About Us

Janet and Jay O’Rourke Designs

Our magical fairy house

Welcome to the world of Janet and Jay O’Rourke. We have been collaborating for over 45 years. Whimsical fairies, Flower Birds, Mythical Mermaids, and other fanciful imagery, drawn in elaborate patterns and textures is the hallmark of Janet O’Rourke Designs. This vibrant artistry creates beautiful artwork with great customer appeal. Janet O’Rourke Designs artwork is the essence of Victorian revival, mixed with modern themes and styles.

Janet’s pencils, paint brushes and carving tools are her magic wands. Jay’s lathe and carving tools are his magic. Together they create unique, one of a kind work. Janet and Jay have been involved for over 45 years in the woodworking media and are nationally known for their turnings, carvings, wall pieces and sculptures.

Our work is green. We salvage logs from fallen trees after storms and tree trimmers. We let the wood cure for about a year, then turn, and sculpt the hollow form lidded wood vessels. We also do large wall pieces all carved with the same technique as the wood vessels. Much time is spent doing amazingly detailed illustrations with colored pencils and carving each piece by hand. We use pigment, pyrography, colored pencils, and Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones. All our work is finished with 10 to 20 layers of lacquer.

Janet and Jay O’Rourke have exhibited in many art fairs including American Craft Council Shows and the Smithsonian Craft Show. Janet and Jay’s work can be seen in Gallery’s across the world. They are in many private and corporate collections as well as museum collections. They are featured in over 14 books.

We love sharing our vision with each other and the world. Our inspiration is from nature, birds, insects, gardens and magic. Hopefully our work will make you smile then our job is done. Janet O’Rourke Designs signature style of ethereal beauty is available as original drawings, amazing sculptures, turnings, and carvings

Thank you so much for visiting our world,
With love,
Janet and Jay O’Rourke

Jay O”Rourke
Born Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara City College
Self-Taught Woodworker
Janet O’Rourke
Born Los Angeles, CA
B.F.A. Illustration, Academy of Art College, S.F., CA
Graduate Work, Otis Parsons, LA, CA
Shows we have Juried

Jury for Coconut Grove, Miami, FL 2018

Jury for Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR 2003

Jury for Wood, All Shows, ACC, 1996, 1998

Jury for the Sausalito Arts Festival, Sausalito, CA 1993

Jury for ACC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 1991

Jury for the Yes Store Crafts Co-op, Santa Barbara, CA 1985-1990

Jury for the Renaissance Faire, Agoura, CA 1986-1987

Awards

Coconut Grove Art Festival – 1st Place Wood – Coconut Grove, FL 2018

Florida Mosaic, A Festival of the Arts – Award of Excellence – Kissimee, FL 2017

Images, A Festival of the Arts -George & Jean Musson Award – New Smyrna Beach, FL 2017

MainSail – Award of Distinction – Saint Petersburg, FL 2016

Under the Oaks – Award of Merit – Vero Beach, FL 2016

Mount Dora Arts Festival – Award of Excellence – Mount Dora, FL 2015

Images, A Festival of the Arts – Award of Merit – New Smyrna Beach, FL 2015

Niche Award – Finalist – Niche Magazine, FL 2014

MainSail – Award of Merit – Saint Petersburg, FL 2014

Winter Park Autumn Art Fest – Judges Selection-Winter Park, FL 2014

Under the Oaks – 2nd Place Creative Crafts – Vero Beach, FL 2013

Melbourne Art Festival – 2nd Place, Other Media – Melbourne, FL 2013

DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts – Honorable Mention – Deland, FL 2012

Three Rivers Art Fest – Award of Distinction – Covington, LA 2012

Winter Springs Festival of the Arts – Award of Merit – Winter Springs, FL 2012

Winter Park Autumn Art Fest – Award of Merit – Winter Park, FL 2012

Atlanta Arts Festival – 1st Place Mixed Media – Atlanta, GA

Barefoot in the Park – 3D Award of Creativity – Duluth, GA 2012

Under the Oaks – 3rd Place Sculpture – Vero Beach, FL 2012

WinterPark Autumn Art Fest – Award of Merit- Winter Park, FL 2011

Beaux Arts – 1st Place Wood – Coral Gables, FL 2011

Art Fest Fort Myers – Award of Merit – Ft. Myers, FL 2011

Kentuck – Award of Merit – Tuscaloosa, AL 2009

57th Street Art Fair – New Comer Award – Chicago, IL 2009

Three Rivers Art Fest – Award of Distinction – Covington, LA 2008

River Walk Fine Arts Festival – First Place Wood – Naperville, IL 2008

Midwest Salute to the Arts – Award of Excellence – Fairview Heights, IL 2008

Niche Award – Finalist – Niche Magazine

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival – 1st Place Wood, Fiber, Leather – Winter Park, FL 2003

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival – 2nd Place Woodworking – Winter Park, FL 2002

Art in the Pearl – Best of Show – Portland, OR 2000

Sausalito Arts Festival – 1st Place Woodworking – Sausalito, CA 1994

Northwest Gallery of Fine Woodworking – Box Competition; 3rd Place – Seattle, WA 1994

Bellevue Museum Arts Festival – Quality and Presentation – Bellevue, WA 1992

Sausalito Arts Festival – Honorable Mention – Sausalito, CA 1992

Renaissance Pleasure Faire, CA – Masterpiece Award – 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1978

Collections

Kahn Teapot Foundation 2014

Fleur Bressler Collection, Flower Tea 2013

Dodie Baumgarten Collection, Figgie Art Museum, 2009

Dr. Randy Price and MRs. Price, 2007

Mrs. Nina Hotvdt, 2004

Mr. and Mrs. Clint Eastwood, 2004

Dr. Dale R. Nish, 2003

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, donated from the Irving Lipton Collection, 2001

Dr. Irving Lipton, Permanent Collection, 1999

Mrs Leonard D. DuBuff, 1999

Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Fleur Bressler, 1992

Mr. Mrs. Charles and Tami Kegley, 1990, 1995

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Kohn, 1995

Mrs. Sylvia Rosenburg, 1997

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sonnabend, 1997

Current Licenses

Mega Brand Puzzles

Amia

Heaven and Earth

Pluse Micro

Amazing Designs

American Craft Council – A.C.R.E. – Buyers Market of American Crafts, Shows

American Craft Retailers Expo, Orlando, FL 2014

A.C.C. Baltimore Crafts Fair, Baltimore, MD – 1987-2002, 2006-2009, 2014

A.C.C. Atlanta Crafts Fair, Atlanta, GA – 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2014

A.C.C. Sarasota, FL – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

A.C.C. Charlotte, NC – 2007, 2008, 2009

A.C.C. San Francisco Craft Fair, S.F., CA 1980-2002, 2006, 2019, 2020

Buyers Market of American Crafts, Philadelphia, PA Winter, Summer – 2003-2005

A.C.C. Columbus Wholesale Market, Columbus, OH 1994-1997

A.C.C. Bellevue Craft Fair, Bellevue, WA – 1997, 1998

A.C.C. Springfield Crafts Fair, West Springfield, MA – 1990-1993

Invitational Shows and Exhibits

Turned and Sculpted wood Wood symphony Gallery 2020

From Woman – Mary Urbas Curator – Cincinnati, OH 2020

Let’s Play Kings and Queens – Inverarity Gallery, Aberdeen Scotland, 2019

The Cup and the Mug – Main Street Gallery 2018

Coconut Grove Gallery Solo Show – Fragments of Fairytales – Coconut Grove 2017

National Tea Pot Show – Cedar Creek Gallery – 2014,2017, 2019, 2020

Hot Tea – Del Mano Gallery – 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018

Teapots 7th Invitational – Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery 2014, 2019

Solo Show – Craftsman House Gallery – June 2014

Boxes and Their Makers – Traveling Exhibition

Mobile Museum of Art 2012

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum 2012

Ohio Craft Museum – 2011

Fuller Craft Museum 2010

Messler Gallery 2009

Tea Pot Show – Morgan Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA – 2011

Hot Tea 2 – Del Mano Gallery, CA 2011

Solo Show – Aphrodite Gallery, Paducah, KY – 2010

Feature Artists – Aspire Arts Gallery, Paducah, KY – 2007-2009

American Artisan Festival – Nashville, TN – June 1999, 2008, 2009

Sofa – Chicago – Katie Gingrass Gallery, Milwaukee, WI – 2007, 2008

Holidaze – Kentucky Museum of Art, Louisville, KY – November 2006, 2007

Norman Kohn Collection – Bellevue Museum, Bellevue, WA – 2006

Turning Show – Aphrodite Gallery, Paducah, KY – November 2005

Box Show – Zazen Gallery, Bellevue, WI – 2005

Small Treasures Show – Del Mano Gallery, Brentwood, CA – March 2000-2004

Celebrating Boxes – Tullie House Museum, England – Sept 2001-2003

Put a Lid on It – Carlyn Gallery, Dallas, TX, April 2002

Turning Show – The Real Mother Goose, Portland, OR – March 2002

Licensing International Show – New York, NY – June 2001, 2002

Featured Artist – Sliverado, Hood River, OR – December 2001

Sofa, New York – Sandra Collins Gallery, Birmingham, MI – May 1999

Visiting Artist Series – Bolder Arts & Crafts Coop, Boulder, CO – 1999

Featured Artist – Artful Hand Gallery, Boston, MA – 1998

Wood Show – White Bird Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR – 1998

Holiday Collectibles – Sylvia Ullman, American Crafts Gallery, Cleveland, OH – 1997

Functional Elegance – Gallery of Function Art, Pontiac, MI – November 1996

Space Contained – Apropos Gallery, St. Louis, MO – April 1996

Featured Artist – The Real Mother Goose, Portland, OR – May 1995

Box Show – Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle WA – 1990-1995

The Art of the Wood Box – Grovewood Gallery, Asheville, NC – 1994

The Artful Hand, Boston, MA

Fanny Garver Gallery, Madison, WI

City Woods, Highland Park, IL

Artique, Lexington, KY

Clarksville Pottery, Austin, TX

Selo Shevel Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI

Hanson Gallery, Houston, TX

The Gift Box – Edith Lambert Gallery, Santa Fe, NM -1994

The Tree Transformed – Eureka Crafts, Syracuse, NY – 1994

Boxes and More Boxes – Kohler Artspace, Kohler, WI -1994

The White House Christmas Tree – A Celebration of the Creative Works of the Hand – 1994

The Art of the Wood Box – American Artisan, Nashville, TN – 1993

American Details, Coconut Grove, FL

Apropos Gallery, St. Louis, MO

The Clay Pot, Brooklyn, NY

Craft Co. #6, Rochester NY

Hanson Galleries, Houston, TX

Beads and Boxes Show – Gallery Eight, La Jolla, CA – 1993

Jewelry Box Show – Del Mano Gallery, Pasadena, CA – 1990-1993

Christmas Show – The Frame Gallery, Hood River, OR – 1990-1993

Valentine Box Show – Gallery IO, New Orleans, LA -1992

Contemporary Wood Show – Banaker Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA 1989-1991

Couples Show – Gallery Eight, La Jolla, CA 1991

Imperial Woodworks – Works Gallery, New York, NY -1989

Featured Artist – Del Mano Gallery, Brentwood, CA – 1987

Juried Shows

American Craft Expo Glencoe, IL 2018

Smithsonian Craft Show Washington DC 2018

Fort Myers Art Festival, Fort Myers, FL 2018

Florida Mosaic, A Festival of the Arts, Kissimee, FL 2017

Fine Art at the Magnolia, Lakeland, FL 2017

Mainsail Art Festival St. Petersburg, FL 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Under the Oaks, Vero Beach, FL 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Coconut Grove Art Festival, Miami FL, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018

Mount Dora Art Festival, Mount Dora, FL, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016,. 2017

Sebastian Art Festival 2017

Images Art Festival, New Smyrna Beach, FL 2016, 2017

Paragon Arts, FL 2016

West Palm Beach Art Festival, West Palm Beach, FL 2016

Dunedin Art Festival Dunedin, FL, 2016

Decatur Art Festival, Decatur, GA 2016

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Winter Park, FL 2002, 2003, 2010, 2015, 2016

Mid-Florida May Fair by the Lake, Lakeland, FL 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Melbourne Art Festival, Melbourne, FL 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016

Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival, Winter Park, FL 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

Arti Gras, Jupiter, FL 2011, 2015, 2016

Naples National Art Festival, Cocoa Beach, FL 2014, 2015

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Pensacola, FL 2011, 2012, 2014

DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, Deland, FL 2012, 2014

Old Town Art Show, Saint Augustine, FL 2014

Estero Fine Art Show, Estero, FL 2014

Cool Art Show, St. Petersburg, FL 2013, 2014

Tarpon Springs Fine Art Festival, Tarpon Springs, FL 2012, 2013

Sanibel Island Arts & Crafts Fair, Sanibel Island, FL 2013

Art Fest Ft. Myers, FL 2009.2010. 2013

Naples New Years Downtown Arts Festival, Naples, FL 2013

Beau Atas, Coral Gables, FL, 2011, 2013

Three Rivers Art Fest, Covington, LA, 2008, 2009, 2012

Ocala Arts Festival , Ocala, FL 2011, 2012

Winter Springs Festival of the Arts, Winter Springs, FL 2012

Maitlin Art Fest, Maitlin, FL 2012

Atlanta Its Festival, Atlanta, GA 2011, 2012

Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston, SC 2012

Barefoot in the Park, Duluth, GA 2012

Fine Art on the River, Savannah, GA 2012

Bonita Springs National Art Festival, Bonita Springs, FL 2012, 2011, 2012

Palm Beach Fine Crafts Show, West Palm Beach, FL 2011

Surtex, New York, NY, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011

Festival of the Masters, Downtown Disney, FL 2011

Craft Art, St. Petersburg, FL, 2010, 2011

57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, IL 2009, 2010 , 2011

Kentuck, Tuscaloosa, AL 2009, 2010, 2011

Art Fest Stuart, Stuart, FL 2009, 2011

Dogwood Festival, Atlanta, GA 2010, 2011

DeLand Outdoor Art Festival, DeLand, FL 2011

Jackson Art Fest, Jackson, GA 2011

Art of Ponce Festival, Atlanta, GA 2011

Sarasota Craft, Sarasota, FL 2009, 2010

Brookside Art Fair, Kansas City, MO 2010

Bayou City, Houston, TX 2010

Art Festival Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 2010

Magic City Art Connection, Birmingham, AL 2008, 2009, 2010

St. James Court Art Show, Louisville, KY 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Old Town Art Fair, Chicago, IL 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Art on the Square, Bellville, IL 2009, 2010

Art Spectacular at the Carillon, Springfield, IL 2009, 2010

River Arts Festival, Memphis, TN 2009, 2010

Downtown Arts Festival, Gainesville, FL 2010

South University Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007. 2008. 2009, 2010

Village Arts and Crafts Fair, Nashville, NC 2009

Sarasota Masters Art Festival, FL 2009

Fest for All, Baton Rouge, LA 2009

River Walk Fine Art Fair Naperville, IL 2008, 2009

Art Fair on the Square, Lake Forest, IL 2008, 2009

Midwest Salute to the Arts, Fairview Heghts, IL 2008, 2009

St. Louis Art Fiar, St. Loutis, MO 2007

Art Fair Laumeir, St. Louis, MO 2009

Four Bridges, Chattanooga, TN 2007, 2009

Fire Fly Art Festival, Dickson, TN 2009

Woodland Art Fair, Lexington, KY 2008, 2009

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002. 2008

Art in the Pearl, Portland, OR 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

Bellevue Museum Art Festival, Bellevue, WA 1991-1992, 2006

Napels Invitational, Naples, FL 2006

Lakefront Art Festival, Milwaukee Art Museum, WI, 2005, 2006

Fiesta Arts Fair, San Antonio, TX 2005, 2006

Crafts at the Castle; Boston, MA 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006

Boca Raton Museum Show, Boca Raton, FL 2005

Art Rider, Crafts Park Avenue, New York, NY 2003, 2004, 2005 Spring & Fall Shows

Bellevue Festival of the Arts, BelleVue, WA 2004, 2005

Contemporary Crafts Market: Santa Monica, San Francisco, CA 198802990, 2002-2005

T-shirt Design for Contemporary Crafts Market, 1990

Park City Arts Festival, Park City, UT 2003, 2005

Best of the Northwest, Seattle, WA 2003, 2004, 2005

American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 1998, 2002, 2005

Sun Valley Festival of the Arts, Sun Valley, ID 2004

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO, 2004

Paradise City, North Hampton, MA 2004

Best of the Northwest, Seattle, 2003, 2004

Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC, 1992, 2003, 2004, 018

Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI 2002

Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito, CA 198801997, 2002

Philadelphia Furniture Show, Philadelphia, PA 1995, 1996

Washington Craft Expo, Washington, DC, 1993

The Yes Store; Santa Barbara, CA 1971-1990

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival; Mill Valley, CA, 1987-1988

Renaissance Pleasure Faire, CA 1970-1987

Publications & Books

Masters of Contemporary Wood Volume 1, 2, 3 Wood Symphony Gallery 2018, 2020, 2021

Florida Mosaic, Poster Artist 2017

“A Fairies ABC, A Dream Com True” Janet O’Rourke 2013, Rabbit Rose Press

Niche Magazine, Our Magic Vessel featured to advertise the 2015 Niche Awards in poster and print/online ads, 2014

Niche Magazine, Spouting Off Tea pot Article Summer 2014

“Bee Bop Robot” Coloring Book, Janet O’Rourke 2009

“Fairy Dream” Coloring Book, Janet O’Rourke 2008

New Masters of the Wooden Box For Chapelle 2009

Boxes and Their Makers, Fox Chapel Publishing with and intro by Oscar Fitzgerald 2009

400 boxes, Veronica Alice Gunter, Toney Lydgate, Lark Books, 2004

Celebrating Boxes, Andrew Crawford, Peter Lloyd 2002

Best Wooden Boxes; Popular Woodworking Books, Bruce Stoker, 1998

The Art of Making Elegant Wooden Kitchen Utensils, Tony Lydgate, 1996

Award Winning Boxes, Tony Lydgate, 1995

The Art of Making Elegant Wood Boxes; Tony Lydgate, 1993

Creating Small Wooden Objects as Functional Sculpture, Dona Z. Meilach, 1976

Magazines

Paducah Life, Fairy Dreams 2009

Lo Down, Pudcah Sun 2008

“Do you believe in Fairy’s?” Posh Magazine 2008

American Style, Woodturning Center, 2007

Boca Raton Museum Poster 2006

Niche Magazine, Retail Details, and Fathers Day Ideas 2006

American Style, Stellear Performers, June 2005

Wood Turning Magazine, Vessels Article 2005

Niche Magazine, Spring, 1995, 2003

American Style; Treasure Boxes, article Dec/Jan 1999

Furniture & Cabinetmaking; British Publication/Peter Lloyd 1999

American Craft Magazine Del Mano Box Show Oct/Nov 1998

American Craft Magazine, Advertisement for ACC Craft Shows; Dec 1997 all issues 1998

Vogue Magazine; Germany, Nov 1997

Crafts Report; Nov 1996

American Style; Nov 1996

Woodshop News; Melanie Winters, October, 1996

Home Magazine; Terry Capuana, June 1995

American Woodworker; Band Sawn Box, Jay O’Rourke, December 1995

American Craft Magazine; Studio Article, Kate Bonansinga, Aug/Sept, 1994

The Woodshop News; Liza Petursh; Dec 1994

The Crafts Report; Jan 1994

Southern California Home and Garden; August 1989

Newspapers, Posters & Calendars

Fiesta Art Fair Poster 2006

Crafts at the Castle Catalogue 2005

Del Mano Gallery, Small Treasures, Catalogue 2003

American Craft Flyer for Baltimore Buyers, 2000

Sandra Ainsley Gallery, Corporate Catalogue; Featured Artists 1998

America on Line; Crafts at the Castle 1996

PACT; A Week at a Glance, Calendar, 1996

Interview with Polly Timberman, Kaleidoscope, Hood River News, Nov. 2, 1994

Open Studio Tour, hood River News, 1998

Corporate Purchases

Hewlitt Packard, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011

Intel, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009,

Vail 2000

Mayor Willie Brown, San Francisco, 1997

Evergreen, Corporate purchase/Canada 1997

Rockwell, 1996

Scotia McLeod Canada, 1998

O & Y Enterprises Philip Reichmann Cananda, 1998

Arthur Anderson Canda, 1998

Kazan, McClain, Edisas & Simon, 1999

Benefit Auctions

American Crafts Exposition, Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Auction Craft for a Cure 2005

Nutcracker Ballet: Costume Design/Sets, Benefit for Hospice/Fish, “Columbia Gorge Dance Academy” 1998-2005

Art Director and Head of Costume for “Columbia Gorge Dance Company”

Cherry Creek auction for children’s benefit; 2004

Hudson Valley Aids Auction; 1997

CERF; Auction, ACC San Francisco, 1996

Greater Family Services of Boston Auction and Benefit; 1996, 2004

Directors of Celebration of the Arts; Parkdale Elementary School, Parkdale, OR 1994-1995

Treasure Boxes; Homeless Children’s Auction; Baltimore, MD 1994, 1995

P.A.C.T. Aids Auction; Tucson, AZ, 1994, 1995

Montessori School Auction; Santa Barbara, CA 1987-1989