Updates from Created 2 Give
July 10, 2025
A conversation between myself and my son made me smile and reminded me of a conversation between myself and my cousin a while back. My Cousin: Stop at Joe’s when you’re done. Me: I don’t know where Joe lives. My Cousin: Right next to the dump. Me: I don’t know where the dump is. My Cousin: Right next to Joe’s house. Me: Walked right into that one! We both laughed then and I’m laughing again now as I remember that day. Whenever this happens to you, smile, laugh and know it’ll make you smile years later!
July 3, 2025
Tomorrow is July 4th, also known as Independence Day in the U.S. Founded on unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the Declaration of Independence was adopted declaring the thirteen original colonies independent of British rule, marking the birth of the United States as a nation. Across the country, there will be celebrations with fireworks, parade’s, cookouts, picnics and spending time with family and friends. However you decide to spend the day, I hope it is exactly what you had hoped for. Happy Independence Day!
June 26, 2025
You’ve probably heard this before … “Life begins at 40. Until then, you’re just doing research.” Until today, I had never heard the “research” part of this. But, I like it! Although I’m well past 40, I feel I’m still doing research trying to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up! If you’re in the same boat - cheers! Maybe someday we’ll figure it out and until then carry on with the research!
June 19, 2025
I tried to pull one over on my son this week. The conversation went something like this … Me: Remember to get premium air in your tires at your next oil change. My Son: Sure. I’ll have them use premium summer air too, not the winter air. We both laughed, he got me. So, I did what anyone else would do and googled it. When AI generated a definition, we both laughed again … do we believe it or ??? I don’t know about premium air but I do enjoy the laughs! Take time to laugh with family and friends - it’ll make your day and theirs a little lighter!
June 12, 2025
This is one of those places that you hear about but if you don’t know how to get there, you’ll never find it. One of those “you can’t get there from here” places. Those are the special ones. The places that always put a smile on my face when I think about friends and memories made there. I hope you have those places where getting there is half the fun, there’s always great conversation, new friends and memories are made and because you know about it, you know how to get there.
June 5, 2025
These pictures were taken 3 months apart. During that time, I walked this road 60 times. Yet, until I stopped to take a new picture, I barely realized how much change had actually taken place. As we live life, days may be long and hard but remember, change happens a little each and every day. Stick with it and every once in a while, remember to stop and look at the beautiful changes that have taken place. You’ll be glad you did.
May 29, 2025
After doing some things that weren’t so bright … the conversation between myself and my son … Me: I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve learned from yesterday. I’m feeling a little dim, not nearly as bright as I should be. My Son: It’ll be ok, just change your batteries and you’ll shine brighter again. Me: Touché! If you’re feeling a little dim lately, just change your batteries - you’ll shine brighter again!
May 22, 2025
In these newsletters, I try to share a little something that I hope helps you smile. This week, I simply want to say thank you to those at Lyric who make this community come alive! As a one man band trying to build a small business, there’s always more to do than there is time, talent or resources to make it happen. To all the makers who have chosen Lyric as their community of choice - I’m honored to support your efforts whenever I am able. Thank you to Lyric for the desire to help small businesses and the maker community. Sincerely, thank you!
May 15, 2025
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a sweet tooth. I’ve been known to buy birthday cakes just because … I LOVE buttercream frosting! Growing up, I really, really liked chocolate chip cookies, especially when they were still warm. So, you can imagine my delight when I found that today is national chocolate chip day! So go ahead, enjoy a couple chocolate chip cookies - I know I will!
May 8, 2025
This past weekend at an outdoor market, I bought what could easily be the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I shared with my son, that the gal behind the magic made 200 loaves the day before and showed him a picture of her. After, this was conversation between myself and my son … My Son - She’s younger than what I was thinking. Me - I think she’s about my age. My Son - Gives me a look and doesn’t say a word. Me - Don’t you think so or don’t I look that young? My Son - I’m not touching that with a 10’ pole! Me - Thinking to myself … good answer!
May 1, 2025
How’s your yebbin? After a big hug, this is the first thing a friend asked me. I asked, what’s a yebbin? Laughing hysterically, she slowly repeated the question. Still at a loss, I said I didn’t know what a yebbin was! We were laughing, barely able to speak & several others were laughing too. She then said, slowly & over enunciating, “how’s your year been?” All I could say was “good, it’s been good!” To this day, I laugh when I think about it. I hope you have those unexpected experiences that make you laugh & feel blessed to have dear friends.
April 24, 2025
The book, Green Eggs & Ham, has inspired chef’s to create recipes, Senator Ted Cruz talked about & read the book into the Senate record during a speech, and a federal judge used the book as inspiration to write, in rhyme, an order to destroy an egg received from an inmate protesting prison food. What’s both interesting and amazing is the book uses only 50 unique words! So, if you’re ever in need for support of a less is more claim, or some fun facts to bring a smile or laugh, remember - Green Eggs & Ham!
April 17, 2025
Years ago, a friend often told me stories of when he & his family traveled to the Galápagos Islands. They absolutely loved everything about it – beaches, people, lifestyle. Reading about the mailing system on Floreana Island, I smiled & thought of him. National Geographic reports a historic, unofficial system where visitors leave unstamped postcards in a wooden barrel, not a building, for other travelers to hand-deliver. No building, employees, stamps or services. When you’re on the beautiful Floreana Island remember, do your part & deliver some mail!
April 10, 2025
Ever remember something that was so good but when you finally have it again, you’re disappointed and realize the memory was way better? Chocolate m&m donuts used to be my son’s absolute favorite. Today, I surprised him with one and was curious if they were as good as he remembered … it absolutely was! Over the next few days, I hope you too are pleasantly surprised with something being as good as you remember.
April 3, 2025
When traveling, one of my favorite things is finding a local coffee shop and trying something new. I remember one time, the gal taking my order looked at me and said, “You’re not from here.” It wasn’t a question; it was a statement. I confirmed she was correct and asked how she knew. She said I was smiling. As I left, she smiled and waved but what I’ll always remember - her eyes were smiling. I’m not sure who felt better that day, but I know this - I love helping people smile. Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been. - Jimmy Buffett
March 27, 2025
Ever have one of these days? Me: Where is all this red coming from? Also Me: Wonder how and when I cut myself? Still Me: Uff da …
March 20, 2025
After being asked at a couple of Art Fairs, I started making orchid planters. I knew nothing so I learned from the internet and then reached out to a friend to learn more. That was almost two years ago. Today, I’m smiling as I see my one and only orchid starting to grow again after losing its flowers. Maybe this year I’ll have flowers again. Spring is almost here and I smile thinking about flowers, the smell of freshly cut grass and seeing the farmers out planting. I hope thoughts of spring put a smile on your face and a little spring in your step.
March 13, 2025
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed people. I love spending time with friends, and picking up where we left off as if no time has passed. I enjoy meeting people and feel fortunate when I make a new friend. Art fair season is my happy place - so many people, opportunities to meet people and maybe a new friend or two. Wherever you find happiness, I hope you have opportunities to meet new people and make a new friends.
March 6, 2025
The roads we walk, the people we spend time with, what we read or listen to, shape us. More and more, I find myself looking for peaceful beauty in everything and every one. Wherever you spend time, I hope you not only find, but enjoy peaceful beauty.
February 27, 2025
Everything in this image makes me happy. Why? Because each thing represents something special I do with someone I care deeply about - each a different person. As people come into my life, I look for an opportunity to find something that they really enjoy and then take every opportunity to engage in that “thing” with them. Why? Because it warms my heart to spend time with people I care about, doing something they enjoy. For me … it’s all about people. Whether it’s people or something else, I hope you have something you enjoy that warms your heart.
February 20, 2025
This is the time of year when I try really hard to be patient. Patient for spring, longer days, warmer weather and baseball! Preseason baseball starts on Thursday, February 20th! Even with the temperatures below zero at night, I barely notice because - it’s baseball season! Even if baseball isn’t for you, I hope there is something you look forward to so much, everything else seems a little bit better too. 🙂
February 13, 2025
When you watch sports on television, I do you spend time thinking about how fast a runner is, how tall a basketball player is, how big a football player is, etc.? Maybe every once in a while, but for the most part, I don’t think about these things. This past week I had the opportunity to add a little reality to my world. I have only one word - WOW! I hope you have the opportunity to add a little unexpected reality to your world, the kind where you have only one word - wow!
February 6, 2025
Four years ago this summer I walked away from corporate America. It was both scary and exciting at the same time. Since then, travel has been much more enjoyable as it’s for me rather than work. Today, I’m at the airport waiting to board my flight for a short getaway with some of my dearest friends. My hope is that no matter how busy life gets, you always make time for friends - they too are priceless!
January 30, 2025
A few years back I started giving experience gifts for birthdays & Christmas. This year, I teamed up with my maker friends and spent time with my nieces making pendants and then with my son forging a knife from a railroad spike. Spending time with those you love is priceless. These days were nothing short of amazing and yes, priceless. In both cases, the creating process was much more challenging than we ever imagined and we all left with a deeper appreciation of handmade. I look forward to the next experience with my maker friends - maybe that’s you!
January 23, 2025
January in the Midwest is no joke. At times, the high temperature is in the negative numbers and then, queue the wind and even those who love the winter need to admit the “feels like” temperature is a bit chilly! Personally, I’m a summer gal doing my best to embrace all four seasons. Whether you embrace all four seasons or have a preference for one or maybe two, I hope you smile a little when it dawns on you … Spring is only about two months away. Hang in there - we’ve got this!
January 16, 2025
I love everything about pottery. Everything from the preventative maintenance to ensure my kiln runs as it should, to the creation of new pieces and then deciding what color and how to glaze the pieces. Every piece I create, from the very beginning to completion, is done with considerable thought, intention and detail. Why? Because I believe that someone will love that piece as much as I do and that matters to me.
December 18, 2024
Unique. Different. Dramatic. You color outside of the lines. You march to a different drum. These are all comments that people shared with me over the 2024 Art Fair season about my work. Of course, I sincerely thanked everyone who took time to share their thoughts on my work but it’s so much more than that. For me, it’s humbling while at the same time, inspiring and gets me thinking about the next piece I’m going to create. As we near the end of 2024, thank you to everyone who has supported my dream and I look forward to meeting new friends in 2025.
December 11, 2024
I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my family and served the salad in one of my island bowls. Because I had chilled the bowl prior, the salad stayed crisp and bright longer. The bowl was the perfect size and there were several compliments on the uniqueness and functionality of the bowl. If you’re looking for that perfectly unique gift, consider an island bowl - you’ll be glad you did!
December 4, 2024
This time of year can get crazy hectic and busy! Find new gift ideas on Lyric that people will truly love. Give the gift of handmade knowing you’re supporting a dream of a small business owner passionate about their craft. #shopsmallbusiness #shophandmade
November 27, 2024
Thanksgiving is a time for family, for and gratitude. After the turkey and all the fixings have been eaten, dishes are done and the football games are in full swing, thoughts turn to the start of the Christmas season shopping! With many shopping choices, I am grateful for everyone who chooses to purchase from Created 2 Give where 5% of every purchase is donated to Children’s Miracle Network and dedicated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where those precious little ones fight so hard to simply breathe.
November 20, 2024
Holiday shopping season is here! Created 2 Give has handmade quality, affordable and functional creations perfect for giving. Always grateful, Created 2 Give donates 5% of every sale to Children’s Miracle Network where it is dedicated to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) helping those precious miracles who fight so hard to simply breathe. #shoplocal #shophandmade #smallbusiness