I feel a little ashamed to admit it, but despite its close associations with other area institutions—most notably our incredible, progressive Museum of Contemporary Craft, whose gift shop is one of my favorite places to shop—I've never actually made the trek out to the Oregon College of Art and Craft mainly because it is on SW Barnes, and every time I have ever ventured anywhere off the grid in SW I become terribly lost, confused, and angry.

However, this weekend there will be a flurry of activity on campus, with their 19th Annual Tea Party happening on Friday from 2-4 pm, showcasing a project every third-year Metals Department student is tasked with: fashioning a functional tea pot out of flat metal. A display of all of this year's pots will be displayed at Steven Smith Teamaker June 1 through June 15, but the event will get you a first glimpse as well as first dibs on a new Steven Smith tea to mark the occasion (it is described as a "blend of herbs and flowers, including African rooibos, exotic spices, and Oregon-grown mint."

The action continues all weekend, too: Saturday and Sunday is also the spring art sale, with "functional, inventive, and sculptural ceramics, book arts and fibers pieces, as well as limited-edition original jewelry" from up-and-comers who are currently unknown, meaning original pieces you've likely never seen before can be snatched at low prices in the $10-50 range. Admission is free, and runs from 10 am-5 pm both days.