‘Pode sculptures and my first print collection are now available in the shop!

I already wrote two posts about my obsession with pycnopodias but this is the first time you can buy an original star right here! And not for the price of an used Harley.

There are many odd logistics involved in marketing and shipping them. Regardless, I always succumb to the call of the art plushie because ‘podes might be the most fun thing ever to craft,

I mean look at them.

Absolutely gorgeous one of a kind colorway mixes of luxurious hand dyed wool yarns.

It is so satisfying to lock in on the print situation.

Years ago I tested a Seattle print shop. The quality was amazing but the prices were too high. Later I tested the most popular print on demand service, Printful, which had limited options and atrociously crinkled my sample.

Then I found Lumaprints whose UI and ordering process didn’t piss me off at any interval. I will be sticking with them.

Lumaprints skillfully rolled matte print sample

Crinkled artist han- I mean NOT crinkled beautiful print samples

“Marsupials in Paradise” collection was inspired by a large flying squirrel called a “Colugo” I saw at Koh Lanta national park, Thailand, in 2025.

Its eyes are like crystal balls into the soul of the forest.

After that encounter, and numerous encounters with monkeys that threw random paraphernalia at overly boisterous tourists, I could not stop drawing tree mammals. Tropical colors seemed integral to the subject matter so I bought a bunch of watercolors and developed a punchy hued cartoon guy I call “Fig”.

Colugo in Koh Lanta National Park, Thailand

Last but certainly not least I need to talk about how awesome the NWSSA Pilgrim Firs rock carving symposium was this year.

Even though shaping rocks is categorically difficult to the point my neck has a bump and my fingernails are halfway shaved off from polishing, I carry on stoning because I am continuously blown away at the kindness and lighthearted spirit of the rock carving community.

Intending to make the most of a gorgeous piece of Burmese blue jade, I sketched concepts for a pendant and earring set.

Surely I could finish something so tiny within the week.

As in previous years the seasoned carvers divulged their secrets. With the help of Liz Nichols, Julianne Kohn, and Leah Davidson I learned that if you want to drill tiny little holes in a really hard rock you need NASA level technology and the patience of a bus comuter.

Doing the fun lapidary steps before drilling the horrible little holes

I also learned more about beading- the ultimate test of hand eye coordination.

Two hours before the show I was frantically fiddling with the universe’s tiniest bead needle.

No time to photograph the bead explosion.

No time to breath.

In the end I did not finish the set but I was dang close.

The spinning centrifugal cushion of the pendant is as fabulous as a luxury fidget toy could be. But without custom metal caps there is no way to clip the hoops to the ear. I think wax sculpting and metal casting is in my future…

I was in such a hurry to display that I added the tassel on the wrong end ;-;

Being an artist is a nonstop lifestyle that requires sharing passion for transforming the mundane into the spectacular.

I often struggle with high sensitivity and indecision.

The stone folk remind me to see life from another perspective, and that I accomplish a lot even if it does not always feel like it. When I am around artists, life is good.

I hope you will continue to join my rambling quest to have fun and share beautiful things.

As always, thanks for reading-

Colugos and Cushions

Art Goals 2026