—Now that we are on the verge of recreational pot legalization coming into effect, I wonder if we will be seeing more or fewer models hitting pipes in lookbook photos? For now, (occasional Mercury contributor) Katie Guinn is carrying on the torch, as it were, with her latest spread for the "Funk Yeah: Part 2" tee shirt series starring model Skye Sengelmann.

—Fantastic news from Backtalk: the N Mississippi boutique (which houses one of the best-edited vintage collections in the city, in addition to one of the best-edited selections of small-batch jewelry lines in the city, and one of the city's buzziest design talents, Alexa Stark): Owner Katie Freedle has announced she's opening a second location downtown, on SW 10th between Chrome and Poler, due to open somewhere toward the end of March or early April. The space also boast about 500 sf of space Freedle hopes to fill in with more artists or designers (who don't mind being spied on by customers) a la Stark's arrangement on Mississippi (where she will remain). So, you know, if you know anyone...

—Carla Mink of Mink boutique has released her spring batch of inhouse designs... calling all those addiction to the b/w stripe:

—There were almost as many craft sale pop-ups last summer as there were during the holidays, and I know I'm not the only one who had a hard time juggling that against my rivering/camping/festival-attending schedule. So let it be known early that the Renegade Craft Fair has announced its intentions toward our fair city, at its fairest hour: They will return to Rejuvenation July 25 & 26. A bold move. Schedule your high summer accordingly.

—Speaking of planning ahead, do notch the calendar for a Feb 28 sample sale of Brady Lange apparel (11 am-6 pm at Service, 2319 NE Glisan). His lighthearted, well crafted designs are already pretty dang reasonably priced, IMO, but if you need a nudge to cave in to a pair of jeans covered in cat upholstery, this might prove your breaking point.

—If you have the time, money, and inclination to learn about fiber at one of the state's oldest operating ranches famous for its wool, and alongside experts in natural dye techniques using the high desert plants that populate said ranch, then you should absolutely invest in the just-announced two-day fiber retreat being offered by the WildCraft Studio School and Imperial Stock Ranch in May, because it looks AMAZING.