Pincushions & Pumpkins

(pincushion clamp)

I've been working on new product designs here at home, and while some of them are time more consuming, I did need to get a few more things added to my Honeysuckle Lane Etsy shop.

(round make-do pincushion)

I dug out the designs that I carved a couple years ago and made more hand-pulled prints.

I like the textural look I get when printing on watercolor paper.

(strawberry make-do pincushion)

My block print designs are based on antique pincushions that I own (the pincushion clamp and the round pincushion) and one that I made that was inspired by antiques I have seen elsewhere (strawberry make-do pincushion).

(part of my pincushion collection)

I also printed more of my pumpkins.

I loved making these and I am coming out with new block print designs this fall.

These were inspired by the fabric pumpkins that I have been making for several years.

The baskets and urns were inspired by early fraktur work designs.

If you like these, you may see them and read the full descriptions here.

A purchase of the entire set of three (pincushions or pumpkins) will entitle you to a free block print as seen below:

I was looking back through my blog posts, and I think I started relief printmaking in middle of 2008 because I posted a little about it here.

Well, I guess I'd better get back to work. I have a few special orders to finish and my notebook of designs is begging to come to life as actual objects and curiosities. :)

Take Care and God Bless,

Lana

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Early Style Make-Do Pincushions

~* Make-Do Pincushions *~
Pincushions and emeries were (and still are) a mainstay of the women who sewed clothing and linens for their homes. A pincushion kept the needles close at hand, while the smaller emery kept the needles sharp. The pincushion known as the make-do, most prevalent in the 18th & 19th centuries, came about as women made do with what they had. If an item broke such as a goblet, a candlestick holder, an oil lamp, or a lid to a teapot, a pincushion was made to go atop the salvaged base.

A large make-do pincushion was sometimes used as a wig stand. The lady would pin the hairpiece to the pincushion to hold it in place while she styled it by braiding or curling the hair. She also would have used a make-do pincushion while arranging ribbons and flowers for hats or bonnets.
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These are the two make-dos which were judged for the directory mentioned in the previous post. I love making the large ones and have several in my home. In a few days I'll share some antique make-dos that I have acquired.

Lavender Pumpkins, Paintings, and Pincushions

I was going through some of my fall watercolors and realized they have a slightly lavender-ish background....

which matches a triangle pincushion I recently made (it's shipping out to the new owner tomorrow)...

which matches a lavender wool pumpkin I also recently made...

Funny how things just go together without even planning it! :)

The puzzle ball pincushion and the triangle pincushion are spoken for, but all watercolors and the large wool pumpkin (which great for a pincushion or to display longer hat pins) are available.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Lana

Looking For A Home...

UPDATED JULY 20th:

Don't worry, I'm not begging you to take a stray puppy or kitten, though I'm sure there are numerous softies out there who couldn't resist!

Actually, things are winding down for me for the summer. Orders are getting finished this week and I will be packing up the contents of my garage... finally! I will have to be willing to sort and separate and purge. It's definitely going to hurt, but I have to let go of some things I've collected and saved for so long. I've got to get down to business and decide what to keep and what to pass on to someone else to enjoy or dream up a creation for a particular treasure. I also have to get the rest of my inventory out the door so I can start with a clean slate the end of summer. I'll have a new workroom (or studio if you want to call it that), new ideas, new creations... I can hardly wait! Of course I will be working on my old tried and true designs for the holidays as well. I will have enough trouble storing all my supplies, props, and tools without trying to keep my hand made items handy in case someone wants something while I'm remodeling. I wouldn't turn away a sale, but I might have a little difficulty finding a needle in a haystack!

I will post photos and prices of items that are here with me and need a home. If you see something you would like to have or something that would be just the thing for a friend, please email me (my address is in my profile at the left of this page) and I'll get back with you on shipping and the total. You may also find these on my website, Honeysuckle Lane, and contact me through the link there.
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Autumn Bouquet Wall Hanging: I designed this wall hanging and sold patterns to quilt shops across the US. This is the original and was shown at a couple of Quilt Markets by National Nonwovens, a wool felt company. $60

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Vintage Baby Shoe Pincushion: How sweet and spring-like this piece is! This make-do pincushion is made from an old ... planter possibly? Just look at all the little crazing under the glaze. There is one very old chip that is visible, but in my opinion it just lends to the vintage charm of the piece. The pincushion is made from a cotton damask tablecloth and stuffed with wool scraps. I've added a few old buttons and pins ~ all of which are vintage ~ faux pearl, faceted bead, purple glass... all kinds of tops on the pins. For a touch of vintage whimsy, I added a piece of old-fashioned tinsel around the base of the pincushion. 5" tall. Signed and dated on the bottom, Lana Manis 2007.
$25
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Fraktur Bird with Folk Art Frame: Inspired by early-American folk art motifs. Hand painted on aged watercolor paper; detailed with sepia India ink. Signed Lana Manis 2007. Frame: custom-made, pine with walnut block corners; painted brown and blue with blue watercolor flowers on the walnut blocks; combed waves, dabbed circles; distressed; hand rubbed beeswax finish; brown paper dust cover; saw tooth hanger.
One-of-a-kind ~ 12" x 14" including frame

$75

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Fraktur Bird Watercolor: Inspired by early-American folk art motifs. Hand painted on aged watercolor paper; detailed with sepia India ink. Signed Lana Manis 2007. Frame: Painted black, sanded and distressed with hand rubbed beeswax finish; Brown paper dust cover with saw tooth hanger. This piece is behind glass (added after photo was taken).
One-of-a-kind ~ 10 1/2" x 12 1/2" including frame

$50
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The following items are no longer available:

Thank You & God Bless! Lana
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A Mohair Bird on an Antique French Ticking Mattress Pincushion

Birds are a favorite subject of mine. I've often included them in my paintings and folk art pieces. This one was inspired by antique Steiff toys and the arrival of spring.

Even though the bird is a golden brown, I still see it as a robin... just in time for spring! The fabrics are vintage sparse mohair and recycled red wool.

The underside of the wings are lined with a recycled brown wool. If you notice in the photos, the end of the tail has a reddish tint to the mohair... the fabric was shaded like that, so I made sure to cut that part to add a bit more color to the tail.

I drew a bird pattern (free-hand) on the back of the fabric, cut it out, and hand-stitched it. No patterns were used. Now I wish I had made a pattern... I really like the shape of the bird. Hopefully I can sketch around a bit and come up with a very similar design.

As I've mentioned many times before, my husband is a carpenter / woodworker, so I used a tiny scrap of walnut wood from his shop for the beak. I carved it by hand with an exacto knife.

That wonderful old looking pincushion is made from beautiful antique French ticking that I purchased directly from a dealer in France several years ago.

When I received it in the mail, I couldn't bring myself to cut into the fabric... and so it sat in a box.

And I forgot about it until a while back when I was looking for a specific fabric for some projects and found it in my stash.

Again, I used no pattern, cutting the pincushion design to fit under the bird, and then hand-stitching to make a tufted mattress. It is filled with snippets and scraps of 100% wool.

This one of a kind piece is currently in my Honeysuckle Lane shop. Click this link to visit and make a purchase if you are interested.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Have a blessed weekend,
Lana

Through Virtual Doors...

When I walked through the virtual doors of internet groups a few years ago, I was a bit apprehensive. I was cautious and decided to join a moderated craft group that was open only to members. I soon found that it was a group filled with delightful ladies who shared with others their love of crafting and of early American history.

It was in that first group that I heard of online market groups. I eventually joined a few of those and began selling my handmade items in craft co-ops.

As a member of those groups, I became acquainted with more and more kind, caring, and thoughtful women. Many of us have been on groups together for quite some time; long enough for me to learn that these women are as thoughtful and generous and gifted as anyone a person could ever meet.

Today I came home and found a package in my mailbox. I recognized the sender, but hadn't ordered anything from her. It was from Barb of thimblefolk ~ we have been in a few online markets together for a few years now. When I opened the package I couldn't have been more excited! It was a bird on a pincushion that I had admired.

And it was MY COLORS!

Just look at this sweet bird. Barb's work is always adorable; always whimsical.


I love the feather stitches and Fench knots all around the pincushion.

And look ~ Barb even added a little teapot charm! One of the groups that we are on together is The Eclectic Artisans, or TEA.

She combined so many of my favorite things: birds, sewing (pincushion and spool of thread), and that gorgeous color! Barb included a card of her adorable Mr. Whipplestitch and a note about why she sent me the gift. She is such a kind and giving person.

Pictured below, along with my gift from Barb, is a wonderfully rustic birdhouse from Jen of Country Rustic Primitives. She makes the best birdhouses, and if you get one from her, you are very lucky. I don't think she makes them as often since she is busy with her fantastic stitcheries.

The gorgeous hooked rug / mat in the foreground was designed and hooked by Barb's sister, Sarah of The Paisley Studio. It looks perfect in my workroom and I love the folk art design!

Jen and Sarah are also on our TEA group.

Now, let's back-track a little... About a week and a half ago, I received a package in the mail, from a name I recognized, Cheri, but I wasn't expecting anything for her.

I opened it and I cried. Just out of the blue, I was given this touching piece of art from a friend that I met in the first online group I had ever joined.

This painting was inspired by a photo I took of a rambling rosebush that belonged to my Mom. Cheri knew of the relationship I had with my Mom and she knew how much I loved her and how much I miss her. And she painted this for me.

Cheri designs and cuts her own stencils, and then hand paints the theorems with oils. Look at all the detail and shading! Her work is always perfection.

Cheri has so many talents: painting, papercutting, basket weaving, quilting, and much, much more. She generously gives many of her quilts to foster kids and to families of stillborn babies. I got to meet Cheri and her husband, Matt, a couple of years ago when they were on vacation. It was too short a visit, but long enough for me to know she is a wonderful person.

I am so blessed to have met so many kind and caring people through blogging and online craft groups. You do have to use caution when online, but for the most part, it is a rewarding experience in more ways than one!