How to Tell a Story With a Gift
Interview with Maria-Joy — curator helping loved ones celebrate intimate life moments...including me on my wedding day 💐 (also: thoughts on "blossoming" 🌻)
Blossom: (n). the flower that appears on a tree or bush, particularly one that produces edible fruit; or, the state of flowering; (v). to develop or flourish.
By the time you read this, it won’t be 10am on a Friday. But, it is when I’m writing this. The sky above the Mosswood neighborhood in Oakland, CA is gray but also blinding (somehow, the overcast sheen is illuminating brighter than on a clear morning).
I sit cross-legged at a desk looking onto a bustling section of Telegraph Avenue — three stems of sunflowers bundled next to me beside a cup of tea and a half-eaten bagel.
As I reflect on the concept of “blossom,” I relish in the words of Christine Board, an interdisciplinary artist, florist, place-maker, and storyteller: “every blossom is an act of becoming.”
I simmer on the concept of pruning, and how there is often a need to trim away at a plant even before it has even bore fruit (so it can one day bear fruit). As much as there is beauty in this process, there is grief too.
“In order for there to be fruit, the blossom needs to die.” - Christine Board
So, as grocery stores and local boutiques adorn their windows with burnt-orange cutouts of maple leaves and stock their displays with heirloom pumpkins, I think it’s safe to say: summer is coming to an end.
This summer was abundant — filled with blooms and blossoms: stories, gatherings, whimsical travels, boundless ideation, and creative partnerships.
But now, it is time to...
Prune: (v) to cut off branches from a plant, especially so that they can grow better in the future.
As someone with (certifiably) no “green thumb,” I recently learned that pruning makes way for sunlight and oxygen to reach essential parts of a plant — so that it can redirect its nutrients to produce better yields.
Such is life. As another Autumn arrives, I remind myself of the essentials and the need to focus thy energy.
I cross-examine my inner voices (think: the multi-emotional characters in the Pixar film ‘Inside Out’). And, I meditate — on the things I intentionally choose to create (as I resist the urge to disperse finite fuel in infinite directions).
So, I ask you: What is blossoming right now? And, what needs to die in order for the plant to bear fruit?
As you think on that, I’d like to introduce you to an individual whose craft truly blooms when she distinctively weaves her creations into the narrative, ethos, and intimacy of her client’s most private life moments.
Meet Maria-Joy.
…one of the many artists who contributed to the decor, gifts, flow, and story of my (recent) wedding.
On a quiet afternoon (a few months after the chaos of my nuptials), I sit down with Maria-Joy to learn more about her passion for curating and crafting (meticulous) gift hampers for a variety of life occasions — big and small.
V: Maria-Joy, you are so gifted, and it has been such a pleasure working with you. The hampers you created for our wedding guests were so beautiful. And, I am curious to know: What was the “idea-on-a-napkin” origin story of your hamper business?
Maria-Joy: This is so sweet and kind of you to say. And, I really enjoyed curating gifts for your wedding guests. Our co-creations were the most thoughtful and creative hampers I have curated so far.
And, about my business…it all started as a small venture. It actually began when I was searching for a unique and thoughtful birthday gift for one of my closest friends. I looked around the shops in my community, but couldn’t find something that precisely captured the message (and heart) of my celebration of her. So, I decided to make it myself. While crafting her birthday package, it dawned on me that I loved curating gifts that weren’t just beautiful, but also carried a story — a memory, a feeling, or a quiet piece of nostalgia.
So, that small gesture sparked something in me. Since then, I’ve been creating personalized gifts as a part-time passion project, and my clients come to me for opportunities to be a part of various celebrations and milestones.
V: That is an amazing origin story, and what a treat for your friend to have received something so personal. Would you mind sharing an emotional milestone from your time running the business? What are the moments that stay with you the most?
Maria-Joy: There have been many memorable moments, but I’ll share one that stands out in my memory right now.
A husband once approached me to create a gift for his wife. He wanted to surprise her with something special, but had absolutely no idea what to get. So, he said to me: “do your thing.”
With zero brief (and very little else to go off of), I leaned on my instincts. Even though the husband did not have a specific vision, I learned a bit about more about their relationship and hoped that I would be able to pull off a delightful and meaningful gift. I sourced beautiful materials and wove together a present that I thought conveyed his love and adoration for her.
Then, I heard back him. His wife told him that it was something she had been waiting to receive for a very long time. And, I was thrilled. It reminded me that my business is not just about objects, but about creating emotional connections that linger. It was incredibly special.
And, this is what I bring to all my clients — like the hampers for your wedding, which I loved working on. From selecting the vessel for the goods, to detailing each items inside, and the entire iterative process, it was so fun to integrate both of your personal touch and even childhood memories into your gifts. And, it was incredibly collaborative.
V: I absolutely agree. The hampers were so fun to work on together, and they truly helped us convey our deepest gratitude to our wedding guests (in a way that was uniquely us). For our readers’ sake, can you share where are you based and your typical clientele? And, what is next for you and your business?
Maria-Joy: I am based in Kerala — a state in southwestern India — and, through word-of-mouth, my work has gradually reached clients across India. (Hopefully, at some point, we’ll expand to other countries as well). While I have created products for a variety of occasions, most of my work comes from the wedding industry.
And, what’s next?
A few months ago, I went to China for the bi-annual Canton Fair, which is a dream come true for me. It is a large international trade event held in the province of Guangzhou, and I was able to discover so many stunning products and unique finds to bring back to my small business in India — things we don’t often get to see here.
I also aspire to add more Indian artisanal crafts to my creations, and make them more accessible to diverse customers.
For your wedding, for example, I sourced the gift bags and baskets (beautiful, locally crafted pieces) from West Bengal. And, since every region of India has its own distinct technique and style of artistry — whether it’s weaving, carving, or pottery — I want to continue discovering these gems from near and far and pair them together to create story-ful gifts that reflect both my clients’ vision and my creative touch.
With that, I hope you are inspired to bloom a bit into your creative dreams today (or prune away some things to nurture future fruits).
If you’re curious to discover more stories like this one, consider checking out:
Lastly, if you have a moment to fill out our 3-minute reader survey, you can help us bloom more insightful writings and adventures →
Happy community gathering and see you on the next page!
With zeal and gratitude for this creative life,
Vanessa Li
