We took a trip to north county last week in hopes of finding some native new world Cacti and drought-resistant old world succulents – we were not disappointed.

Jeff at Solana Succulents hooked us up with a wide range of plants for our Native Curiosities installation at the Thread Show, including several cacti species native to the Southwestern US and Mexico.

In addition to native species, Jeff also offers a plethora of drought-tolerant succulents from Africa and Madagascar as well as some rare species from isolated ecosystems like the Canary Islands. Let’s be honest – San Diego is a desert region importing 80-90% of its water (a majority of which is used up by residential landscaping), and these plants are a rad alternative to water-hungry lawns.

Cruise by and visit Jeff next time you’re in North County for some xeriscaping help. You’ll lower your water bill, help San Diego conserve water, plus you can hit up Pizza Port, which is just around the corner!

A big thanks to Miriello Grafico for hosting Set & Drift as we prepare for the Thread Show this weekend. MG was kind enough to provide space in The Logan warehouse to stage our Native Curiosities installation this week.

Here’s a glimpse at the staging that began on Saturday…

In addition to housing Miriello Grafico’s design studio and LJG, The Logan will soon be home to video production company DV creations, rounding out a strategic partnership anchored in Barrio Logan that forms an incredibly capable creative powerhouse.

Set & Drift is honored to have the support of the San Diego Natural History Museum in presenting the Native Curiosities installation at the upcoming Thread Show on May 30/31. The installation will feature several specimens from the museum’s collection that are native to the Southwestern United States, including the Red-tailed Hawk (shown above).

More specimens from the collection and info from the museum below…

NATURE TO YOU Loan Program

Bring nature into your classroom, art studio, and home by becoming a member of the Museum’s Loan Program. Membership allows for a year of unlimited access to the program’s collection—over 1300 specimens that represent the biologic and geologic diversity of the southwestern United States, Baja California and the world. Call 619.255.0236 or email loanprogram@sdnhm.org.

Founded in 1875 by a small group of citizen naturalists, the San Diego Natural History Museum is the second oldest scientific institution in California, third oldest west of the Mississippi. A bi-national museum, its mission is to interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment.

Here’s a preview of our installation at the upcoming Thread Show on May 30/31 in San Diego. This old school silo in the Wonderhaus is our blank canvas.

The inverted cone on the inside looks like something from the set of THX-1138.

See more photos of Native Curiosities at FLICKR