Twelve years ago I saw an unpainted leaf casting and was intrigued. A leaf cast involves capturing the intricate vein detail from a LIVE leaf into cement and creating a "fossil" or stone replica.

I learned everything I could and began experimenting. (Reading about cement is not exciting but suggested.) Within 4 months, I had cast 400 leaves ranging from 4 inches to 4 feet in size and using over 60 different types of leaves.

To satiate my craving for various leaf types, I met gardeners from all over town and traded gift cards for the fruits of their green thumbs. I stopped when the snow arrived a week before Thanksgiving.

Since then I have cast thousands of leaves. Unlike the first leaf I saw which was unpainted, I finish my pieces in variety of natural and iridescent looks. Each piece is entirely different in shape, size, curvature and colors.

In 2011, I started numbering each leaf to ensure I could send precisely the leaf you see in the listing images. This also enabled me to create custom, or complimentary, matching pieces on demand as every piece is photographed and cataloged.

A few years ago, I narrowed my focus to birdbaths, feeders and garden art including planters and pond drippers. The majority of my garden items are designed to stand above the flowers and shrubs so they can both add color and function to any garden. They are designed and sealed SPECIFICALLY to hold water or bird food.

My largest is a 6 foot wide Gunnera leaf (the plant is nicknamed "Dinosaur Food" since a single leaf grows to 9 or 10 feet wide). Jorge (as I call him) has been cast in white cement and is, in essence, my white elephant.

I do not teach classes but instead create many pieces so each person can find something perfect for their garden. I usually bring 70-100 pieces to every show which during the gardening season. To provide that variety involves packing, toting and displaying 400 pounds or so at every show.

My items are made from actual concrete (with special additives). This makes my product stronger versus using pricey plaster-based products which cast intricate detail but chip easily and do not work well with standing water.

All pieces are measured straight across the top from edge to edge (not into the bowl and up again - but the largest exterior dimensions to fit in a box). Over a thousand pieces have been sold and shipped on Etsy, yet only 8 pieces have been broken!

If I can create something special for an anniversary, housewarming or other special event please let me know. I hope to inspire a love of nature everywhere.

For more ideas on finishes available please contact me so we can go over the many possibilities and I can direct you to pieces I've done in the past!