Edit: We've since passed the initial goal, and donations were continuing to trickle in - very appreciative of the support, y'all know how to make someone feel loved. Some friends suggested raising the goal to help get a bit more $ to cover some labour, or to funnel back into my company. Still feeling vulnerable about the initial ask, I've had to come to accept the fact that I shouldn't feel guilty about allowing others to support me. Rather, I should feel appreciation for having such a beautiful community that wants to see me succeed. I am so grateful to everyone who's commented kind words, shared the fundraiser, and donated. Y'all rock <3

It Began

The year was 2019, and I was about to attend my very first Harvest Festival. Having only recently started going to these kinds of gatherings, I was in awe of all the gifts and trinkets people would hand out. I wanted to join in - but with what?

After some brainstorming, I landed on what I would eventually call Puzzle Pendants (though they were originally known as Harvest Hearts).

Receiving a Puzzle Pendant was like a Sidequest. Each necklace was one half of a puzzle, and somewhere out there in the festival grounds, another person held the matching half. Think ice-breaker meets scavenger hunt. The game was simple: find your match. And though not everyone found their missing piece, they almost always made new friends along the way.

That first year, I handed out only 72 necklaces. But the response floored me:

The love and appreciation I received that year was overwhelming - and one of the biggest reasons I find myself still creating Puzzle Pendants six years later.

What's a Ruffles?

For those of you who don’t know me: Hi, I’m Ruffles. I’ve always been an artist at heart, with a drive to bring people together - through events, clothing swaps, and most notably, these Puzzle Pendants.

I started this project in 2019 while stuck in debt, fueled only by the belief that connection is worth investing in. Time and money have always been tight, but the joy I’ve witnessed - seeing two strangers light up when they find each other - makes it all worthwhile.

Because in the end, this isn’t just a game.

It’s about people feeling seen.

It’s about the limitless possibility of connection.

It’s about creating memories that last long after the festival ends.

The ‘Harvest Hearts’

Since their first appearance at Harvest, Puzzle Pendants have gone through many iterations, each year bringing something new and exciting. What hasn’t changed is their core design: every pendant uses the same puzzle cutouts I’ve been using for years - which is why they’re some of my wonkiest puzzle pieces I still use.

But it also means if you’ve collected pendants in the past, there’s always the chance that your old piece might connect with someone new at this year’s festival. Year after year, the pool of possible matches grows, weaving together a living, evolving puzzle of community. Each new Harvest adds layers of connections, stories, and memories - transforming the pendants into more than a one-time experience, but an ongoing tradition.

At Harvest, Puzzle Pendants have sparked friendships, adventures, and unforgettable moments of serendipity. Over the years I’ve been regaled with stories like these:

I’ve been told countless stories like this. Stories of meeting new friends, tales of people matching with their bestie, and even people discovering something deeper. The pendants carry a special energy within them, and all it takes to release it, is for you to believe in the possibilities.

Of course, not everyone finds their match - and that’s part of the tension. But when they finally do, the release is electric. Excitement, awe, love. Pure Harvest magic. The energy that emerges from these pendants is more than just a fun experience - it’s love, it’s community, it’s connection. And that energy is what has been fueling me for the past six years...

Puzzle Pendants for Harvest 2025

This year, the pendants take the form of a blossoming flower, in four vibrant colours - red, yellow, green, and blue - with a sparkling rhinestone at the center. Why flowers? Well, I see them as seeds of possibility, spreading connection across the festival and allowing us to ‘harvest’ joy, friendships, and community.

And as a bonus - they're also fidget spinners! Give the petals a twirl and feel your stress spin into non-existence. They’re tiny, whimsical reminders that fun, curiosity, and a little bit of chaos are all part of the magic we create together at Harvest <3

The Reality of Being an Artist

Being an artist is beautiful - but at times it can also be a heavy title to carry. I live paycheque to paycheque while trying to grow my small business, often undervaluing my work and providing it for free or at low cost just so I can keep creating. Like so many artists, I give more than I can really afford - because connection and creativity matter that much to me.

What once started as a small gift in 2019, has grown both in scope and in heart - and here’s the challenge: Besides a select few projects, Harvest doesn’t fund most of the art that people bring to the festival :(

There are no art grants, ticket comps, or artist budgets. Most art that shows up is carried entirely by the artist. And this year, my art is feeling heavier than usual and I can’t cover the costs without putting myself in a precarious financial position...

So that’s where y'all come in.

Behind the Scenes: What It Takes

Here’s the real breakdown to bring Puzzle Pendants (and me) to Harvest this year:

Now, because I still want to keep the Harvest gifting mentality alive, I’m not asking for my labour to be covered - that’s my gift to the community.

What I am asking for is help covering the hard costs - ticket, travel, food, and materials - which comes to about $870. With a little buffer for fees and unexpected costs, my fundraising goal is $1,000.

Why It Matters

Supporting this fundraiser doesn’t just help me - it keeps Puzzle Pendants alive at Harvest, creating hundreds of new moments of joy and connection.

Your contribution, big or small, helps cover the basics so the pendants can do what they do best: spark connection.

If you don't have the means to donate but still want to reserve one, don't worry, I gotchu too. Either way, please fill out this google form to help me keep track of pendants: https://forms.gle/km4XwFDzXhTbWQMF6

It’s not easy for me to ask for help - I’m usually the type to push through and make it work somehow. But I’m learning that artists can’t (and shouldn’t) carry it all alone. If you’ve ever felt the magic of the Puzzle Pendants - or if you simply believe in supporting artists who bring connection into community spaces - I’d be deeply grateful if you chipped in to help make this happen.

Every contribution counts, and even if you’re not in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser within your network means a great deal.

I can’t wait to share the Puzzle Pendants with you, and I look forward to all the stories of connection that come from them <3

Together, we can keep the match-ic alive at Harvest.

With love and gratitude ✨

Ruffles

If you'd like to learn more about my company (Mingl) or follow along the Puzzle Pendant journey, feel free to check out my website/socials: