How to Make a Small Paper Umbrella

 

Start with a circle.  I used a large hole punch but you could draw a circle and cut it out with scissors or an Xacto knife.

Fold the circle in half.  I use a flat, smooth tool called a "bone."  You could use a marker or knife handle or other .

Repeat the folds

again.






Until you have 8 sections.

I use a smaller hole punch to trim the edges between sections.  You could do this with scissors or a razor knife. 

Make a cut along one of the folds from the edge to the center.

Overlap two sections and glue them together.  Now your umbrella has 7 sections.

Cut out a smaller circle for support.









Glue it into the middle on the inside.

Then cut a tiny "x" in the middle of the circle underneath and another at the apex.  Push a handle (I used a toothpick here.)  Before painting, I like to brush on a coat of white glue over the whole umbrella.  It makes the paper stronger and makes a good surface for accepting paint.

 

Voila!  Tiny Umbrella.

Tumble - About a toy.

If it doesn't show well for you here, you can also try it Here

Happy year Eleven, Orion!

Poppet's Cure for Sad Humans

  I'm printing this on a T-shirt for myself, because I'm just weird that way.  But this does help and is a thoughtful gift.  There are so many cool socks out there.  For my Poppet Wasocky - I used a striped sock and the heel is the face.  I drew the eyes on with permanent fabric marker.

Wasocky

  

I've mentioned before that most days my schedule includes some time at 'the little table.'  It's my niche in the house that allows me to hand sculpt small things (I tend to make a few small things) while watching TV and/or hanging with the other humans.

Last Nights "Little Table." Making Poppet gas masks with Jon Stewart and Wasocky.

Wasocky is two cups of rice in the leg of pantyhose, inside a fuzzy sock with the ends tied in knots. Heat him in the microwave for 2 minutes and he'll stay warm for an hour. Great for muscle pain and warmth. And squeezy company. Yours can look like anything you choose. There are lots of socks out there. Go hog wild!

 Yup. I never stop makin' stuff up.

 

Tree of Lasting Sorrow

Finally, photos of the sculpture that became the photo that became the book cover.    

I see stories in the sculpture.  I may not be done with this yet.

Weekend and Billy Reed's

Went to lunch at Billy Reed's, which is a nearly undefinable mix of Transylvania, Old West, family restaurant and...really, I haven't figured it out yet and likely never will.  I suspect though, that it reminds me a little of my own carnival work, which makes it feel a little like home.

  After our wedding reception and before setting out for our honeymoon destination, Pete and I went to a local hotel  changed into jeans and T's, and....ahhhh....comfortable shoes, and went to Billy Reed's.  Don't get me wrong - we had a beautiful buffet at the reception, wonderful food and drink, dancing and (not kidding)  a roving mime compliments of the Mr. Neil Gaiman.
  But the bride and groom rarely get to eat, so we took ourselves to the pentacle of comfort food.

And that's what Billy Reed's is to me.  And so much more.  It's where I take people from out of town because it's fun and worth the experience.


But this weekend, Benton Warren and I went for lunch and to talk about art projects.  Poppet came along and a wonderful time was had by all. (The Swiss Chard was to die for.)  The portions are too big.  When it was time to stop, I didn't.  I just got more selective and ate gravy. 
  By the time we were done, we'd sketched out a plan for a new kinetic piece.  It's been over five years since Ben and I built anything together.  I'm so happy to be here.

Ballroom Floor
 

Ben and Me

Sepia fits, doesn't it?
 

Poppet digs sand dabs, mashed potatoes and gravy, swiss chard.  And gravy.
 

Fish and Turtles outside.