“Chiles have always been a part of the fabric of our family,” says Valley resident Kris Ginter. “As we were growing up, ‘ristras,’ or strings of dried peppers, were something we looked forward to receiving every year, and they have always been included in our decor.”

Since 2014, Ginter has been artfully combining locally sourced flora—including dried chile pods, flowers, wheat, salt grass and dyed corn husks—into wreaths that vibrantly celebrate the bounty of the Sonoran Desert. Displayed indoors or out, they provide a festive note year-round.

“Arizona’s local botanicals offer an abundance of natural patterns, textures and colors,” says Ginter. “Our inspiration is never-ending.”