The Glue Gun Gazette 4/22/25
The latest creative gossip hotter than your high-temp glue gun. This issue has a Pee-Wee Herman theme!
Pee-Wee As Himself
Tomorrow is the release of Pee-Wee as Himself - a two part documentary about Paul Ruebens on HBO. I’ve been waiting with baited breath! Looking back to my childhood I can pinpoint a few different things that greatly influenced me and Pee-Wee Herman is top of that list. Pee-Wee and crew made a generation of quirky color loving kids feel seen. I felt like this topic deserved an entire newsletter of Pee-Wee and Playhouse adjacent news.
Pee-Wee Herman Was My Home Decor Inspiration
You can’t talk about the set of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse without referencing the Memphis Group. Not the Tennessee Memphis but the Italian design group with iconic pieces of furniture and lighting that makes you want to wear Esprit and listen to Culture Club. If you live in New York hit the Superhouse show which is a recreation of Dan Friedman’s apartment. I feel like this dude would have been right at home with the decor choices in the playhouse. Ever seen my first house on Apartment Therapy? The Pee-Wee influence is obvious, especially the polka dot floor.
Who else feels like that giant foot chair by Cathy Levitre that I mentioned in another newsletter would go great in the playhouse? Also these vases I recently saw in
’s The Jealous Curator by Maya Eline Leroy. Oh and this foosball table for Louis Vuitton is giving me serious Chairry vibes.Is Seth Bogart the Love Child of Wayne White?
I think Pee-Wee himself might have been secondary to the decor of his Playhouse for a lot of people. Thanks in great part to artist, puppeteer and set designer Wayne White. If you want to make it a double feature when you watch Pee-Wee as Himself tomorrow might I also suggest also watching Beauty is Embarrassing a doc about Mr. White. I’ve mentioned Seth Bogart before but his work would fit right into the playhouse. I recently saw that Compactiee needs a new home and it’s taking all my willpower to not drive me SUV to California and give her a new home.
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Painting Pee-Wee
My sister Hope Perkins is an amazing artist. I realize I’m biased because ya know we’re related but just look at this Pee Wee time lapse painting. We watched the show together and the influence is just as obvious at her house. Another long time favorite is this print called This Boy is a Hero from Little Friends of Printmaking. I always say when I have a big to-do list that is daunting “take the snakes out first”. For those that like their art 3D Kid Robot has some plush and vinyl figurines you might enjoy. If you love Pee-Wee so much that you want him tattooed on your forever and ever
is your gal.
Pee-Wee Crafts
If you need something to keep your hands busy while you are watching the documentary this weekend check out all the Pee-Wee patterns from Crafty is Cool. More in the mood to quilt or sew? Spoonflower has options. There are also plenty of cross stitch and embroidery patterns out there.
Dolly Parton Approved
Did you happen to see the Dolly Parton Cake Mix junk journal I posted about here, here and here? I’m always looking for weird things to include in my junk journals and when I came across some vintage Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Trading Cards at a flea market recently I about tackled them! They even came with old gum and rub-on tattoos!
Pee-Wee Drag - Yes Please!
I leave you with this fun Pee-Wee drag moment from the always hilarious Jimbo the Drag Clown. Sharon Needles has done a version too.
Did you check out The Glue Gun Gazette 5/15/25, watch the studio tour with Jo Gick or see the DIY How to Make a Chic Pendant Light From a Jumbo Egg?