Simple, heartfelt beginnings, best wishes for your future.

Welcome! Make yourself comfortable and I’ll put the kettle on for a cup of tea!

The website is a funny name, huh? Especially when you can’t put the comma in a web address. Here’s where the name came from:

I’m Aunty Libby (with matching ‘y’s) because I’m a biological aunt, but I’ve also been an honorary Aunty to a few people over the years.

My Aunts (& great-Aunts) were particularly good gift-givers. They showed me what it’s like to feel seen and understood through a thoughtful gift.

I’ve always tried to gift thoughtfully: to think about what might make the recipient pleased. Something useful to their lifestyle, or compatible with their interests, something beautiful. Presents and cards with emotional meaning.

My Grandma, a fervent knitter, gave all her grandchildren woollens with tags reading: “Made with love by Grandma”. I may have loved the tag, and the love with which it was given, even more than the garments!

Both my grandmothers taught me handcrafts, & gave me a lifelong love of creating things. Over the years the variety of handmade gifts I have made includes:

• cards,
• photo calendars,
• mugs,
• names appliqued to pillowcases,
• quilts,
• stuffed flannelette platypuses (I’m Australian, and they’re a handy shape for small hands),
• a current favourite thing drawn on a t-shirt in a favourite colour,

and more.

Often the card included: “With love from Aunty Libby”, and sometimes the gift itself:

My background as a Social Worker makes me realise the importance of empowerment. Giving someone something they connect with, and have had some say in, gives them a sense of agency, personal power, and increased sense of self (identity) and healthy self-esteem. This leads to the belief of personal success and reduces fear of trying new things.

A catch-cry has been “Oh, to have the confidence of a mediocre white man!” This is how anyone can gain that confidence: from infancy they are praised for existing, encouraged to achieve new things and praised for trying. They are encouraged to strive to achieve greatness, and to expect success. In Australia, to “Have a go, ya mug!” meaning: “Just do it!” because “you never know until you have a go”.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to keep learning, making new pathways for itself. It means that we can catch up and teach ourselves new self-confidence if we didn’t learn it from infancy.

Giving people (including yourself) gifts that validate what they love and/or, characteristics of themselves, is one way to reinforce the messages:

• they are valued,
• their loves are worthy,
• they have a place in the world,
• they can achieve things.

I’ve been sharing positive content on Facebook since 2014 at “A Cup of Tea With Me”. In 2020 I heard Cathy Heller’s challenge to take something I already do and make it a business, and decided to “have a go”.

I want to share the joy of receiving something made/ chosen specifically for you. So: Love, Aunty Libby was born. A brand about affirming life, joy, individuality, diversity, creativity, potential and encouraging one another along the journey of life.

I’m running this tiny business by myself, from home (and sometimes travelling), so for safety’s sake, you won’t find a street address. You can contact me via social media or the Contact form on this website.

I hope you find something you like.

May your journey be pleasant and shared.