Winter Wonder

~ A Blanket of Snow ~

I awoke last Sunday morning to a winter wonderland.  It is a bit unusual to get much snow in the Skagit Valley.  The surrounding hills and mountains are a totally different story.  I set out in my 2 wheel drive, cruised at a mellow 20 miles per hour, and wound my way down the hill on which we live. After what seemed like forever I finally arrived at the studio with bells on.  One of the first things I did was take some pictures of the snow flocked shop..... then I shoveled out.  I was very surprised that so many people stopped in that day.  Some would peer in the front window just to make sure that the open sign wasn't up by accident.  It ended up being a very snowy but cozy day thanks to the warmth of friendly visitors.  I hope that you enjoyed this little visual taste of what our studio looks like.  For more pictures you can visit our new "tour" section located right under our blog header.
Happy Winter!

Our New Blog Shop!

We have a new Blog Shop!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we have been developing many new sections on our blog for you to visit.  They are located right below our blog header.  You can enjoy pictures of the inside and outside of our shop in La Conner by clicking on the "tour" section.  Find out what makes us tick by clicking the "about" section.  Browse and buy some of the latest hand made creations, patterns and kits by clicking on the "shop" section.  The original pen and watercolor  (above) by Krys Kirkpatrick is the most recent addition to the shop. To see more of Krys' work click on by for a visit.

More on the Light Post.

I had to add the very latest addition to the light of hutch.  Hung it just this morning in fact.  It is a pendant style light comprised of 33 paper houses made from vintage 50's cookbook pages.  They hang with thread from a spiraling wire support.  It sell for $200. and is an in store pick up item only.  The shadows cast by the house on the surrounding walls are amazing.

Last but not least is one of the really fun project kits at hutch.  It is a night light that is made from repurposing a pint milk carton, paper paint sample cards, and old 35mm vacation slides.  I call it "My Vacation Home Night Light", because when you go to bed at night you can turn this on and dream about getting away to that perfect vacation spot.  Lovely thought isn't it. "Night light Take me away!"
The templates and plans for building your vacation home sell for $10.  
Give me a ring to order> 360-466-2303 

Lights of hutch

It's fair to say that the lights of hutch studio are quite unique.  Look up, down, in, or out and you will notice many interesting pendants, lanterns, shades, and tea lights.  Not all are for sale but some are.  The porch light (pictured above)is one of the NFS examples and it is the first light you see as you enter our shop.  An original fixture to the house that I would date to approximately circa 1900.

The next two lights are for sale at the shop (call for details).  To the left is an inverted colander lamp and to the right a "Newman" light.  I call it a "Newman" because it is made from a repurposed "Newmans Own" sauce jar.  I collaged old newsprint and paper cut-outs onto the glass and then applied an amber tinted finish.  They sit inside one of our hutches.

The two most dramatic fixtures in the studio are the "Red Spiral Parisol" and the large "Chinese Bird Lantern". The parisol is hand painted and the Chinese lantern has collaged bird imagery in the tinted glass panels. Don't forget to look up or you might just miss these stunning objects of illumination.

The last lights pictured are two examples of a "childlike magic".  the tiny 2 1/2 inch house made with old book pages glows from the warmth of a battery operated tea light. The "Squirrel House" that hangs on the wall (pictured here without its roof), also has a battery operated light that shines on a paper cut image of a squirrel in an oak tree.  I almost get more excited about the shadows that the cut out casts on the back wall, but "Shadows" are another blog post entirely.


Give a call tho the studio if you would like more information about any of the lights in the post.  I will try my best to shed some light.  #360-466-2303

Winter Schedule

New Winter Schedule & Hours of hutch!
Our hours will be the same but the days that we will be open will change for the winter season.  It will be as follows beginning the first of January.

Open~ Friday thru Monday, 11am-4pm.
Closed~ Tuesday thru Thursday.


*Calling first is always a good idea, just to make sure. Once a month I close for a workshop.


Thank you and I hope to see you soon!

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!

Friends

Around the holidays one can easily get grinchy with all the added stresses.  The crowds, the long lines, the traffic, and the expenses can turn the most jovial person into a humbug.  Yesterday however I had a very heart warming surprise.  A large envelope was delivered to me at hutch.  It was from someone who had visited the studio recently and knew that I was looking for old  children's books to repurpose.  Sure enough, inside the envelope were the pages from an old children's book.  I mean "old".  I couldn't find an actual print date, but I'm guessing the 1920's.  It was a soft back children's story/activity book with great "hutch colors" and graphics.

There is so much about these pages that inspire ideas. What truly inspires me more than the content in these fragile pages is the gesture.  This person didn't have to do this but she did.  It's these small acts that can make you believe in the goodness of people.  Not to mention the "Greatness" of hutch studio fans.  You are all the best and I meet new one's all the time.  If you haven't had a chance to visit the studio in person, make a point of stopping by over the holidays.  You may want to give a call first to make sure that our door will be open. #360-466-2303
HAPPY HOLIDAY!
Chris