When I was growing up in Queens, I never wanted a pet rabbit. What I did want was to see a wild one in my own backyard. Year after year, I waited for a glimpse of those big ears or a flash of a cottony tail, but it never happened.
Even after moving to Long Island, the dream stayed the same: someday, a bunny in my yard. Well, 2025 delivered in a big wayâthis year, bunnies started popping up all over my backyard. There is a family living somewhere right beehind the Backyard Bees beehive; I couldn’t bee more excited!!
And I was very excited to meet Diana Garino, my vendor neighbor at the Nassau CCE Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park. Diana is the owner/creator behind Angora Crafted and the “dominant doe” behind seven beautiful Angora rabbits (not exactly what I have in my backyard, but stilll…) When I learned that September 27 is National Rabbit Dayâit felt meant to bee that I celebrate the bees and the bunnies with her at our fabulous market.
Why Celebrate National Rabbit Day?
Rabbits are more than just cute faces at Easterâthey help keep our planet buzzing!
- Eco Helpers: Rabbits support healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Sustainable Style: Angora rabbits offer soft, renewable fiberâno synthetics needed.
- Responsible Love: Too many bunnies are bought on impulse, then abandoned. Adopt, donât shop!
This National Rabbit Day, letâs honor these gentle creatures with kindness and sustainability.
From Bunny to Beautiful: How Angora Crafted Works Its Magic
If youâve stopped by the Farmers Market, youâve probably admired Dianaâs beautiful hand-crocheted creationsâsoft scarves, cozy hats, and whimsical pieces like the little bee she made for my National Honey Bee Day display.
But what makes her work so special is the story behind it.
Four times a year, Diana gently trims her Angora rabbits, collecting their unbelievably soft fur. That fur is spun into luxurious Angora wool, known to be four times warmer than sheep wool. The unbee-lievable part? Diana makes the yarn herself and then creates her little bee-uties.
From brushing the bunnies to spinning the fiber to crocheting the final piece, every step begins with the animals she cares for and ends with something warm, wearable, and completely one-of-a-kind.
Diana learned to crochet at age nine from her grandmother, and those skills have grown right alongside her love for animals. With each creation, thereâs a little piece of her childhood, her rabbits, and her artistry woven in.
At this yearâs National Rabbit Day celebration, Diana will even be doing a live demo so you can watch the process in actionâhow fluffy rabbit fur becomes soft, cozy wool and then something beautiful to wear or gift.
When Bees Meet Bunnies
When chatting with Diana about National Rabbit Day, it turns out, the Queen Bee of Backyard Bees and the Dominant Doe of Angora Crafted have more in common than we realized. (What’s a “dominant doe”? It’s the head female of a group of rabbits! ) Hereâs a peek at our fun comparison chart:
| Diana of Angora Crafted | Kathy of Backyard Bees | |
| Like to garden? | Yes | Yes |
| Compost? | Bunny poop! | Worm poop (via our worm bin) |
| Favorite plant? | Dandelions â bunnies love them! | Joe Pye Weed â bees love it too! |
| Animal type? | Angora Rabbits | Italian Honeybees in the backyard |
Turns out bunnies and bees share more than we thoughtâlike a love for dandelions and the people who care for them.
Celebrate National Rabbit Day with Us!
On Saturday, September 27, come celebrate National Rabbit Day at the Eisenhower Park CCE Nassau Farmers Market!
Bunnies are shy though. We know you want to meet the Angora Bunnies, but the market is not their cup of tea. INSTEAD…
Meet Diana, learn about her Angora rabbits, and see a live wool-making demo. You will bee amazed to learn about the the transformation process from bunny fur to soft Angora wool.
You’ll probably want to take home something hand-crafted and bunny-soft. (Truly! Bee prepared! Diana’s sweet creations are a great example of green gifting.) The market runs from 9 am – 1pm.
The CCE Nassau Farmers Market Volunteers will have fun activities for the family, including a Bunny Sack Hop, story time, and live music!
The Nassau CCE Farmers Market runs every Saturday, from 9am – 1pm until October 25th.
The Parting Buzz
As you wander through the market, be sure to take a moment to visit and chat with all the amazing vendors. Snap some photos, share the buzz, and donât forget to tag @backyardbees, @angoracraftedofficial, and @ccenassauâwe love seeing your market moments! Our farmers market is a place to bee curious, make new friends, and, of course, bee hoppy. đ
