Stories

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years since my Nonna (grandmother) passed away. I remember her so vividly. She was feisty and loving. She was the most incredible cook and she was very creative – always knitting or making crafts. She had the most beautiful hands that I loved holding. Even though I have photos and memories, one of my biggest regrets was that I didn’t keep anything meaningful with her handwriting on it. As a visual artist, I love handwriting. I believe there is a beauty in everyone’s individual handwriting. The fact that I only had “Love Nan” written on some old birthday cards, made me sad. She used to say such beautiful, inspirational things to me. I wish I had just one of those sayings in her handwriting, to be able to pull out and read occasionally. My Nonna died the same year my own daughter was born. It made me start thinking that I wanted my daughter to have a special message from me, in my handwriting, that she could always keep – treasure even. But not in a card, or letter that was fragile. I had certainly lost items like that over the years. I wanted to give her a small written memento encased in something small enough that she would take with her wherever she would go in life, and beautiful enough that she’d want to keep it always. I thought of a hand painted ornament. Just about everyone loves ornaments and some people actively collect them. But ornaments break and I wanted something that would last generations, so my husband and I sourced products that were durable. We found Canadian made components including a solid hardwood ball and perfectly fitted stainless steel tube which, along with a piece of paper, fits inside the ornament. In order to make each ornament so beautiful, I hand-paint them in 3 or more coats of blended acrylic paint before finishing with a truly special glaze, which gives them the amazing glass-like shine. Once dried, each ornament is hand assembled by my family. What started as a sentimental gift for my own daughter with a special message inside, soon turned into a project making several more for family and friends. The feedback I got was so strong, emotional and unlike anything I had experienced before. I really wasn’t surprised that they were such a hit. I knew they were special because they: • are beautiful, one-of-a-kind ornaments painted by a local artist; •look like glass but made of solid wood (shatterproof); •are lightweight and easy to ship; •have a surprise hidden compartment inside.  But the true uniqueness, and extra special part of each ornament is the handwritten message that YOU put inside...that is the real gift! Because it isn’t about how much money is spent, it is about the thought that has been put into telling someone how important they are in your life. In a world where we hardly ever put pen to paper anymore, it seems to mean that much more when we express things in our own handwriting. Plus there is a beauty and art in everyone’s handwriting that makes us remember that person every time we get to see it and read their words. I would give anything to have a message written to me from my Nonna. Even though this may seem like a small thing to some, it is this regret that fuelled my desire to create a product to hold on to these precious mementos. As a fine artist, it was important to me to create something beautiful, that could be admired (and read) year-round. My daughter leaves hers in her bedroom window.  Message in a Bauble is the perfect gift, any time of year for everyone special in your life. For the first time starting in 2026, we are offering them for sale online!