Wedding Anniversary Whirligigs!

~ Wedding Anniversary Whirligigs ~

It was a very special whirligig workshop this Saturday.  Bruce and Annette chose to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary at Hutch making whirligigs.  

Bruce created a circus themed gig (pictured above) and Annette made hers on a candy theme.  Both were amazing and spun beautifully in our gusty Saturday weather.

I could tell that they were both so excited to get their whirligigs home and put them in a spot where they will always remember that other special day when they made whirlgigs at Hutch. 

May Annettte and Bruce's love spin on.

Baker's Whirligig.

~ A Baker's Whirligig ~

Well, we have a new addition to our fence at Hutch.  The "Baker" whirligig is a combination of large mixing bowl, hand sifters, and an old Sunbeam beater mixer.  I'm waiting for a good windy day to see it in action, but I have a feeling that this one will really cook.

Whimsical Windows

~ Whimsical Windows ~

Not too long ago I stopped into Hutch and found our creative leader Krys Kirkpatrick busy as a bee in the bay windows of the aqua room.  She was magically transforming the windows into delightful floral frames with bunnies, ducks, and mushrooms.  

She painted them on the inside and went back into the painted images by scratching lines. I think it is so important to experiment when it comes to art. Krys definitely gets it and it's the only way to discover new things.  And it's fun!

 A snail peeks from in between two magical mushrooms. Would't you want to go in and see what else is in store? 

I love when the sunshine beams through the window panes casting fun shadows on the sill.  Also seeing through to the bushes and flowers moving in the breeze brings it all to life.

So Sweet!

Garden Club Whirligigs

~ Garden Club Whirligigs ~

The latest whirligig workshop consisted of members of the Woodinville Garden Club and we had been planning this for over a year.  I knew that they would be excited and ready to go.

And it was very true....whenever someone pre paints objects for their whirligig I know that they've been thinking and planning for a while.  Love the color!

Hustling and bustling in the studio!

Here, Cindy and I are discussing the proportions on her gig.

Adding a second hub created more height and distance between wind catchers.

They were a fun but very focused group, which is the perfect combination of both maker and whirligig.

A great whirligig needs to focus the wind's energy and be fun to look at.

I always like it when a parent and their child sign up for a workshop.  That's quality time and a great memory.

Dangling items from wire is a technique that has been utilized a few times over the years, but placing a copper tub at top and drilling random holes in the side walls to create a leaky tub effect was a workshop first. 

So many tiny little screws and washers.

Sometimes things happen in an unplanned way.  Like not being able to use a particular object because it was made of stainless steel and having to substitute a different item.  In this case the unplanned red tin added a color element to the whirligig.  I like it!


Thanks Woodinville Whirligig Team!
And a special thanks to Rebecca Love for volunteering and being the photographer that captured all these nice pictures.

Recent whirligig workshop creations

~ Whirligig Creations at Hutch ~

I know that I always say that the last workshop was the greatest to date and the truth is they are all fantastic .  The whirligigs pictured above were made in the July workshop.  I'm always excited about the "stuff" that everyone brings to create their personal wind statement.  Often the funner the item the bigger the challenge but the challenge is fun and thrilling when we make it work.  These folks were into it big time.  Two of them had already planned and prepped many of the components that went on their gigs.  LOVE IT!!!

I also love getting emails from workshoppers after the class is over with questions about new gigs they are now working on.  To think that hutch may be spreading the joy of whirligigs throughout the land puts a big smile on my mug.  If any of my former workshoppers would send me a picture of themselves standing by there whirligig wherever it ended up being installed I would love to create a blog page called "As The Gig Spins".  

The next whirligig workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th.   The October workshop date will be posted soon.

DIY Whirligig Plans

"DIY Whirligig"

For those of you that haven't yet had the opportunity to visit hutch studio in La Conner, you may not know that the fence lining our front yard is constructed out of found objects (washboards, croquet balls, rakes, rocking horses, etc...).  The posts of this extraordinary fence are topped by "whirligigs", which are whimsical handmade objects that spin and move in the wind. Hutch studio whirligigs are all made by repurposing old "stuff" that collects in our garages, basements, and sheds. These objects exemplify the creative spirit of hutch studio and I'm pretty sure the #1 most photographed thing in town. They are just so fun to watch spin on breezy day and it's almost like they charge the sidewalk with a creative electricity.  Most of these gigs are for sale (there's a catalog with prices inside the shop).  We also offer monthly workshops on how to build whirligigs.  I am so crazy excited to finally be offering the plans and instructions on how to make your very own whirligig just like the ones here at hutch studio.

Included in this package is a technical drawing (blueprint) of the whirligig pictured on the front label, extensive materials list of every tool, object, and lock washer, and finally step by step list of written instructions.  *If you or someone you know loves a fun construction project and can handle a power drill this is the gig for you.  This fun and special idea sells for $14.  It is available both in the studio or at our blog shop.  To order by phone call 360-466-2303.