OLLIVANTHOUSE

The process of making something brings me more fulfillment than simply buying it. It takes longer to have it, but there’s learning involved. How something comes into our lives matters more to me now. Whatever enters our home should be useful and beautiful— and fit with the rest of our things. Ideally, there should be a story behind how an object became a belonging.

In the same vein, this why I think there is a much different feeling that comes from thrifting or hunting for a vintage piece versus shopping online for something secondhand (via Poshmark, for example). There is serendipity missing from scouring the internet for an item. Stumbling across something you’ve wanted while out or suddenly spotting something you didn’t know you were missing is thrilling. Finding something of value that has perhaps been long overlooked by others. It feels fortuitous.

Of course this is a general principle to consider; it doesn’t go for the utilitarian items, necessities such as daily contact lenses or dish sponges.

Materials I’ve acquired:

• Raffia (to make baskets)
• Jute (to make totes)
• Muslin
• Buttons (mother of pearl, olive wood, walnut, etc. — for the children’s cardigans)
• Yarn (DK and Aran weight primarily; alpaca wool, cotton, cashmere)
• Kona Cotton (for quilts)

Some months ago I felt very decisive about finding out how much we actually needed. I thought, what better place to begin than with Frances and Adrien? I started by sewing a quilt for each of them. Then I moved onto clothing— sweaters and cardigans and bonnets. I found skeins of yarn no longer being produced on various websites, including Ebay. I chose patterns by creators on Etsy.

In the midst of doing this, I have the feeling: I should’ve done this sooner. When I was pregnant with Frances I made a tiny baby sweater. I wasn’t that pleased with how it turned out and maybe that put me off from attempting more garments. I try to remind myself that only by doing can I improve and that time will pass anyway. I hope in my little everyday efforts I can reflect certain values for my children to carry out in their own lives.

P.S. I feel like I start writing about one thing and the thought winds away towards something else… Stream of consciousness I guess.

— m.o.