I come from an agricultural background — I spent my childhood and college years working in crops like sunflowers, watermelon, pistachios, and almonds while living in Chico, California. I also have a bachelors degree in agricultural business, so farming/nature has been part of every single stage of my life. Once I moved to Santa Barbara to try something different, I still wanted to stay connected to agriculture, and that’s when I decided to start my plant business. That led me to start experimenting with Kokedamas, mounting staghorns, growing exotic/rare plants, cacti, and creating my own pots.

I’ve always liked working with my hands and trying new things, I wanted something that let me slow down and connect with nature. My background in agriculture definitely shaped how I see plants and how I can use different materials to create art. I’ve worked in agriculture my entire life, so bringing that experience into something creative felt natural.

In terms of influences, I’m influenced by the plant community around me, by the people who show up to workshops and markets, all sharing the same curiosity and passion. I’m always surprised and excited to see all the people that come out to the plant markets and workshops I host throughout the year. While hosting these events is very time consuming and overwhelming, it is very rewarding when I see all the plant people that show up.

When I’m making Kokedamas, I start by picking the right plant and making sure it has a strong, healthy root system. I use a chunky soil mix that holds moisture well but still gives the roots room to breathe. Regarding the moss I use, I did experiment with different types of mosses and ultimately the best moss I have used for Kokedamas is the preserved moss from SuperMoss — it’s great quality and makes the wrapping process a lot easier. Over time, I’ve adjusted my process to make it easier for beginners in workshops, using some steps that are a little different from the traditional method but still give great results. For me, it’s all about making something both functional and beautiful, while helping others enjoy the process too.

Through the Kokedama workshops and plant markets, I want to create a space where people feel connected — not just to plants, but to each other. It’s about community, learning something new, and enjoying the simple act of creating with your hands. Whether someone is making their first Kokedama or swapping plants at a market, I want them to walk away feeling happy, inspired, and part of something bigger. It’s really about sharing the love for plants and making it accessible and fun for everyone.

Nature is really the core of what I do. Working with moss, soil, and plants keeps me connected to something real and alive. Moss especially plays a big part in my Kokedamas — it adds texture, color, and just makes the whole piece come to life. I love using natural materials because they remind me to slow down and appreciate the small, beautiful details in the world around us.

One of the most rewarding projects so far was the 2025 Orchid Show. We ran eight Kokedama workshops over three days, and most of them sold out. It was amazing to see so many people excited to learn and try something new. Watching everyone create their own pieces and walk away proud of what they made — that’s what made it so special for me.

Honestly, one of the biggest challenges for me has been public speaking. I’m not naturally someone who enjoys talking in front of groups, so having to lead workshops or talk to people at plant markets really pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first, it was nerve-wracking, but over time, I realized that people were just excited to learn and connect — they weren’t expecting me to be perfect. That helped me relax and enjoy the process more. That said, it is still nerve wracking.

Another big challenge has been figuring out the right materials and plants for my Kokedama workshops. Not every type of moss or soil works well, and it took a lot of trial and error to find what makes the process easier for beginners. Plus, not every plant is suited for Kokedamas — I have to be careful in choosing plants that will actually thrive in that setup. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but it’s all worth it when I see people leaving happy with something they made themselves.

Honestly, my biggest advice is to just be patient with yourself. Working with natural materials can be tricky — plants and moss don’t always behave the way you want, and things will go wrong. But that’s part of the process. You have to be open to experimenting, messing up, and figuring it out as you go.

Yeah! I’m really excited about some upcoming events — I’ve got a Kokedama Workshop at Night Owl Ciderworks on June 1st in Ventura, and then the Santa Barbara Plant Fest on June 28th at Fox Wine Co. and Topa Topa Brewery in Santa Barbara. These events are such a fun way to bring the plant community together. People can learn something new, pick up unique plants, or swap plants with others. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes, but seeing everyone connect and share their love for plants makes it all worth it.

The best place to find my work is on Instagram — you can follow me at @raizfelizshop to see what I’m working on, any plants or pots for sale, Instagram plant auctions, or to simply stay updated on upcoming events. You can also visit my website at www.raizfelizshop.com to check out my plants, future events and handmade pots. And if you’re local, you can catch me at pop-up markets like the Santa Barbara Plant Fest.