Vickie’s Bloomers

Now …

This bounteous and blooming little planter bears scant resemblance to the one I bought in 2011. Then, it held fewer plants and those looked like mutant worm invaders from a sci-fi epic; I loved it upon sight. Later I met its maker, artist Vickie Perez, and found that she was expert at transforming rusted toys and other antique items into charming succulent planters. At a sale I hosted, she and husband Tom did very well, selling many of her creations. A post about their home (click here) has done very well, too; to date it’s received almost 1,500 views. And, my photos of Vickie’s pieces have been pinned onto innumerable Pinterest boards. So it really shouldn’t be a surprise that my little rusted toy wagon planter would grow up to be something special … What used to be sparse is now a tumble of finger-sized cactus in bloom for the first time — with blossoms so brightly scarlet their saturation is hard to capture with my point-n-shoot. Also hard to capture: A teeny carrion flower lookalike tucked behind the spiky specimens at top right. It’s dark maroon star-shape refused to be photographed clearly. As the day turns to dusk the large blooms clench shut … until they’re triggered into reopening once again by the morning’s light.

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As much as I love it today,  I can’t resist showing you my little planter as it looked two years ago … simply irresistible. Thanks, Vickie!

… then