Carried Close: The Folk Tradition of Herbal Charm Bags
Long before charm bags found their way into modern folklore, families across Europe, Appalachia, and the American South carried small herb-filled pouches close to the body, tucked into pockets, hung by doorways, and slipped beneath pillows. Each one held a story: a grandmother's remedy, a traveler's protection, a bit of hope stitched into cloth.
In this hands-on class, you'll step into that tradition. We'll explore the folk history behind herb filled charm bags, the plants that carried meaning across generations, and the quiet intention woven into the simple act of choosing and tying. You'll select your own herbs, learn the lore behind each one, and assemble a charm bag to carry home, made with your own hands and your own intention.
🌼 No experience needed—just curiosity and a love of nature
🌼 All materials and supplies are provided
🌼 You’ll leave with your own finished charm bags and the confidence to use them and even make more.
🌼 Open to ages 18 and up
Come solo or bring a friend—this is a warm, welcoming space to create, learn, and experience the magic of herbal traditions made simple.
A hands-on make-and-take session where you'll craft your own herbal charm bag using a blend of dried herbs and botanicals. A small, tactile bit of folk tradition to carry with you, whatever intention you choose to fill it with.
Your Host
Michelle Spalding is an herbalist and holistic coach, a lifelong plant lover, and a longtime business owner. She has more than 10 years of coaching experience, over 20 years of running businesses, and more than 2,000 hours of formal training in Western herbalism and vitalist philosophy. She founded Wild Thistle Herbs and Alchemy in Waco, Texas, where she works with clients, tends a small apothecary shop, and hand-crafts herbal products in small batches.
Michelle brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to everything she does. She believes herbs and nature don’t have to be complicated or intimidating, and that change is easier with someone steady beside you. A cup of tea, a little plant knowledge, and a room full of curious people are among her favorites.
Her workshops are beginner-friendly, hands-on, and grounded in the idea that plants are for everyone. Whether you leave with a new skill, a deeper curiosity, or simply an evening that felt better than you expected, that is time well spent.
Michelle is a proud member of the American Herbalists Guild, Herbalists Without Borders, and the Flower Essence Society. She offers holistic coaching by video for women wherever they are, and in-person herbal consultations in Waco or by video.
Learn more about working with Michelle.