I made my first Petal Brites when the fuzzy centers fell off the flowers on my bike basket garland. I covered the bare spots with reflective stickers and my garland wasn't just pretty, now it had a safety feature! On dreary or rainy days, I have a little bit of sunshine with me as I ride along. In the dark, it's a wink of surprise that gets a driver's attention.

After that, it was always in the back of my mind to make and sell reflective flowers. I got serious about it when my office moved. As I rode past my old work-place and the friends I missed, I'd try to think positive, or at least about something that wasn't work. I came up with the Petal Brite name and imagined the different styles I could make while I biked. Eight months later, I opened my Etsy shop.

I love to work outside in my garden. But when it comes to flowers, I have better luck with the fake ones. When I have time to make some Petal Brites, I rummage through my flowers and pick out the ones that catch my eye. Some just need the reflective sticker to make them shine. For others, I might combine two flowers with leaves from another to come up with a new hybrid. I know it's complete when the combination makes me smile. Some Petal Brites are one-of-a-kind, others are a bouquet that won't bloom again.

I hope my Petal Brites brighten your day like they do mine. I love how they bloom in the dark with their special sparkle that makes you, or your dog, more visible while out walking, jogging or biking.