Petals & ‘Pacas

This past Sunday, I hosted the Inaugural Petals & ‘Pacas ~ a flower crown workshop experience.

The idea to put together a flower & fiber-infused gathering has been on the radar since…

I started growing flowers.

First the dye flowers, and then the specialty cuts for bouquets — I’ve always been amazed at the synergy between the flowers and fibers.

How the alpacas poo nourishes the garden beds to grow them.

How the resulting dye flowers yield clear and amazing color for the annual Knitwear Collection.

And how our weekly bouquets bring joy into the community while also providing a sustaining revenue for the farm while we await the Collection’s release.

My wonderment comes mostly from the delayed realization that, yes, nature is an impressively woven tapestry of beauty and purpose. But I’m also dazzled by getting to watch how effortlessly integrated everything seems to be on our farm — as if I did that intentionally.

When the reality is that I’m an impulsive Gemini with a lot of ideas and little self-control.

So sharing that synergy and trying to replicate that mind-melting wonderment for others was at the heart of this workshop.

And on a mid-August morning, nearly 20 people turned up to enjoy in the bounty of the summer flowers.

After a quick lesson on how to affix the flowers to the crown, folks dove right in.

Some opted to wander the garden for inspiration and to snip interesting blooms.

We all chatted away alongside the birds and the clicking of clippers.

With shade from the canopies and a gentle morning breeze, the weather could not have been more perfect.

Everyone marveled at new-to-them flowers, intricate petals, and the array of colors. All the while I reflected on how long awaited, yet perfectly timed, this whole event was.

One by one, flower crowns were finished and donned — secured by none other than alpaca yarn. Each one was unique in a way that only handcrafted and nature grown can furnish.

As we all slipped out the back garden gate and into the pasture, cups of kibble in hand, I summoned the herd.

This is probably my favorite part because it reminds me of that moment when your favorite band takes the stage — the entrance ovation!

And my ‘pacas are so good at this part.

If you’ve not experienced it — here’s the cliff notes version:

I start hollering “PACA PACA PACA!!!”

First you see the ears pop up as my high pitched yell reaches them.

Then one alpaca begins to scramble, that’s usually Scout or Indy.

And before you know it the “herd mentality” clicks-in and they all begin running in unison … right towards us.

And this is where I like to think the effortless part of the wonderment sets in. The alpacas just being themselves, I think, is an integral part.

Some of them are cautious and spazzy, while others are eager to eat from their new flower-wearing friends.

It’s where I just get to step back and out of the way and watch once more with beginners’ eyes.

It was such a joy to produce this magical event and I cannot wait for next year’s!