MINIATURE GARDEN NEWSLETTER

We Grow Our Own World.
~ Fall '07  ~

Hello Fellow Miniature Gardeners,

Having missed this summer's newsletter, it is a little reminder that we're still having some growing pains over here at Two Green Thumbs. Looking back, it was a comedy of errors that set us back throughout July and August, with deleted systems, unexpected delays and other external happenings that I let invade my own world. If life is a garden, I had to do some deep-down root pruning, rip out some major weed patches that I left to run amok, and replace some rotted growth with fresh, new plants ! But it always feels better afterwards, doesn't it? Now on to what's new:

We have new products in the store - and some old favorites are no longer accessible, much to my dismay. It's just a reminder if you like it, buy it when you see it. The supply chain in the world of miniature gardening is not always consistent: artists take breaks,  weather happens, and growers stop growing you fave little plants. But, hey, that's the fun of it and the thrill of the hunt!

And we have some yummy trees coming in September - It'll feel like the holidays around here when them come in this week! I've found some sweet miniatures and some that can be grown indoors too. I'll post them as soon as I'm done fawning over them - I promise!

Our latest special is the first of several different packages that we are working on. This starter kit consists of what you see below: a small sheet of patio bricks, a grapevine birdbath, a curved garden bench, 3 kiln-fired terracotta pots and a darling croquet set. Available in our store for only $25 - a 15% savings!

You can easily set this scenerio up in a pot you already have, to create that secret garden spot, or use it to make a complete miniature garden. A great idea for the college dorm room too. Personalize if further by adding a sculpture, doghouse or BBQ for fun!

Read on happy gardeners, , there's more!
Your fellow Miniature Gardener,
Janit

Give Straight From the Heart!

If you've been miniature gardening for at least one season, you know how easy it is to maintain - just add water! Now, you can take your new-found love and make gifts for the upcoming holiday seasons: Hostess gifts, centerpieces for Thanksgiving and the holidays, birthdays, weddings, or a simple gift for you favorite person.

This pot was a commissioned piece from Kelly, one of my dear customers (yes, I have the best customers in the world!). Kelly wanted to thank a friend of hers for letting her stay in her condo in Hawaii. The friend also lives up here in Seattle, so Kelly wanted the best of both worlds. We started with a water bowl and drilled a couple of holes for drainage. (Drill with a masonry bit {looks like the head of a shovel}, spray water on the drill bit while drilling to keep the bit cool while lubricating). The bowl on the left is about 22" in diameter.

As you can see in the photos on the right, the two gardens compliment each  other by using both sides of the trees and shrubs. On the Northwest side, the silvers of the Wooley Thyme and the Erodium compliment the gray-greens of both the Spruce and the Cypress. On the "Hawaiian side", cream colored gravel was laid around the "big" hens and chicks to emulate a tropical look. (We have miniature hens and chicks which is why we stress the 'big' - meaning regular sized.) The marble patio carries the same color tones, as the brick patio around the pool - creating a two separate themes in one cohesive pot. And note, that with the garden accessories, we were able to further define the two garden styles. There is more fun to be had in the planning and figuring out than in the giving, it seems! Miniature Gardening can be as big, or as small, as you like and there are enough plants around these days to do an indoor or an outdoor container for that special person on your list. You can really create a customized miniature garden with both the plants and the accessories - and really cinch the personality of the person you are giving it to.... and have fun doing it.

Yikes! Sun Bleached Accessories !?!?

I found out, quite by accident, that our new line of miniature garden accessories is not as sun fast as the manufacturer said it was. The color bleaches out in the sun.
I like to keep my word, so I'll gladly exchange your faded one for a new one.
Please get in touch. 

Here's a list of the items in question:

Miniature Footbridge - SR113
Tree Bench - FU122
English Garden Bench - FU121
White Rustic Chair - FU123
Stone Garden Door - SR118

~ If your item hasn't bleached yet, consider spraying a coat of UV spray on it.
Available at your local hardware store. ~

~ If it has bleached out, think about painting it for fun. Use bright colors: cyan blue, tangerine orange, sunny yellow or a tango red (shown below) will zap up any spot in your miniature garden... whether it's a bridge, bench or door. ~

~ All future items in this line will be UV'ed at our studio before shipment. ~

Where's Janit?

A few of you have been missing me at the local markets this past summer and for that, I apologize.

It takes a lot of work to set up a booth, tons of prepping and organizing to fit everything in the truck, to spend the time and gas driving out to the show or market, set up for the day - only to make a few bucks. Then to tear down, drive back , unload, resort, put away, all to do it again the next weekend. Try this with a living product that doesn't like to be bounced around constantly. Sound fun? 

For the past five years, the markets and small shows were a testing ground for me - not a viable, nor consistent, avenue for revenue. As the website gets busier and the popularity of miniature gardening grows, just know that you were a part of it. You supported the idea when we were on the city streets introducing the idea of miniatures to gardeners, and the idea of gardening to miniaturists - and the idea to everyone else!

You will now see me at the bigger garden and miniature shows throughout the local area. My online store is accessible 24/7. And, if I've met you before, your welcome to come by my home studio to have a look too. Just call me at: 206-352-0494.

True insanity is repeating the same actions
and expecting different results.

Tree Availability – 09 / 2007

4”  Liner Pots

1 Gallon Containers – for local pick-up only: