Wing Man. Jeff Jacobs’ delicate “fan birds” become even more stunning with the revelation that each one is carved from a single block of wood—no glue or assembly required. A carpenter by trade, the Arlington resident says he learned the technique back in 1987 from master folk artist Glen Van Antwerp, who was giving a demo that year at the Smithsonian Craft Festival. Jacobs’ intricate process involves carving, sanding, soaking, splitting and burning a piece of yellow Alaskan cedar, eventually coaxing wafer-thin slices of wood into the form of a bird in flight. You’ll find him demonstrating his craft most Saturdays at Eastern Market in D.C., where he sells these winged beauties for $150 each.
Now and Zen. Lovers of Japandi—a minimalist style blending elements of Japanese and Scandinavian design—will find it hard to resist Christina Foy’s orbital kokedama ($25 and up), houseplants with moss-wrapped root balls that can hang suspended in the air or happily perch in mini metal “plant hammocks” ($15). Foy’s repertoire also includes air plants, macrame hangers and “living wall art” creations that tuck live flora into bits of salvaged driftwood. Shop her Arlington business, Plants & What Knot, at area pop-up events, and at plantsandwhatknot.com.
Stem Subject. Wondering what to do with those early spring blossoms you accidentally chopped while doing yardwork? Turn them into a pretty arrangement with a porcelain topped flower frog ($30) from Persimmon Street Ceramics. Artist Heather Lezla’s hand-hewn home goods also include speckled flowerpots, plant markers for herb gardens and ceramic wall hangers for dried flower arrangements. Discover her latest creations at The Urban Farmhouse, Botanologica, Shop Made in VA, the Freeman Store Museum and online at etsy.com/shop/persimmonstreet.
Elevate It. Encourage those trailing houseplants to do their thing by giving them room to dangle. Made by hand in Culpeper, these elegantly tapered plant stands ($150-$375) from Hardwood Artisans come in a variety of shapes, sizes and wood types, including maple, birch, red oak, cherry and walnut. You can usually spy them on display at the company showroom in the Village at Shirlington, or order one to your preferred specifications at hardwoodartisans.com.
Deep Breath. Liven up your living space with some leafy new friends and enjoy the oxygen boost. At Botanologica in Falls Church, proprietor Sarah Orrison will happily pot whatever greenery strikes your fancy, from lush ferns and perky succulents to the ever durable marble queen pothos. Live plants in her charming boutique start at $10, while ceramic pots are $22 and up. The merch also includes gardening essentials such as watering cans, seed packets, spritzers, pruning shears and plant food.