Translating Nature

Join us as we delve into the creative journeys of several artists who draw inspiration from the natural world. Together, these creators celebrate and preserve nature through their unique art forms. Discover these incredible artists and many more at the Holiday Show, December 4 – 7.

Meet Johnny from The Moss Shop, a talented creator who transforms the beauty of nature into stunning decorative pieces. Specializing in preserved moss bowls and art frames, Johnny’s work is a celebration of the great outdoors brought indoors. Each handmade piece features solid wood frames that showcase the vibrant, textured moss, allowing anyone to enjoy the essence of live plants without the upkeep. 

Tell us about your work.

Johnny: Each moss art frame is meticulously hand-assembled, starting with a layer of preserved moss as the canvas, upon which we add 100% natural elements like mushrooms, fern leaves, driftwood, etc, to create depth and texture. Using precision tools, we carefully place each component, securing them with eco-friendly adhesives to ensure stability without compromising the natural look. The final step involves a detailed cleaning and a protective sealant to enhance durability and maintain the lush appearance of the moss.

What do you enjoy most about creating?

Johnny: I am OBSESSED! with preserved moss. The idea of preserved moss is out of this world. The concept of ​​“live plants” in your home, without having to water or maintain it is mind blowing. It adds that extra creative visual to your home without any additional upkeep.

Was there a specific experience in your life that has sparked creativity?

Johnny: I’ve been entrepreneurial since I was 4 years old. I had started a mini casino (with those toy slot machines sold at the casinos back in the day) in my childhood apartment building. I grew up with not much, so the idea of ​​“what can I do to make money?” was always engrained in me, which led me to being creative with my work. 

Next, we explore the world of the inspired jewelry designer, Theresa Applegate, who transforms found objects from nature into exquisite wearable art through a meticulous casting process. After years as a high school art teacher, she embraced her passion for jewelry making, creating unique pieces that reflect her keen observation and love for the intricate details of the natural world.

Tell us about your creative process.

Theresa: My creative process starts with deep and close observation of my natural surroundings. Oftentimes I collect found objects and directly cast them into precious metals to transform the ephemera into wearable art. I pull molds and textures from everything everywhere all the time. I am always excited about the next thing I’m making. I wish I could manufacture time.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a jewelry designer?

Theresa: I have been a maker since early childhood when I foraged through the woods with my grandmother and dabbled with sewing and other crafts. I pursued a BFA in jewelry making at the Savannah College of Art and Design after which I became a certified art educator with a MAT in art education. I taught high school art for 12 years. After the stress of the pandemic, I had an honest conversation with myself and my husband about my life goals. I decided to take the leap and go full-time jewelry making! I haven’t looked back. 

What makes your work unique?

Theresa: My work draws attention to minute details and sometimes piques morbid curiosity. I am translating nature, but also transforming into bespoke, heirloom jewelry. People often ask me if I am a botanist, biologist, or entomologist when speaking with me about my work and I say no, I’m just an enthusiast and a nerd.

In this interview, we dive into the creative journey of a husband-and-wife team behind a boutique screen printing studio that specializes in functional art inspired by the beauty of nature. With each piece featuring original artwork meticulously hand-printed in their Wildwood, Missouri studio, they transform everyday items into vibrant expressions of the natural world, bringing a splash of joy and creativity to kitchens and homes.

What keeps you creating?

Amanda: I love creating art that people can use every day. There’s something truly special about bringing a bit of brightness and joy into someone’s kitchen — it’s what fuels our passion. At every art fair, there’s always at least one loyal customer who asks about our newest designs because they already have so many of our towels… and still want more! That kind of enthusiasm keeps me inspired. It challenges me to keep creating, to dream up fresh designs, and to keep filling homes with art that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
 
What led you to a creative career?

Amanda: After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in Film production, I explored a few different career paths, but nothing ever truly stuck — until 2009. That year, I bought screen printing classes as a gift for my fiancé. He ended up showing me what he learned, and something just clicked. I was instantly hooked.

That newfound obsession collided beautifully with my longtime love of nature and background in photography. Everything came together in 2010, when I launched Sprouted Designs and opened my Etsy shop. The more I printed, the more I fell in love with the process, the creativity, and the challenge of turning ideas into tangible, wearable art.

What makes your business unique?

Amanda: We are a super small shop — it’s just my husband and I and we do everything, not only do we create all our own original designs we also do all the screen printing ourselves. In addition, we hand screen print each item and use water-based inks which are more environmentally friendly and don’t have the stiff plastic feel that some inks do.

In this interview, we explore the captivating world of Jessie, a photographer who has a remarkable talent for freezing moments in time and sharing the beauty of the natural world. With each image, she blends storytelling, travel, and emotion, capturing landscapes and fleeting details that inspire others to connect with their surroundings. Jessie’s passion for photography is fueled by her adventures, and her work serves as an invitation for viewers to immerse themselves in the wonder of the places she discovers.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? 

Jessie: What I enjoy most is the ability to freeze a moment in time and share the beauty of the world as I see it. There is something incredibly fulfilling about capturing a landscape, a fleeting light, or a quiet detail that might otherwise go unnoticed and turning it into something that inspires others to explore and connect. What keeps me creating is the constant sense of wonder that comes from discovering new places and perspectives. Each adventure reignites my passion to tell stories through my lens and reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place.

What makes your work unique?

Jessie: My work is unique because I blend storytelling, travel, and emotion into every image. My photography goes beyond simply capturing a scene. It is about preserving the feeling of a place, the soul of a landscape, and the wonder of the moment. Each photograph is taken with intention, often during golden or blue hour, and crafted to transport the viewer into the story unfolding within the frame. My work is inspired by nature, adventure, and the beauty of the world, and I strive to make every piece feel like an invitation to explore.

What is an interesting, fun fact about you?

Jessie: When I am not behind the camera I work as a paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department, which gives me a unique balance between the fast-paced world of emergency medicine and the peaceful, creative side of photography. I am also a bit of a travel addict and love planning spontaneous adventures. I have been known to book a trip based on a single photo I want to capture or a view I want to experience in person.