<div><em>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 &lt;3</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>It Began</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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?
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>After some brainstorming, I landed on what I would eventually call <strong>Puzzle Pendants</strong> (though they were originally known as <em>Harvest Hearts</em>).
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755913441665194_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>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 <em>ice-breaker meets scavenger hunt</em>. The game was simple: <strong>find your match. </strong>And though not everyone found their missing piece, they almost always made new friends along the way.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>That first year, I handed out only 72 necklaces. But the response floored me:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Thank you for the special gift! It's the perfect souvenir of my first harvest and I'll be wearing it to many parties going forward!
</li>
<li>I saw ppl with these and I got so excited for them!!! What an amazing idea! I really hope to find you and join the adventure next year
</li>
<li>You are a legend, Ruffles! This is the perfect contribution to Harvest
</li>
<li>Brilliant concept! I will be wearing mine to Harvest next year.
</li>
<li>This is beautiful, thank you! I came across a group of 15 or so around the morning fire, they were all trying to connect different pieces
</li>
<li>What a fantastic and thoughtful creation! I'm so glad to know ppl who got this and look fwd to hearing their stories of their connections
</li>
</ul>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>What's a Ruffles?</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755913636232709_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>For those of you who don’t know me: <strong>Hi, I’m Ruffles.</strong> 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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_175591385990238_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Because in the end, this isn’t just a game.
</div>
<div><em>It’s about people feeling seen. </em>
</div>
<div><em>It’s about the limitless possibility of connection. </em>
</div>
<div><em>It’s about creating memories that last long after the festival ends.</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>The ‘Harvest Hearts’ </strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755913973934937_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>At Harvest, Puzzle Pendants have sparked friendships, adventures, and unforgettable moments of serendipity. Over the years I’ve been regaled with stories like these:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Burning up the sparse 4am dancefloor at The Pyramid, two strangers shared a few fire dance moves - only to discover their pendants matched. The excitement was electric.
</li>
<li>Another late night, sitting by the Pines, someone walked up to them and was convinced their friend was his match. They trekked together all the way to Crash and woke them up in their tent. Instead of being annoyed, their friend lit up with joy once they realized why they’d been woken - and thankfully, it was in fact a match
</li>
<li>In 2019, I only know of three matches that were made. But when I returned in 2022, I learned that two of those people had started dating - a little proof that the pendants carry a kind of magic.
</li>
</ul>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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 - <em>it’s love, it’s community, it’s connection</em>. And that energy is what has been fueling me for the past six years...
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755914076518279_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755914092660932_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755914116328983_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><strong>Puzzle Pendants for Harvest 2025</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This year, the pendants take the form of a <em>blossoming flower</em>, in four vibrant colours - red, yellow, green, and blue - with a sparkling rhinestone at the center. Why flowers? Well, I see them as <em>seeds of possibility</em>, spreading connection across the festival and allowing us to ‘harvest’ joy, friendships, and community.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93827849_1755914197894864_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>And as a bonus - they're also<strong> fidget spinners</strong>! 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 &lt;3
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>The Reality of Being an Artist</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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 :(
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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...
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>So that’s where y'all come in.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Behind the Scenes: What It Takes</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Here’s the real breakdown to bring Puzzle Pendants (and me) to Harvest this year:
</div>
<ul>
<li>$444.51 – Harvest ticket
</li>
<li>$50 – Gas
</li>
<li>$75 – Food at the festival
</li>
<li>$200 – Material Costs (Filament, gems, string, beads, packaging) for 400 Puzzle Pendants
</li>
<li>$100 – Supplies, GoFundMe Fees, &amp; unexpected extras
</li>
<li>~$1200 – Labour (60+ hours of designing, prototyping, crafting, assembling, packaging, etc)
</li>
<li>Total = ~<strong>$2,069.51 with 60+ hours of work</strong>
</li>
</ul>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What I am asking for is help covering the hard costs - ticket, travel, food, and materials - which comes to about <strong>$870.</strong> With a little buffer for fees and unexpected costs, my fundraising goal is <strong>$1,000.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why It Matters</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Supporting this fundraiser doesn’t just help me - it keeps Puzzle Pendants alive at Harvest, creating hundreds of new moments of joy and connection.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your contribution, big or small, helps cover the basics so the pendants can do what they do best: spark connection.
</div>
<ul>
<li>Every donation comes with a <strong>GUARANTEED Puzzle Pendant</strong>
</li>
<li>Pick yours up at Harvest - I’ll be stationed at The Heads on Friday evening/night and The Pines Saturday morning/afternoon.
</li>
<li>If you can’t make it to Harvest this year, no worries - I’ll craft an extra pendant just for you and arrange delivery or mailing after the festival.
</li>
</ul>
<div>If you don't have the means to donate but still want to reserve one, don't worry, I gotchu too. Either way, <strong>please fill out this google form to help me keep track of pendants: </strong><a href="https://forms.gle/km4XwFDzXhTbWQMF6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><a href="https://forms.gle/km4XwFDzXhTbWQMF6" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://forms.gle/km4XwFDzXhTbWQMF6</a></strong></a>
</div>
<ul>
<li><br />
</li>
</ul>
<div>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.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every contribution counts, and even if you’re not in a position to donate, sharing this fundraiser within your network means a great deal.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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 &lt;3
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Together, we can keep the match-ic alive at Harvest.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With love and gratitude ✨
</div>
<div><em>Ruffles</em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>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:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mingl.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.mingl.ca</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/go.mingl?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>: @go.mingl
</li>
</ul>

Carla Di Trani

Heather Elo

Jessica Glanville

Madolyn Vande Pol

Liza Noritsyn

Tyllah Bittencourt

Genevieve Grier

Alex Webster

Evan Mccormick

arwe arwen

Anonymous

Mark Fischer

Jade Eakin

Caroline Konsik

Holly Hunt

Thessa Kranendonk

Sybil Eastman

Dan Towers

Justine Waxman

Anne Sportun

Help get the Puzzle Pendants (and Ruffles) to Harvest

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

NPO recommendations prod

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

Users Receiving Braze KYC Validation Failed

Native 11.3.0 and above

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

categoryGroup

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

NPO upsell animals category

NPO upsell disaster relief category

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

NPO upsell essential needs category

NPO upsell medical category

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

NPO upsell cancer category

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Plus que $125$ ! Apportez votre pierre à l'édifice.

Help get the Puzzle Pendants (and Ruffles) to Harvest

Plus que $125 !
Apportez votre pierre à l'édifice.