Jo Helgesen
The Oregon Zoo in Portland is known for its elephants. Its newest, Tula-Tu, was born in February and was the Grand Marshal of the 2025 Grand Floral Parade. Tula-tu is the daughter of Rose-Tu and granddaughter of Me-Tu, both of whom were born at the zoo, and the great-granddaughter of the zoo’s first elephant, Rosy, who was born in the wild in Thailand in 1951 and brought to Portland as a baby.
Jo says the baby elephant pin cushion is a necessary tool inspired by her love of elephants and useful objects. It’s made of paper clay and vintage fabric and is hand stitched.