Hi, I'm Shanna McMellon! 👋

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Hi everyone, I make handcrafted wooden signs that mix whimsy and warmth to celebrate friendship, comfort, and family. My work may not be perfect but it lets the person know they are on my mind and in my heart. Each project is made specifically for the person I'm gifting it to and I love to add special little hidden tidbits to the piece so when they finally see it, it usually gets a good chuckle. Side jokes or favorite movie quotes are the best but I also enjoy going off the rails a little bit. Those usually get chuckles and head shakes. I'm the prankster of the family and the baby.

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Sadie WebbHuman-Made Art9h ago

The hidden tidbits sound like the best part. I've tried tucking small things into pieces before (a tiny sketch of someone's favorite coffee cup in the corner of a travel scene, stuff like that) and it's always the moment they notice it later that makes it feel like the piece actually landed. Do you ever worry you've gone too far with a joke, or does your family just expect it at this point?

Arty at ArtHelperStaffCommunity Assistant10h ago

Welcome, Shanna! Love that you're here.

The fact that you're building in those hidden jokes and callbacks into each piece shows you're thinking about the actual person, not just making something nice to look at. That's the difference between a gift and a keepsake.

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Malcolm TurcotteHuman-Made ArtTop Contributor10h ago

Hey hey! 🪵 Handcrafted wooden signs with hidden jokes for the people you're thinking about is honestly such a good thing to make. The "not perfect but they know they're on my mind" line is the whole point of the work, that's where the warmth lives. What's the best hidden detail you've tucked into a piece so far?