This week has been hot, hot – now it’s cold! I found refuge in ungardening our pond, in pulling up the algae with hands and feet and swirling it around like cotton candy around four limbs.

We also hosted our open Studio Tour!

When we open our studio doors for the weekend, who walks through is a mystery. I am always excited by those who come with stories or obsessions to share. And I loved seeing people write with dip pens with such enthusiasm!

Phew. We’ve taken all morning and into the afternoon finishing this one.

A look into the algae from the outside!

New Bookbinding Tutorial on YouTube!

As I’m discovering, you’re discovering.

In this video I bring you into my mess with me: figuring out the spine of my book, testing materials, and rambling as things come to mind. I’m inspired by nature and trash, and I don’t always know where I’m headed. I use an antique book from my grandma’s house, leather from the trash, vintage textiles, and inspiration from the land to make my journal.

The question that initiated this video came from Natalie, who works with us – she saw my journals in the studio and asked: “How do you make these spines?”

So here’s my answer!

At the end of the video, I flip through the journal once it is finished. This is three journals ago already!

Unexpected Jewelry Section

The Bluebird Mama visits me everyday. A gentle landing. A tap tapping. Her nesting box is just below my studio and she flies from the box and to my window and back, and I wonder if she has a message or is just curious like I am.

So, distracted whilst working on this newsletter, I wanted to look back and find when I held her. I typed “bird hand” into search and found so many held birds and saw so much of our jewelry which we don’t often share.

Then I typed “bird” and found 2,881 photographs of birds at home and in our backyards, and our hands and all over from our travels. There are so many ways to filter a life and see from a new perspective. Here is a little peek into that bird-filtered world!

Secondhand!

You know we love secondhand things and we know you do too!

Peg and Awl is in its 17th year and we are fortunate enough to hear from people who have bought our things second hand from eBay, (there is a nearly new Elderberry Mini Tote available now and more!) Poshmark, (mysterious pricing – a $5000 Rogue?! Hmmm) and even antique shops.

We often get requests for discontinued bags like the Rogue, and for colours we don’t always have like elderberry. Some people are happy to buy secondhand for the cost, others for life choices. Whatever brings you here – yay!

We have tips for cleaning and rewaxing on YouTube. It is fairly easy and really satisfying. I have a bag waiting for a wash and rewax that I will film and share soon:)

“I just found you guys. Love this. Have purchased a pen case on eBay. I always start small and worn in.” –Jerry

“I recently purchased the hunter satchel, and it has taken a road trip around Ireland. I have to tell you that it was and has been the most comfortable bag that I have ever taken on our international road trips with my husband. The long and thick leather strap was so comfortable that I forgot that I had it on. This bag got caught in the rain and the cold wind in Ireland and when we returned to the AirBNB, I would lay it out to dry. The contents of the bag did not get wet, and it dried well and quickly. For me, it is such a good bag, and I had plenty of room for additional gifts, water and gloves. Also, I want to tell you this bag was not purchased on your website but at an antique store, so it had its own journey already and was able to make another one with me. Great bag and love the thick and durable canvas, just wonderful!!!!!” –Sandra

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Everywhere Astonishments

Maria Popova on David Perell – This was such a wonderful interview. I love Maria's perspective and how she constructs sentences is an absolute pleasure to listen to and learn from. Haha.

It inspired me to find more interviews with her – including relistening to an old one on Cultivating Place. And I started Figuring which has been in my stacks since it came out. I love Jennifer’s reminder to plant a seed. I planted an invisible seed — a wish really, aloud to friends — to be on the same podcast and not long after Jennifer reached out to us! This was one of my favourite conversations to be part of:)

I discovered The Nature Of through this obsession as well, which I look forward to digging further into!

Can’t wait for Robin Wall Kimmerer and Suzanne Simard in Conversation in Philadelphia May 30th. Tickets are still available!

Storefront

The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.

Monday–Friday 10–5

We went to Italy for a wedding in Tuscany.

Me, Pop, and Judy heading to Dinner in Venice

Chester County Studio Tour

May 16 and 17 was our West Chester Pennsylvania Open Studio Tour.

Always arranging and rearranging. It's looking good. Merry Mishaps in the basket!

Victoria Naftal in the Post Office. She makes books for Peg and Awl, and will also be part of the studio tour at Warwick Furnace Farm.

Painting En Plein Air with Hannah Sutton

We met Hannah Sutton on Instagram after her family gifted her a Scout Box. It was such a pleasure to meet her in real life, visit her Florence Academy of Art studio where she is a program director, and go out on a painting adventure with her. This was one of the highlights of our already wondrous adventure!

Walter and Hannah’s Paintings

Two Scouts!

Small Finches Coming Soon!

Whilst we were in Italy, Ari made the first batch of Small Finches, and Natalie photographed them!

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Everywhere Astonishments

Making Paintbrushes out of feathers! Oh my goodness thank you for sharing Shirley. These are my first roughies (tap for video) but they are luscious! The way they hold water and paint is a pleasure. More on this I am sure.

We’ve been painting fish for days.

Nighttime animation sessions around the kitchen table. Søren has devised a robust project for his class with not enough time to finish. A familiar story. Hand-drawn, hand-painted characters in piles and spread about. Falling asleep at the brush.

Is this living analog? Is this just living? Gathered around the table, papers and characters and colours floating about, waiting for their final details and place in the story, the lot of us bleary eyed and drifting.

There is a skill to documenting – especially as entrepreneurs. But this week we mostly forgot – the fish needed painting.

Søren’s Desk a few years ago

Walter Renovating The Rat Room and Nearing Completion

What isn’t content in a life of making?

Walter has spent the past year touching every corner of the Rat Room, as he says, as if with a toothpick. We ordered custom windows that changed the coziness of the room in a not nice way, so he decided to strip back the layers instead to restore what was already there. The 1818 windows. We snapped a few photographs along the way. But here he is now, repainting them with linseed oil paint outside.

Read Our Blog: Barn Restoration Project at the Five Acre Wood

Makeshift Studio Betwixt Barn and Creek

Making Journals and Mistakes

And in my world – Me, mother whose family makes, who observes her family making, and who makes – I’ve finally finished my journal, without a camera watching.

I’ve been putting off the making for the right light or the right camera or the right something. The journal didn’t turn out great, but it looks good in photographs. I didn’t want to share it, but I will after I make better books to compare.

We are building our YouTube channel and trust we will get better at all of this. We hope you’ll come along with us on this newish journey.

Watch on YouTube

My friend Deb’s Sendaks + pouches on her desk in New Mexico from my February visit!

Watch on YouTube

A Few Of A Kinds Left!

Silas Runs!

Silas has been running.

Since returning to public school nearly two years ago, he has stepped away from making art and stepped fully into sport — soccer, and this year, track. He has transformed.

5:02 mile

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Everywhere Astonishments

There is not enough time to live out all of ones dreams. But we did go to see it. This unchanged cottage by the sea...

I love this comment on Substack

I have a running list of old houses that I’m sure I was truly meant for too. I never can stop looking for them and dreaming. They’ve wormed their way into who I am so that I could never forget them. When I can’t sleep I arrange our furniture into them in my head and garden their gardens. Surely the universe will deliver me to one of them someday?
-Chrisi

And all morning, as I’ve been working, this bird has been trying to come in. She’s been knocking on every window. Some people told me she was a he, but she sure seems like a she. I left and returned and found her in the studio.

I always feel so lucky to hold the birds.

Storefront

The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.

Monday–Friday 10–5

We’ve got a new sign — come visit and see where everything is made.
The Studio Tour is coming up May 16th and 17th. More on this soon!

How does a thing begin? With a word, a colour, a rhythm thumping around in one’s head. Ideas rise from the perfect and unexpected combination of little things. This one started with a remembered crunch of vintage chiclet gum upon finding partly faded fabric, shells from the water’s edge, and well-worn aprons and quilts bearing evidence of past existence. It is also spring, and the springy colors of Chiclets and chicklets and flowers abound. When I came upon two little hand-stitched curtains with yellow and chartreuse flowers, it all came together. Weird and wonderful – just as we like it.

Be the first to know when future collections of a kind collections launch by signing up for our newsletter!

Bags and Pouches

Pouches, Pipits, Tinned Bookbinding Kits, Oh My!

Walter & Sons Tote

Tinned Bookbinding Kits + Sketchbooks

Tinned Sketchbooks, always your favourites. And something new: Tinned Bookbinding Kits!

We made a video showing how to make the books and more – but definitely go there second because these tins won’t last!

Tinned Bookbinding Kit

Floss and Bundles

Finally, more vintage scrap bundles and embroidery floss for bookbinding and other maker adventures, all in delicious faded tones and bright bursts!

Chiclet Scrap Bundles

Collections Explained

If you’ve been following along with us for a while, you may have noticed that not all launches are the same – some products stay for years, some fly off the shelves, and others fall somewhere in between. Here are some explanations to distinguish between our various collection types.

Standard Collections: Everything in our standard collections will be ongoing until we decide to stop making them! They may include some vintage or antique materials, (ex. journal fabric lining) but these details will vary subtly to ensure their ongoingness.

Small Batch Collections: Limited batches incorporating vintage or antique materials where larger batches can be made, but are not infinite! The quantity ranges, but we aim for minimum of 100 in these collections.

Of a Kind Collections: Limited batches incorporating vintage or antique materials. Each object will be limited from 1–20 items depending upon our findings.

Be the first to know when future collections of a kind collections launch by signing up for our newsletter!

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Everywhere Astonishments

I went to New York for two days to visit friends. I didn't take photographs except for my little wander to a coffee shop in the morning. We discovered that pigeons nest in the Sycamore Tree hollows. Most of the visit felt like old Sesame Street episodes. The dogs, the crossing guards, the wire fences.

Visited Yoseka Stationery Shop. What a magical place! It was packed. I didn't take a single photograph. :(

Storefront

The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.

Monday–Friday 10–5

We’ve got a new sign — come visit and see where everything is made.
The Studio Tour is coming up May 16th and 17th. More on this soon!

In all seasons, but especially with the springing up of things, Solvitur Ambulando – it is solved by walking. Off we go. Pearl is ready.

Painting En Plein Air: The Wyeth is 1 year old!

Wyeth Plein Air Box

Our Creek.

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Coming Soon: Of a Kinds!

Our next collection is nearly finished and will be available soon:

April 25th at 10:00 am ish EST!

Add to your calendars now!

Everywhere, Astonishments

Ah, the land. So much magic and mayhem sprouting this year. Here is some of the magic.

Storefront

The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.

Making my journals — which is different every time — has bright moments at either end: gathering the old materials and pulling the finished book from the press. But the making itself? Daunting, every time.

Spring is here with rain and warmth and also the uninvited plants that take over the land. I’m reminded that this is just the nature of things.

The obstacle is the way. On repeat.

What’s in My Bag?

Here is what I packed in my Finch for today:

1. Journal – new and needs finished!
2. Transcription by Ben Lerner
3. Key
4. Water Bottle – kid size!
5. Tinted Lip balm from Hurrah
6. Sendak Nutshell for spontaneous self-portrait!
7. Wallet

We have a few Pipit Totes and Journals in our Shop!

Last Chance for Almond!

We have put the last Almonds on Sale to make room for new treasures in the works!

The Hunter Satchel

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Coming Soon: Of a Kinds!

Our next collection is nearly finished and will be available soon:

April 25th at 10:00 am ish EST!

Add to your calendars now!

Everywhere, Astonishments

Listening: Ryan Holiday on Diary of a CEO and on Modern Wisdom

This Panoramic: IFYKYK

Violets! Invasives aren’t the only abundant plants around here. I love, love all of the lush and crammed violets this year.

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it... Life is long if you know how to use it.”
–Seneca

We celebrated Søren’s 18th birthday with a trip to Delaware for bike rides and oysters. I am so thrilled that Søren will begin to live a whole new life so soon, but I will miss our art days and dinners and talks. I will miss our bike rides and walks and adventures. We will have to learn to talk on the phone (which sounds strangely fun!) I always look forward to change, but this is a tough one.

It is easy to feel like you haven’t done enough but looking through the abundance of photographs and journal pages, our lives actually feel quite full and wonderful!

On Homeschooling

We always wanted to homeschool, but in 3rd or 4th grade Søren got in trouble for drawing in class. In response, he wrote: “I will draw in class!” on the Peg and Awl reclaimed old school chalkboard. We used it to share our new journals, pouches, and chalk tablets, and took him out of school shortly after, where he drew and drew, happily ever after.

Our Brightest Sendaks – ’Tis the season!

Last week, we launched a small batch of three new Sendak colors – Egg Yolk, Persimmon, and Cochineal. Thank you for your warm reception of these Easter Brights.

We have more in our shop!

Art Days with Søren

Art Day Partner

My Heart

Søren came into this world 5.5 weeks early to Gogol Bordello. Last week saw them in Philadelphia!

Above: Icecland in 2008 when and where Walter and I were married.

On Keeping a Journal

I love looking back at the journals I kept for Søren and Silas when they were so little. I put things they said or did or misunderstood in them. They scribbled on the pages. Here are some favourite funny moments from Søren when he was two and three, that had me laughing til tears this morning.

My Most Popular Instagram post ever was this portrait of Søren and the chess set he made when he was 10!

The Next Littles of Peg and Awl

Ashley makes the videos and helps me with newsletters every week. This is from last Saturday – always last minute chattering and pulling it together with her four kids in and out. We've started getting together at her new old farmhouse some Mondays bringing new energy to our work!

Ashley here. Many hours spent reading aloud to these littles, as did Margaux to the boys when they were the littles. Talking about our favourite picture books (see Margaux's book list below!) I was reminded – we adults must make way for imagination and the paths of childlike discovery, and leave our “well, actually’s” outside. Read The Little Prince! It’s not a hat, it’s an elephant inside of a boa constrictor.

Ex. Well actually, you can’t fly.

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Everywhere, Astonishments

I have a hard time looking back. When I do, it is the hurty kind, with corners. I managed to look through books we read when Søren and Silas were little and pull out some favourites to share.

Each one of these books (and oh so many more) prompt so many memories and adventures — the corners softened!

The Dark | Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
The Wonderful Fluffy Little Squishy | Beatrice Alemagna
When the Sky is Like Lace | Barbara Cooney
The Maggie B. | Irene Haas
Frederick | Leo Lionni
The Little Prince | Antoine DeSaint—Exupery
Grandad’s Island | Benji Davies
Outside Over There | Maurice Sendak
Pinocchio Retelling | Roberto Innocenti
The Listz | Kyo Maclear and Julia Sarda