Looking for a workshop that’s as creative as it is sustainable? Meet ChiDamaLuffa—a horticultural art form that transforms living plants and natural fibers into sculptural pieces of eco-friendly design. It’s a craft you won’t find anywhere else, and it’s waiting for you at a pollinator-friendly farm northwest of Dallas–Fort Worth.
🌿 What Is ChiDamaLuffa?
ChiDamaLuffa takes its name from three ideas:
- Chi – meaning life force or energy
- Dama – Spanish for “beautiful lady”
- Luffa – the versatile plant that’s the foundation of this art
The technique involves wrapping live plants in dried luffa and natural twine, creating a sphere that can hang or rest on a dish. Think of it as Japanese kokedama with a Texas twist—and a mission for sustainability.
👩🎨 Why Try It?
ChiDamaLuffa is more than a craft. It’s a form of mindful creativity that slows you down and connects you to nature. As you wrap each layer of luffa and fiber, you’re not just decorating—you’re caring for a living plant. The result? A one-of-a-kind piece that brings beauty and purpose to your space.
🐐 Where Creativity Meets the Farm
When you join this workshop, you’re stepping into Nature’s Circle, a 14-acre farm certified as a Monarch Waystation and Bee Friendly habitat. Before your hands-on session, you’ll take a short tour to meet:
- Friendly Lamancha goats (they might even peek in to say hello)
- Guinea fowl roaming the pastures
- Horizontal bee hives buzzing with life (viewed from a safe distance)
It’s an experience that blends art, agriculture, and pollinator education in one afternoon.
🌸 Why Luffa?
Most people think of luffa as a bath sponge, but it’s so much more. Luffa plants bloom into late fall, providing an essential food source for bees when other flowers fade. They’re fully compostable, pet-friendly, and even goats love them!
Fun fact: Nature’s Circle first discovered luffa’s playful side when their cat, RB, started batting the vines. Today, RB is the official “CEO” (Cat Executive Officer) of Luv a Luffa, a product line that now includes cat toys, diffusers, and more.
🌱 What You’ll Create
Your ChiDamaLuffa sphere can feature orchids, succulents, ferns, or herbs—plants provided by the farm. Prefer a personal touch? Bring your own plant and give it a fresh start in a sustainable design.
✅ Why Book This Workshop
- Unique to Texas—developed by farm owner Deb Terrell, an award-winning advocate for pollinators and sustainable farming
- Perfect for garden lovers, craft enthusiasts, and mindful creatives
- Small-group setting on a working farm, just minutes from Fort Worth
- You’ll leave with a living piece of art—and the know-how to make more
📍 Where to Try It
The ChiDamaLuffa workshop is available by request for groups of 4 or more, starting at $25 per person.
👉 Book your ChiDamaLuffa Workshop here
