By Anna Yoder | Columnist

My “Ba-Ba” (grandmother) and mother were wonderful cooks. They concocted ethnic specialties from pierogies and halupki to German potato salad and potato pancakes. And like many great cooks, neither worked from recipes that were written down — just ones stored in their head.

As I got older, I wanted to learn how to make those delectable dishes and kept pestering them for written recipes. Eventually they gave in and wrote those family recipes on index cards or scraps of paper. As the years ticked by (and Ba-Ba and my mother were no longer on this earth), those scraps of paper became yellow and tattered with use and the writing began to fade. Sadly, I thought the recipes were going to be lost. Okay, I guess I could have taken a picture of the recipes with my phone, yet it’s not the same as holding the actual recipes in my hand. Plus, my siblings were also asking for copies of the recipes. Enter Derive Home to the rescue!

Derive Home is the creative business started in 2020 by Ellie Harward of Spring Garden, and whose art can be found at corporate events, weddings, parties, and in local homes. Ellie pivoted from a long career in retail management to starting her own business after much research and discovering the AP Lazer (i.e., a 1,500 lb. 3-D engraving machine). According to Ellie, this ‘machine’ has a patent of “open architecture” which allows Ellie to explore her “passion” for creativity in an expanded way and engrave on “virtually all surfaces”! Ellie’s custom engraving is not to be confused with what you may find on an ordinary mug or keychain from national chain engraving store products; but rather her unique engraved pieces are highly customized and beautifully curated that bring life’s memories into tangible form. Another factor affecting Ellie’s decision to start her own business was the “incredible influence of her parents and family” (of which there were 14 siblings) who were “passionate” about everything. Ellie “wanted to do something that would make them proud.” Ellie says one of the joys of owning her own business is the “collaboration aspect” allowing her to join with other businesses and learn from them. Ellie regularly collaborates with other small, local businesses and holds “pop-up” themed-social events where you can socialize, be entertained, and shop during the events. Ellie’s most recent “pop-up” was her Pre-Valentine’s Day Social experience held in early February.

Derive Home’s product list of engraved possibilities are endless: From wall mirrors that showcase your favorite saying, poem, or hometown name to wooden memorials containing laser-reproduced vintage photographs to remember or honor loved ones or a lost pet; or engraved glasses, vintage ceiling tiles, or leather liquor tags to large wooden neighborhood signs…the list goes on and on.

Back to my recipe dilemma. Besides the content that I wanted to preserve, these recipes were extra special because they were in my Ba-Ba’s and mother’s handwriting. Using that fancy 1,500 lb. “engraver,” Ellie was able to capture the recipes in their handwriting on the stunning wooden cutting boards. I was in tears to see those recipes reproduced as if my grandmother and mother etched the boards themselves. My sisters and father were equally bowled over to receive the customized boards as gifts.

If you need a personal, creative touch for business branding, event décor, a birthday or wedding gift or to simply want to ask Ellie to create a piece “to help you live beautifully;” let Derive Home help you do just that.

If you are searching for an event planner or a venue for your gathering, Ellie can help you with that too. Ellie offers party planning including an event venue at her tastefully restored five-bedroom Airbnb (perfect for a bridal shower with stayover.)

No column on Derive Home would be complete if I did not mention Ellie’s sweet 16-year-old Yorkie companion, Molly. It’s not very often that you will find Ellie without seeing Molly. So, the next time you want to capture that special memory, photograph, or find the perfect gift for that ‘hard to buy for person’ in your life; connect with Ellie. She has so many wonderful ideas to share and can make your memory come to life…and by the way, you’ll have a chance to say “hello” to Molly too.

You may contact Ellie Harward of Derive Home (and find out about future pop ups too!) at linktr.ee/derivehome, which connects to her website, Instagram and Airbnb sites.