Winter Orchids

Cold weather snaps (like the one we're feeling this weekend) have been unusually rare this winter in South Florida. As a result, my orchids have been a little slower than usual to acknowledge that it's blooming season. But it's worth the wait. Many of my plants are in bud; these few among the first to produce flowers this year: First up a pink/white Phalaenopsis. I picked him up two years ago at a show, and displayed him on a coffee table for a few months. Then regrettably I transferred him outside and he caught a little too much sun too quickly and was almost completely gone. So I'm happy to see this plant fully recovered and again displaying these lovely tall multiple spikes for me!

Here is a simple white and purple mini-dendrobium:

And a lovely petite white and yellow Phal:

This pink Phal is smaller than the other, but has such pretty flowers:

I love the tropical colors and details of this small phal hybrid:

More to come as the rest of the spikes mature.. Pin It

Sakura Blossoms at the Morikami

We're getting ready to travel to Japan next month for a long-awaited trip. In the meantime, the Morikami Museum and Gardens (just around the corner from my home) provides a little touch of Japanese history, culture, and experience to create a nice short escape for an hour or two. We became members last year so and try to take advantage of that by visiting all the festivals and events when we can. This weekend we popped in to see their Sakura trees in bloom.

The gardens frame a small lake in the middle of the complex.

The gardens include a bamboo forest, and many rock arrangements.

I curated the Etsy Front Page today!

My Red/Valentine's themed treasury was selected for the Etsy Front Page today from Noon - 1pm (EST). The collection featured some of my Aspiring Artisan's Guild teammates, as well as some other favorites sprinkled throughout. This is a first for me so I was quite pleased! A couple of the items appear to have sold as a result as well.

Packaging my Etsy Shop Jewelry

In recent weeks I've read a lot of Etsy shop posts asking about "how do you package?" Of course everyone has their own styles and ideas. Some go way detailed and others more utilitarian - I try to find a balance. Of course with any shipment my first objective is to make sure my jewelry arrives safe and sound. I also don't want to add costly overhead, or waste, to the process. But I think a little girly-pretty stuff can sneak in there easily enough! I've always used the Kraft bubble mailers for actual shipping, and Kraft paper boxes for my items which I find very sturdy and perfect for gifting. I made up my own little earring/necklace cards to put the actual items on, wrapped in a little tissue inside each box. Until a few months ago, I then tied a simple strand of ribbon around the box and voila.

A few months ago, I enlisted WinchesterLambourne to create a new banner for my shop (which she did beautifully!). From that, I got the idea to print my banner onto label sheets (since I buy those for mailing labels anyway), to add a little extra something to my boxes. I can print about 30 banners onto one label, and the labels I buy in bulk so this expense is probably only another penny per item, but I really like the way it adds to the overall box.

I've been looking around for small, inexpensive note cards to include with orders, but haven't had much luck (especially with the inexpensive part). So I printed my own! Using light card stock, and cutting/printing myself, these little cards were very easy to make. I tuck in a little note about caring for jewelry, and thank my customers simply inside.

A couple of customers have commented they liked my packaging this holiday season, so I figured I'd share it here as well. I buy my boxes, mailers and labels in bulk and from the best sources I can find to minimize costs. The extra touches are a few pennies per package but so effective.

Pin It

New garden friends

The birdfeeder I wrote about in the Fall is attracting more than just feathered friends. A stray tabby and her kitten have taken up residence. They love to hang out all day around the gazebo but have yet to catch any birds (ideally they won't). I've been putting out breakfast and dinner for them, and fresh water. It's been about a month but they still regard me very cautiously. The kitten has graduated from completely bolting from my yard but still very skittish. I've made them a little bed for when it gets colder but they prefer to sleep under the Bouganvillea mainly.

In hopes of attracting more birds to my garden, I recently purchased up a small birdfeeder, picking one that nicely matches my orchid arbor, to hang in the middle. I've focused on Cardinal bird food (mainly sunflower seeds), but it proves equally attractive to Blue Jays, Crows...and of course squirrels. The latter of which are no longer afraid of me, and allow me to approach within 10 feet before they scurry off. The cardinals have visited a few times but they are not fond of the camera - finally got a good shot of one today (still had to max out my zoom):

Yesterday morning, I found Mr. and Mrs. in the garden:

Here's my most frequent visitor:

October & some Orchids

This past weekend the weather was just perfect here in South Florida: the humidity eased, the temperature dropped just enough, and the breeze picked up ever so slightly.

Some of my more hardy orchids are noticing the change in season. Why the Phals are more strict about their show dates and won't tempt me for a few more months, some of my more reliable multi-bloomers are out.

This Brassavola Nodosa has lovely white waxy flowers - fragrant only at night. He has outgrown his basket several times over the years and been separated into now about 3 plants (maybe 4...I think my mother has one from me now).

The little blue Ascocenda has such pretty blooms:

This dendrobium is quite hardy - I have him on a lower shelf and it looks like some critter has taken a few bites from a leaf, but he's such a bright bloomer.

Hopefully more plants will follow suit in the coming months!