Last week was full of making things! It felt great to do some hands-on work IN the shop after spending the last few months working ON the shop. While the space itself will be full of constant changes and renovations, I’m so glad to be at the point of using it for plain ol’ day-to-day Perennial work (like sitting around our huge table and computer-ing or building stuff in the workshop). I worked on some fun extracurricular projects last week that were a nice way to get some new ideas and the creative juices flowing.

Project 1:  I was asked by the University City Children’s Center to participate in their “Take a Seat” art auction in which they asked local artists to re-envision old-fashion teacher chairs. Of course, I was up for the challenge. I really wanted to change the function of the chair and a little coffee table seemed like a perfect new fit. After cutting off the back support, I decided to reuse those pieces and make a rack to hang magazines on. You can see all the transformed chairs at the UCCC event on June 2nd (visit www.uccc.org for more info.)

Project 2: The Earthways Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden had their annual Green Ball fundraiser this past Friday. Last year was my first time attending the event. When I found out the great prizes they give away to the winners of their fashion contest, I knew I would be in-it to win-it this year. Guess what? I won! The contest is specifically a green fashion contest, and I thought up the perfect Perennial entry. $5 ugly dress from the thrift store transformed into a ball-worthy gown. Luckily, Perennial’s board member Claire was kind enough to carry around a life-size picture of the original dress (the ‘before’) I printed and mounted on cardboard while I wore the newly altered dress.

Project 3: Gearing up for our ‘Shop for Mom‘ event this weekend 5/6, 11am-4pm, we’re making lovely little hanging planter shelves. You can grow a little suculent or some herbs without loosing any deck or counter space. Plus these puppies are going to be super stylish. Just some teaser photos for you. You’ll have to come down to the shop to get the real deal!

 

Hooray for kicking up some sawdust! … that might be an overstatement… We still only use hand-powered tools, so… it’s more like slowly creating some sawdust. Hooray for hard work and beautiful things made by hand.

Make-it,
Jenny