Frames of Cardboard

~ Frames of Cardboard ~

My love of paper (cardboard) to be more specific is well documented but making frames has been one of my favorite things to make with this versatile material.  As you first enter Hutch you see several examples of how unique and creative these frames can be. A lot of people think they look like wood.  Pictured above is the "Picket Fence" frame which is the largest measuring 29 by 34 inches.

This is the "Bunny Pulling Carrot" frame and a reproduction of the original that was purchased not too long ago along with the original of the below pictured "Sewing Bunny" frame.  Both of the originals had applied white paint that gave them a sense of light.  I mostly hand cut using scissors and and x-acto knife but I'm trying to utilize a die-cut machine to make things more efficient.  Besides selling them in the shop we have monthly workshops here at Hutch. It's a super creative and fun time.

So get your glue guns ready and sign up for a workshop now!

Paper House Lights at Hutch

~ Paper House Lights at Hutch ~

1963 Good Housekeeping Cookbook House Light,  21"x 15"x 15",   $185.

The paper house light has been something that has always received a great deal of attention both here in the shop and on line. I remember when I first posted the image below on the internet. It was everywhere in no time. The exact light pictured below was featured on an episode of "Dear Genevieve" on HGTV a year ago and I sadly have not seen it yet.  They are for sale in the shop and I still plan on making it a DIY kit at some point but for now the workshops that teach others how to make the light are what's popular.  To see the current schedule of hutch workshops just click on "workshops" on our blog's main page.

~Sold~

Oh the shadows.....  If you have a dark space to hang the light, like a corner close to 2 walls, you take full advantage of it's shadow casting abilities and magic.

World Atlas House Light,  15"x 13"x 13",   $160.

This light is made out of a old World Atlas. You may be able to locate your place in the world on one of the houses.  The paper is a little thicker and not as translucent compared to the cookbook lights, but it has soft color pallet of blues, greens, and yellows.

Gail, one of my favorite workshoppers has taken this class twice and created two beautiful lights.  Both creations were very thoughtful.  The first repurposed maps that were specifically places that her daughter had been.  It was a graduation gift.  The second, a detail shown below.  Was machine stitched pages from "Pride and Prejudice" a favorite of her daughter.  Another gift.  It's obvious that she loves her daughters a great deal and  I'm sure they love their special gifts from mom.

So don't you want to check out the upcoming workshop schedule and sign up to make your own paper house light now?  Just go for it!

Paper House Light Workshop

~ Paper House Light Workshop ~

It was cold and rainy outside today, but inside Hutch it was warm, cozy, and full of creative activity.  The second workshop devote to the spectacular Paper House Light took place in the center room.  Book pages were carefully selected and then folded and formed into delicate houses.  By the end of day as it became darker outside, the room illuminated with the glow of these lights.

Normally in the 3 hour time frame of the workshop we can complete a 12 house light similar to the red one pictured above or the cream one below.

But if you are very fast and ambitious you may want to tackle a big light like the first one pictured or the one that was recently featured on the HGTV design show "Dear Genevieve".

So if you like cutting and folding fun paper and uniquely fantastic lights give hutch a call to sign up for the next workshop.  There will be one on March 14th and one on April 11th. 

Jar Light Workshop

~ Jar Light ~

Another one of our upcoming workshops this month is the "Repurposed Jar Light".  With a lidded jar, a  cool old tin, and some lamp parts we will assemble an ultra cool table top light.  The vintage tin is for you to bring along but we supply all the rest of the materials needed for the project.  the size of the light is determined by the jar and tin sizes.  This is a definite one of a kind studio light and hutch is a fun place to make it. 

When: February 24th, from 2- 4pm.

Where: At Hutch in La Conner.

Cost: $45. Light Kit Included

For more info or to sign up contact Chris at Hutch:

#360-399-1223

Hutch in the New Year.

~ Hutch in the New Year ~

We are very excited for the new year at hutch.  It is certain to be full of creative ideas and activity.  Workshops, classes, and demonstrations, designed to capture the imagination and interest in people of all ages.  Expect to see classes in making all sorts of fun things and the processes will vary from baking to sewing to paper sculpting.  And don't worry the whirligig creating will be a constant workshop in the new year.  Here is the initial schedule for hutch classes in January and February 2012.  I'm sure we will be adding more into the mix so stay tuned into the blog for any fun additions.

~Hutch Workshops in January & February~

There are so many fun and creative workshops at Hutch these days it’s hard to list them all but here goes……..

Whirligig Making -           Sat. Jan. 14^th               Sat. Feb. 11^th

                                             Sat. Jan. 28^th               Sat. Feb. 25^th

11:30am- 4:30pm

cost: $100.

Paper Houses-                       Mon. Jan.9^th                           Mon. Feb. 6^th

                                             Wed. Jan. 18^th              Mon. Feb. 27^th

                                             Mon. Jan. 30^th

1:00- 3:00pm

cost: $20.

Paper House Light-                Fri. Jan. 21^st                         Fri. Feb. 3^rd

                                                                                 Fri. Feb. 17^th

12:00- 3:00pm

cost: $40.

 Sweet Little Tweet Birdcage -

                                             Fri. Jan. 6^th                          Wed. Feb. 8^th

                                             Mon. Jan. 23^rd               Wed. Feb. 22^nd

1:00- 3:30pm

cost: $30.

Origami Bird Mobile-              Wed. Jan. 4^th               Wed. Feb. 1^st

                                             Mon. Jan 16^th                Wed. Feb. 15^th

2:00-3:30pm

cost: $45.

Paper House Light Workshop

~ Paper House Light Workshop ~

Do you have any old books, magazines or photos that are taking up space somewhere and you never get the chance to appreciate them.  Why not sign up for a hutch workshop and turn them into a magical light that you can adore every day and night.   These hanging house lights are aprox. 7 inches tall and 9 inches wide consisting of 12 paper houses.  It is a 3 hour workshop and the lighting kit is supplied for you.  All you need to bring is fun old book or magazine pages that are at least 9 inches wide and 7 inches high to fit our die cutter.  *Thin paper is best for it's translucency.  The age level is 16 and above.

Date:  Saturday, January 7th

Location:  Hutch in La Conner

Time:  12pm-3pm

Cost:  $40.

For further questions or to sign up please contact:

*Note these paper house will be available for purchase soon in our etsy shop.

"Keeping them spinning."

~ Keeping them spinning ~

"Maintaining the old gigs at Hutch"

There are a few whirligigs (five I think) that have been on our front fence at Hutch for over 20 years.  Even though they were very well crafted they are still subjected to the elements all year round and in our climate that means a great deal of rain and wind.  They are mostly made of  light metals that even though they are partially painted will rust.  Screws will loosen and parts will fall off.   Fortunately these are easy fixes. As I watch them spin in the wind I notice if one is not keeping up I bring it in to the shop and examine it more closely.  This one pictured here is an old timer I call the "Everything Gig" and was moving slowly, so I brought it inside for a check up.  It was missing a couple of small windcatchers that I easily replaced with new ones but the problem was not as simple as that.  It was internal. I took the hub apart, cleaned the bearings and repacked it with a generous amount of grease but it still wasn't moving smoothly.  There comes a point when the metal that the ball bearings are in contact with gets rough and pitted and at that point there isn't much you can do.  It will still move, but will need a stronger wind.  The older I get the more I can relate.  One old whirligig to another.

Spin on!

Colander Light

 ~ Colander Light ~

Sometimes you can have an idea, create it, and later on see a similar idea made by someone else.  I've learned over the years that it is always better to then take your idea further.  It's a way of creatively pushing yourself.  Recently I picked up a magazine and discovered an article on lights made using kitchen colanders.  I had made a couple for the shop a year or so ago that seemed very similar.  HTe very next day I took down the one I had in our kitchen and began turning up the creative dial.  I added fork fringe which I had been thinking about doing but this article sealed the deal.  I also suspended it with a cool old twisted metal plant hanger from a bent spoon bracket on the ceiling.  The change was much needed.  Before it was hardly noticed and now it can't be ignored.

One of the things I like about the forks is that the light takes on almost organic jellyfish quality.  If jellyfish were made out of kitchen wares that is.  I also staggered the fork lengths to create a wavelike edge at the bottom.

In terms of function things were much improved as well.  Before it was so high up on our tall ceiling that it offered little light to a dark space.  Now it is centered right above the table and illuminates the center piece beautifully.  This light is priced at $300. Give me a call to order 360-466-2303.

Boat Project Continued

~ Paper Boat ~

If you have been following the progress of the boat project at hutch, we last left off waiting for a sail for the little old wooden boat I repainted.  Well when the sail arrived, attached to the boat and placed in the room it was enormous.  Almost reaching the ceiling and blocking a great deal of light into the room it just wasn't going to work in the space.  A second plan of a wooden rocker crib shaped like a boat didn't work either.  What do I turn to in an emergency......CARDBOARD!  I began to pull out any big old boxes I could find, fired up the trusty glue gun and began to cut.

I have to say I never built a boat before.  As a child I was more of a car guy, but being from Rhode Island "The Ocean State" where there are more boats than cars, and helping my grandfather every 4 years refinish the boat that never left his yard gave me an advantage visualizing this task.  Here is the bottom with ribs attached.

 Next I began to cut strips and attaching them to the sides.  This is when the boat really started to take shape.

Adding small details at the bow and stern was a little bit of a nod to movie director Tim Burton who always has had a thing for the spiral.  Also the boat would be zigging and zagging without a sturdy rudder.

Slapping a fresh coat of paint on the cardboard brought the vessel to life.  Trimming in aqua and red and of course drenching it in a bath of coffee completed the basic boat.  What's left you ask?  I think I'll add some words to the aqua trim, float it over a paper sea, and make tattered sails to catch the hutch winds.

hutch Idea of the moment

~ DIY Tulip Tea light ~

I'm always thinking of different ways to use these little battery operated tea lights around the shop.  They just make the perfect little warm touch here and there.  Since the Skagit Valley will soon be blooming with vast fields of tulips I thought a little tulip light would be well suited to our studio.  Best of all it's a repurposing project that utilize all those old magazines that collect all over the house.

Step #1- Collect magazine pages that have a certain color (your choice).  I'm making pink tulips.  Also tear out a little bit of "green".

Here is all that you need to make your tulip light.   Step #2-  With scissors cut the pink petal shapes approximately 2 x 3 inches.  You can do a straight cut along the base of the petals now or after they are taped together (your choice).  I also cut 2 or three thin leaf shapes approximately 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch.

Step #3- Using a pencil or dowel curl the petal pieces starting at the top of the petal.

Step #4- Place the petal pieces in a row 5 inches in length overlapping them slightly.  Place the green leaf pieces on top.  I hold them in place with a pencil.  I first made my strip 5 1/4" long but learned that it only needed to be 5".

Step #5- Using satin finish invisible tape, secure all petal and leaf pieces together along the bottom edge.  If you didn't pre-trim the bottom edge previously do it after this step.  Step #6-  Leave a slight overhang of tape at each end and wrap around the side walls of the tea light. 

Turn on the light and happy spring!

Bunny Shed Finish

~ The Bunny Shed ~

The "Bunny Shed" is finished.  Today I wrapped up the painting on this fancy cardboard box and installed a small spot light inside.  My plan is to have a scene of some kind that you can peak a view of through the round side window.

I temporarily placed the Bunny artwork that I was using as reference inside the shed to give the general effect.  Alright! Now on to painting the cardboard dollhouse!

Dollhouses

~ Dollhouses ~

Vintage dollhouses have appeared all around the shop lately.  They are very old and full of character (broken boards and chipped paint).  They certainly amp up the rustic quality of our studio space but they also add to the idea of "play" and childhood that we really try to capture in all the things we make and display.  This red beauty is the centerpiece in our middle room and the facade is hinged to expose the interior rooms.

In the same room, directly under the table, sits this single story house with attached garage.  I believe it used to have fencing in the yard.  I have a strong personal connection to the "dollhouse".  As a child I remember that my sister had a simple wooden dollhouse and for some reason I thought the roof was too plane. I took it upon myself to hand cut little shingles and apply them to the roof.  It's no surprise I ended up the way I am. Coincidentally in my artwork I address the idea of "house" and "home" and often work in a miniature scale.  These are things that just happen sometimes without much if any intention, but are none the less very interesting to discover. 

A couple of years ago I was visiting a blog called the The Junior Society where I would often find new and interesting things that got me jazzed. Then I saw it. A story about a young artist from Saskatchewan by the name of Heather Benning who transformed an old abandoned farmhouse on the plains of Manitoba into a life size dollhouse. She removed the exterior walls on the backside of the house and restored and staged the rooms just as she imagined they may have appeared in the 1950's and 60's when the house was being lived in. Some things just get to me and this was one of those things.  For Heather the impetus for this amazing project was a childhood memory of playing house in an old structure similar to the one she used in her artwork.  I'm always thankful for artists like Heather that manage to blow my mind with their ideas and ambition.

The last dollhouse in the studio is the first one you see when you enter.  A crusty white patina on the exterior sets off the rich red roof.  The facade completely removes exposing many small rooms.  I forgot to mention that this house and the first one are wired for low voltage lighting.  How cool is that?  I think I need to make a video called "put a light in it".

Did you have a dollhouse when you were little?  What was it like?

Picture of Heather Benning's Dollhouse via Ohdeedoh

Illustrated Drum Shades

~ Illustrated Light Shades ~

One day I was organizing one of the rooms at the studio used to store just about everything and sitting on top of a precarious pile of old lamps were a few newer looking drum shades.  I'm assuming someone had bought them with a plan, but had abandoned the project.  Inspired by a children's book that my wife and son had recently given to me as a gift I decided to use the simple white surface of the shade as if it were a wrapped piece of paper to draw on. I first did a very light pencil sketch followed by line drawing with a fine point black sharpie marker.  Subtle color was added with watercolors.

Because some of the themes at the studio incorporate children, nature, and animals, that's what I used as subject matter.  The first lampshade pictured a little boy and a bird, a little girl and a squirrel, and trees with an acorn.

It really made a sweet light for a nursery or small child's room.

Well, someone else thought the same thing and bought it.  The room got dark after that so I had to come up with another one quick.  It was early spring and the mole hills were treacherous in the back yard so I thought Moles and Daffodils would be a great combo. Oh yeah, and a little girl and boy too.

I love a challenge, and to make a mole cute is exactly that.  Can you picture this little dude doing a little "Caddyshack" dance?  This lamp is still the center piece in our "sweet room" at the studio.  It retails for $150. call 360-466-2303 or stop into the studio to see it in person.

I'm thinking the next one is going to have "pink tulips", bunnies, a little girl, and a little boy.  What do you think? Should the little girl have curly red hair?

I also want to share a secret with you.  The magical ingredient that I add to so many things that I make in the studio is............

COFFEE!!!

I put it in myself as well.

It adds the right warmth to white and tones down colors that are a little too bright.  Give it a swirl!  No cream or sugar.

A fun little idea.

~Paper Lantern House~

Here's a fun and really simple idea.  Take a photograph of your house and print it horizontally on a standard 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of 20# weight paper.  Cut a straight edge along the bottom of the image and at the top cut along the house's roof line.  loosely wrap the house around a soup can slightly overlapping at the back.  Using a couple of pieces of satin transparent tape secure.  Now in order to make this a safe lantern you need to use a battery operated tea light.  You can find these little 1 1/2" lights pretty easily in craft stores (especially around the holidays).  NEVER USE A CANDLE!  Paper + flame = fire.  Simply place the paper house cylinder over the tea light and your house is glowing with warmth.

This picture was taken in the dark, but in a dimly lit space with a fresh battery in the light the house gives of a nice soft glow.  I sell these "hutch studio" lights at the shop but it's just one of those free ideas that people leave the studio with.  To make a "move" easier on a child a warm light of the house that they grew up in could be a great comfort.  If you use this idea in some way I would love to hear about it and post a picture if possible.  Send photos and messages to me at the studio -chrisptheiss@gmail.com

Have fun with the idea!

The Windows of Hutch

~ The Windows of Hutch ~

I have to say that of all the things that I make at the studio the window coverings are my favorites.  There seems to be so many levels on which to appreciate them.  You are drawn to them from outside the house and that experience changes from day to night.  from inside the experience is different but the light from day to day and day to night always effects how the look.  The shadows that are created by the daylight passing through the cut designs are always exciting to see.  The above detail is from the spring and summer  window covering I call "Rainflowers" .  It is a paper cut using thin white butcher paper.  I like the way the paper curls at the edges and gives the design some dimensionality.  The cascading flower and leaf pattern has a second element of dangling paper raindrops painted grey blue that fall from a cloud valance along the very top edge.  This rain can be seen silhouetted in the photo below. 

 "Rainflowers" 

The "Rainflowers" window covering is available as a paper cut kit.  The full design measures 34 inches wide by 67 inches high and can be adjusted to fit most window openings.  The cost is $28. and will be in our blog shop soon.

 "Winter Window"

Our "Winter Window" is my favorite.  The design is a northwest woodland winter scene comprised of trees, snow, mushrooms, a bird, and a squirrel.  It is cut out of quilter's batting which has a translucent quality that allows for beautiful lighting effects when double layered.  Pictured above is single cut out layer that has great shadow casting qualities. This fall I changed them slightly by dyeing the cut out layer dark brown, giving the design greater contrast without the help of backlighting.

In our "sweet room" which has a lot of light aqua and soft pink colors I dyed the solid piece of batting a very soft pink and left the cut out layer the natural cream color.  I also flipped the image to create a balanced overall design for the double but separated windows in this nook.

I often tell customers about the first time I went outside the studio after dark, with the lights on inside.  It looked magical and felt that way too.  It was that tingling sensation throughout the whole body that you only experience on rare occasions.  It's like when you hear a singer hit that amazing note or see a dance performance that leaves you breathless.  Anyway, it was cool.   This is a photo from last season before I dyed the cut outs brown.  It's even better now.  In the fall and winter I set the upper room lights on timers so everyone walking or driving by after dark can experience this magic for themselves.  Remember Morris Street in La Conner, Washington.   Take a drive!

Like everything at the studio the window coverings are totally made by hand.  The idea begins as a free hand line drawing that gets hand cut into a template.  The template is then placed onto fabric, the design is traced, and then the fabric cutting is done.  These windows are well worth the labor involved in making them, but don't take my word for it, come on by and see them for yourself.

"Winter Window Design"

Pictured here is an example of a completed double layer winter window with a dark brown cut out top layer that was hand dyed.  This exact design measures 33 inches wide by 67 inches high and can be cropped to suit most window sizes. 

The cost for the winter window pattern is $24. and will also be available in our blog shop very soon.  Until then just give me a call at the studio if you have any further questions or to order.  360-466-2303.