New Class listing and updates of sold out classes at bottom of email.
Flying Saucers Morning Glory – a bower of beauty to sit under on Nancy’s terrace.
Valle Grande at Valles Caldera National Preserve – New Mexico
A recent trip to Santa Fe to see my sister has me refreshed and inspired, for both my garden, and to pursue the idea of getting my sister up to Whidbey next summer to teach a pottery class.
Between walks in Galisteo Basin, visiting the Valles Caldera National Preserve, going to the incredible exhibit, Grounded in Clay at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and actually making a pot with Nancy, to sipping tea on her heavenly terrace, I left ready to get back to my projects, with ideas to change some of my potted plants.
A lovely nicotiana Nancy has in one of her old pots which the sphinx moths adore.
I love this little zinnia so much and hope to grow in next year in some pots. I’m going to take out all my hydrangeas I have in pots and put them in the ground and switch out to the new zinnias I love. I’ve asked Ida Gianopulus of Lone Creek Farm @lonecreekfarm to start the varieties I want as she’s an amazing grower.
Ida ( that’s pronounced Eda ) will also be selling some of her lovely wreaths and garlands at the Winter Market in November.
The Southwest is iconic for rock formations and there’s always more to see.
This is part of the Galisteo Basin about 20 minutes outside of Santa Fe and a great place to walk the dogs and find wonderful rocks and native plants. Nancy and Mike take the dogs there often.
Pristine white Oenothera Neomexicana or albicaulis ( not sure which ) toughs it out in very dry soil which also gets flash floods.
Atriplex canescens – Fourwing Saltbush – has these wonderful seed heads which I wish I had access to for large flower arrangements. I could see Brita using these on her jobs.
I was able to prune my sisters huge gorgeous mahonia that was very dense and bushy to expose the wonderful branching, and wall of the adobe house while still getting some shade as it overhangs the terrace.
Judy Espinar Garden – Santa Fe
Judy Espinar garden- Santa Fe
The three photos above are views of a wonderful garden Nancy McCabe designed for the co-founder of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, and good friend Judy Espinar. Judy is a visionary and collector of ceramics, as well as other folk art and delights in the esthetic of this informal and soothing garden.
Nancy McCabe and Judy Espinar – such a team – who made the early years of the Folk Art Market a marvel to behold. I worked with them for 13 years each summer and the impact of the artists from all over the world and the decor often brought tears to my eyes.
One of the participating artists described the original entrance, designed by Hayward Simoneaux, (owner of Todos Santos and 8 Million Gods ) @eightmilliongods as feeling like you were walking through the Gates of Heaven!
The market decorations aren’t what they used to be, but the artists and crafts there are still totally top notch, so if you’ve never been, it’s so worth a trip.
No shortage of chili ristras in New Mexico and I love how they can sell agave – no pot or dirt needed!
Luckily I got to make a clay pot with Nancy’s instructions. I sure hope we can source the clays needed to have her come up next summer and teach a class here. Of recent her clay supplier in California has had issues the past 4 months.
Class Information –
Both Patti Kings – Bojagi – The Art of Korean Patchwork and Kaili Plummer-Slates Pine Needle Basketry classes are sold out.
Patti will be offering a second all day class in Bojagi on January 7th 2023. Details latter when I can actually get the darn class registration links to work. Just hold the date at this point if you want to be in the class.
New Class Offering – Ramilleta Paper Crafts – Ornaments, Cards, Hangings – October 29th
I have added this class with a hopefully a link that will work. I will limit the class to 12 people.
If you can not get the link to work you can email me directly and I’ll give you other options for registering. It’s not convenient but I’ve not solved my links that automatically reduce the inventory available.
I hope all the issues I’m having does not deter you from signing up for the classes. I have to find someone else who can actually solve these issues. Until then you can email me and have patience if the classes fill.
I try hard to keep track of the order in which people contact me and make payments. The classes are worth it – that’s the bottom line.
You can pay me directly via PayPal to this email address: mfisher@whidbey.com
or through Venmo – @Mary-Fisher-212
Make a note of what you are paying for if you do it with either of those options.
Winter Arts & Crafts Market ( aka the old Holiday Open House )
November 25, 26, 27
December 3 & 4
10 am – 4 pm each day
Enjoy this odd long warm / dry weather – this too shall change.
Mary Fisher
www.cultusbaygardens.com
#cultusbaygardens
#maemaesew
7568 Cultus Bay Rd
Whidbey Island
Clinton WA
360-622-6275 – text if you have issues with the class registration.