all kinds of wonderful stuff!

Our 20th anniversary sale is happening this weekend in the studio, and we'll have lots of cool handmade stuff by local artists. Here are the details:

 Camp Cactus Holiday Sale

 Friday, November 30th   •   6:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday & Sunday, December 1st & 2nd

10:00am - 6:00pm

You can find us here:

4458 NE Brazee, between NE 44th & 45th Avenues

in Portland's Hollywood district

Stop by and say hello...

In the meantime, here's a random sample of what we'll have to offer:

Functional ceramic bowls, vases and pitchers in cheery retro colors by potter Darris Dietz.

Fused glass plates and jewelry by the wonderfully talented Kelly Boverman.

Tiny succulent gardens by Jan Behrs.

Wacky fleece owl hats by yours truly.

Remember, this is just a random sample...there's so much more!

accessories galore!

We're happy to have the opportunity to showcase some cool accessories this season.
First up is Tamara King, whose gorgeous and hip color and print combinations make me want to run directly to the nearest fabric store and start hoarding colorful cottons...then I remind myself that I don't have to -  I can just buy from Tamara and she can supply me with my fix!

 Such happy colors!

 I want one of each of these little pouches!

 The linings are as cool as the outsides, don't you think?

Camp Cactus Holiday Sale hours:

Opening Night:

Friday, November 30  •  6:00 - 9:00pm

Saturday & Sunday, December 1 & 2:

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

The studio is located on NE Brazee Ave. between NE 44th an 45th avenue

click here to see a map

our fantastic artists!

The Camp Cactus Holiday Sale is coming up! Next Friday Saturday and Sunday will see the studio transformed into a fantastic gallery and shop, where all sorts of art and gorgeous crafts will be represented. Feel free to visit some of our artists' websites:

Ambiente Art Glass - fused glass 

Alex Wijnen - illustration, prints & calendars

Robert M. Huff - photography

Carol Sands - paintings and cards

Dan Ennis - ceramics

Elisabeth Cook Sullivan - ceramic sculpture

Holly Hestand - jewelry

Jan Behrs - windowsill gardens

Moonbeam Glassworks - fused glass ornaments

Lori Presthus - fine art prints & jewelry

Judee Moonbeam - wearable art and accessories

Tiffany Williams - jewelry

Susan Hurst - leather accessories

Many of our artists don't have websites, so I'll be featuring everyone here in the next few days...so stop back by and check them out. 

it's time to celebrate!

I can hardly believe it, but it's already been twenty years since we started this.
It all began when my family moved to Portland from San Francisco in 1991.  That first autumn, I noticed there were lots of "holiday bazaars" held in private homes all over my neighborhood. I had never seen anything like it before, and though the taste level ranged from 1950s-era crocheted toilet paper covers to much more sophisticated fine art and craft pieces you might find in a gallery setting, these homey craft shows were really the precursors to today's pop-up shops. It sure sparked my entrepreneurial spirit, and in October of 1992 I decided to give it a try at our house.

I wrangled a few creative friends, cleared out the first floor of the house and we set up a temporary shop, complete with hot cider and cookies to make our shoppers happy. I wish I had photos of that first sale, but after spending an hour on my knees looking through old photos, I gave up, poured myself a glass of wine and decided to recount the tale without pictures.

I did find my records from the first sale, though...we sold hand painted ornaments, the first Santa dolls I ever made, painted wooden bowls, birdhouses and lots of goofy crafts that were popular back then.

This year, we have a host of amazing local artists making everything from blown glass to wearable art.
I draw the line, however, at crocheted toilet paper covers.
Stay tuned!