One of my favorite events each year is a pop-up with my friend and fellow artist, Tracy Finn (@tracyfinnart) Tracy brings her beautiful paintings, and I bring my hand painted ceramics. We set up a shared table in the most magical setting—our friend Susan’s garden, at Five Foot Flower Farm (@fivefootflowerfarm)
What started out as simple Saturday mornings, picking up bouquets of dahlias and zinnias, has blossomed into something much bigger. Growing new friendships, making connections and giving back. All of Susan’s flower sales benefit the Pan-Mass Challenge and cancer research, so every purchase feels like a small act of kindness. (We donate a portion of our proceeds to charity as well) The energy in the garden is contagious—people are smiling, generous, and connected. It feels good to be part of something and also to give back.
That’s my favorite part about being a maker. Yes, I love hand painting each piece, but it’s the people I meet and the connections we form that stay with me. These pop-ups are about more than ceramics or paintings or flowers—they’re about community, joy, and shared inspiration.
September always reminds me of this feeling. Just like a new school year or heading off to college, this season is about fresh starts—meeting new people, making new friends, planting new seeds, and growing into the communities that bring us joy. In many ways, it mirrors my own work in the studio: shaping something with intention, nurturing it, and watching it come to life.