Monsters, Gift Bags & Patches - Recycled, Upcycled at The Village Art Show

The Village, a non-profit promoting the sharing of art and culture, and also a spin off on Northwest Share, is holding its first ever art show this Saturday, August 15 from 2 to 6 pm at 4144 SE 60th Ave, next to Coffee Lovers.



Because we live so close, Jonah and I thought it would be fun to participate in this free community event, meet a few artists and art lovers (as well as coffee lovers, right?) and share some of our newest creations.



I'll be offering a selection of one-of-a-kind embroidered patches that make use of fabric scraps and garage sale embroidery floss.





Jonah will be offering his practically famous DIY monster iron-ons, monster cards and a selection of his watercolor art.




Last but not least, my reusable cloth gift bags will be available for sale. They come in several sizes and all sorts of fun materials from sample upholstery to upcycled scraps from my grandma!

The Seven Virtues...

Justin is showing his work at a sweet little coffee shop on NE Glisan (and 59th Ave) in Portland called 7 Virtues. You can stop in for coffee and a bakery treat, enjoy the mystical back wall mural by Kelsey, friendly barista and resident artist, lounge on the comfy couches or bring your crumb-crunchers to the child's play area in the back. Whatever you do, just look up at the walls and gaze in wonder at the beautiful collages and paintings by Justin Potts. If you are so inclined, confer with the baristas and claim one of these fine pieces for your own! Justin's work will show until mid-September!
Here's a peak:

That's me in the bottom right corner, stirring up a lethal concoction of half-and-half and decaf americano....lethal.

The collage display.

The paintings.

Justin and Jonah (goofing off) enjoying hot chocolate and a cup of Joe.

Being the multi-talented man that he is, the counter at 7 Virtues also holds a display of Justin's cd, Eohippus, and a selection of his original art cards.

Dave and Kai demonstrating how to use the toys in the kiddie section.

Justin and Mary in front of Kelsey's enchanting mural.

Eco Dolls, Eco-Friendly, EcoLeeko

As some of you may know, over the last year, Justin and I have dedicated ourselves to the concept of "Going Green". With that in mind, I have begun seeking out other artists who are passionate about sustainability and picking their brains to find new solutions to old problems (namely waste and replacing earth "unfriendly" materials with friendlier ones).

[Monkeeko plush doll / $40]

EcoLeeko is owned and operated by fabulous fiber artist, Suzanne Lappan. I have known Suzanne for almost 10 years and in that time I have been lucky enough to lay my eyes on her many beautiful creations, from intricate art quilts, to sequined peacock art dolls, to these lovely, earth-friendly plushie toys for children and babes.

[PlatyWoo plush doll / $40]

Suzanne begins with sustainable (read: bamboo fabric), organic fabrics (read: cotton grown without pesticides), which are then hand-dyed, stuffed with such strange and foreign-sounding things as kapok fiber, walnut shells, and buckwheat hulls, embellished with soy/wool blend yarn, and lovingly sewn together one-by-one. She has carefully researched and found each piece of her process to make toys that are as friendly as possible to the environment and to the children who will love them.

[Waddle plush doll / $40]

The dolls really speak for themselves, but what I'm most interested in, is the materials, meticulously chosen by Sue for their eco-friendliness and sustainability, that go into making them. So, I decided to get Sue's eco-thoughts about making eco-friendly products.

[Ellybo plush doll / $40]

My interview with Suzanne:

How far do you think it is necessary to take the idea of offering completely earth-friendly and sustainable products?

For Me personally with Ecoleeko, I feel it's extremely important. Everyone who makes anything has to decide for themselves how to make what they do and if earth friendly materials are necessary or even feasible for them. For example, if you work with metal or photography, I don't know if you really have many choices..As far as Ecoleeko products, I want to offer items made with all natural materials and want to educate people as consumers about textiles and the materials that are used in products they buy. I made it my pledge to use no plastic based inks, no manmade fibers, no polyester thread or notions, and there are plenty of alternatives out there. I only use natural fibers, organic cotton thread, hemp or soy yarn and only use 100% recycled paper for hangtags or correspondence. I also recently acquired recycled tissue and biodegradable cotton paper curling ribbon.

[Ladybug crib rattle / $16]

What sacrifices do you make, as an artist/business woman, to bring people handmade, eco-friendly products?

I guess you sacrifice ease of buying any supplies! I can't just go to the store and buy fabric or thread. I basically need to seek out any materials I use from the web. Everything I use I had to find first by researching out materials and finding a supplier. Anyone who makes anything handmade can tell you that you feel like you sacrifice a lot of extra time and money to do what you love to do. I guess it's just something you accept. You also sacrifice limiting your market. Some people don't really recognize the difference between a non organic cotton doll made in a factory to an organic cotton doll handmade by one person. I feel that can change by educating people about what they buy, what it's made from and where it comes from.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to making eco-friendly products?

Really, again, I think it's the lack of education as a consumer buying a product that is made of polyester, stuffed with plastic, sewn with polyester, printed with plastic, with plastic bead filling and plastic eyes vs. an all natural handmade item. When someone sees a factory made product for 30$ cheaper than the organic, they feel like: 'what's the point in spending more?' The biggest obstacle is probably the price of an item made in a factory vs. an item I hand make and the lack of knowledge about what items are made from and how. That's probably true for anyone making anything earth friendly or anything handmade for that matter! The need to explain your materials and why you use them is crucial for your product and for people to learn about them. I know some people say the cost of materials is an obstacle, but I found that once you find your materials, it is possible to do it all eco friendly and not spend a fortune. If you are dedicated, you can find a way.

[Snail crib rattle / $16]

How transparent should a company who claims to be eco-friendly be about the sources of their materials and how do you think this information affects your customer's buying decisions?

I feel a company should be totally honest about what they use. I'm an open book with everything I use and want it to be that way. I try my best and know I will continue to get better. It's important for me but I can't speak for other companies. I would like to think any company who makes eco friendly anything would be honest and outright about their materials and practices. I love it when customers remark on why they purchased or how they feel about it. It's good to see people thinking about what they are buying and what it's made of.

[Seahorse crib rattle / $16]

Do you think people are more likely to buy a product that claims to be earth-friendly, organic, etc., over a product that is merely handmade?

I don't know if there is really any competition between the two. You can buy a factory made eco friendly bamboo bike but there may not be a "handmade" counterpoint to choose from. It's all about what you are looking for. My dolls are handmade, just the same as any other handmade doll. They just happen to be made out of natural materials, which is important to a growing number of people now, which is good for the environment and the human race at large!

Do you have any more ideas for Ecoleeko in the works?

I do and they go on and on..I have to reel my imagination in and start out with just a few ideas to stay sane. I just started to make organic cotton terry bath mittens for kids. I hope to post them on my site next week.

And, voila! Here they are:

[AliEco / alligator terry bath buddy hand mitten / $14]

[Flipeco / dolphin terry bath buddy hand mitten / $14]

[Solar / polar bear terry bath buddy hand mitten / $14]

[Ippo / hippo terry bath buddy hand mitten / $14]

Why do you love dolls so much (just for fun!)?

'Cause I'm sick! Ha! I don't know, my aunt made me a life-size doll when I was young, my first grade teacher invited us all to her house and she had a whole room full of old dolls, I loved to play with barbies when I was little, I started collecting old dolls and doll heads, I have a thing for all kinds of faces, in ceramics, drawing...it goes on and on... I guess for me they take on a life of their own...ok, I'm not crazy...but they do seem to become their own thing. It can be pretty powerful for a child or anyone who's open to it. Dolls can be friends, security, comfort, sculpture, art or decoration...just to name a few...ok, maybe I am crazy!!!

I definitely don't think she's crazy and I'm so inspired by her dedication to offering handmade products that are as earth-friendly as possible. You can read more about the materials she uses and why she chooses them here. More about Suzanne: She was recently interviewed by a wonderful "green" blog called Recycle Your Day (read it!) and her art dolls have also been featured in Art Doll Quarterly magazine.
You can find Suzanne's plush dolls, rattles and bath mits at: ecoleeko.com / ecoleeko.etsy.com and her wonderful art quilts and art dolls at: mishmoshart.com

The Wedding Gift Clock

I know it's been a little while since I've posted, but don't think I haven't been working, and then some....we recently moved (that's mostly the work I was referring to...) back to the east side of Portland, which I am very happy about. I miss the tall, tall trees and the acre for Jonah (our 8 yr. old son) to romp in, but being able to walk and bike to virtually everything has us revisiting the idea of giving up our vehicle - that and the $4.33 per gallon of gasoline!
I wanted to show off my latest earth-friendly clock design. It is another tall one - 6" x 24" - and it was made as a gift for friends of ours who got married in April. I always like making something new for somebody and then offering it as part of my line. So, in the spirit of the rest of my earth-friendly wall clock designs, here is the "Rising Song Long" in barn red and pumpkin orange! (Oh, and it'll be available on our website soon!)

"Rising Song Long" pendulum wall clock [barn red/pumpkin orange/taupe] / 6" x 24" / $115

...and, a close-up...

The Alberta Art Hop is This Saturday! (May 17)

I wanted to write a little bit about the Alberta Art Hop, which is coming up this Saturday, May 17th, from 11-6 in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. It's going to be SO much fun! Justin, Jonah and I will be on the street, in addition to over 100 other artists and food vendors, with a full display of clocks, recycled and mixed media art, including Jonah's popular Monster ACEOs and drawings (see http://www.picklesandcheese.etsy.com/).


There will also be many local bands and musical groups performing on 4 separate stages. And, need I even mention, the many fine restaurants, galleries and businesses already located along Alberta Street. It is a recipe for a truly fine day, if only it doesn't rain. Last year at this time Justin and I were enjoying a tropical breeze in Hawaii and Jonah was enjoying sunshine and 80 degrees here in Portland with his Grandpa - all this to say that my fingers are crossed for a beautiful day!


Justin Potts will be bringing any amount (read: a huge and awe-inspiring selection) of his body of ink and watercolor drawings in small and medium sizes perfect for matting, framing and impressing your friends, as well as mixed media collages on board, using mostly recycled materials ... take a peak at Justin's art at http://flickr.com/photos/justinpotts/


Mary Preiser Potts will be showing her new, earth-friendly wall clock designs, all extremely affordable and perfectly gift-sy or splurgy-for-yourself-sy...this 7.5" square sells for a mere $25!

Mary will also be offering a selection of her Bird Women collages - made from recycled board and paper - Bird Women bookmarks and free Bird Women coloring books for the kiddos!

Browse more clocks at http://www.infinityarts.etsy.com/ and check out the Bird Women collages at http://www.birdwomen.etsy.com/.



Hope to see you there!

A Brief History of Infinity Arts Now On Flickr!

This is still a work in progress, but there is already a good range of current 2008 clock designs and some of the oldest clock designs from 2000. In the end, it should contain about 200 images documenting the history in images of Infinity Arts handcrafted clocks - enjoy!

-CLICK TO BROWSE THE INFINITY ARTS CLOCK ARCHIVES at flickr-

oodles n oodles n oodles - Earth Friendly Home Decor, Wall Clocks

The months of '08 are flying right by. But, it's not as if I've just been spinning around in circles, dazed and confused, either! I am gearing up for a few exciting interludes with the Portland public that are coming up in the next few months.

First on the list is the Crafty Wonderland Second Birthday craft show on April 13 at the Doug Fir. Then, on May 10, I will be at the Sidestreet Gallery in SE Portland for the Laurelhurst Art Walk and on May 17, Justin and I will set up our tent-store on the streets of Alberta at the Alberta Art Hop. So, without further ado, reminiscences or philosophizing, here are the newest 10 wall clock designs - all of them affordable AND earth-friendly...

"Nature Song" [pale blue/brown/taupe] / 6" x 14" / $65 / Details (links to infinity arts website)

"Nature Song" [brown/olive green/taupe] / 6" x 14" / $65 / Details

"Oodles" [barn red/pumpkin orange/brown] / 6" x 14" / $65 / Details

"Rising Song" [pale yellow/brown/taupe] / 7½" x 7½" - $35 OR 11½" x 11½" - $50 / Details

"Climbing Vine" [brown/pumpkin orange/barn red] / 7½" x 7½" - $35 OR 11½" x 11½" - $50 / Details

"Block Clock / ABC #1" [red-orange/pumpkin/taupe] / 5½" x 18½" / $65 / Details

"oodlesNoodles" [brown/pale yellow/taupe] / 7" x 24" / $115 / Details

"oodlesNoodles" [pale yellow/taupe/brown] / 6" x 24" / $115 / Details

"oodlesNoodles" [red-orange/pale yellow/taupe/brown] / 6" x 24" / $115 / Details

I should have OODLES of new desk clocks in the OODLES design coming next month, too, so check back!