On the banks of Durbin Creek in upstate South Carolina is where you can find Loretta, her family, their dog and cat, and 130 pedigreed rabbits! Durbin Creek is the setting of Loretta's children's book series, as well as the location where her "Garden Gate" company was born. Loretta's calendars, note cards, books, and posters are illustrated with extraordinary photographs of her amazing, adorable bunnies. Loretta and her family have built an entire cottage industry around the bunnies, whose personalities are as different and distinct as their costumes.

An elementary school teacher before she decided to devote herself to her bunny business full time, Loretta still finds many opportunities to educate both children and adults about the care and characteristics of rabbits. Her rabbit park is open for visitors year round, and she also does special events with the bunnies. What started with a few pet rabbits, a love of storytelling, a lot of creativity, and an appreciation for God's beautiful world has grown into a unique career that now keeps Loretta's entire family busy. They raise thirteen different breeds of bunnies—all of whom have names—and regularly bring home championship prizes from events around the country.

Loretta uses the bunnies to create enchanting scenes which she creates from a mixture of colorful settings, handsewn costumes, and homegrown flowers, plants, and vegetables. The bunnies might be sailors in a rowboat in one scene, babies in an old-fashioned buggy in another, or pinafored girls at a tea party in another. "I have to take hundreds of photos to get that 'perfect' shot," Loretta says, "plus I have to work quickly since the bunnies like to eat the props!"

The results, though, are nothing short of spectacular. Adults are as enchanted as children with Loretta's work, and this Appalachian artisan hears frequently from people who have been touched by her beautiful and creative work. We are happy to have Loretta join the Magnolia Trappings family and feel sure you will enjoy sharing her products the next time you need a truly unique gift that is guaranteed to please!