{Everyday Inspiration} Toys & Artists...

When I learn about famous artists who made toys on the side for their children, I'm intrigued. I was delighted when a friend sent me the link to these great photos of painter, Paul Klee, with his puppets. He apparently made these for his son. Of course, there is a great book that is now on my wish list called Paul Klee: Hand Puppets. 

Being that I studied painting in college & graduate school, Paul Klee was already a favorite artist of mine. But now he has jumped up on the list after I saw these photos. You know how I love puppets too. He is now up there with Alexander Calder (who also made toys for his children). Thanks for passing this on D! 

Photos via

{Everyday Inspiration} If I was a marionette....

Inspiration comes in all forms & as I've mentioned, vintage toys & books give me a little rush of excitement. But a marionette find.... well, that's just on a whole new level of inspiration. So, you can imagine my delight when I found this simple & sweet marionette on a late night cruise through Etsy from a London shop called Wooden Donkey (for the price of 2 lattes). This puppet was produced by English puppet manufacturers in Pelham - & this model was first introduced in 1964. While it was listed as a boy marionette, I can't help but think that if I was made of wood... I might look strikingly similar (minus the glasses).

The middle string is actually elastic so the puppet bounces. Which, come on... how could that not make you smile? Immediately after the postman left her at my doorstep- I tore open the box and began playing. Just like all of my other vintage treasures, I'm not sure what they will inspire in the studio - I just know that I like to see them in my workspace. 

I remember my first marionette vividly. It was a bird made out of wood & it had a pom pom made of yarn for tail feathers that was red. I got it in about 3th grade I think. I really loved how I could make it come to life. I just adore puppets for that reason. My dream job would have been to work on the Muppet Show. So, with that said, Sayer was introduced to puppets at a very young age. I have a hot pink, fluffy Ostrich marionette that used to totally entertain him when he was just a tiny baby. 

And from the looks of things, he's a chip off the ol' block. Which fills me with joy. Do you have something from your childhood that still makes you happy?

{Everyday Inspiration} puppet break...

It's really just the tiniest things that can inspire & entertain me. A habit that started when I was in college 10+ years ago still prevails today. When I get stressed out & need to clear my head, I just stop by my favorite antique mall & get my nostalgia fix. It's all about the colors, designs, & feelings of comfort that a place like that evokes. The idea that I might stumble on a treasure is what keeps me coming back again & again. 

I've been a sewing, packing & shipping machine lately. On my way home from the post office a few days ago, I stopped by an antique mall that I like to browse in for a quick, much needed, break.  It was all decked out in vintage Christmas decorations & was newly stocked since my last visit. I quickly headed to my favorite areas first & started my little pile of finds. When I spotted this puppet box on the ground, beneath a display, I seriously started to get butterflies. I would have bought the box by itself just for the palette & graphics alone. But look at what was inside! Those of you that have followed this blog awhile know about my love of puppets. 

It's so funny, but I snatched up that box like it was the must have toy of the season and it was Christmas Eve. I don't think I can even explain or understand myself completely, how happy this sweet $4 prize made me (yes, I said $4). It was the best break ever. I was inspired & ready to go back to work with a pile of nostalgia to help me get through the holiday rush. What do you like to do when you are stressed & in need of a pick me up?

{Puppets} part II ~ new home...

Shadows, puppets, & stacked luggage is the scene in one of the rooms at hutch studio today. As promised, here are few pictures of some of my puppets in their new home. It has been particularly dark & windy in the last few days which makes for interesting lighting & shadows.... 

Nice to know that they are keeping Chris company these days. I think they like their new cozy & interesting digs...

{Puppets} old friends...

Which came first, these puppets or klt:works? Hmmm, I would say that they were both created at the same time. Most people don't really know when or why klt:works came to be so I thought I would fill in the gaps. My studio had been neglected for several years due to life - and a full time job, plus teaching night painting classes at the local college. The daily grind sort of sucked the creativity right out of me. In 2005, during a vocational crossroad, I set up my studio again while I searched for another full time job. The first thing I made were these puppets. I've always loved puppets and I guess I just felt the need to make some of my own.

These puppets were made as sort of an experiment to say the least. I made a plaster mold from clay heads that I created - then poured porcelain slip into those molds to  make many heads. I under glazed them by hand -as a painter it was interesting to use glazes rather than paint. You never knew exactly how they would come out. I utilized the fact that Chris teaches ceramics at the local college (& knows his stuff). He took care of firing them in the college kilns for me. After that, I made bodies out of dressmaker wool and left holes for fingers to be used as the arms. 

Not too much later, I was given a few show opportunities and officially started klt:works. My puppets were my first klt:works products (along with thread drawing portraits) and brought me many fascinating conversations and connections. I later had a solo show at a small shop in Seattle. The shop owner & designer asked me to make some Spring like products for this show. I made my first bird plush & mobiles to exhibit there in the Spring of 2006. So these odd little puppets really started it all for me. When I started making the plush & mobiles, I really didn't know where these puppets fit in- so I carefully packed them away for a time when the perfect fit would present itself.

Last night I rummaged in my closet and found all of my old friends carefully packed in multiple boxes. I felt somewhat comforted bringing all of them back out. Chris has the perfect space in mind for them in hutch studio and I love the idea that they will be back out into the world. Who would have thought that these puppets would send me on such a wonderful & fulfilling adventure? Not me- but they did, and I am grateful to them. They are going to their new home tomorrow and  I thought it  would be nice to send them off in style... by taking some photos. 

{Music Monday} A drummer & puppets...

I just recently saw a Josh Ritter video premiere on NPR- All Songs Considered that was really interesting and definitely worth passing on. Josh Ritter has a new cd out called So Runs the World Away. The song, The Curse, is a beautiful love song about an archeologist and her mummy. The video for The Curse is extremely unique and I love the story behind it, which can be read here.  Josh Ritters drummer, Liam Hurley, was the creator of the video. Not only is he a drummer, but he is also a puppeteer. {images via here} 

There is no question that I am a sucker for videos that feature puppetry. But combine it with a really lovely song and a multitalented film maker, then you've really got my attention. Some songs are just meant to be seen through the eyes of a puppeteer. Happy Music Monday!