I made something new. And it’s not a bird. This piece started with the head. I had decided to make a doll and to try a head with little darts all around the face, but once it was stuffed it started looking more and more like a muzzle to me, suggesting a cow. So I cut some white and red flour sack and made cow’s ears and then I thought maybe it should be a bull. Horns and a big nose ring followed. Okay, now it seemed like an ox.
The head was pretty heavy so when I made the body I put a small fishing weight in each foot and a big one in the main body cavity. He has a really nice weight to him now. Next came a swishing tail.
And then I thought he should be hauling something. For a few days I had the idea that he could be pulling a wooden stroller with a little red-faced baby inside (a reflection, perhaps, of how I feel pushing that double stroller up the hill on the way home from our walks through town). But after a bit of thinking I figured a simple ox-cart would be better.
Mimi and I met up Monday morning at the Button Box where I picked up some red Kona cotton to make the cart. I also got some beeswax, by the way, after reading Amy’s awesome new book and learning that beeswax can keep the thread from getting into a tangle when hand-sewing. Works like a charm!
So that’s the story of the ox and cart. This piece will go to Plush You, hopefully with a few other things yet to be made.
Honestly now, though, I think it might be back to birds.
Wow wow wow. The nose ring is perfect, and the fabric on the ears too. I can’t believe you didn’t plan him out ahead of time. Wonderful, just wonderful.
oh it’s so fabulous Abby! i’d love to see a whole farm of these animals!
It amazes me that you just make this stuff up as you go along!
wow. oh, wow. this is amazing. the nose ring is perfet touch.
ok, so i realize that i haven’t said anything worth commenting about, because everyone else is saying the same thing, but really….wow.
Amazing work! I loved reading how it all unfolded.
How sweet! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a stuffed ox–and he has a cart and all! I love him!!
i absoloutely adore him. i have a thing for bulls, so i need to keep track of him!!! you did a gorgeous job, and i love that he is all white.
Too cute! I read your blog regularly. Sometimes I chuckle, or think “how creative” or “WOW, that’s different” but I always, always enjoy seeing what you’re up to.
There was NO WAY I could pass on commenting on this Ox and Cart. BRAVO~~~~~~~~
This is great. Thanks for sharing the story – it’s so good to hear about people’s processes like that! I think it’s good to know that something thats turned out so great might have started off somewhere else completely. It’s a good lesson in “just start something”.
my goodness, this is great!
You are a true artist.
You need to get discovered!
I’ve never seen anything like it EVER.
Brilliant.
fantastic!
Hearing the backstory about the creation of this adorable guy was wonderful. Thank you! I just can’t get over how much expression you can instill in your creations. So inspiring!
This is amazing, you are very talented.
This is amazing, you are very talented.
I just want to say ‘hello’
LOVES FROM TURKEY
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Wowsers. That’s just wonderful, and how perfect that the cart is red, too. I just popped over to say that once again, you’ve done yrslf proud (tho I REALLY like the “Where Two” piece). Speaking of which, your bird series reminds me of Joseph Cornell’s work – not that it’s derivative, mind you. It just struck a chord, and I think you’ve mentioned before that you admire Joseph Cornell’s work. Have you hear about the exhibit of his work that’s in NYC now? It sounds wonderful, and it’s gonna tour (stopping in San Francisco, yay!). Anyway, I can’t wait to see what magic you come up with next…
This is so awesome – you are one talented lady!!!
Oooh – I wondered where you’d go after taking a break from the birds, and this was totally unexpected. The ring in the bull’s nose is my favorite part. I must say, I’m glad that you’re not totally leaving the birds behind. I love how they progressed from individual softies to sculptural creations.