After working as a floral designer for 35 years, to now being retired and crafting beautiful mosaics, fused glass pieces, house signs, and working frequently in her own greenhouse, creativity is nothing new to Gina McSherry.
Owner and sole designer at Pretty Pots N Pieces, Gina took a class in both mosaics and fused glass before retiring and immediately fell in love. It is something she knew instantly was what she wanted to pursue in the next chapter of her life. Combining her degree knowledge in horticulture to these passions, Gina’s husband built her a greenhouse on their property. In her greenhouse, she grows herbs, succulents, lavender, green plants, and air plants. Additionally, she uses all organic soils and fertilizers when working in her greenhouse. Gina enjoys incorporating herbs with her mosaic pots and fused glass products.
“I thought it would be a good idea for people to have nice art and then be able to have something in the pot that they could use and eat,” Gina explained.
Gina reflected on how although all these hobbies have come together to form the perfect work combination for her, it is as if she runs three separate businesses because the plants, the mosaics, and the fused glass each require their own time and intricate attention.
Not only does she sell her pieces at the Monroe Street Farmers Market and different markets around the area, Gina also participates in art shows and has both a personal website and an Etsy site to sell her unique art.
“I really do love the Monroe Street Farmers Market. The customers there are so welcoming and really like my mosaic pots, my art, and the plants and herbs,” Gina stated when reflecting on what drew her to the Monroe Street Farmers Market.
Gina’s most popular items are her flower stakes due to their vibrant and sparkly colors. The bullseye glass that Gina uses in her fusing is the reason for the beautiful, bright colors of these pieces. These products are often sold out when she attends art shows.
Gina loves the business she has created for herself, and although it is hard work, it is incredibly rewarding. Thinking about her favorite part of what she does, there are multiple things Gina mentioned such as the ability and freedom of being in business for herself, and the connections she makes with customers when they admire and appreciate her work.
“The creative process of making the mosaics and the fused glass is also something I really enjoy,” Gina added.
We encourage you to check out more of Gina’s work on her website https://prettypotsnpieces.com, and contact her if you are interested in picking out a piece of glass or a specific herb for a mosaic pot. Gina allows customers to come to her home and pick out items based on their unique interests. And as always, come visit Gina and her beautiful art at the Monroe Street Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Edgewood parking lot!