Last Thursday Without Cars?

Last month, a group of people really shook things up at Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts District, here in Portland. They parked and abandoned cars at each end of the art walk, effectively turning Alberta Street into a pedestrian zone. Then, they handed out the flyer below, which explains that they were simply trying to draw attention to the fact that Alberta should be closed to traffic during Last Thursdays.

This unusual event, at which local artists display and sell their work anywhere that they can find an open piece of sidewalk, has become increasingly popular, but has also experienced some growing pains. Last year, in response to a rowdy party that had absolutely nothing to do with the artists, the police took out their frustrations by disallowing anyone to display their work under canopies. Meaning, now our work has no protection from rain or, at this time of year, the scorching sun.

Well, July 31st is Last Thursday, and it will be interesting to see whether or not Alberta is motorized from 7 to 10 pm!

Etsy Artist of the day:

Today we'd like to introduce you to Etsy artist Vanessa from Austin, Texas. Her "fun and feminine" jewelry, including the two pieces shown above, can be purchased in her Etsy shop called
Designs by Vanessa.

Thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!

Festival of the Arts This Weekend

This weekend is the 45th annual Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts.
Events will be held from Friday at 10:00 am through Sunday at 6:00 pm at the Lakewood Center for the Arts and across the street at George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego, Oregon. We will have six pieces on display (and for sale) in the open show, including the triptych of Portland's St Johns Bridge shown above. If you're in the Portland area, you won't want to miss this wonderful event, which is one of the premier annual art festivals in the northwest.

Etsy artist of the day:

Today we'd like to draw your attention to the beautiful work of Marla from Sea Glass Things in Salem, MA. Marla has been collecting, cultivating, and designing sea glass jewelry for over thirteen years. The glass and pottery used in her designs has been naturally tumbled by the surf, smoothing its edges and making it wonderfully semi-opaque.

You can see more of Marla's work and make a purchase by visiting her Etsy shop Sea Glass Things and her website .

Thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!

St Johns Bridge images © Mesman Images

The Rose Festival is Over

Well, we survived another two weekends of the Rose Festival. The massive Navy ships have come and gone. The Grand Floral Parade actually enjoyed decent weather for once. There was a near collision of two Dragon boats. Summer is officially here. Now, if it would just warm up a bit!

The collage shown above is one that we've created using some of our images of the Portland Japanese Garden. We love the fact that the giant pagoda lanterns are lit, a rare sight that we were lucky enough to see last fall. Prints of this collage are available via our Etsy listing.

Etsy Artist of the Day:

Our featured Etsy shop of the day is Dallas-based Kute Klipboards by Amy. Amy creates these unusual items by embellishing otherwise ordinary clipboards using a variety of materials. And, each one is truly unique, as she says that she's never repeated a design! You can purchase Amy's "Klipboards" here at her Etsy Shop.

Thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!

Japanese Garden Collage © Mesman Images

Writing Journals

One new product that we're creating this year is writing journals. Some have ruled sheets of paper, others contain blank paper for drawing, scrapbooking, etc.. Some of these journals can be purchased at the Mesman Images sister shop on Etsy, Mesman Too!

New "TTV" Images

We've been adding to our "through the viewfinder"/vintage-style images. These pink rhododendrons were captured during a recent visit to the Japanese Garden.

Thanks for supporting independent artists and buying hand-made!

Rhododendron images © Mesman Images

Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend

Here's wishing everyone a a wonderful three-day weekend! Of course, we'll be spending ours down at the Portland Saturday Market. While enjoying the time off, don't forget to think about all of the soldiers whom this holiday honors; the sacrifices made by them (and their families) should always be remembered and appreciated!

The image above is yet another version of one of our favorite Japanese Maples at the Portland Japanese Garden. It's amazing how these trees go through such a progression of colors throughout the seasons. This one was taken this spring.

Etsy Artist of the Day:

Today, we call your attention to artist Jennifer Desjardins, whose Etsy shop is known as Distressing Delilah's. Though the pieces shown here, called Winter Rose Necklace and Golden Love Necklace, are jewelry, Jennifer is also talented in other mediums, as you'll see when you visit her shop!

You can purchase these necklaces on Etsy:
Winter Rose Necklace
Golden Love Necklace

Visit Jennifer's shop at Distressing Delilah's.

As always, thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!

Japanese Maple at Portland Japanese Garden © Mesman Images

Packy the Elephant Mural is Being Destroyed

Each day that we sell at the Portland Saturday Market, we're right below the magnificent mural of the Oregon Zoo's celebrity Elephant, Packy. Sadly, the mural has been reduced to Swiss cheese as windows have been punched through the brick walls of the Skidmore Fountain Building as Mercy Corps builds their new world-wide headquarters. Soon, any trace of the mural will be gone for good.


The mural was painted in 1990, based on the winning submission, by Portland artist Eric Larsen, to a contest put on by the Oregon Zoo. Forty-six-year-old Packy, who enjoys rock star status in this town, has been a welcome sight to anyone crossing the Burnside Bridge or visiting Old Town. Mercy Corps has said that they will honor the memory of the Mural in the lobby of the renovated building. And, of course, we can still visit the real Packy at the zoo!

Etsy Item of the Day:

Today's featured Etsy item comes all the way from Sweden! "Copper Dance" is by Stockholm artist Maria Nyberg, whose Etsy shop is called Macrame By Maja.

Your can purchase these lovely earrings here: Copper Dance
See more of Maria's work in her Etsy shop: MacrameByMaja.

Thanks for supporting Etsy artists and buying hand-made!

Packy the Elephant Mural photos © Mesman Images