Making Things Club Night

Last night, Nicky, Cookie, Rex and I all met up behind Columbia Road in a small pub called the Nelson's Head, where they had saved a big table for us tucked away at the back. It was a really great venue and I am sure we will be going there again. Everyone was full of industry making various things. I made a new monster!





I had some trouble deciding on his face though. The options seemed to have a great effect upon his emerging personality, but here he is!

Time for a Monster

Bird was feeling pensive and thoughtful. Maybe this was because he was named after the most violent character from The Wire. Maybe he couldn't live with that, or perhaps, he was just busy thinking about wanton violence.

Bird is a homage to Nicky's great cheeesy-shops who I think rocks. I had to make one for myself to love... only I forgot the ears... d'oh. I might make him a pink companion. I am quite into American Apparel sports socks.

See my new labels I had made! I do love a good label.

Making Things Club Night

So here's the story. A while a go, my mate Nicky decided we should meet up for drinks and do craft tings. We all make stuff and so why not get together and have a drink whilst we do it? It seemed to make sense. So we met a few times in the local pub. Then we started to get themes going so everyone could make the same thing. Some people would have experience, some wouldn't have a clue, but if we all did it together then we could watch and learn and pass on expertise. It seemed to make sense and it was hilarious that everyone set out to make the same thing and yet they all turned out different. Well this was all well and good until Nicky was contacted asking if our group would participate in a live arts night organised by Art in Industry held at Shunt, where anyone could come and watch or participate in our club. So last night we all rocked up to shunt with our bulging bags and set about making sock monkeys in this dark, busy club. It was ACE! I even took my shoes off I felt so comfy. We had a great corner in the cavernous catacombs under London Bridge station. On one side was an alcove with a woman suspending herself from the ceiling, on the other were two guys doing a huge live mural, on another was Rex doing pen tattoos and on the other was a huge wagon with tables on the back and lots of neon lights. We all felt very trendy. It's on again tonight and tomorrow if you fancy it but I can only make tonight. I am going to go buy some hockey socks at lunchtime to continue my sporting theme. And big thanks to Nicky for teaching me her mouth technique. I LOVE IT!

My Monster!

Sock Monkey Night

Some badge ideas for The Making Things Club Sock Monster Workshop this Wednesday at Art in Industry, 6pm onwards, at SHUNT in the London Bridge catacombs. If you come along you can make a sock monster with us. I'll even give you a badge.

A Monster's Dream

It rained today. And through the rain, amidst the gloom, beneath the dripping wisteria, a monster was born: Poliphilus. Poliphilus doesn't have any friends. This is a consequence of his mean-spirited nature. Poliphilus lets ice cream melt, he stamps on balloons, he pushes small children, and he sucks boiled sweets then puts them back in the bag and offers them round. This all shouldn't be surprising really; I mean how many nice monsters are there actually? Especially ones born on rainy bank holidays?

Face Off

Phineas is feeling far more expressive these days.

Faceless Monkey

An absence. A blank canvas. A monkey with no past. A monkey with no future. Phineas gave nothing away. Every thought was tightly encased in a blankness that others found disconcerting. They were drawn to him, drawn by the chasm of possibilities, the need to know the enigma. But they were also scared. Where were the feelings? the expressions? the vulnerabilities that made him a monkey? There was so little to know that one had a chilling feeling that Phineas wasn't even there. A ghost, A phantom, a creature lost in the shadows, touching you with featherlight digits which disappeared as soon as they were registered. Just who was Phineas? Had he once been whole? Had his face been taken from him in retribution for some dark deed? Were his thoughts too vile, too depraved, too unthinkable, to trasmit out of that blank expression? Or was he too new? Full of possibilities? Caught mid metamorphosis? Who could tell? All they knew was that he had decidedly funny ears.

Rock Sock Monster

The only item I bought in the January sales was this pair of black stripey glitter socks for £2 in Oasis. Behold, here is Queequeg. He likes soft rock, tattoos and studded belts. His badge reads: "I'm Lazy" which is probably quite true. Queequeg spends a large portion of his time time sleeping. When he is not asleep, he is awake until he is asleep again. He eats until he is not hungry, then waits until he is hungry again. When not being lazy, Queequeg spends the little time he has left thinking about Boethius and ACDC. This probably accounts for constant snoozing. I am considering making him a sweatband with a streak of lightening on it. Decisions decisions… I best be quick though as this monster is winging its way to the big U S of A on monday. He's going on tour.

Sock Monster

I thought about making another monkey, then I thought why not go all out and make a monster so here is my beta monster. He has a slightly patched belly as I cut the hole for the tail in the wrong place and gave him huge genitals instead. An emergency transplant was called for.