Huntley resident makes “brew-tiful” ornaments to commemorate the holiday season
The holidays for many, are supposed to be a time for joy where one has the opportunity to show their appreciation towards family and friends following traditions of gift giving, decorations and the ever so awkward but eventful social gatherings with the relatives.
This year, however, seems to carry an air of sadness for most as the pandemic has not been without its casualties. After 14 years of working in the insurance and tax industry, the impact of COVID-19, left Amber Osoria scrambling to come up with a new way to financially support herself and her two children, David and Emmi. In June, she decided to take matters into her own hands by crafting her own business, WithLoveByAmber.
“My kids and I produced over 5,000 masks during quarantine. I make a wide variety of things like cups, ornaments, costumes, car decals and piñatas,” Osoria said.
It was not long after, that Osoria’s best friend tagged her in a social media post of a craft page that gave her an idea that would help this self-proclaimed short, brown-haired lady, spread some holiday cheer in the area.
Spending upwards of up to two to three hours every Sunday, Osoria assembles Starbucks inspired coffee cup ornaments.
“I saw the little cups and was like, ‘oh my God, I need those for my tree!’ I drink a lot of coffee and custom Starbucks cups are 90% of my business, so I thought, why not share [ornaments] with fellow Starbucks lovers while we are waiting in the drive thru line! I’m at Starbucks almost daily picking up cups to customize, so it seemed like a perfect, inexpensive way to spread a smile,” Osoria said.
This busy mom ensures to make good use of her time as she makes various stops at different Starbucks locations not only in Huntley but in the Algonquin and Lake in the Hills areas to fulfill her mission to make someone’s day just that much brighter.
“I generally give them to the cars ahead or behind me in the Starbucks drive thru (kind of like, you know when someone pays it forward by paying for your drink. [I] figured it would give you the same warm fuzzies), but that doesn’t stop me from handing them out when I’m out and about [around] town. The cashier at a store, a mom at the park, a teacher at a daycare,” Osoria explained.
For those wondering, Osoria typically makes her rounds at the Starbucks in Huntley on the weekends where residents might find her buying her kids’ favorite menu item, cake pops.
“If you see me shopping locally or out, feel free to stop me and ask. I may have some stashed in my car. You never know! I’m short and have a hot pink highlight in my hair,” she gleefully expressed.
Luckily for her, she hasn’t run into any holiday Grinches in her gift giving ventures.
Osoria explained, “Since I am not selling them in line, it’s not solicitation. I also wear a face mask when approaching the cars. I only do it when the line is already backed up so I don’t hold up the line or I will pull to the side to not be in anyone’s way. I try to be respectful. I haven’t had anyone turn down my offer yet.”
Residents interested in getting their hands on one of Osoria’s Starbucks coffee cup ornaments can also purchase them from her Facebook page WithLoveByAmber for $4 or can visit her online Esty shop WithLoveByAmber1 where she can customize them to include names and the year. Osoria has even added a Dunkin’ Donuts inspired coffee cup ornament to her lineup of holiday crafts.
As Osoria’s favorite holiday, Christmas, quickly approaches, she expresses her desire to set an example to the community that despite some hardships, even the smallest of gestures can be enough for those going through a tough time. Even if it means giving away handmade ornaments at a Starbucks drive thru. It’s the little things that matter.
“I hope this will encourage others to do the same. We can all use a little pick me up after this year,” she exclaimed.
