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Zio Baritaux is a writer (The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, i-D), publisher of the acclaimed Strange Plants book series, and has been on eBay since 2003, making it her longest-running online account. In her Substack, she continues the conversations started in her books, about how the bizarre and beautiful sides of nature are interpreted in art and other forms. In this edition of Thanks It’s From eBay, Zio curates a collection of strange plant-inspired finds.
I love the sculptural feeling of the arrangement in this print, with the yellow and purple petals popping against the bright red background. I’m reading Rouge by Mona Awad right now, and it very much feels like something pulled from the pages of that book.
I first discovered Turkish prison beadwork through jewelry designer Yona Kohen, which sparked a deep dive into learning more about it. Many of the pieces feature floral motifs, like the one on this beaded purse.
My dad’s from Arizona, and this keychain reminds me of visiting the amazing Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. And honestly, who doesn’t need a keychain of a gigantic cactus smashing an old-school car?
Whenever I’m in Mexico, I make a point to buy silver jewelry, especially if it’s from Taxco. It’s this mountain town that’s famous for its gorgeous silver creations. And I’m obsessed with this brooch—it’s not just silver, but it’s inlaid with iridescent abalone.
These earrings from Taxco are another favorite—they’re another example of the town’s silver craftsmanship.
I like decorating my shelves with vintage postcards, and the passionflower—which I recently explored in one of my posts—is one of my favorite strange plants.
Most of my jewelry is plant-inspired in one way or another, so this delicate leaf bracelet would fit right in.
The perfect little keychain for all my fellow March babies out there.
If you’re not a Pisces or Aries, here’s another keychain option for you that’s a cozy-cute mix.
I visited Monet’s Garden in Giverny when I was a kid and got to see his famous water lilies in person. The garden was like a living painting, with vibrant flowers, lush greenery and weeping willows draped over the serene ponds. The place felt magical, with every corner bursting with life, from the colorful irises to the delicate wisteria hanging over the bridge. Looking back, I’m pretty sure that experience shaped the work I’d make later on.
I have this book, and I’m really into the cover design. The four quadrants, the almost-fake looking plants, and that pop of red—it all just works so well together.
This bracelet features daisies in a graphic, playful way, and even though it’s vintage, it still feels surprisingly contemporary.
Another book with an eye-catching cover. The mountains, the meadow and the colorful typography at the top—it’s giving Reading Rainbow and I love that.
Butchart Gardens is on my bucket list. Until then, I’m pre-collecting souvenirs from that trip.
Let your plant-freak flag fly.
Anthuriums feel like they shouldn’t be real, with their odd shape and plasticky texture. They’re like something out of a 1980s dark fantasy film. But the fact that they are real makes them all the more intriguing, and this postcard would look great on a shelf.
There’s a holiday in Spain—where I used to live—called Sant Jordi, honoring the patron saint of Catalonia. It’s celebrated by giving books and roses to loved ones, and if I were still there, this is definitely the book I’d be gifting someone.
This is a gorgeous gathering basket—just imagine it overflowing with petals, veggies and fruit. It would also make an adorable everyday purse.
I’m all about the bright orange with that vintage patina. Am I the only one who thinks garden tools are cute?
These stir sticks are a fun find. The mid-century modern design combined with the quirky cactus shape makes them a perfect addition to any cocktail or mocktail setup.
Crabtree & Evelyn was the thing in the 90s, and it always reminds me of my mom. I remember shopping in their stores to pick out bath products for her Christmas gifts. The design of their older products like this one was just so good too.
My books sold out long ago, so eBay is one of the only places to find them now. (Unfortunately, they’re going for three times the original price.) I love all three books in the series, but Strange Plants II holds a special place in my heart because it features one of Ren Hang’s otherworldly photos on the cover—a woman’s face floating amid oversized lotus leaves.
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This was so fun to do! Thanks so much for having me!! 🌹🌸🌻🌴🌵
I had a beaded purse like that!!! A+ picks 🫡