MEET THE ANIMALS

My name is Nicole, and I live on 33 acres in California. I am a certified California Native Plant Landscaper and am in the process of getting a Certificate of Permaculture Design at Oregon State. Before that I spent 2 years studying architecture.

My lifelong passions have always been plants, animals, and art. I combine these into the unique blend that is Seeds and Scales. I wanted to turn my childhood home into a safe haven for our native plants and animals, rebuilding what the natural landscape looked like before farming and wildfires. I care for our property that was previously an agricultural, primarily poultry farm in an area that has historic wildfires dating back to when it was first settled. The land has been sprayed with chemicals, razed to the ground, and gone through numerous changes. I aim to restore it to its natural beauty and create a sanctuary for all, as it has been for me.

Inside, I live in an indoor jungle complete with frogs, lizards, and cats. Growing plants, making planted arrangements and living terrariums for my pets, designing gardens and outdoor spaces, and caring for animals are my primary hobbies. I love to learn about new things and share that knowledge with others. I am also an interdisciplinary artist and create art directly from the natural world. I am a potter and painter creating art from raw materials— harvesting wild clay, crafting my own inks and pigments, making paper from invasive thistles. I enjoy foraging and making use of all materials.