Grown up Easter basket picks for the kid-at-heart (three ways): A Self-Care Basket filled with: – A lavender eye pillow for soothing strained eyes – Body oil for sandals and short sleeve season – A journal for quiet contemplation – A suncatcher for catching rainbows – A pretty woven basket that can be repurposed around the house – Bath salts  – An art print that reminds her of her favorite flower A Basket Full of Grown-Up Treats: – A dried flower arrangement (that will last forever) – Gummy candy that both grown-ups and kids love – A colorful notepad for keeping track of all the things – A sparkling non-alcoholic drink for the evening or Easter dinner – A sweet and savory popcorn mix – A pretty reusable woven basket for now and library books later A Basket Full of Cute Things & A Relaxing New Hobby: – A watercolor workbook for an easily accessible new project – Watercolor paints to make it colorful – Watercolor brushes for those who are ready to go the next level – Swedish fish candy for a little treat – The sweetest floral taper candles for bringing spring indoors – London Fog drink concentrate for an afternoon pick-me-up – A pretty striped woven basket (that can collect mail in the future)

• I have 5 Spots Left for Monday’s Flower Arranging Class – You Can Sign Up Here
• I have 4 Spots Left for Tuesday Evening’s Terrarium Class – You Can Sign Up Here

This Wednesday April 9th from 6pm-8pm, local fine artist Ji Ahn Kang will be at the Gather Goods Co shop with a handful of her fine art pieces and prints. You can meet her and learn a little about her process which she will be demoing at this casual, laid back event. This is a perfect time to stop by the shop if our typical hours of Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm don’t allow you to come by due to work or other obligations. Feel free to stop by and let us know here if you’re coming.

Here are some of her pieces which can be purchased online in the Gather Goods Co shop or in-person:

I sat down with Ji Ahn and talked with her a little about how she came to this particular art style which looks like cake art but is actually made with a hard, resinous paint material. You can watch that video below:

You can also see a funny blooper reel here. Hope to see you at the shop on Wednesday evening!

I am so happy that spring has finally arrived. From this day forward until it gets too hot you will find me with the windows open, hands in the dirt, coaxing green things out of the ground and in pots. Here is a round-up of some spring-inspired things in the shop:

• A relaxing paint by number kit where you can put overthinking aside
• A beautiful art print in soft colors featuring the stars of spring: peonies
• A whimsical tulip shaped candle holder
• Taper candles in dusty mauve 
• Peach colored taper candles with flowers on them for a little 80’s Laura Ashley style flair
• A deck of different flowers to fill your pollinator garden and help nurture your green thumb
• Lemon candles for a zest of fun
• A greenish yellow glass candle holder that also doubles as a flower bud vase
• A fun sock choice
• The brightest and boldest yellow spotted glass for a candle, pencils, a drink
• A sweet garden-inspired watercolor workbook
• A floral inspired puzzle full of spring blooms
• A green and white striped dessert plate
• A dainty and cute strawberry necklace
• Garden pruners for cutting back plants and keeping in your pocket all season
• A bright pink woven basket for flowers, vegetables, storing library books and toting them too
• A cool retro inspired green coupe glass

While it’s hard to pick favorites, these are some of my personal favorite things in the Gather Goods Co shop. I’ve created a gift guide with even more of my picks here.

Here are some highlights:

• A brown ceramic pie plate, and brown hand blown glasses that are just gorgeous and a great shape and size (they also come in coupe glasses too)
• A black opal and onyx stone necklace for embracing the dualities and yes/and bits of life, the world and yourself
• A book by the new-to-the-scene interior designer who helped usher in the new interior aesthetic that feels just right
• A brass bunny hook for hanging up dog leashes and bags by the door
• Black copal incense for a nuanced and smokier scent
• A peony colored mesh bag for taking on errands and the farmers market (also available in a variety of colors)
• A gorgeous locally made sling bag that will replace all other bags that you own
• A beautifully sleek rose colored water pitcher/carafe
• A handsome jade green glass mug for deskside tea
• A needlepoint that is both easy and intensive for slowing down
• The sweetest tiny dish with a moon face on it, and a crescent moon brass ornament for adorning the tree or your wall
• An elegant stemless flute glass with a subtle pebbled glass texture
• You can’t go wrong with any candle in this line and I carry a variety of scents in the shop, this one is one of my favorites
• A non-alcoholic sparkling rose with elderberry
• The tastiest granola with tumeric and seeds for adding to your morning yogurt
• A board game for phone free evenings and quality time. Great for two players but also can be played with more as well. I’ve even got expansions too.

Today is the first day of early voting in Wake County, North Carolina. If you bring in your “I Voted” sticker between now and Tuesday November 5th to Gather Goods Co you’ll get 20% off your order, good for one transaction.

You can get all of these items in the shop and online too: Votes For Women t-shirt (runs large), Vote art, Vote mug, Vote Pin, Vote Your Values Pin, Votes For Women Sweatshirt

I am teaching a dried flower wreath class at Gather Goods Co in downtown Cary on Monday September 23rd at 6pm. Students will be able to choose from a 10″ grapevine wreath base or a gold metal one with a wide variety of colorful dried flowers to choose from. There are still spaces left if you would like to join. You can sign up here.

I’ve rounded up some dried flower wreath inspiration to get the creative ideas flowing:

By Solabee Flowers

By RoseGolden

By Studio Choo

By MoonCanyon

By Swallows and Damsons

By Solabee Flowers

By Swallows and Damsons

A round-up of summery items from the Gather Goods Co shop for relaxed, outdoor (or indoor near an air conditioner) celebrating. This week we are open Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun from 11am-5pm but will be closed Thursday for the 4th. Hope you are enjoying a little respite and a vacation state of mind this week.

• Blue and white melamine plates are reusable and unbreakable for eating al fresco.
• Tomato candles for adding a little whimsy to your tablescape.
• A mustard colored mesh bag for carrying all the produce from the farmers market home.
• A perfectly packable baseball hat for deflecting those sun rays.
• Stackable and chic these green acrylic cups are perfect for packing on a picnic.
• A 6-pack of a bubbly non-alcoholic red wine in cans for portability.
• Green algae coasters for preventing stains from cold beverages.
• A picnic inspired puzzle for working steadily away at in between other things.
• A glass can for holding iced drinks with a colorful reminder that baby steps add up.
• Pretty cheese spreaders and knives for all the snack and charcuterie trays.
• A glass pitcher with a delicate etched motif for lemonades, iced tea and cocktails.
• Striped towels that double as blankets, table cloths, cover-ups, you name it.