The Magnolia Company

It feels a little bit like Christmas came early today! It might be the snow on the ground here in Illinois, or the Christmas canvases I've been working on, or maybe it's because I started playing Christmas music three days ago. But I don't think so. I think it's because this blog post has me so excited, I'm bouncing in my office chair (not joking). This was such a treat.While speaking at the FAFMC Conference in Florida 1.5 weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to tour and photograph some of the most beautifully diverse agriculture I've ever seen. Today I'm featuring tour stop #1: The Magnolia Company.The Magnolia Company doesn't just plant, grow and sell Magnolia trees, they also make absolutely stunning wreaths and garland from the magnolia clippings. Here's their story: The Magnolia leaves are naturally green on the top, and their undersides are naturally a beautiful rusty orange-red color, which The Magnolia Company sometimes uses to create contrast in their wreaths. Making magnolia garland.It wasn't just all the beauty that made this place special, the entire work environment just made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Matt, the owner, is incredibly passionate about his business. In just hearing him talk, it's obvious. He called each of his employees by name, and they smiled and responded as he asked how their day was going. They smiled at my awe of the place. They smiled as they proudly showed me examples of their work. Everyone there was so friendly, so happy, so helpful. It was heartwarming. To start the wreath-making process, one employee takes a clipping, faces all the leaves to one side and staples it. The Magnolia Company also dries pomegranates and paints them, along with other decorative accents, to add as accents to the wreathes. Two ladies were assembling the different decorative accents, and were so excited to show me all of their work. And I could see why, it's stunning. Steps 1-3 in assembling accents for different wreath collections. The final touches were added by an absolutely delightful woman who began almost 30 years ago in the company harvesting fern leaves. Now she creates some of the most beautiful pieces I've ever seen. A screenshot directly from The Magnolia Company's website. You're really going to want to check this out to view all of the finished wreathes, garland and trees they have to offer! [click photo to visit]The shots below are part of Underhill Ferneries, the family business that The Magnolia Company grew out of.