid rag ball for it's fabulous synergy~ i couldn't resist the fascinating wound layers and the mind-boggling array of colorful feedsacks in this self-contained "material world" (pardon the pun). Temptation got the best of me and I did unwind a few lengths to grace the necks of some teddy bears.


The hardest working gal in "sew" biz: the Pfaff 130! The most important appliance in the house, next to the Bodum French Press :O) A 1950's semi-industrial workhorse, the Pfaff has been my 'old faithful' since the beginning. Gotta give props to lovely Deb Beardsley (Beardsley Bears) who recommended the Pfaff when i was a fledging hand sewer (with cramping fingers) looking for a sewing machine. I tend to believe old things were made so much better.


Another hardworking part of the team: my sewing table. It is solid oak and originally used as a school table long ago~ there was petrified chewing gum underneath the tabletop to prove it! It is taking a beating from the heavy Pfaff, which I constantly push towards and away while toggling between machine sewing and handiwork. Athough the table is 72" long, I only work in the small area in front of the machine, under the task lamp.


One can never have enough thread, oui? Though there always is that *one color* you just don't have and must run to the store, like vivid lemon yellow or pastel purple.


Neatly folded mohair and organized (albeit overflowing) supply bins.. (wait, is this really MY studio?? lol!) It is infrequent that i can even see the floor, but sometimes it's good to find out if a floor is still there!



Under the sewing table is where all the pom poms are born (and dust bunnies too, but we won't discuss that right now). A giant tub of yarn, yarn, and more yarn... All kinds; wool, cotton, acrylic, variegated, blends. I made cardboard dividers from flattened boxes, but keeping the yarn untangled and in their proper 'zones' proved impossible. With this abundance of yarns, i have thought about learning to knit, though i've yet to crack open my copy of "Knitter's Handbook".



Delightful, hand dyed assorti of wool felt. Most are dyed on white wool, and others dyed colored wool (the neat lime-olive shade, 3rd from top, was a 'happy accident'.. sometimes the outcome is unpredictable, but we like unpredictable).


Some examples from my vintage ric rac stash. All the Trimmings "for women who sew".


Sweet little spool of baby pink ric rac.



Over time, I accumulate lots of little odd shaped mohair scraps, so I group them by color in ziploc bags. This way it is a lot easier to find what you need for that certain bear or project.



Big tin of old buttons. Warning: do not attempt to count! 2nd Warning: do not attempt to organize!


Ever hear the saying "It takes fifty gallons of sap to make just one gallon of maple syrup"? This is what goes through my head as I sift through hundreds and hundreds of old buttons, looking for the special few who will be worthy enough for the prestigious position of sock monkey eyes (see small pile of dark buttons to the right of photo).

I leave you with a portrait of "Dandelion", one of my earliest 'antiqued' sock monkeys, from the debut 2005 group. Hope you enjoyed seeing the inner workings of my studio! Next tour we will explore whats in all those small tins, boxes and jars (cos i'd like to know too! LOL). Have a lovely day! ~ til next time, pp

5.17.2008

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood


"Ting Ting" (a Limited Edition I created for the Toy Shoppe years back) is enjoying the out-of-doors, feeling the warm breeze on his fur, hearing the birds a'twitter, and with a glimmer of sunshine in his eyes :O) Isn't this a fab collectors pic?! I simply had to show it to you :O)
Tis a gorgeous day in Chicago (and i hope it is where u are too!)~ the kind of day I long for during the seemingly never-ending, dreary Midwest winters. We requested a tree-planting by the City of Chicago for our home, which they planted in the fall (8 months after my request, but delighted nonetheless). They selected for us a "Homestead Elm"...it was a joy to see it's first green leaves appear and birds sitting on it's branches. It is a time of renewal and in the spirit of, i have a fun new project i'm working on and hope to share with you really soon! And yes, it involves socks & a large dose of cuteness ;o)

5.15.2008

Now and Zen

It always makes my day to hear from my collectors (U R the Best!) and it humbles me to learn that in my own little way, i have inspired others; whether it be to pick up a thread n' needle, or to explore your creative self, or to simply follow your dreams (that is the motto my mother taught me). Today i received this heartfelt e-mail and (with authors' permission) thought to share it with you:


"Peng Peng, you have inspired me for years, I love what you do. I have sewn ever since I was a little wee one (I used to cut my clothes up to make things, which I soon learned was a big no-no. So I started cutting up my mom and dad's bath towels, which also wasn't allowed! :O)
I've learned a lot since then, and have grown into my own style using fabrics that I buy with my own money! And that leaves me with a closet full of wearable clothes, which is a plus.

I just wanted to say, that even though I feel that the possibility of me making a living doing what I love (making friendly creatures) is slim, I feel good at least knowing that someone as creative as yourself has found a way to do it!
I have attached a photo of one of my creations, "Little Zen bear" lol. I just can't seem to get him to stop meditating!

Thanks so much for bringing me joy and giving me hope for my own future...

katie a."


Thank u Katie! your Zen bear is adorable ;O) Keep following your heart!
~~Do you have an inspiring tale to share? Feel free to post it here or email your story to me, i'd love to hear from ya!

5.12.2008

New Sock Monkeys n' Ellies Update Announcement!


The long-awaited Sock Monkey listing is happening on my web site, Wednesday May 14 @ 12 noon Central (10am Pacific/ 11am Mountain/ 1pm Eastern).

Be sure to 'refresh' your browser at that time to see the new Sock Monkeys & Sock Elephants all dressed up for spring!

Questions about ordering? Click here

See you then! www.peng-peng.com

5.06.2008

New Sock Monkeys Coming!


My studio is alive with sock monkey madness! It's been *eons* since my last sock monkey update (September 2007 to be exact) so it's high time for some more! There will be a few sock elephants as well. Stay tuned for date/ time announcement, and be sure you're on my private mailing list to be the first to know about when i post new creations.

Other news: I just completed a new web site for the fabulous Art Rogers' Chatham Village Bears! Take a peek, it's loads of fun :)