7. Thrifted gift ideas! I *LOVE* these ideas. I stop by thrift stores every week looking for materials for mosaics (and I'm partial to glass dishes 🤣) Buy a cakestand/plate, add a cookbook or baked good to keep it simple or search for more ideas, here's an example: www.instagram.com/reel/C1QkBED...

6. www.ashtonzagerfiberart.com I found Ashton's account when we lived in Weaverville during lockdown and I dove back into weaving. Their fiber bundles & full kits are so fun, colorful, and thoughtfully made. I love their passion, compassion, and creativity + business smarts Kits are ⭐

5. counterculturecoffee.com I'm biased bc I grew up with this, but my favs are Big Trouble and Hologram! They focus on "social, fiscal, and environmental sustainability" and provide financial grants to producers they work with to strengthen farmers and their communities☕ get you a cup

4. arainbowinyourcloud.com (aka StudioMucci) love love love their style!I have many prints hanging in my house, their aesthetic pleases my 80's/90's kid heart🌈 They are a wonderfully kind and encouraging person and I know would appreciate your support to spread joy and color

3. www.sayitwithglassdesigns.com Products or classes! I haven't taken a class here, but can't wait to! I started experimenting with stained glass and mosaic making through my county programs, but am eager to try glass fusing! Who doesn't love a hand made gift or the chance to try it themselves?

2. chiaramade.com Clay jewelry and magnets, etc! Truly this maker is an artist, using the technique 'millefiori' to build designs from individual canes. Their videos on insta are so mesmerizing and I can't wait for what they make next!

1. www.wedgewoodcheesebar.com, butter, ham, wine, cheese of course! I always walk out with something after eating here and anything from this store would make an awesome gift! 🧀🧀🧀

Same same

I believe there is a lot of light in the world right now, if we notice it. Sometimes it’s blurry, sometimes it’s only tiny lights, sometimes it feels like I’m stepping into the sun. But we can be light as we search for more. And I see so much light this week

As my fav acct taomeditations writes: “I challenge you honestly, that if you believe there is truly no light in the world, then you must become it.”

yes, money is ALWAYS needed & appreciated. it gives pantries the ability to buy things like eggs (that aren't donated as much as needed), things in bulk. but food donations help provide a variety for ppl to choose from. bc while sustenance is the goal, providing options brings joy to the process

what is near expiration. Many shelf stable items can be consumed safely WAY past expiration. Some things up to 18 months or 5 years!!! Don't throw it away, please use it yourself (a quick internet search will tell you the actual expiry date) or please donate it. Let's use the food we have!

e.g. 4 cans for $5 but you only need 2, pick up the deal and donate what you don't need. And 2. walk through your pantry/food storage every month and look at the dates on things you haven't used in a while--is is near expiration? do you have 10 of something you don't use often? Donate the excess or

Many are surprised we have refrigerators and freezers so we can store fruits, veggies, dairy, eggs, meat, etc. Someone asked if we're collecting turkeys for holidays and the answer is always YES. My fav tips to share with people are 1. if you are shopping for yourself and see a sale

I’ve been having arguments in my head all night! Heading to a volunteer shift at the food pantry to chase some demons away

you know, logic and decision flows *do* make me feel better

I love this phrase! It covers all things that might bring comfort—a wee, a tea, a silent scream, a phone break for animal videos, or a breath of outside air.

It was applesauce! Marketed for babies lol

Did we grow up in the same house??? I could do a summer of my middle school years and it’d add RL Stine and Agatha Christie