They’re not real, but they’re beautiful

Special to the Green Valley News

The Green Valley Farmer’s Market provides different things for each of us. For most, it’s the place we depend on for our weekly fresh, organic food, coffee and tea. For others, it’s a great place to meet friends, stroll around looking at vendor’s offerings, all while munching on a homemade snack or meal. For a determined few, our market has become their chance to sell their personally created artistic offerings, edible and inedible alike.

Like many of us, Donna Pack went into semi-retirement when she moved here. Instead of returning to corporate work she opened her own firm, Bella Fiore (Italian for beautiful flowers).

“I started doing silks and noticed I was missing a piece of the market here; I now specialize in succulents and cacti,” Donna said.

Her sign reads, “No watering required,” still many customers are fooled by the lifelike arrangements. “They’re maintenance-free and you never need to repot them,” Donna said. Her secret? “I pick authentic materials. They’re perfect for rooms with very little light and they’re great hostess gifts. Most people are just stunned to learn they’re artificial.”

As shoppers at the Green Valley Farmer’s Market peruse her offerings she asks, “Have you seen these before? They are all artificial.” With very few exceptions, the reaction is the same as this woman’s was last Wednesday, “NO! Really? You’re kidding! They look so real!”

Donna creates a wide array of incredible facsimiles of “succulents and cacti with some natural botanicals as well,” in her Green Valley home. “It’s something I deeply enjoy,” she says.

In addition to the Farmer’s Market, Donna sells her creations at Quail Creek festivals. Her local business clients include First Resort Naturopathic Clinic, Prestige Assisted Living and the Quail Creek Country Club.

Donna also does custom arrangements upon request. Check out her work at the market and call her for a free design consultation at 520-207-0990.

Come take advantage of everything at the market this summer. The vendors are fewer, but the variety is here. This is the first summer for our young market; we full-timers know what that means — slim pickings for the merchants. It’s no different at the Farmer’s Market, so remember, come down on Wednesdays and “Shop the Market First.”