A Cardboard Christmas

Cardboard has definitely been the repurposed material of choice at hutch studio, and the holidays couldn't happen for us without a cardboard tree.  We have them in every room and I've painted a few with some of our wall colors.  After all paper can be embellished in endless ways.  My plan was to make this tree a DIY project for repurposing an old cardboard box.  The response to the tree has been overwhelming and I will have a very limited supply available in the next couple of days.  The shapes are drawn on a flattened box and your job is to cut out the shapes and assemble the finished tree. It measures 31 inches tall by 20 inches wide by 18 inches deep. $24.00  *They are an in-store only item because let's face it shipping a flat box in a box is a bit silly.
So pop in soon to be one of a few to have this cool creation in your home.

The art deco inspired starburst tree-topper is the most recent addition to the holiday cardboard items.  It is 11"h x 8'w x 8" d and easily slips onto the tip of your tree.  Now here's a topper that makes a visual and an environmental statement. Next year you could even do something different to the surface (gold leaf perhaps).  Now that would be upcycled!  $18.

Are you having trouble finding the perfect gift for that person who loves the environment and gadgets?  Well I had to make this little number.  A cardboard phone stand that allows you to set your phone up at your desk.  And you can plug in the charger and still use it.  I love mine.  $14. Cardboard phone not included.

To inquire about or order any of these items give me a call at the studio.  #360-466-2303

Cardboard Creations

Well the floor has been piling up with cardboard scraps over the past couple of days.  I'm working on a couple different projects right now.  One is a shed that will be in a bunnies by the bay window display and the other is a large dollhouse that will be in our own sweet room here at the studio.  Both are pictured below during the construction phase.

The shed has a bunny weathervane on top which gave me the idea to make a front fence with hutch whirligigs for the dollhouse.

The construction of both is complete.  Today I primed the paper so that I can begin the surface painting. I will continue to chronicle this project with more pictures.  I will leave you with a view of the spacious interior and a full view of the dollhouse.

Cardboard is cool.


Chris "Cardboard Man"

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!

Cardboard Frame Making Workshop

~ Cardboard Frame Workshop ~

This frame was made by cutting almost all triangles.  The finished frame has a very art deco/arts and crafts look.

When I started this one I was thinking about spring and things sprouting and blooming.

This workshop combines the smart idea of repurposing used cardboard (which everyone has lying around) and the fun activity of making a one of a kind creation.  What's not to love?  You can bring a specific photo, print, or artwork, or make a standard frame opening o swap out images in the future.  That's all you need to bring.  Well, bring your creativity and imagination.  I supply all the materials.

This is a 2 hour class and the cost is $25.  The first class is this Friday and I'm getting excited.  Look for the unique frames in a future blog post. 

Paper Boat Finale!

~ Paper Boat Finale ~

Once upon a time I made a boat out of recycled cardboard and scrap fabric.  Here is how the project concluded......

To tell a little story I painted words on both sides of the boat - "Once upon a bay a boy sailed away on a toy.  As the boat sailed away the boy would sing and play."

I then continued the story telling by cutting out words within the paper waves that popped up from the table.

After it was finished all that was left is to decide what to display on this display.  We made a bunch of very soft and sweet sailor bunnies that sit inside the boat as well as sail along side in their very own paper boats made from nautical charts.

I almost forgot to mention the "sail".  I coffee dyed some very sheer cotton fabric and stitched it to narrow strips of cardboard leaving the edges very rough.  After tearing a few holes I patched them with pieces of scrap fabric and stamped anchors and boat wheels on them.  To attach the sail I used the wires that suspend the boat over the table.  I'm not sure if these pictures do the reality justice so if you want to experience this elaborate tabletop display in person you will just have to pay us a visit at Hutch soon. 

The Bunny Room

~ The Bunny Room ~

A magical playland for little bunnies and kitties is what we created in the front room at Hutch.  It is the first thing you see as you enter our shop and I have to say that it lets you know what kind of experience lies ahead. A fun, childlike, and whimsical adventure.

Sometimes the bunnies are working on craft projects, sewing, cutting out paper carrots, and sometimes they are having cookies and carrot tea.  

The little bunny chairs are made of cardboard, but are sturdy enough to support bunny weight.

This cardboard dollhouse is something that I made a while ago and has been in different places in and out of the shop.  It along with a couple of vintage dollhouses add to the feeling of "play" in the room.  

Pictured below is the grand chandelier mobile which was the center and focal point of the room floating above the bunny table. 

Every time it rains, it rains, carrots from heaven.

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!

A tiny collection

Krys and I are currently putting together a small collection of tiny items that will be presented at the upcoming NY gift show.  The subject matter is animals, children, nature, and old book print. The materials we are using are paper, fabric, and wire.  The grouping will be displayed in a beautiful old suitcase.  Very "hutchy"!  The picture above is the latest version of the "Bunny Girl Cabin"
The grass and figure silhouettes are now printed onto the paper walls instead of hand cut out of paper *refer to last blog post..

I've made many of these "Sweet Little Tweets" at the studio, but this is the most recent version.  The base is now made from cardboard rather than old metal lids, and the birds are made of painted "oven bake" clay rather than glazed porcelain.
I'm always asking myself "Could someone make this at home?"  Sometimes changing the material or process can make a big difference.  One last tweak is changing the old sheet music ling the cage to the same old book print that you see on the walls of the paper cabin.

 This is a vase of flowers that is made by repurposing cardboard paper rolls.  The flower children are pencils with printed faces and colored paper petals and leaves.  I think that the pencils might be packaged and sold separately so you could pick which and how many flower children you want to put in your vase.
What do you think so far?  All of these items will soon be available for purchase in our "shop" section.

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.

Sweet Art

Some of the latest and sweetest additions to hutch studio are the original watercolors of Krys Kirkpatrick.  Krys has been embracing the idea of recycling and reusing by incorporating old book pages collaged onto her backgrounds and mounting her images onto corrugated cardboard.  Above is "Home is where the heart is." It depicts a pig in a polka dotted dress in her flower garden with her house in the background. It measures 6"h x 6"w. The wood panel that the watercolor is mounted on is a chunky 1 3/4" deep and has  brown wood grain printed over the collaged book pages.  $45.

At the very top there is a piece for the winter season.  It's titled "Winter Friend", and it's a snowman and bunny painted on a fabric square that is then quilted and mounted on a wood panel.  8"h x 8"w. $55.

At the very very top is a painting of a Mommy Cat and her 3 kittens in their living room entitled "Is it not a lovely day?"  It measures 8"h x 8"w x 1 3/4"d.

$55.

If any of these pieces appeal to your sweet tooth give me a call at the studio.  #360-466-2303

Under The Tree

A few weeks ago I was musing about holiday trees.  I wanted to make a sweet little table top decoration that utilized all these little paper coins that I cut out of an old book.  I usually just scan the tables and shelves in the studio to come up with the other ingredients for the recipe.  Cardboard, wire, moss, dowels, and glitter were the materials of choice that day. 

After the tree was complete it still needed something else.  A teeny tiny field mouse to nestle in the moss was the ticket.  I made three and they were purchased within the week.  I made 3 more and that will probably be it but that's what I always say.  They are approximately 7" in height.  $26.00
Give me a ring at the studio for info. #360-466-2303

A box ~ A tree

If you've been in the shop lately you've probably noticed the trees that are the table centerpieces in every room.  They are cut and constructed using one cardboard box.  Since they are paper they can be easily painted or decorated to compliment your personal style.
They are available as a "Do it yourself" kit for $24. and only for in-store pick-up.  The supply is very limited.  I'm going to make one right now!

"Black Friday"

~ Trees, Trees, Trees ~

Well, I'm not crazy about pushing Christmas on people before the Thanksgiving turkey is cold but I just wanted to get the word out that over the next 2 days at hutch (November 25th &26th) the first 5 in store customers that spend over $25. will get a repurposed cardboard table top tree as a bonus.   This doesn't apply to our on line store customers.   I have them in natural, cream, green and aqua.  They have lots of little shelves and nooks to display your favorite holiday smalls.  See you tomorrow.  I open the door at 11am.

"Put A Bird On It"

~Put A Bird On It~

"Sweet Tweet"

Glazed Porcelain Bird

in a  wire cage.

3.5"h x 3"w

$42.

A few weeks ago, my wife who spends a great deal of time in the blogosphere came across a video from a new television show called "Portlandia".  It was titled "Put A Bird On It", and featured Fred Armisen from SNL, playing one of a pair hired to tweak a design boutique.  Their solution to all sad and ordinary things was to put a bird on it and it would be magically transformed into something desirable.  I know the reason that this is sooooo funny to me is that I know how true it is and I certainly use the "bird" at the studio quite a bit.  Pictured above is an early version of a "Sweet Tweet" which I started to make last spring to hang in the many windows of our side porch.  The red and blue seemed to be the most popular but I made them in just about every color for a while.

"Sweet Tweet"

*very early version & no longer available.

Some of the very first sweet tweets were made using oval tart tins as bases.  There is also very old sheet music lining the bottom of the cage.

"Sweet Tweet"

*Current version of design.

$38.

Every time I made a few more of these popular little guys I would change the design slightly.  The most recent (pictured above) has a base made from repurposed cardboard and the bird is made from painted fimo clay rather than glazed porcelain.  I personally prefer the matt surface on the bird, but what do you think?  I'm not sure if I will be making more of these birds but that's what I always say.  There are still a few left in the shop so give me a call if you are interested in purchasing one.  They're cute wherever they hang or sit.   360-466-2303

down to the wire

Well it is down to the wire.

I don't know about other creative people,

but I...work to the bitter end.  It seems like

my best ideas are my last.

But, a little bright spot in the

blur of paper, cardboard and glue....

my lil pumpkin came by for a visit.

He is changing so much.  The head is 

a little more stable.  And he giggles.

My daughter in law is helping with

the show...so mama and granny are

going to miss this little booboo.

Daddy-Nanny will be holding down

the fort.

Minnesota...here we come.