About Janit
“When we create anything in miniature,it’s a reflection of ourselves.”
Owner, Two Green Thumbs
She’s an artist, a gardening
enthusiast all her life, and an entrepreneur with a joie de vivre that
makes just about anything come to life. As a passionate creator, with a
flare for producing pieces from simple concepts, images and objects,
Janit Calvo has “shrunk” the world of gardening….in
a good way.
As the owner and operator of Two Green Thumbs, a company she formed in 2004 after studying the art of gardening in miniature for four years prior, Janit has introduced miniature gardening to new hobbyists and supplied quality products and services to existing gardeners. In her own way, she has created a buzz for all things naturally small.
As the owner and operator of Two Green Thumbs, a company she formed in 2004 after studying the art of gardening in miniature for four years prior, Janit has introduced miniature gardening to new hobbyists and supplied quality products and services to existing gardeners. In her own way, she has created a buzz for all things naturally small.
At the booth during the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, 2009.
“I research what works then test it out…and focus on that,” says Janit.
“I have a ‘create-as-you-go’ style that leaves room for lots of individuality.”
She perfected her venture by
reading and researching about all aspects of the business and miniature
gardening. Every weekend for years, Janit
showcased and sold her art, including newly-produced miniature gardens,
under a canopies at street markets around Seattle, Washington and
connected with both locals and tourists. Janit’s unique and
personalized creations attracted many to her mini worlds. Word
gradually spread as people realized there was fun to be had. She
quickly set up TwoGreenThumbs.com to keep the connection going.
Still selling at street fairs and farmers market, Janit expanded her "road show" to a number of garden and miniature shows throughout the state. Eventually she was featured in the Seattle Times, Digs Magazine in 2006, and in national magazines specializing in dollhouse miniatures that same month, which pushed the trend further. She has since been featured in Chatelaine magazine, radio shows in the Minnesota and in the Seattle Times again, highlighting her booth at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.
“I’ve had people break into tears and hug me and thank me
for introducing them to mini gardening,” says Janit.
“It’s like bringing Mother Nature into their lives.”
for introducing them to mini gardening,” says Janit.
“It’s like bringing Mother Nature into their lives.”
Still selling at street fairs and farmers market, Janit expanded her "road show" to a number of garden and miniature shows throughout the state. Eventually she was featured in the Seattle Times, Digs Magazine in 2006, and in national magazines specializing in dollhouse miniatures that same month, which pushed the trend further. She has since been featured in Chatelaine magazine, radio shows in the Minnesota and in the Seattle Times again, highlighting her booth at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.
“I always wanted to work with beautiful things,” says Janit.
“I love nature, its patterns, colors….and being an entrepreneur
was attractive to me. It’s great to combine both.”
Since starting Two Green Thumbs
Miniature Garden Center, Janit has inspired people all over the world
and has instigated people to start their own miniature garden
businesses using her model. Now, nurseries and garden centers are
calling her for advice and resources on how to include this new level
of gardening into their stores.
Doing a demonstration for the Plain Garden Club here in Washington.
BUSINESS CREDENTIALS
Originally from Toronto, Canada,
Janit is a 1996 graduate of the Ontario College of Art & Design, a
prestigious college in Toronto known for its graduates who have
succeeded in architecture, animation, fine art and graphic design. She
says her eye for quality and visual stimulation began while working in
several family-run businesses including antiques, estate jewelry and
publishing. It was here that she honed her skills in photography, book
cover design and advertising. She also sharpened her business skills in
management and finance.
After 32 years in Canada, Janit’s passion for art and design launched her travels to England, Spain, Scotland, the U.S. east coast, Mexico, Dominican Republic, across Canada (she planted trees in B.C!), Jamaica and Costa Rica (where she met her husband). She moved to Seattle, Washington (the Evergreen State) in 2000 and worked at a local nursery before starting a greeting card business with her husband.
After 32 years in Canada, Janit’s passion for art and design launched her travels to England, Spain, Scotland, the U.S. east coast, Mexico, Dominican Republic, across Canada (she planted trees in B.C!), Jamaica and Costa Rica (where she met her husband). She moved to Seattle, Washington (the Evergreen State) in 2000 and worked at a local nursery before starting a greeting card business with her husband.
 |
 |
| "The photograph to the right was our first miniature
garden that lasted for 3 years with minimal maintenance. The wood box I made
for it fell apart before the garden did. "The scene is 10.5 wide and fooled the garden gurus at the nursery where I was working at the time. They thought it was a photo of a real, life-sized garden." |
 |
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
“Whatever you do make it fun,” says Janit.“I love learning new things. Getting creative and
combining the ‘real’ world…nature….with art
makes it that much more inspiring and enjoyable.”
So her love for nature took her
back to the soil, seeds and sunshine. She soon developed new and
improved ways of turning life-sized gardening into natural miniature
artistry. Motivated by seeing plants grow and flowers bloom, Janit
started Two Green Thumbs prior to 2004 after a life-changing moment. When out
for a walk on a gray day in Seattle, the illusion of a pink camellia growing
before her eyes, captured her passion for nature.
“I’m the type of person that sees beauty in lots of things,”
says Janit. “I can see potential in a broken twig.”
She says Two Green Thumbs is a
culmination of being the only mini garden center in the industry and
forging into new areas of creating inspiring, personable and attractive
art. “Teaching others how to garden in miniature is rewarding and
emphasizes my ‘grow your own world’ theory,” says
Janit.
WAY OF LIFE
Today, Janit is content with life
as a patient gardener who is driven by problem solving, innovation and
the art of perfection. She spends much of her time making mini
gardening accessible, affordable and personal to each customer. Beyond
gardening, Janit practices yoga, jogs, loves to cook and dabbles
in her fine art projects. Her first book is due out in September of 2010.
“My work is my life and my art,” says Janit.
“I’d like to grow the business until my heart takes me back
to my paintings and sculptures.
As for miniature gardening…I believe it’s a timeless hobby.”
Janit always brings something different to each show.
TWO GREEN THUMBS Today
In business for almost 7 years,
Janit Calvo has achieved great success by providing a warm and friendly
service of tried and true products that customers have been looking
for.
Today, the business offers:
• A complete online gardening center for browsing and purchasing
• Do-it-yourself Miniature Gardening Kits (quick, simple and easy-to-do)
• Online or by-phone miniature gardening consultations with Janit
• Miniature gardening resources
• The Garden Gazette: A monthly newsletter that contains tips and information on miniature gardening
"The hardest part of mini gardening is finding the right plants and accessories."
Today, the business offers:
• A complete online gardening center for browsing and purchasing
• Do-it-yourself Miniature Gardening Kits (quick, simple and easy-to-do)
• Online or by-phone miniature gardening consultations with Janit
• Miniature gardening resources
• The Garden Gazette: A monthly newsletter that contains tips and information on miniature gardening
Join our mailing list to receive The Mini Garden Gazette,
our monthly mini garden newsletter, to keep up-to-date on this site.