If you were hanging around here yesterday, you might have caught the frenzied 11:00 a.m.-scramble to claim cagelets. It so very quickly went from "Oh, pretty birds!" to The Birds as I, Tippy Hedren-like, flailed around and tried to stay in control of the situation. If you read the blow-by-blow as recorded in the comments, it's even funnier when you look at the times attached to each one. Of course, Amy P.'s comment, later that afternoon, is my favorite -- just imagining the sweet curly-haired, pink-loving Amy uttering any profanity, let alone the "worst possible curse word imaginable" when she was too late to get a cagelet, is enough to make me love her, but knowing that I was the one talking her ear off on the telephone on Monday, while the advanced notice was just hanging out there unread, means I will have to make you a special one, dear little Amy. And in the meantime, the rest of you can coo over the adorable itty-bitty elephant creamer that I bought ever so long ago from Amy's adorable web site, Inspire Company.
Anyway, I am so sorry everyone -- I didn't know things would happen so quickly, and will try not to put you through that in the future. I would be lying if I said I wasn't entirely puffed with pride all day, however. Thank you for that enthusiastic reception! Oh, and if you didn't get one yesterday, I would be a fool to not be doing more, and quick, right? So, probably Sunday, again, will be cagelet-making day, and I'll let you know when they're all photographed and ready to fly away.
The other day I got an email from Vickie Howell's (of Knitty Gritty on the DIY network) assistant asking for submissions for Vickie's new crochet book, Catwalk Crochet. Apparently, this will be a compilation of 40 patterns from Vickie and other new and veteran designers inspired by the fashion runway (Ginger says "think Betsey Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui") using luxury yarns. Sketches are due on February 7, which is coming right up. If you are inspired to participate, please read more about this opportunity on Vickie's blog (scroll down to the entry for January 18 where she will give you all the details) and give it a go. I'm going to try and get a sketch and a swatch in, but it's a pretty tight deadline right now, what with trying to get my own spring stuff going. This is always the way it is, though. Can one wear teacups? 'Cause those are done. Betsey Johnson-inspired teacup bra? Probably not. Dang/Worst Possible Curse Word Imaginable.
Alicia,
I just got my bag and crochet pattern - absolutely stunning. I love both. Now, the hard part. Learning to crochet and making the sweater big enough for me ...
As for crochet books, I know that Amy at Indigirl.com is doing a crochet book also and had a call on her website today looking for patterns (she is also opening up a wonderful yarn shop). Just thought I would let you know in case you didn't.
Cannot wait for your beautiful spring stuff. Thanks so much again (let's hope you'll still ship to Canada for some of us).
Posted by: leanne | January 25, 2006 at 04:46 PM
Oh happy day! I am just as pleased as punch to know that I will have my own very special birdie on his way to me. How in the world did I get so lucky? How? I love you Alicia...every bit of you.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | January 25, 2006 at 04:55 PM
oh, yet another craft i have to learn!! you photograph everything so beautifully.
Posted by: lisa | January 25, 2006 at 10:26 PM
I love the crocheted tea things. I was reading through the post wondering when you'd mention them :) Somehow, the best part of crocheting (at least to me, who hasn't done much of it) is making funny shapes, not clothes. Maybe you should do your own book?
Posted by: Anja | January 26, 2006 at 04:08 AM
Congratulations on the cagelet sellout! I'm thinking that a crocheted (is that how you spell it?) birdcage bag sounds very runway, with a fabric lining, bird perched on top and lots of bit and pieces strewn throughout - maybe I do need to learn how to crochet....
Your work is so beautiful and it makes me smile. Have a great day!
Posted by: Sara | January 26, 2006 at 09:31 AM
the cagelets make me smile, and long for spring so much!
It is a very warm-ish sunny day here in SC, and your birdies inspired me to go out and buy some pretty pink pansies...my little boy and i just finished planting them in a big pot! Thank you for being so wonderful and inspiring! :)
Posted by: amanda button | January 26, 2006 at 10:00 AM
I came across your blog a couple of weeks ago by accident whilst looking for vintage reference for an illustration I was attemping - and I can't say how much your work and blog have inspired me - Beautiful - so thankyou from Sam in the UK X
Posted by: Sam Nevill | January 27, 2006 at 01:14 AM
Alicia, are you really going to make more of these? I wanted one the first time you posted them, but suppressed my urge. But now I keep seeing them and its really starting to make me feel huge amounts of cagelet envy!!!
Posted by: Blair | January 31, 2006 at 03:32 PM
I absolutely love the bird cages. I also wanted one but, missed my chance. When will more be available?
Also, did you or someone else make the beautiful tea party cakes and items?
Posted by: Nancy Cook | February 02, 2006 at 02:16 PM
Where did you get the cute teapots, etc? I have started something like this for my daughter to play with. Is this from a pattern? A pattern you created? Is it for sale (the pattern)?
Posted by: Beth | March 21, 2006 at 07:20 PM