get ready for summer!

It's almost June, and our fantastic and creative artists are working their hearts out getting ready for the Summer Sale at Camp Cactus.

I hope you'll join us the first weekend in June to shop for some unique, handmade art and beautiful crafts, stroll in the garden, and soak up some warm summer air!

the summer sale is right around the corner

Wow.  The time has really gotten away from me! I've been so crazy busy in the studio drawing, painting and making all sorts of new things, that the blog has been sorely neglected…but I'm back on track, and in the next few days, I promise to show you some previews of what's to come!
 In the meantime, here is the who, what, when, where and why:

What? 

Camp Cactus Summer Sale

cool stuff handmade by local artists

When?

Preview evening: Friday, June 6th • 6-9 pm

Saturday & Sunday, June 7th & 8th • 10 am - 6 pm

Where?

Camp Cactus Studio

NE Brazee, between 44th & 45th Avenues

Portland, Oregon 97213

Who?

Local artists and craftspeople, including:

Michele Avanti 

(mystical, magical delights)

Jan Behrs 

(tiny little succulent gardens)

Bruce Bensen

(handmade mason bee houses)

Kelly Boverman

(delightful fused glass garden ornaments)

Matthew Brown 

(urban cool photography)

Darris Dietz

(pottery in cheerful, retro colors)

Maura Greenblum 

(it's always a surprise!)

Holly Hestand 

(jeweler extraordinaire)

Tamara King

(hip and coordinated fabric items)

Judee Moonbeam 

(fabulous wearable art and accessories)

Tonia Twigger McConnell 

(travel photography and inspirational books)

Roberta Palmer 

(fantastic cast-concrete leaves)

Rachael Ramos 

(crochet accessories and other delights)

Jane Russell 

(enchanting fairy couture and original art)

Laura Russell 

(witty signs and home decor)

Siri Schillios

(whimsical paintings and prints)

Greg Sparks 

(earthy and functional pottery)

Laurie Stabenow 

(colorful aprons for kids)

Julie Stewart 

(hand-thrown ceramics)

Elisabeth Cook Sullivan

(ceramic prayer flags and realistic bird sculptures)

Pauline Dugas Tait 

(gorgeous mosaics)

Tiffany Williams

(jewelry and aliens!)

Kris Zorko 

(fabulous paper goods and handmade soaps)

Why?

To support our local craftspeople and artists

and, we all donate a portion of our sales to
  Oregon Food Bank!

Hope to see you there!

works in progress

 I've been working on some little valentine shrines this week

I'll have them in a show called Say it with heART! next weekend at the lovely home of my friend,  fibre artist extraordinaire,  Judee Moonbeam. Check it out! It's THE place to go for all your Valentine shopping...

Saturday, February  9th  •  10 ~ 6

Sunday, February 10th  •  10 ~ 5

4546 NE 47th Avenue

(just north of Prescott)

 in Portland

Hope to see you there!

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!

the buckman art show and sell

I'm excited to again be one of 130 artists showing and selling our work at the 22nd Annual Buckman Art Show this year.  Buckman Arts Magnet Elementary is an arts-focused public school here in Portland
with a wonderful arts curriculum and fantastic and dedicated teachers and parents.
The show helps raise money to support the Buckman PTA, which in turn supports the arts program at the school.
I'll be showing and selling lots of new, one of a kind Fairy Fashions
(which will be available in the Fairy Atelier shop until the day before the sale)
Click here to buy up until then. In the meantime, here's a sneak preview:

Gladiola's Fairy Shoes

Skylark's Fairy Dress

Hawk's Fairy Boots

The show is only two days: Friday evening, April 13th ~ 5:00 - 9:00 pm

and Saturday, April 14th ~ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

it's a very short window to see lots of talented artists, 

including many past and current Camp Cactus Sale alumni:

Darris Dietz

Alex Wijnen

Hadley Hutton

Holly Hestand

Jeff Bohrer

Michelle Gallagher

Susan Hurst

Julie Jetton

Lori Presthus

here's how to get there:

View Larger Map

I'll be hanging out there both days...hope to see you!

say it with heART!

I'm in this cool little neighborhood show this weekend. Held in the lovely home of my good friend, fibre artist Judee Moonbeam, this sale showcases the work of many local artists.

Stop by and shop for the perfect gift for your true love 

on Sunday, February 12th, from 10am till 5pm

4546 NE 47th Avenue in Portland

get more info here: sayitwithheart.blogspot.com

holiday sale ends sunday

At the Holiday Sale preview on Friday night, lots of people turned up 

for wine and gourmet goodies prepared by Matt and Margaret,  perused the art,

and schmoozed with local celebreties, like Lord Lomax of NE Portland. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

And on an entirely different note, registration is still open for the following classes:

Holiday Wreaths

Friday, December 10th • 7-9 pm

register by Tuesday, December 7th

Build a Snow Village 

Saturday, December 11th • 1-4 pm

Figure Drawing 

Wednesday, December 15th • 7-9 pm

Flowers for your table: Holiday Centerpieces

Friday, December 17th • 7-9 pm

register by Tuesday, December 14th

Click here for the class descriptions,

 where you'll find a "Pay now" button to register online

 or call the studio:

503-347-2319

summer sale!

Camp Cactus Summer Sale

Cool stuff by local artists

Preview evening: Friday July 16th 6-9 pm

Saturday & Sunday July 17th & 18th

10:00am - 6:00 pm

NE Brazee at 45th Avenue in Portland

click here for a map

a few of our artists:

Gretchen Boylan

Anitra Cameron

Darris Dietz

Holly Hestand

Tonia Twigger McConnell

Judee Moonbeam

Dan Ennis

Tamara King

Papaver Jewelry

TigerPup Embroidery

Pauline Dugas Tait

Elisabeth Cook Sullivan

Jane Russell

Kris Zorko

Nosivad Fine Art

Matthew Brown

Chris McLaren

Roberta Palmer

Marla Munnich

Michele Avanti

Stay tuned for more info on these wonderful artists!

catching up

Before I forget, here are some highlights from the last couple of shows I've been in...

This is our "fairy" tent at the Alberta Art Hop...it was very swanky in a rustic sort of way. We even had a cushy old wool rug to cover up the asphalt and make everyone feel comfy. Every little kid (and dog) who wandered in wanted to lie down on it and take a nap.

Gretchen made sure she got a hug from this one before he plopped down on the rug in the shade.

The street was crowded, and even though the sales were sluggish, the people watching was excellent.

And despite the fact that we didn't make the big bucks we were hoping for, it turned out to be a very enjoyable day.

Here's a group shot of my fellow artists from the Art Over Macleay Park show last weekend:

(photo courtesy of Kris Zorko)

Once we started in on the margaritas I almost forgot I even had a camera!

left to right: Holly Hestand, me, Elisabeth Cook Sullivan, Lonnie Nosivad, Missy Lambert, Judee Moonbeam, Kris Zorko, and Judy Green

One of Liz Sullivan's political sculptures...does that face look vaguely familiar?

Here's another one...can you name all the seven evil dwarves?

Okay, last one...how many people do you know who have a seven foot giraffe in their dining room?


Everyone I know is doing their part to Keep Portland Weird.

Art on Alberta

Hey! Come see me, along with my good friend Gretchen Boylan, at the 11th Annual Alberta Art Hop...click here for all the details.

The weather promises to be fabulous, the street will be closed to traffic between 11 am and 6 pm, and there will be lots of entertainment on multiple stages and hundreds of artists and craftspeople there.


I've been busy making so many of these one of a kind, teeny tiny fairy shoes and dresses, I think my eyesight is beginning to go!

And Gretchen will have magical jewelry and assemblages like this:

So come and see us, we're be on NE Alberta Street between 19th and 20th Avenue, on the south side of the street, booth number 08!