At Fernseed... things discarded, unwanted, and unloved become new again, with imagination, a fresh coat of paint and some good, old-fashioned, blue-collar elbow-grease.
We are about reclamation.
Monday, February 8, 2010 
This is a beautiful piece of work by Dan Caven, who is an artist featured currently at Fernseed. He uses all reclaimed materials (trash ) (note paint can and large nail). Dan is part of the Crucible and creates his own illuminated gas lamps for his art. I love this piece. Personally, I call it "Lady Justice Out of Balance." Incredibly beautiful. 750-
Monday, February 8, 2010 
We believe reusing is the first and best sustainable practice before other practices. These small ink-well'esque mini vases were created from tequila bottle toppers (1800 Tequila)... We sell them with ferns and succulents, both eco-friendly plants because they require very little water and maintenance... 4-
*Did you know fern is a prehistoric plant and the first to have a vascular system? Cool little fact or what?
Saturday, February 6, 2010 
Messenger-style bag designed and hand-created by Laura Pohjola of Fernseed, a Dimond District designer and artisan. 100% scrap fabric. Made in the USA. 49-
Saturday, February 6, 2010 
Necklaces on adjustable leather cord created using unwanted hippie earrings... (And single earrings.) Designed and hand-made in the Dimond District, Oakland, by David Thorp. 12-
Saturday, February 6, 2010 
Terrariums created from retained and reclaimed glass vessels using locally grown succulents. 12- to 40- depending on size, materials and design time.
Friday, February 5, 2010 Many know and many may not know, we rescue a lot of items from landfill, in hopes they find homes, which hopefully slows down landfill build-up, in order to let Mother Nature correct 'issues'. Yup. Here are a few new items. They are sold very inexpensive "as is," then the price goes up when we have to restore or refab. We charge for labor, less for materials... We believe we do not need new raw materials. That is who we are... Fernseed.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 
An old, worn-out and dysfunctional silver-plated pot that was abandoned at our door.... Gets a new coat of paint to keep it from our landfill. Instead, if becomes a beautiful bowl that carries drought-tolerant "flowers" (succulents)... carried by three cupids... Bowl is about 8" wide and 3.5" high, not including flowers. A very old rock is included with the succulent garden. 32-
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 
Wicker samplers (often thrown away after a remodel project) were repurposed as canvas to create wall decor using all found objects: fake plants, pin, metal dragonfly and plastic flamingo. By Laura Pohjola of Fernseed. 10- each or 24- for the three.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 
Pressed Gerarium leaves used for stenciling, then reclaimed and used as art for greeting cards. Hand-made by Kristine Dang. 2-
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 
This is my favorite of Dan Caven's work, currently featured at Fernseed. It is part of his Found Objects collection.
Why we love Dan? Because his mission is "to liberate paint, rescue trash, and illuminate gas--all at the same time, when necessary."
We heart reclamation artists.
To see more of Dan's work, please visit DanCaven.com.
1 of 1 original art is available for 450-
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Succulents last longer than roses,
And environmentally better too.
Locally grown succulent cuttings in refabbed votive holders, shot glasses, vases, cachepot and fancy bowls. This Valentine's Day, please consider buying locally grown, drought-tolerant arrangements instead of roses. (See note). Prices range from 6- to 45-, depending on size and labor-of-love time.
Note: Most roses (and tulips) during Valentine's Day are purchased from overseas, air-freighted in, shipped in refrigerated containers, store in refrigerated warehouses, then shipped in refrigerated trucks to your local florists or grocery store. Please consider the environment and imports dependency when you create demand for products like these.
Fernseed supports succulents because they can be grown anywhere, are drought-tolerant and love neglect.
Monday, January 25, 2010 
Art by Laura Pohjola of Fernseed. Vintage toy cars mounted in repainted wooden bowls. 100% reclaimed. 20- each or 75- for the set.
Sunday, December 13, 2009 
This was a rescued loveseat, cute as can be, but damaged. We first try to clean the upholstery. If this does not work, we then try to patch. If this does not work, we send it off for reupholstering. Our super cool, hip magazine-holding loveseat now has a a velvet'ish exterior. The bent aluminum base is original and untouched. $495
Sunday, December 13, 2009 ;)
New arrival. A rescued chair gets the royal velvet treatment. Reupholstered with scrap upholstery fabric in a blue-gray. Original wood structure. New tacks. $495
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 
Just in today... A chrome-framed sofa from Lloyd Manufacturing (1938-1940 under Heywood Wakefield) with new, refabbed cushions in micro-suede red and purple vinyl piping over original spring core cushions and new foam.
The red direction was our attempt to fulfill one of our "wish list" items from a couple who visited our store last week. We thank them for providing great design direction... The red looks absolutely amazing!
By the way, this is Laura. Our new, super, amazing associate at Fernseed. As you can see in this image, she did not want to leave the sofa...
We have yet to tidy-up the chrome framing (which requires some polishing). The sofa is currently at $995. Once we finish touching up the chrome frame, the price will increase to $1,150. We give the option to you, the customer, to buy it now at $995 or wait until later.
*Fernseed will offer items in their different refab stages in order to offer our customers the best pricing possible.
Friday, August 21, 2009 
Marshall's "Hood Honey" is made with Oakland-procured honey. It's the only honey I know that is Oakland-only, though there exists many brands for "Bay Area" and "Northern California". As a seasoned user of this product, I can provide true testimony our Oakland bees make very tasty honey, indeed.
Aside from being yummy, there is another benefit worth mentioning. Some studies support the theory that we can build resistance to pollen-related allergies by ingesting local pollen. Oakland bees + Oakland pollen = "Hood Honey".
I also like sending these to friends outside of Oakland. It's that proud-in-Oakland thing I have going on.
This all-natural, pure, grade-a, unfiltered, raw honey is now available for purchase at Fernseed. Yay.
Friday, August 14, 2009 
Photo: Colin Vincent
Designed and hand-made by artist/designer John Zane of San Francisco, these fantastic 4-5 ft. lanterns were created from abandoned hula hoops and fabric post Burning Man. We have eight lanterns available for purchase at $195-$295 each. John will also feature costumes made from found and scrap fabric. (They're amazing!)
Join us next Saturday, August 22, to meet John and our house DJ's. Free music and cocktails. Party starts when our door opens at 10am and ends ???
Above: Previously-owned Room & Board Sofa Day Bed $800, Faux Fur Rocking Chair $50, mountable Camo Cubes $45 each.
August 16: Only one Camo Cube now available. Sofa Day Bed sold. Faux Fur Rocking Chairs sold.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 
This is one of our favorite products - Reclaimed apothecary jars have been re-purposed into striking (figuratively and literally) match boxes. The bottom of each jar has been etched to create a strike-able surface. Amazing sustainable creativity by designer Jen Pearson, who will be premiering her collection of reclaimed products and art at our opening on July 18. Small $15 (only 1 of 6 available). Large $20.
Interested in one but can't make it to the shop? You can order online here.
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