In my last blog I asked you to share your flower photos, and I’m excited to feature these gorgeous images from my dear friend, Karen!

As I’ve mentioned before, Karen and I are heading to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC this summer. If you think these flower photos are beautiful, just wait…there are definitely more flower pictures ahead! Thanks so much, Karen, for sharing these amazing blooms and a little burst of spring color.

Saguaro Cactus Blossoms

Soft white blooms popping out along the towering saguaro cactus beneath a brilliant Arizona sky.

Lady Finger Cactus

Bright magenta flowers glowing like little desert jewels.

Easter Lily Cactus Flowers

Delicate pink-and-white blooms softening the rugged desert landscape.

Torch Cactus Blooms

Bold fuchsia flowers create a dramatic splash of color among cactus and agave.

Claret Cup Cactus Flowers

Fiery red-orange blooms that light up the spring desert and attract hummingbirds.

Iceland Poppies

Layers of cheerful orange and gold petals dancing in the breeze.

Desert Gold Poppies

A hillside filled with golden poppies beneath a beautiful California mountain sky.

Queen of the Night Cactus Flower

Large fragrant blooms that open for just one magical night.

Glass Art Interpretation of the Queen of the Night, Night Blooming Cereus with 3d perspective

Inspired by the legendary Queen of the Night cactus flower, this dimensional fused glass piece captures the rare beauty of a bloom that appears for only a single evening each year. Layers of flowing green glass, sculptural petals, and raised floral details create movement and depth, while the standoff mounting allows light and shadow to become part of the artwork itself.

Contemporary yet organic, the piece celebrates the magic and mystery of the desert in bloom.

Created for a recent art competition here is my glass interpretation of the Queen of the Night. So sorry I did not get accepted but love the glass art rendition. Click the image below for more information.

Enjoy the images, and please leave a comment. I always love hearing from you!

Love, Mary

As I was growing up I never realized what an important role she played in my life. As I matured and reflect back I now understand. As a younger child she taught how to sew, to cook simple meals and make the famous chocolate-banana birthday cake. There’s no real secret to this cake but it became the family favorite with one exception. It was many later years that I found out my younger sister, Patti, never liked the cake through all the birthdays including her own! Here is a simple rendition of this cake creation.

One of my favorite times with my mom was having her travel with me around the Norfolk area to pick up at the drapery workroom and other stops for decorative supplies. I lived about 2 hrs from her so as I was driving to her apartment I would call and let her know I was about to go through the downtown Norfolk tunnel. She would say: “I’m putting on my shoes and I’ll meet you at the front door.” She was always eager to spend all day with me with a brief stop for a bite to eat, often at Doumar’s. We would then finish the day with browsing through a clothing shop or thrift store for special finds. Boy, do I miss those days!

Now as a mother and grandmother I treasure our family. Since we do not reside near each other we try to get together several times a year, especially at Christmas! Here is Christmas, 2025.

Treasure your days together!!!

Recently, I have had slower relaxing days in the glass studio, a nice long walk at a quiet beach in CA, building a succulent terrarium and enjoying my ever changing garden.

We are looking forward to a trip to Victoria BC in July, where flowers are everywhere, even in hanging baskets on the lamp post!

I have to have my flower fix and I get to share this with my good friend, Karen, who loves flowers as much as I do. Of course there will be a visit to the world renown Butchart Gardens!

Speaking of flowers… HERE is my latest addition to the sculptural flower pieces.

There is a new piece I just completed and submitted for jurying for an art competition for works related to the Queen of the Night.  I will share soon once it gets closer.

Show me your flowers! I  would love to see any of your flower photos!  Please share!  It will make my day!

Happy Mother’s day to all who are mons, grandmothers, pet mothers, and all!

Much love! Mary

If you’ve been following along over the past few weeks, you know I’ve been immersed in some very special art experiences.

In early March, I began preparing for and installing my two-week solo show at the DeGrazia Little Gallery. This is a unique opportunity offered to artists on a rotating basis, allowing them to exhibit in the historic Little Gallery at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun. The small adobe structure, built in the 1940s, was originally created to showcase Ted DeGrazia’s work.

The Little Gallery

Exhibiting in this space felt truly special. I had visited the gallery before to see other artists’ shows, but when I was offered the opportunity, I wasn’t sure how my colorful, contemporary glass would live within such a rustic setting.

To my surprise, it became a beautiful collaboration. The textured adobe walls and the light-filled glass worked together in a way I hadn’t imagined. The smiles and reactions from visitors were more than I could have hoped for.

On the final day, as we were packing up, sunlight streamed through small colored glass windows and filled the room with shifting color. It felt like a quiet, unexpected goodbye. For someone who doesn’t often lean into the mystical, it was a magical moment!

Next came preparation for the second annual Garden Art Party. The garden required more attention than I had anticipated, but it came together just in time for the artists to install their work.

We welcomed around 225 guests that day. It was incredible!!

Once again, this gathering filled me with joy. I had jokingly asked my Red Torch Cactus (Echinopsis huascha) to perform for the occasion—and it did. It became the star of the show.

It was a pleasure to share the garden, the art, and time with so many of you. A special thank you to the talented artists, Janice, Malu, Patty, Robin and Sally, who made it all come together. The mix of work and energy felt just right.

And thank you to everyone who came—for the conversations, the connections, and your support of handmade work.

Stay in touch to see what comes next.

Much love, Mary

Many thanks to all who made my two-week exhibit at The Little Gallery at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun such a memorable experience.

I had the pleasure of meeting visitors from across the U.S., Canada, and even as far away as southern France. The smiles and exuberance shared throughout the show were truly priceless.
It was a privilege to exhibit in such a historic and inspiring setting. Ettore “Ted” DeGrazia made a lasting impact on the arts in Tucson, and being part of that legacy, even briefly, was meaningful. Read his brief biography here!

A special thank you to the management and staff for their support (including a much-appreciated swamp cooler that kept the little adobe gallery comfortable in 100-degree temperatures!)

To all the new and familiar faces who visited — thank you. I hope we stay in touch as I continue creating colorful, joyful work.

One final moment I’ll carry with me: as we packed up early Saturday, sunlight streamed through the small colored glass windows in the adobe walls, casting unexpected patterns of color across the space. A perfect and magical ending to the two weeks.

I look forward to what’s next within this incredible Tucson art community. Next up: 2nd Annual Garden Art Party April 11 | 10 AM – 3 PM Featuring six local artists More details to come!

Thanks!

Mary

Step into a world where sunlight dances through color and glass becomes a living expression of the Sonoran Desert.

Experience:

Opening Reception
Friday, March 8
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: 6300 N Swan Road, Tucson
Free and open to the public

About the Artist:
Mary Sherwood is a fused glass artist and former interior designer whose work is deeply inspired by the Sonoran Desert, garden life, and her lifelong love of color. Her art brings vibrant, joyful energy into homes, gardens, and everyday living spaces.

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Remember the raised garden beds from our April Garden Party? (Catch up here.) The growth has been incredible—like something out of a fantasy garden. The bins are thriving despite the heat, and it’s been so fun to watch them take off.

This summer, we also hosted GiaMia & G-Dad Camp with our 7-year-old grandson, Jackson. What a difference a year makes! He’s become a true train engineer (with a little help from G-Dad) and a master fort builder. His pillow fort even turned into a private Harry Potter reading cave—how perfect is that?

Jackson continued to create in the glass studio, and let’s just say some lucky friends and family are getting handmade ornaments this Christmas.

To escape the Tucson heat, we spent a few days in Santa Monica. I always stop by my favorite neighborhood garden—thank you, Brooke, the owner, for keeping it so gorgeous!

Back in the studio, I had fun painting a pair of ivory sneakers—summer is never complete without a playing with paints, glass or whatever-just for fun!

And some exciting news: our Wavy Garden Stakes are now available at T Clifton Art Gallery in Memphis! Huge thanks to Pat for including our glass alongside so many beautiful works. Check it out here.

Now, it’s time to welcome fall—cooler temps, football, tailgates, fall colors, and of course…Halloween!

Enjoy this long Labor Day weekend!!!

All the best!

Mary

Shortly after, we introduced a new garden sculpture, Rocket Man, to the website. The name came to me as the Beatles blasted in the studio—yes, I sang along and knew every word! This vibrant piece is full of movement and energy. Click here for more details on Rocket Man.

Mid-May to mid-June brought a wave of travel. I headed to North Carolina to reconnect with dear friends. I scooped up my BFF, Patsy, and we hit the road—visiting favorite old spots and spending time with Yvonne/Steve and Brenda/Quinn. It was a trip filled with laughter, seafood, stories, and the kind of connections that only comes with lifelong friends.

Back in Arizona, I had the pleasure of creating heart garden stakes for a retirement celebration—each one placed in the table centerpieces, spreading love and color.

Next, it was off to Colorado for a long-overdue sibling reunion with my sister Patti and brother Elvan. We hadn’t all been together in far too many years! I also stopped in to see our former Arizona neighbors, Karen and Marion, in their new Colorado home. It’s a beautiful space that perfectly suits their mother-daughter lifestyle—shared yet separate. We made a wonderful visit to the Denver Botanical Garden and The Flower Pot garden center.

Now back home, with the thermometer exceeding 100°, Paul and I are escaping to the cool breeze of Santa Monica for a few days. We’re looking forward to peaceful beach walks and a quick visit with Jake, Elif, and Jackson.

In other news, I recently entered the Wraptious Summer Cushion Competition! Keep an eye out for my entries on the Wraptious Facebook page. Every like or purchase earns the artist points—and I’d be honored if you supported my designs. I’ll share the link as soon as it goes live. The talent among the featured artists is truly inspiring!

Vote Here

Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying cool. We’re not the only ones dealing with extreme heat—so stay hydrated, wear your sunscreen, and take care of yourselves and others.

With love, Mary

Spring flowers are much more subtle here in the desert southwest.  But what the native plants produce is stunning such as the 5′ flower frond of the 8′ Mojave Yucca!

Mother’s Day has a special place in my heart including how we tried to make that day so special for my mom and grandmother as we were growing up.  Fast forward many years and that special day each year became one of the most well attended events we had at the lake store, Mary Sherwood Lake Living.  Here is a peek at the events’ buffets.  The food was alway a big draw!

Also, the day touches my heart because I lost my mom, Frances, on May 10, 2008, the eve of Mother’s Day.  She was always in attendance and enjoyed the events and socializing with moms and families.  Looking back I see this as a very special time in my life as well for those who attended.

With Mother’s Day and flowers bubbling around in my head I came up with two gift suggestions that may ease your “what to buy Mom” dilemma.  If ordered this week, the cosmetic and /or the tea towel can be delivered by Mother’s Day via a USPS Priority Mail box.  Click the link below the pictures for more info.

As a way to make Mother’s Day more special for a few moms, another artist and I are doing a short “Make Your Own Nightlight Workshop” at a local Hilton on Saturday, May 10.  This workshop is made available to their weekend guests.  This resort knows how to celebrate “Mom” with an amazing brunch and all day activities.  If you are in the Tucson area check out their Mother’s Day brunch, on Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, reservations required. We are so pleased to be involved in another event making Moms happy!

If I don’t get back to you before Mother’s Day I hope you make someone happy and have a wonderful day as well!

Hugs and Kisses!

Mary

Whether you were mingling among the garden or couldn’t make it this time, we hope you enjoy a few snapshots of the party people, the artists, and the art that made the day shine.

Will this become a semi-annual or annual tradition? That’s still up in the air—but for those who joined us for this inaugural event, we’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you’d be interested in more gatherings like this.

For now, we’re kicking back for a few days and letting the next creative idea take root.

Thanks and love to all,
Emily, Malu, Mary, MaryAnne and Patty

Let me share the story of how Adam and Eve found their way into our garden. Back when I had my business in North Carolina, I was blessed with two incredible friends and colleagues, Patsy and Michelle. For my birthday in March of 1995, they dreamed up the idea of these sculptures as a surprise. Michelle’s husband, a talented welder, brought them to life. What a gift—one full of creativity, love, and meaning. Over the years, Adam and Eve have traveled with us from garden to garden, always adding a playful spirit wherever they land. But here, basking in the sunlight entwined in the Tangerine Crossvine, they seem perfectly at home.

Art has a magical way of capturing moments and memories. Whether it’s a sculpture, a painting, or a handmade treasure, the pieces we cherish most often remind us of people we love or milestones we hold dear. Adam and Eve do just that for me—a timeless reminder of friendship and joy.

I invite you to celebrate the joy of art and the beauty of the garden with us this Saturday, April 12! For event details, visit: marysherwoodlifestyles.com/lets-party2

Adam and Eve are ready—and we hope you are too! See you Saturday!
With love,
Mary