This is not a box of chocolates (it's felt art by LeBrie Rich)

During a recent stopover in Portland, Oregon, it was delightful to once again hang out with the "Duchess of Felt," artist LeBrie Rich. Not only do I adore her, but I adore her work. The needle-felted and stitched sculptures of products she makes are what really capture my attention. Case in point: that Whitman's Sampler that looks good enough to eat! She told me creating it was a "mad undertaking" of over two months, "especially the logo with the flower basket."

LeBrie is currently exhibiting 15 new pieces -- all of candy packaging -- at a show called Sugar Spin. If you're in the Portland, Oregon area, you can check it out until October 30 at COLAB Architecture + Urban Design. On Tuesday, September 17, you can also catch her Artist's Talk at the show's space from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Her artist statement for the show:

Why Candy?

When I tell people my latest work is about candy, the memories pour out unsolicited. I got a Whitmans sampler box for my first valentines gift and kept all my love notes in it - I still have it! As a kid I once got Jujubes at the movies and was so disappointed with their soapy, flavorlessness that I spent the entire film regretting my choice. My brother had an appendectomy when I was 5 and someone brought him a carton of Whoppers at the hospital. I spent the drive home eating the whole carton of Whoppers in the back seat, hearing them clank around in the carton, opening and closing the paper spout.