Today’s Daily Mission Challenge is about stepping back from what is popular and leaning into what is meaningful. Trends move quickly. They shift with seasons, algorithms, and platforms. Connection lasts much longer. This challenge invites you to examine why you create and who your work is really for.
Outside of a few creations made especially for my grandkids, I have largely stayed rooted in creating pieces meant to be sold that form an artistic connection with the person receiving them. That connection is not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it lives in the story behind the piece, the collaboration that shaped it, or the way it reflects a memory or place. This approach works for me and fits my aesthetic and creative voice. I also know it is not the path everyone chooses, and that is absolutely okay. There are many valid ways to create and many reasons people are drawn to handmade work.
One recent piece that truly embodies this idea was a purse made from walnut. This was not a quick or trendy project. It was a collaboration between myself and the husband of the woman who would ultimately receive it. The material choice, the design, and the details were all informed by someone who knew her deeply and wanted the piece to reflect that relationship. The result was more than a functional item. It became a shared story, one that carried intention, care, and meaning in every step of the process. That kind of connection cannot be rushed or replicated by trend alone.
Another example came from a customer who loved my farm stand shadow box and asked for three identical pieces to gift to family members. Rather than simply recreating the original, we worked together to winterize the design. Subtle seasonal changes, thoughtful details, and a shared vision transformed the piece into something that felt personal while remaining consistent across all three boxes. It was still recognizable, but it carried a deeper sense of belonging for the family receiving them. That request reminded me that connection can exist even in repetition when intention is present.
Creating for connection requires listening. It asks you to slow down and consider what your work communicates beyond appearance. It also requires trust in your own style and values. Trends can be helpful and inspiring, but they should not override what feels authentic to you. For some creators, trends are part of the joy and the challenge. For others, like me, the reward comes from building something that resonates on a personal level. Neither approach is better than the other. They are simply different paths.
Your mission today is to reflect on where connection shows up in your work. Ask yourself what draws people to your creations. Is it the story. The function. The aesthetic. The memory it evokes. Choose one piece you have made or plan to make and identify what makes it meaningful beyond its appearance. Consider how you might deepen that connection through material choice, customization, or collaboration.
Challenge yourself to create one thing today that prioritizes meaning over momentum. Or take time to write about a piece that already holds a story. Share how connection shows up in your process, even if it looks different from mine. Creating for connection is not about following a formula. It is about honoring the quiet reasons people choose handmade work and trusting that those reasons are enough.
Did you use one of your 3D printed frames for that shadow box, by chance? Regardless, it looks terrific! I’m always amazed by your shadow boxes—and, well, everything else you make.
You really crushed it on the purses! They’re so beautiful and definitely timeless!