Tiny Mug

Description

PLEASE READ RIGHT TO THE END!

These tiny mugs make me so incredibly happy that I just had to spread this joy. But as I was posting about these, I knew I didn’t want any money for them. Because they were just too darn cute and fun to try to make a profit. So I asked people to trade with me for their talents and handcrafts. But that quickly brought up two things. One, some people felt they didn’t have enough skill to craft something worthy of a trade. But two, I didn’t actually want anything. Don’t get me wrong, I think handcrafts and gifts from the heart are precious and I love receiving gifts from the heart. But I am trying to live an intentional life in which “things” are less and less valuable to me. I’m trying to do more with less. So while I love the idea of a reciprocity economy which I am happy to still do with my honey, salves and other gifts that I can offer, these tiny mugs just didn’t feel like a good fit.

And so I came up with what I feel like is an excellent solution! This mug to me represents how lucky I am to be able to fill my cup up quite literally with tea, coffee, water, juice, wine, whenever I want. I am blessed with food on my table for what feels like a lifetime. But I fully recognize that this is not the case for every person in Canada, and the world. It pains me to think of how many people in Canada alone need to use resources like the Food Bank.

One of the things that I appreciated most when I got back home after spending 80 days surviving on ALONE in 2019, what being able to hold a vessel in my hands that wasn’t covered in rust, or had to be plugged up with my fingers in order for me to drink without spilling. Using a rusty, bear chewed can, was the best option for me out there. And although I made do, holding a clean, rust-proof vessel without holes in it warmed my hands and my heart. It truly made me grateful for such a simple but ingenious creation.

The mug has long been a symbol for both Dave and I within our careers as outdoor guides and is highlighted right in our Lure of the North Logo.

OK- So what do you get to do in order to receive a free gift of a tiny mug?

My offer to you: I have taken the time, energy, love and a bit of money to make these special tiny mugs. In order to receive one you need to:

1. Add tiny mug to cart.
2. Check out and pay the shipping (I can’t ship them letter mail because they stick out too much and I don’t want them to get crushed via the letter mail sorter- Plus Cheryl and the Post Office will roll her eyes at me!)
3. Donate to the food bank- whatever you feel you can give. It can be as simple as going to your grocery store and buying one of those pre-bagged bags.
4. Take a picture of your receipt or better yet, yourself donating and tag me on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #tinymugfullheart @lureofthenorth or send a photo to kielyn@lureofthernorth.com

And that’s it! Dave and I talked about what the best way to have donations made to the food bank would be, and we talked about just making the mugs costs a certain price and then I would donate on your behalf. But we agreed that by getting you out in your OWN community and donating would actually have more of an impact on you and could spark that good feeling of giving even more. Rather than you just clicking and knowing that your money is going to the general food bank supply, actually getting into your community know that it will directly affect someone living in your area, I think, will make a greater impact.

DON’T STOP THERE!

Let this token be a tipping point for you. You could “buy” more tiny mugs and give them out to your neighbors, or someone who you think might appreciate the gesture. Let it be a conversation piece and let it spark the gift of giving and reciprocity in your community.

This is for me, the start of a movement. I thank you from the bottom of my mug for being a part of it! Let’s spread the joy and build a strong community together!

Cheers everyone!