A Tea Leaf Blog
A few weekends ago I got the opportunity to spend the night on the coast. It was wonderful. Especially getting to share it with family. The weather was warm which is rare for the Oregon coast. The visit included places such as Seaside, Rockaway, and Cannon Beach. I'd thought I share some photos that bring a smile to my face. Hopefully they will do the same for you.
One of my favorite Stumptown summer activities is to drive out to Sauvie Island. Just ten miles northwest of downtown, I love exploring this expanse lush area. Off on Gilliand Road we stopped at Columbia Farms to do some berry picking.
We couldn't have picked a better day to visit. There were not very many others out that day surprisingly. Walking through the fields and sun shining down makes you really feel at ease. We took our time picking blackberries, marionberries, and boysenberries. It was hard to resist nibbling them right then and there. So sweet, so tart!
Now the time has come to share!
I'm so thrilled to share with you a new necklace created by me. And it's available in the shop!
"The Berry Picker's Heart" - necklace
The pendant's face is composed of 2 elements. The top is a slightly domed, vintage lucite cabochon with a burgundy raspberry shade in the craters. The bottom element is a Patikan wood square pendant made in the Philippines that measures 35mm in width & height. The woodgrain may vary slightly from the one pictured since it's real wood. Patikan wood display a rich and distinctive grain that makes each unique.
Each necklace is completed with an antique brass-finish chain. The necklace is a 3mm chain, 20" in length, finished with a lobster clasp finding.
Necklaces are shipped in an adorable box, ready to give as a gift. I pay special attention to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It's a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, co-worker, or partner.
I'm looking forward to revisting Sauvie at least once more before the summer season ends. Any of you readers out there do share if you have any favorite spots on the island. I would love to hear about them!
This year's Crafty Wonderland Spring Sale was awesome!No surprise. When has it not been awesome?!
This is the second year that the Spring Sale has been held at the Oregon Convention Center. This year it was also just for one day only.
(via craftywonderland)
Rad goodie bags were given to the first 200 shoppers in line.
(via craftywonderland)
There were book signings of some crafty talented authors, Cathy Callahan, Heidi Kenney, and Susan Beal.
(via craftywonderland)
There were free craft workshops for visitors, like glittered bird pins. Put a bird on it, FTW :)
(via craftywonderland)
Some snaps of my booth!
A new Crafty Wonderland mascot has been released! It was created by the witty, Ryan Berkley.
(via craftywonderland)
I treated myself and purchased my very own 'Dolls for Friends'! I've been wanting one for a very long time now. My cat looks thrilled.
Thanks to all that help make this one of Portland's best craft events!
I can't wait for the next Crafty Wonderland, December 10th and 11th. Mark your calendars!
I thought I would share a lil' bit of my weekend with you.
Over the weekend I created my very first desert terrarium. And I believe that this is just the beginning of something awesome! Learning to make terrariums has been on my lengthy mental to-do list for a long time.
It was so meditating for the mind. I really enjoyed arranging the pebbles, dirt, sand, and succulents. It took a few attempts to place them to be pleasing the eye. It's an art form. Collaging in a sense. One thing I learned is that you really have to be patient when creating a terrarium. Kinda in a nerdy bonsai trimming way. I used two adorable succulents, on the left "Babies Toes", my favorite new succulent discovery. Too funny. And I added a few souvenirs from trips to Oregon's ocean beaches.
For the longest time I've been fascinated with nature being encapsulated within a structure. I probably first became aware of concept (on a much larger scale) as a child, from The BioSphere 2 in Tucson, Arizona in the early 90's. Then in yearly visits to the immaculate Lied Jungle & Desert Dome at Omaha's Zoo.
Some of you out there may have pondered the idea of making your own terrarium. Maybe wondering how to go about it. Well I began by reading a post on Indie Bliss for wedding centerpieces. The photos on there are fantastic and inspirational. I do recommend reading the responses at the bottom of the article. There are some great tips in there.
I also discovered this video on Martha Stewart's site that is worth watching. Arrested Development fans will get a kick out of watching Jeffrey Tambor side kickin' it with Martha. Click on the image above to redirected to the video.
I recently created some new stud earrings!
These earrings are inspired by my silly & affectionate cerulean-eyed Ragdoll cat. These vintage deep blue glass cabochons from West Germany are set in antique brass plated bezel settings. The studs are approximately 10 mm in diameter and have a light weight to them.
View listing on Etsy here!
Portland, Oregon had it's very first snow of the season yesterday. It's the first time that it has stuck itself to the ground. To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled that it was coming our way. Being born and raised in the Midwest, I've had my fill. But, I admit, it was exciting to wake up to a winter wonderland. Especially with the flakes planted on Stumptown's many many trees.
Yesterday afternoon I went for a stroll around the neighborhood. It's been awhile since I've been surrounded by zillions of tiny snowflakes. It was sorta magical. Especially walking through my favorite secret courtyard.
Once my picture-taking finger felt numb, I ended the chilly walk. I came back to headquarters and rejuvenated with some chamomile tea off the stovetop and a couple of nuked blueberry muffins that Just & I made last night. Mmm.
I'm fascinated by igloos. It's crazy to think about how early Inuits were able to live and flourish in the harshest of conditions.
There's a dreamy documentary from the 1920's (the first feature-length documentary ever) called Nanook Of The North that follows the lives of a family in the Arctic. Here's a little clip of Nanook building an igloo for his family in under an hour. Complete with a window made of ice and snow to reflect the warm sunlight inside.
And that's the inspiration for my latest creations...
One button...
Two button...
Delectable clothing buttons repurposed into...
"Sleepy Inuit Village" button rings
A miniature Inuit village sits atop the frozen lake of turquoise flecked with gold. Two stacked buttons create the scene of chilly igloos set on a pearlescent stage. Their three-dimensional character and subtle variations are the perfect splash of color for a cold winter's day. Each ring is completed with an antique brass-plated band.
The finer details...
The ring's face is made of 2 plastic buttons made in Italy. The top is a transparent light green, speckled with gold. The bottom button is aquamarine, faceted, and 7/8" in diameter with pearlish speckles. The band is a very strong, adjustable antique brass-plated, 4mm in width.
I have been creating button rings for the past year and this one will finally be listed in my Etsy shop available for purchase. Head on over to purchase your very own.
Each ring is shipped in an itty bitty box, ready to give as a gift. Special attention is given to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It's a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, or co-worker.
I made a new friend recently. More of a reacquaintance, really.
Not of human form, but of an art medium form. That is of gouache. It was in college when we were first introduced. I wasn't too interested then. Maybe it was because my college instructor only supplied our art bins with black and white.
Months ago I purchased a fine gouache colour set on a whim from a local art store.
It hasn't been 'til late that I decided to open them up. The newness of the year can sure motivate you to look back and think of the things you wanted to accomplish in the past year.
As a result, I'm so delighted to have gained a new friend in gouache paint.
Gouache are traditional water based opaque colours which give flat, smooth washes.
I've been hauling them around with me... even bringing them to morning lattes, instead of drawing.
My friend Kim knitting some fingerless gloves at 3 Friends Coffee House.
Saw this lil' guy... one of my favorite plant eating dinosaurs.
December was a busy month! I've been meaning to post about the Super Colossal Holiday Sale for almost a month. Here we go... finally!
Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th were 2 amazing days. One event that has made Portland so welcoming for me has been Crafty Wonderland. I am so humbled that there are people out there that get down with their art nerdy selves; appreciators & creators alike. I would love to give a shout out to all those who attended and supported handmade.
Over 12,000 shoppers attended! The organizers said that this show was by far their biggest and best event to date. It was so nice to meet new and old faces... sale goers & vendors. There was so much handmade awesomeness that I wanted to marvel over, but I had to man my booth. Ha!
A few snaps of my booth...
Greeting cards, Mini vintage Scrabble rings, button rings, bingo rings, compass rings, and vintage Portland map rings in a vintage fisherman's tackle box
Suitcase filled with Herb Series prints & framings • Vintage Oregon map marble magnets on edge
A handful of my favorite vendors handmade awesomeness...
View more snaps on my Flickr.
I really can't wait for next year's Holiday sale!