Entertaining deck gets it's structure

More progress photos from our landscape design installation. It's what we do, see more at the Ginkgo Landscape Design website!

One of the major elements missing in many gardens is the same that makes it appealing. I don't know about you but when I enter a garden space, I want to feel surrounded by it. Having tall structures (be it plants or built elements) really helps create this effect. Soon it will be wired for lighting to enable the clients to entertain easily in the evenings and get around safely after the sun has gone down.

For the time being the deck platform is being left open to allow for the electricity to be wired easily. Ultimately it will be topped off with Trex, a composite material created from wood and plastic fibers. I actually quite like it since it lasts longer than any wood surface ever could, doesn't splinter, has a nice feel on the feet (I love barefoot gardens!) and is easy to work with. As a bonus it is made with recovered material that used to be tossed into landfills. It's a little heavy and bendy (think 20 foot long 50 lb wet noodle) before it's set where it needs to be, but that helps in the long run anyway. Plus, it saves us from using long lengths of trees when we can.

I cannot wait to get the decking down and see the pool of light created from the deck lights and the pendant lights hanging from the arbor!

We have yet to add the seating surround beneath the arbor as well. It's in the works!

All wrapped up

As an intermission from the landscape design that we are installing (because the electrical and plumbing parts are not pretty and you don't want to see photos of holes in the dirt) here is what I have been doing.

I really like that I can wire wrap in the truck on the way to work. Everything is connected so there are not loose beads to get lost, which is a major bonus. Plus, I have about an hour a day that I can use that way.

So this is one finished project. It takes a while to get everything in just the right spot and know that it is actually going to work. I have a few that are unfinished because I got stuck somewhere.

The center of the heart pendant has a perfect little Peridot gemstone. It's not easy to find fantastic Peridot but I got lucky at a gemshow and found a few in a strand that I bought. I also decided that if someone is going to purchase a more expensive item from me, they will be wanting a nice jewelry box, so I got a few of those too.


This heart is one of the ones that I am stuck on. I want to add gemstones but have yet to know exactly what I want to do. It will come to me.

In the meantime, I am making gemstones on a chain. They are really classic looking and easy to wear. I made myself a shaded grossular (green) garnet necklace that I have been wearing almost every day.

Following are some that are still available for sale :) I have also been working on some bolder pieces as I have heard people wanting to see more bold necklaces in my shop... To me "bold" means both larger beads, more contrast, and more drama. So I came up with these:

Heck, most of these are still available so if you see something you want, don't hesitate to get it :)

I must show you this!

You gotta see it! Okay, so I was browsing the treasury pages (the particular treasury was made by ClinkscalesArts on Etsy, she has quite the eye for great things!) and came across a phenomenal work. Then I clicked on it and there were like several other phenomenal works. I really love pottery and the detail that can be captured by the clay, right down to the artists fingerprint. That really is a great part about it, it's got the capacity to capture the artists hand. Mine will be like that when I start making it, you will get the fingerprints and imperfections, rough textures and artists marks.

The detail and artistry that can be permanently married into the fine particles are unmatched with any other material I know of. I also like that clay has been used since the very beginning of civilization for many, many uses from tools to intricate artwork and display. I appreciate being part of Etsy and the mutual contribution and support that can be found there.

I like all kinds of pottery, and I buy it and am happy to own the work of other artists. Everything from fiber to jewelry to pottery, cards and art. And beads, of course.

This is some pottery I hope to have one day, displayed in a lighted stucco wall niche (or sooner than that a beautiful Yunomi for tea). You should totally check out her shop and the details behind her work.

Pottery by Grace Sheese