Joe Jumper favors creative and quirky decor when it comes to updating a room.
"It's fun, especially when it's simple," said Jumper, owner of The Clay Pot, a floral/gift shop in Riverview. "We take a simple idea, such as putting a scrap of wallpaper in a frame, and making it the focal point of a room. All eyes will go right to it."
Framed wallpaper or wrapping-paper scraps are big sellers in his shop, he said.
"It's the ideal decor for dead spaces, either on walls or shelves.
"Last holiday season, I glued ornament shapes in a repetitive pattern on Christmas wrapping paper and put them in an assortment of frames. It was a good look, and because the response was so positive, I carried the idea over to different seasons," he said.
For spring and summer, Jumper framed pastel backgrounds, either solid or print, with butterflies and pressed flowers.
Jumper said he gets inspired by going to markets and showrooms.
"When I see something I like, I put my own spin on it, tweak it and create something quirky," he said.
Most recently, Jumper turned a spool of cardboard tickets into a piece he calls "carnival ticket flowers." He placed an antique button in the center of the flower to give it a vintage look.
New vendors at The Clay Pot - Spaces, Lola's and Addiah - have added to Jumper's stock of unusual decorations, giving him even more ideas.
Though he sells his artistic creations in his shop, he also offers "creative camps" and classes for all ages. This summer, Jumper held a camp for youngsters ages 4-11 on how to make tie-dyed T-shirts, party hats, floral arrangements and artistic decor.
In late September, Jumper plans to begin a series of one-day workshops for adults, including one with a holiday decorating theme.
"A couple of weeks ago, I did a birthday party for a lady where we served hors d'oeuvres and wine, and we made party hats," Jumper said. "The ladies were 55 to 80 years old. They made their own wild party hats using things such as flowers and feathers."
