July, 2008

At least one bright side to rising gasoline prices — a very bright side — is that Dye Nation owners Stan and Jillian Reich decided to travel less to arts and crafts festivals and instead open a retail store in Greensboro.

The Dye Nation boutique opened on West Market Street in March, and Jillian says it’s been busy from the get-go. She says shoppers like its “hip, not hippie” merchandise ranging from tie-dyed infant onesies to tie-dyed adult sundresses. Jillian says she’s always surprised at how many applications there are for her vibrant designs.

“I remember getting a sample of a long, white dress, holding it up and saying, ‘There’s no way anyone would buy this tie-dyed,’ ” she recalls. “But my husband said buy it, and it’s ended up being our No. 1 dress, the princess-cut dress. I’ve had women wear them for weddings.”

Speaking of special occasions, the Reichs also launched a party-hosting business, Parties 2 Dye 4, about a year ago. Parties are held in a room adjacent to the boutique and begin with guests creating their own tie-dyed shirts — giving Jillian and her staff time to set, wash, and dry the shirts before guests leave.

Parties cost $150 for 10 people, and an extra $2 per person for special tie-dye cupcakes. Either way, guests walk away like boutique customers do: with colorful additions to their wardrobes. — chris gigley

For information, call 336-299-5261 or go to dyenation.com and parties2dye4.com.

July, 2008

On the wings of the monarch butterfly, High Point’s All-a-Flutter Butterfly Farm has blossomed into one of the area’s most colorful attractions. “Preschools, church groups, senior citizens — we see them all,” says Nora Cammer, manager of All-a-Flutter. “It’s been a slow growth process, but things have really picked up.”

The idea came after owners Tim and Donna Pless took a trip to a Florida butterfly farm and developed a strong interest in monarch preservation. Although Donna, a graphic designer, and Tim, a pastor/salesman, had no entomology experience, their desire to “give something back to the world” was too great to ignore. After extensive research, the couple opened All-a-Flutter in 2001.

Since then, the business has expanded its wings. The farm’s “flight house” — where visitors can see, touch, even feed butterflies — now includes nearly 100 monarchs. The farm also added a presentation area where visitors engage in a series of playful, hands-on activities. Picnic tables, picturesque landscaping, and a much-welcomed misting tent also add to the farm’s appeal.

Aside from the tours, the farm sells butterflies to release at special occasions. “Butterflies are universal in their appeal,” Cammer says. “They can really add something special to any event, whether it’s a wedding, birthday, graduation, or a memorial.”

Despite its growth, All-a-Flutter remains a relatively small, family-run operation. The Plesses still have their day jobs while Cammer, a family friend, handles the majority of tours. More importantly though, the farm continues operate with the simple desire to give something back to the world — one butterfly at a time. — michael breedlove

All-a-Flutter is at 7850 Clinard Farms Rd. in High Point. For information about tours and ordering butterflies for release, go to all-a-flutter.com.