Spring is in the air!!!

These are a few of the things that caught my eye at
Portland's 2012 Yard, Garden and Patio Show
today!

A lovey paper bush (yeah I said bush) in the Dennis' 7 Dees display.

In that same display, was this lovely bonsai tree. I just loved the way the roots and trunk look like some kind of cyclops monster.

A beautiful metal lantern by Gina Nash!

Of course it wouldn't be a trip to a garden show without at least one succulent photo! Adore this little chair with the planted up seat.

And last, but definitely not least, my friend Chris Schwartz had some of his pottery displayed in his wife's garden design display! I thought Calendula Garden Design's 'Edible Garden' display was definitely a highlight of the show so check it out if you go!

Fancy a Fancy Pants Pot?!

First things first, I cut out some screen material to cover the drainage hole so that the dirt stays inside the pot where it belongs.



Next I mix 1 part cactus blend potting soil with 1 part pumice. I was told by a cactus/succulent guru to do this in order to provide excellent drainage for the plants!

I fill the pots almost to the top since most of the cuttings I use have very little stem to work with.

Now the fun begins! I order my succulents off of ETSY from Succulents Galore and I always receive a great mix of species, colors and textures. This is when you get to use your artistic side, choosing which plants to put into the different containers.

When I am all done, I have some great looking containers ready for a sunny windowsill! These cuties will be available at both of my Valentine's Day weekend events:

The Art Spot
First and B
Lake Oswego, OR
February 10th - 15th
11-6

&

Dirty Dishes
30th and Alberta
Portland, OR
Sunday February 12th
12-5

Don't forget to save some of the leaves so that you can start new plants!

New Year, New Stuff, New Events!

So it's been far too long since I have done an update, so tonight's the night! I am working on some new pieces that I will have on ETSY in time for Valentine's Day. Delivering some new work for Crow Valley Pottery up on Orca's Island. I am currently selling work in a pop up gallery created by Local 14 artists called The Art Spot. The Art Spot will be hosting a special Valentine's Day event on Sunday February 12th called 'Give Your Love Local'. There will be bins for food donations to the Oregon Food Bank and a variety of the local businesses in downtown LO will be participating in this event. There will be specials at all the participating businesses as well. And, to top it all off, I will be having a one day sale at Dirty Dishes on Alberta on Sunday February 12th from 12-5. So hopefully I will be able to see some familiar faces at any one of these places/events!

Mudshark Opening Night

Thanks to all who came out Friday night to start our show off with a bang! It was great to see so many old friends and to make some new friends. Tell all your friends about it!

Mudshark Studio Holiday Show

It's about that time of year folks, when artists emerge crazy eyed from their studios ready to share with the world what they have been slaving away at for weeks! I am no exception. Since I do not have a private studio anymore, I have teamed up with some friends (and some strangers) to have a collective show with Mudshark Studios. There will be 21 of us in all showing off our goods. Lots of different pottery styles, some paintings, some metal sculptures and some ceramic sculptures as well. I would love to see as many familiar faces as I can (and maybe bring some less than familiar faces with you!) so hopefully you can make it to one of two weekends. Best selection will be on the first weekend, of course, so get there early! Also on both Fridays of the show, we will have live music, food and free beer! Cheers!

Out of the Fire: A Special Show of Ceramic Art

So I have a show coming up next week at the Doll Gardner Gallery in SW Portland! It sounds like a great show since I know I am in good company with some other really great ceramic artists. All the work featured in the show is to be made so that it can hang on the wall--something very different for an all ceramic show! I have some plates that can either be used traditionally or hung on the wall, as well as some of my textured wall pillows. As usual, it will be a down to the wire event for me and that makes for a whirlwind weekend! Wish me luck and I hope that some of you can make it!

Thank You Corvallis!

Just wanted to thank all the wonderful people that braved the weather to come out for the Corvallis Fall Festival! I got a lot of great feedback, made some new contacts and met some really great people. I have to give a shout out to my booth neighbors: Aimee Herring, Jennifer Lommers and Sarah Brown. Aimee is a wonderful ceramic artist that is also going to be showing at Local 14 along with me next weekend. Jennifer Lommers is an amazing painter making beautiful and colorful works of art! Both of these ladies kept Jeremy and I laughing all weekend long. And, I scored some great gifts from 'A House In the Woods' children's clothing by Sarah Brown. If you weren't able to make it, maybe next year!



Remember that the Local 14 Art Show starts this Thursday September 29th and runs through Sunday October 2nd at the Forestry Center in Portland. I hope to see some of you there!!