Bowl Of Oranges Studio

Wood + Watercolor

meet the maker

Bowl Of Oranges Studio

est 2017

my story

Amanda Trentham, shop owner

Since I was young, I loved art and creating in all forms. From large scale paintings to pottery, I loved exploring different mediums. Throughout phases of my life, those mediums made more sense than others.

Watercolor always intimidated me. It was hard to hide mistakes, therefore it was not attractive. Over time, I noticed I would always admire artwork in watercolor and then immediately be jealous that I couldn’t do it.

After getting married and moving into a brand new house, I had a “craft studio” and a space that I called my own to house all my hyperfixations. I got curious when I unpacked some boxes and found some VERY old tubes of watercolor someone had gifted me, and got a cheap pack of watercolor paper…and the rest is history.

In 2017, I started selling custom watercolor portraits and hand-lettered paper goods on Etsy, and was overwhelmed by the happy customers and support.

I became a mother in 2018, and with parenthood came adjustments in what mediums made the most sense. I have always loved the art of play, and I am inspired by the imaginative worlds children create.

So with young children running around, the phase of life I am in currently presents a unique opportunity to join them in their imaginary worlds! I wanted to incorporate another element into the watercolor artwork I do, so now I have wooden peg dolls that I paint into…anything!


My hope is that my creations bring joy and light into your home or a loved ones home. I hope the play sets I make for children light up their imaginations, and they know that they are special because someone put love and care into making something for them.

I hope everyone who is gifted one of my shop items feels loved and seen.

what I love about this shop

I have always loved making gifts for people. There is something truly special about a handmade gift. It feels good to get something handmade by someone else, doesn’t it? Why is that?

I know that I like to show people that I spent time thinking about them, and not just the time it took me to find something at Target. As we know, most things are not made to last anymore. Everything is made fast, efficiently, and cost effective (for corporations, not us).

I think that getting a handmade gift feels special because it makes YOU feel special. Someone took the time to plan and make something when they could have gotten it at a store. Something never made before is now yours! And you see a little piece of yourself reflected back.

I love this shop because giving gifts is always an act of kindness. Whether you are celebrating something exciting, or remembering someone or something lost…it is kindness you are sharing.

When I think of true kindness, I think of this quote:

“Kindness is loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness”

This world excludes many. It tells us that there is not enough for us and that we are not enough. We are shut out of spaces and told we don’t belong. So, in response, I like owning a business that creates artwork, hand-painted items, and custom decor that says:

“This was made for you.

You are reflected in this,

you belong,

and you are seen.”

So, now I have this website. I have big dreams for Bowl Of Oranges Studio, and hopefully it can all be here in this one location here.

Thanks for being patient with this project, as it is a new learning experience for me.