Time wasted on instagram is not always wasted. I constantly find myself introduced to so many new businesses, artists, and ideas. In this case, through said not-wasted time, I came across the work of Cash Wheeler. Based in Oklahoma City, Cash is an artist and woodworker who uses reclaimed wood as his medium to create the most rad and unique wall pieces, tables, and various other furnishings. Seems the last time I was this excited about Oklahoma was when I drove through Garth Brooks’ hometown of Yukon, OK last summer, singing ‘Good Ride Cowboy’ at the top of my lungs.

But I digress–down at the 5 month mark on Cash’s instagram feed, I saw the piece I had to have. I e-mailed him to inquire and although that particular piece was no longer available in his etsy shop, he quickly and kindly informed me he could make me one just like it. Now settled happily in my place, take a look at my newest wall piece and also, learn more about the guy behind it.

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Falling down the rabbit hole of the internet will always be a justified way to spend my time because the possibility of discovery is quite within reach. I mean, through a simple suggested photo about (only) 546 swipes downward on instagram, I found Hot Cactus (or plainly, the Cactus Store) and their beautiful month-old store in Echo Park. All they sell are cactuses/cacti–I can’t say cacti, it doesn’t sound quite right. Also, I just verified via search engines that the former is an acceptable plural spelling in addition to the latter. 

In the unassuming location, nestled among some pretty wonderful other little stores (cookbook, beatrice venezuela…to name a few) on Echo Park Avenue you will find a wide variety of stunningly minimal presentations. The simplicity of said presentation and product is pretty flawless, in my mind. Aside from that, what a kind staff. Truly friendly, without a side of hipster snark, can be few and far between around these parts.

The potted cactus arrangements started at around $28 and were all reasonably priced for what you get in return–some of the large guys only ran about $68. Yes, you can go get a cactus at the Home Depot gardening center but it won’t be mature and so far well tended to, teracotta-potted with beautiful little sparkly rocks, accompanied by specific care instructions, and packaged tenderly so you can take your plant home without hurting yourself. My newest addition (here, on instagram) is settling in nicely–although it became a kitten lunch buffet as a result of its original placement, so he’s now enjoying higher ground. More photos past the ‘Read More’.

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