James took his own life on March 16, 2023. He was my older brother and only sibling. I wanted to do something special that involved his favorite things and his birthdate is October 17th and his favorite holiday was Halloween! So, The Birthday Horror Box was born! He was one of my biggest supporters and he purchased quite a few of my pieces. I also gifted him some as well! It felt right to create something that celebrated who he was—a guy who loved a good scare, a great book, and making people smile, even when the world felt heavy.
My brother was the reason why I was so hooked on horror movies and zombies! I remember when we were kids, sitting in front of the tv when we shouldn't have been... watching Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street. He would hide behind a pillow watching Jason and I would hide behind a pillow watching Freddy. It was probably a sight to behold—two kids absolutely terrified but refusing to look away! He also loved to read. One of his favorite authors was Stephen King. I think he had every single book that he wrote, up until his death. James was also a great, caring, kind man. He did some goofy things to get others to laugh and or smile! He was a bright light in such a dark world! I miss him dearly.
Every Birthday Horror Box is packed with a little piece of James's world—the spooky stories, the dark humor, the genuine warmth he brought to everyone around him. When someone opens one of these boxes, they're not just getting a thoughtfully curated gift. They're getting a slice of his personality, his quirky sense of humor, and his love for the things that made him tick. It's like he's there at their birthday party, cracking jokes and making sure they have the best time possible.
Making these boxes keeps his memory alive in the most meaningful way I know how. Every stitch, every item selected, every box wrapped up and sent out into the world carries a piece of James with it. The people who receive them get to know him through what he loved. And in that way, we're all keeping his spirit alive—his laughter, his kindness, his ability to find joy and humor even in the darkest corners. That's the real magic of these boxes.