Hi there! My name is Alisha, and I’m the proud owner of String of Pearls Plant Gallery. Today, I want to take you on a journey behind the scenes of how I got started with my shop and how my passion for fluid art and plants came together to create something special.
I’m a wife, mother of three, and soon-to-be grandmother (so exciting!). My family and I live in a small town in Missouri, where, in 2023, my life took an unexpected turn. After years of running a successful Airbnb turnover business, local government regulations forced me to shut it down. That blow was followed by a traumatic surgery that had a longer recovery than expected and, sadly, the passing of my father-in-law. These events sent me into a whirlwind of anxiety and depression like I hadn’t experienced in years.
I felt like I was spiraling, and I needed something to lift me out of the darkness. That’s when art, a longtime escape for me, became my saving grace. But it wasn’t just any art—it was fluid art that changed everything.
Fluid art is magical. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises. I’ve never been one to let go of control easily, but with fluid art, you don’t have much choice. The final outcome is always a mystery until the piece is done. I found joy in seeing how something that starts as chaos can turn into something beautiful—much like life. It reminded me of how God can take our messy, broken moments and transform them into something wonderful if we’re willing to let go and trust Him.
While I was rediscovering art, another passion was quietly growing: houseplants. My husband got me hooked on them during the pandemic in 2020, and soon, I was researching and learning everything I could about different plant species. Before long, my home was overflowing with plants—definitely more than my husband bargained for!
When my Airbnb business closed, my husband asked me, "What brings you the most joy?" Without hesitation, I answered, "My plants and my art." His response? "Then do that!" And that’s exactly what I did.
I wanted to combine my love of both art and plants, creating spaces where people could enjoy them together. That’s how the idea for String of Pearls Plant Gallery was born—a plant gallery where both art and nature can thrive side by side. I didn’t want it to feel like the crowded, overwhelming plant shops we often see. Instead, I envisioned a peaceful, therapeutic space where people can shop, sip coffee or tea, and just breathe in the beauty of the plants around them. A place to relax and reconnect with nature.
Right now, we’re still an online-only shop, but we’re working hard on finding the perfect location and hope to open the physical store in Spring 2025. Until then, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my love for fluid art and plants with you through my hand-painted planters and vases. Each piece is created with the same excitement and wonder that I first felt when I started fluid art, and I hope that joy comes through to you when you see them.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Stay tuned for more updates, and I can’t wait to welcome you to the physical String of Pearls Plant Gallery in the near future!