Workshops

Words & Photography
by Christiann Koepke

Hello, I’m Christiann, a Portland-based photographer, stylist, recipe developer, writer and blogger behind Portlandfresh.com where I showcase my immense love for the art behind crafting incredible food. Alongside my curation of developing and capturing recipes with my camera, I interview fellow creatives and local events to open up the creative culture behind people’s passion and individual craft.

I recently attended a workshop in downtown Portland at Tillamook Station, hosted by the amazing Cherie of La Fleur Kitchen. It was a Saturday afternoon well spent, as a small group of us slowed down to make something simple with our hands.









I had never heard of kokedama before, but I soon found out that it is a real Japanese art form that comes to life through working with actual plants. The process of this art form is simple and beautiful, and is something to be enjoyed in your home after the process is complete.

I love finding new ways to express my creativity while, at the same time, finding opportunities to slow down and create something with my own hands. 

You can read about how to make your own kokedama at home here, but basically the process involves stripping the dirt down to the roots of a plant, washing it clean, and then re wrapping it in a ball of dirt. You then cover this ball with moss and wrap it with twine, giving it a new place to abide in. This Japanese concept surrounds the meaning of Wabi-sabi; the appreciation of the imperfections of nature and the transience of natural beauty.









I love finding new ways to express my creativity while, at the same time, finding opportunities to slow down and create something with my own hands. Most local communities have workshops happening periodically, so keep a look out for something like this in your area.

You can also check out upcoming workshops by La Fleur Kitchen here, as well as a local Portland workshop I’ll be co-hosting and teaching with Eva Kosmas Flores coming up on April 4, 2015.