Leaving the Cold to Find More Cold

I am in New Mexico visiting Deborah J. Stein in her cozy old rambling New Mexico house filled with books and colour and art and art supplies, and so many words between us that the windows and doors were bulging, which was fine because it let in the cool desert air which I so desperately needed for my lungs.

I brought a Nutshell for Deb and she instantly made it look a thousand years old!

Now Deb has one of each and a Maker’s Pouch and so, so many delectable art supplies that she shared all week long.

New Mexico Light

Every day’s light was better than the previous day’s light. In sun and hail and snow and rain, scrumptious light. Can I stay? I am aching to stay.

Daily Walks, Loving the Very Rural Ramshackle

Drawing night in the snuggliest room.

Meanwhile, Back at the Five Acre Wood...

I fled the cold and damp and haha, jokes on me, arrived to another cold and damp that promises warmth beginning tomorrow. My crew stayed home and finally got to work on a long overdo project, read made art, and delicious dinners. I smelled it through the phone.

Walter’s kitchen desk full of books and words and sketches

Our Classic Sendak

Substack and YouTube

Everywhere, Astonishments! Letters and Books

Shops and Treasure in Santa Fe and visiting Eli Levin’s Studio in Dixon, NM. More on that at Substack this week, (fingers crossed. I never really know what I'll write but, oh my goodness, so much magic!)

“People try to get away from it all–to the country, to the beach, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. Which is idiotic: you can get away from it anytime you'd like. By going within.”
–from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

“People try to get away from it all–to the country, to the beach, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. Which is idiotic: you can get away from it anytime you'd like. By going within.” –from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius I never read this and am only picking through it this morning. I laughed out loud at this, trusting the translator.

“People try to get away from it all–to the country, to the beach, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. Which is idiotic: you can get away from it anytime you'd like. By going within.” –from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius I never read this and am only picking through it this morning. I laughed out loud at this, trusting the translator. Everywhere I turn people have been talking about journaling and letter writing. In yoga, at the coffee shop, on my phone. So many want to do it and no one knows how to begin. It is inspiring me – the conversation, the struggles, the desire. My pages are filling, and I am making more books. I am an avalanche.

Simple (Dream Journal) Tutorial Coming Soon!

Useable and Wearable Book Necklaces

Sauna Charcoal from Peg and Awl Scrap

We like to use up every last splinter, shaving, and scrap of material that we bring into the shop. Sawdust makes our woodland trails, scrap makes smaller objects, and the smallest heat our sauna. Now we are making Sauna Charcoal with some tinies! Its been a week of experimentation and extra heat in the snow (and eating the snow, too, yum!) as we test the charcoal making process. We’ve not yet made the perfect batch but Walter is already drawing with it for his already begun #the100dayproject of portraits. (follow along @pegandawlbuilt on Instagram:)

Portrait of Me, Margaux by Walter with Sauna Charcoal!

On Walter’s Desk

Nutshells!

Well that was something extraordinary. We sold all that we made and made a mad dash to catch up on the rest. We cannot wait to hear what you think of them. We only have 3 reviews so far and look forward to more. In addition to our excitement for reading them, you’ll get a code for 10% off of your next order with each review left for us.

Coal Nutshell filled with Treasure!

Our Classic Sendak

Substack and YouTube

Everywhere, Astonishments! Letters and Books

“I’m the type of person who journals every morning.”
In Atomic Habits, James Clear says to identify with the habit you want to develop. Every morning that I wake up and journal is a vote for being that person. Recurring, but seemingly insignificant, incremental change is the most impactful. I have been journaling first thing every morning, sometimes a whole page, sometimes not. When the kids wake up, they join me – even Eden has marks to make!
–Ashley

“We find ourselves only by looking out at what looks back.”
–David Whyte

The Nutshell – this oft' asked for little wonder – is in stock and in our permanent collection! Thank you for all of your eagerness. We’ve never in all of Peg and Awl had so many requests for one thing!

What else should we smallen?!

Available in the full colour array!

Nutshell and Classic

The smallest in our collection – here next to the Sendak Mini and Classic.

Snowed In(ish)

It is cold and icy. The paths with their sharp shoveled edges knock me around when I wobble, which I am doing because I am weary in the stillness. It is beautiful, the light is luminous. En route to yoga I saw a pile of breath-taking (alway) firey black vultures consuming a frozen deer. Beauty and darkness side by side. What is one without the other?

Søren got his official acceptance into SCAD, but we still have some months left and are filling them with art days when we can.

Stomp Stomp!

Substack and YouTube

Everywhere, Astonishments!

“You know that the antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest? ... The antidote to exhaustion is wholeheartedness.”
–David Whyte

As with most of our best decisions, it was a spontaneous one that brought us to Costa Rica to see David Whyte – specifically his podcast on Tetragrammaton.

I have much to distill from our time here in the Blue Zone and will share it in dribs and drabs as I do. For now, we wait to board the plane and hope to beat the storm…

Imploring Your Reluctant Side

Walter painted water and clouds. He brought only new-to-him oil-based watercolours, which was a challenge he came to enjoy. He also filled pages of his journal with portraits and sketches!

Spectatoring

Pause for Announcement — the Nutshell is returning!

We’ve NEVER received as many enthusiastic inquiries as we have for the Nutshell. We are thrilled by your enthusiasm and are bringing them back permanently next Saturday!

Where to Dig and What to Bury

As for me, I’ve been filling more pages than usual. We’ve met so many people, all with fecking wild stories. Some told with the comfortable rhythm of the practiced storyteller, others shyly – all bringing me awe. David Whyte draws an incredible group of humans. I aam grateful to have been one of them.

I struggle with normal portraiting at sunset. #normalshing

Finishing newsletter on the bumpy bus ride, exhausted from the year of no sleep. This is a typical not shared page of notes and scribbles!

My twice or thrice daily snuggle with the ocean.

Substack

Everywhere, Astonishments!

At Long Last

“Titchy little snapperwhippers like you should not be higgling around with an old sage and onions who is hundreds of years more than you.”
–from The BFG, by Roald Dahl

And then, it was clean. Thanks to Ashley for the organization suggestion for this week’s newsletter, which finally made it happen – except for my desk which I’ve left out.

The Springhouse Studio at the Five Acre Wood

My studio is full of natural light that has the space positively glowing in winter. And when the sun is out, Pearl chases it around the room.

My howling hound in my now-clean studio!

Peg and Awl Party in Our Cozy 1818 Home!

The Peg and Awl team and families fit snuggly into our home last Saturday, the evening of 16th anniversary. Broken-footed Walter put together a slideshow sharing what we accomplished in the year – which is always so fun!

As I type this, I think of all of the people – over 50! – who made Peg and Awl what it is now. What an incredible and enduring adventure – a testament to using hands and minds to build one small treasure at a time. Humans need this, I need this. I am grateful for this life!

The kids outnumbered the adults.

Journaling

As for me, I’ve returned to my favorite ritual – writing in the morning and drawing in the evening – filling pages at both ends of the day.

I am moving through this journal rather quickly and must begin to build the next. Too, the 100 Day Project begins on the 23rd of February. Will you join this year?

This morning’s desk.

Substack

Everywhere, Astonishments!

Pecan and Dijon – this week's favourite snack – atop a gorgeous and new Jockum Nordström book, which I shall share next week!

So We’ve Begun...

“The world will never starve for want of wonders; but only for want of wonder.”
–G.K. Chesterton

Today is Peg and Awl’s 16th Anniversary! We are off to an energetic, dark, and full start to this year. Lots of movement, lots of losting, and a fracture.

Walter and I began this adventure on the 10th of January, 2010. We started with a Tub Caddy and other home goods made from old growth wood being thrust out of homes as they were being remodeled in Fishtown, our then Philadelphia neighborhood. Sixteen years on and so many wide zig zags and loopty loops later, and here we are. We are making entirely different treasures and are as excited about our new adventures as we were when we began! 

I’m sure I’ve looked back at my journals and found no mention of starting a business. I wouldn’t have known, suspected, nor anticipated this trajectory, as I am mostly an in the present human. Time, though!

Find last year’s re-telling down below.

 

Walter’s (Temporary) Studio in the Kitchen

Our house has become a soccer house in the last few years – despite my begging for the banging to cease. Lights are askew and flickering morse code from errant porch kicks and the kitchen is thunderous. Walter is on a team, Silas, two, and they sometimes pop into pick-up. In his last game, Walter landed wrong, and fractured his tibia. Told to be still, he is working in his temporary office – the sofa – finishing that which is usually pushed away, and is painting in his temporary studio – the kitchen!

At the table, in the window (where I also once took up studioing), Walter set up:

How I Envisioned the Photograph

Journaling

As for me, I’ve returned to my favorite ritual – writing in the morning and drawing in the evening – filling pages at both ends of the day. Perhaps too quickly moving through this journal.

A new kind of visual journaling has commenced!

And persist.

The Peg and Awl Story – Substack

Read Our Story

Everywhere, Astonishments!

An Everywhere Astonishment Book list! I cannot believe this is the first all books EA, but I am surrounded by so many new book crushes.

Claire has been working on Birds of a Feather for 13 years! I had the good fortune of meeting her a bunch of years ago and got to help with some of the selecting, pairing, editing, &c. What magic it is to see this beauty – with EVERY bell and whistle – in print!

 

Storefront

The Peg and Awl Storefront is open for visitors — and there have been so many of you! Come see our treasures in person along with other maker’s treasures and vintage finds.

Monday-Friday 10-5

For small business Saturday, we wanted to share a little more about the crew here at Peg and Awl, and our favourite treasures to make and use. Despite our effort to smallen the business, it blooms – our crew is growing again!

We design, make, photograph, and ship nearly everything here at The Five Acre Wood.

When buying from small businesses, we support places where opinions matter, hands make, and people have the freedom to share stories and ideas. Let’s celebrate all of us – and all of you – who continue to make this all possible – thank you!

Arianne

“I started working for Peg and Awl in December of 2012. Learning so many skills and experiencing the magic of making and growing has been the most exciting working environment I’ve ever been in. I’m a leather-smith, seamstress, and bookbinder now, and eager to expand more. The Tote I carry everyday I made with my own hands. My Writer’s Pouch sits in my Tote and holds all my daily knick-knacks. I get to spend all day with my favorite dog companion Pancake and make treasures surrounded by the ever changing Five Acre Wood.”

Ari has been working on a small batch of Nutshells Mini Sendaks that will be available soon!

Niko

“If you’ve emailed us before, we’ve probably talked, so hi again! Recently I’ve been obsessed with board game design – specifically ones that have some strange mechanics or unique packaging, (current favorite is Oath). Outside of Peg & Awl, I design stationery products with a focus on planning and organization, under the name Bonk.”

Kino Coffee Table

Margaux

“I am rambler, dreamer, thing maker, and story gatherer here. And messmaker. I love old things and new things and change. I write and draw and photograph and ungarden and move. I love everything we make and always want to make more…”

Sendak Mini Artist Roll

Walter

“Walter is the co-founder of Peg and Awl, my partner in everything, and my favourite model when I can catch him! He’s kept this business organized and smooth sailing. Since Our Smallening, he spends his new found time doing all manner of things, including dry stack wall building and lots of soccer. He has grand plans for grand projects around the Five Acre Wood that we are all looking forward to. He paints and draws and is currently working on a website to share his magic. ”

The Steinbeck Desk

Oil on Canvas, Painted with his Scout Plein Air Box

Ashley

“I’ve been working for Peg and Awl since 2020, although it doesn’t feel like work, especially since a large part of my job is spending time with Margaux, talking and ‘working’, as every newsletter requires. The Mini Tote fulfills my dreams of the cutest tote ever, and although it took a year of convincing that we needed a smaller, cuter bag, it finally made it into the shop, and I carry mine often.”

The Mini Tote

Natalie

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the of a kinds collections come to life from the inside and really loved the bloom pouches we made this year. I’ve been lucky in bringing a little bit of Peg and Awl home with my very own Sendak(!) and Anselm book binding kits. All loved items! My boys, aged 7 and 9, had so much fun learning how to book bind! You can find me working with the leather and finishing the bags and pouches, and sometimes behind the lens when Margaux steps in front of it with Pearl.”

The Sendak Artist Roll

Victoria

“My journey with Peg and Awl has just begun, and I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful team of artists. The incorporation of upcycled materials here holds a special place in my heart, and I have been learning new skills in bookbinding and leatherwork. My personal artistic practices include puppet fabrication, illustration, and sculpting teeny, life-sized beetles.”

Little Windows Art Prints

Søren

Søren is an enjoyer of Peg and Awl products. He was our summer bookbinder and Sendak finisher at Peg and Awl and has been the inspiration for so much of what we do! He has two Steinbeck desks in his studio space – he is homeschooled and working on animation and video game design this year. He loves to work on paper too, often filling Tomes with drawings of his fantastical worlds and characters. Often filling sketchbooks he’s made, he shares a new morsel each day – you can find his work here.

One of Søren’s many coverless journals made with our tutorials!

Silas

Silas has been a part of Peg and Awl since he was born. He appreciates the craftsmanship and has partaken in the woodworking and jewelry-making with Walter through the years. He chose to return to public school this year for soccer and wrestling, and is having a grand time. The Small Hunter was designed for him and Søren when they were small, and we use them still. Now, his favourite bag is the Rogue Backpack, which we no longer make but all love dearly.

Young Silas with his favorites, the Steinbeck Desk and Joad Chair

Oliver

Oliver has been with us for ten years, but it sure feels like a lifetime... a lifetime of proper formatting and exclamation point elimination. He is the mastermind behind all things computer, from building a database, to making our new website come to life. He was a party pooper (again), and chose accoutrements and add-ons for his favorite products, so for the first year, we are honoring his choices.

Canvas Swatch Books

Pancake and Pearl

Leaders of Human Resources

Cultivating Place: Natural History & Our Gardens