"THE GOODS"
- jimmy whitley
- Apr 2
- 11 min read
an E-Newsletter by Whittick's Curated Goods
APRIL 2026 | ISSUE 3 | VOLUME 1
HEY GURL HEY! What's Good?
Not sure about YOUR April, but OUR April feels like a turning point over here—and honestly, it feels like things are finally clicking in a way we’ve been working toward for a long time.
By the time this issue drops, we will have officially had our very first Whittick’s Weekly, and another one of our weekly live sales too. Our First Whittick’s Weekly was called “The Gilded Hive” which was our “luxed” up take on the bee wreath. We were overwhelmed by the support we received and the fact that our kits sold out BEFORE we even started creating. You all showed up and the response was just amazing! (check out the photo above for the finished creation!)
And let me just say this—because I don’t think people always realize it…
There is a lot that goes into each one or our live events. Planning. Testing. Curating. Rethinking. Refining.
And we absolutely love doing them. Our goal has never been to just sit on the live and have you watch us make a bow or build a wreath and call it a day.
The goal is for there to be real value in what we’re doing.
We want you to walk away from our weeklies with:
something you learned
something that clicked
something you feel confident trying
feeling Inspired!
We want you to be able to take what we do—our methods, our combinations, our thought process—and actually use it in a way that helps you grow creatively. Inspiration without application doesn’t do much of anything.
And one other small thing we need to say out loud…There has been a lot of talk lately in the creator space about copying… “idea stealing”… and honestly—just noise. And we’re just going to be real about it: If you’re going live…sharing your process…showing your techniques…Then what exactly are you expecting people to do? If it’s just to sell your products – then just show your creations during your lives – don’t create them for people to see.
To Us, It's Very simple.
Because over here - from where we stand—👉 We want you to be inspired 👉 We want you to ask how we did something or where we got it 👉 We want you to try it, tweak it, and make it yours.
That is literally the entire point of creating in a shared space. Creativity is not something that gets smaller when it’s shared. It grows. It evolves. It reaches more people. And there is enough space in our creative world for everyone – especially when we support one another.
And if someone sees something we did and it sparks something in them?
That’s a huge win. Every single time. So if you see something you love?
Ask us. Try it. Build on it.
We’re not gatekeeping over here—we’re building something bigger than that.
🚀 INTRODUCING: WHITTICK’S DESIGN COLLECTIVE
And speaking of building something bigger…
This month also marks a major evolution for us. We’re evolving & growing—and it’s intentional.
Whittick’s Curated Goods is evolving into
✨ Whittick’s Design Collective ✨
Why? Because what we’re building is bigger than one lane—and we’re ready to expand into all the spaces we love (and are really good at).
Under the Design Collective, you’ll now see:
🎀 Whittick’s Curated Goods & Craft Supply
Our foundation.
Our heart.
Our curated, ready-to-create collections, Handmade Goods & curated supplies for other Creators.
🎉 Whittick’s Party Collective
Where events meet elevated design.
We’re talking:
Table & chair rentals
Sleepover tent party setups
Wedding arches + step & repeats
Glam backdrops
Styled tablescapes + event decor
All designed to give you that “this looks incredible” moment—without the “why does it cost THAT much?” feeling.
🏡 Whittick’s Porch Decor & More
Maximalist, over-the-top, unapologetically festive.
We create:
Seasonal porch installs
Holiday transformations
Statement decor that turns heads (and makes neighbors jealous 😌)
This expansion is about:
Diversifying our income streams
Leaning into everything we love to create
Building something sustainable, scalable, and exciting
We’re not staying in one lane—we’re designing the whole highway. 👉
💼 FEATURE SPOTLIGHT: MICAH MAKE$ CENT$
Let’s take a second and talk about another very important part of this operation—Micah.
While we’re over here creating, sourcing, building, and pushing everything forward with Whittick’s Curated Goods, Micah is simultaneously relaunching his bookkeeping business—Micah Makes Cent$. And honestly? It couldn’t come at a better time.
This isn’t new territory for him. He’s been doing this work for years across multiple roles, supporting businesses of all sizes and helping them understand what their numbers are actually telling them. And now, he’s bringing that same level of expertise directly to the people who need it most.
With Micah Makes Cent$, he’s focused on:• Small creative businesses• Entrepreneurs• Growing brands that are tired of guessing.
As a QuickBooks-certified power user, he’s offering:
✔ Monthly bookkeeping
✔ Payroll services
✔ Financial organization + clarity
✔ Honest, consistent, no-BS support
And what he’s building goes beyond just “keeping the books.”
The goal is simple: help business owners stop spinning their wheels. Stop guessing. Stop feeling overwhelmed.
Instead, he’s creating systems and service packages that give people their time back, provide real financial clarity, and allow them to make confident, informed decisions—the kind that actually move a business forward.
And yes… you’ll be seeing his ads on social media very soon. Trust me—you won’t miss them. 😏
In the meantime:
👉 Follow along here: Micah Makes Cents Facebook
👉 Stay tuned—there’s more coming
👉 And if you (or someone you know) have books that are a mess…
you already know what to do.
🎀 The April Ribbon Edit
This month, we leaned into contrast, character, and combinations
that do the heavy lifting for you.
3 distinct pulls—each with its own personality—but all grounded in that signature
“this just works” energy.
No guessing.
No overthinking.
Just combinations that hit.
🖤 The Gilded Noir
Moody.
Elevated.
Effortless drama.
This combination was inspired directly from our recent Whittick’s Weekly "The Gilded Hive" ribbon pull—and honestly…
It worked so well, we had to bring it straight into April.
Black and gold is nothing new—but this mix?
It’s layered.
It’s textured.
It’s intentional.
You’ve got that rich scrollwork bringing movement, paired with a classic harlequin that keeps it grounded, and just enough abstract pattern to break it up so it doesn’t feel predictable. And then—there’s that gold mesh. That soft shimmer that catches light in all the right ways.
✨ This is your go-to for:
Elevated everyday wreaths
Winter-to-seasonal transitions
Sophisticated Halloween
Elevated Bee Wreaths
It’s bold—but not loud.And it builds beautifully.
🎃 The Haunted Harlequin
Bold.
Playful.
Full-on Halloween energy.
This one leans all the way in—
and does it right.
That oversized black-and-orange harlequin immediately sets the tone.
It’s classic Halloween, but scaled up in a way that makes it feel fresh. Then you bring in that glittered multi-color dot (arguably the life of the party), and anchor it with that strong diagonal stripe that pulls everything together.
🖤 What makes this one work:
Strong contrast that reads from a distance
Mixed scale that keeps your eye moving
Just enough sparkle to give it dimension without overdoing it
This is the combo that gives you instant impact—no filler needed.
💜 The Wicked Prep
Crisp. Graphic. Unexpectedly versatile.
This is where structure meets personality.
The black-and-white micro check brings that tailored, almost designer feel. Paired with the purple harlequin and that clean lattice pattern, it creates a look that feels intentional and pulled together from the start.
💜 Why this one hits:
High contrast = clean definition
Repeating patterns = polished, cohesive builds
The purple adds personality without overpowering
Perfect for Halloween—but flexible enough to push beyond it depending on how you style it.
✨ The Bottom Line
This month’s edit is about confidence in your materials.
When your ribbons are this strong, you don’t need to overcomplicate the build.
You don’t need to fight for balance.
It’s already doing the work for you.
💡 WHY THIS MATTERS
You don’t need 100 ribbons.
You need the right ones—paired the right way.
That’s what we do.
We curate so you can create—with confidence, without second guessing, and without wasting time (or money) on combinations that don’t land.
🛍️ Coming Soon
All 3 of these curated ribbon pulls will be available soon in our shop—and will also be featured in one of our upcoming live sales.
Stay close… you’re going to want first access to these.
🌈 PRIDE MATTERS BECAUSE…
by Jimmy Whitley, Co-owner & Creative
Pride events around the country are beginning to ramp up, and we want to take a moment to talk about something that often gets misunderstood.
Why Pride??
Because for some, it still gets reduced to a parade, a party, or something that should be kept quiet and not “put in our faces.” But if that’s all someone sees, they’re missing the entire point and purpose.
Pride is not just about visibility for the sake of being seen. It’s about life, survival, and belonging. It’s about making sure people—real people—know they are not alone.
The truth is, there are still many individuals struggling silently, unsure where they fit in, afraid to speak out, or simply not ready—or safe—to fully be themselves. Not everyone identifies the same way.
Not everyone fits into a clearly defined box. And not everyone even knows what that box is yet.
That’s exactly why something like Pride matters.
Every single person in the LGBTQIA+ community has, at some point, been made to feel “less than.”
We hear it from our churches, from parents, from peers—at every turn—that who we are is wrong, or that we will be punished for simply existing as ourselves. That is a heavy thing to carry, especially growing up, but even as adults.
The reality is simple: people—humans—don’t need a label to deserve support. You don’t need to explain yourself to deserve to feel safe. And you don’t need to have it all figured out to simply belong.
🧠 Why the “why” matters
Last year, I had the opportunity to share my perspective in an op-ed for an online HR publication, written for managers and HR professionals, focused on how to support their employees during Pride—and why that support matters. It came in response to another article that pushed the idea that companies should “tone down” their support or keep it private in line with new political leadership and other nonsense.
As a manager in the hospitality world for more than 20 years, I had quite a bit to say about that—you can read that piece here. I’m actually pretty proud of it:
The core message was simple: if you’re going to support people and you’re not sure how, you start with a real, meaningful why. Because these aren’t political conversations—they are human ones.
At its core, it’s asking: why would I ever want someone to feel like they matter less? Why would I allow someone to believe they don’t belong? That their mere existence is something to be legislated or worse, illegal? How can I let people know they are supported and that I am an ally?
Because when people feel seen, supported, and safe, everything changes. Confidence builds. Mental health improves. Lives shift—sometimes completely. You can be the difference for someone who feels invisible to someone who finally realizes they are worthy of love, respect, and belonging. It can literally save someone’s life, by making them shift from “there is no point to go on” to – “hey, I feel seen, and I do belong.”
🏳️🌈 Why this is personal for us
Our Design Collective is an LGBTQIA+ owned business led by two gay men.
This isn’t something we observe from the outside—it’s something we’ve lived.
We also are not going to hide it, or be ashamed of it.
We are middle aged gay men who are very proud to be who we are and how far we have come in life. We know firsthand what being told we were “less than” does to a person.
What being teased, threatened, and even assaulted feels like—and how deeply that impacts your mentality. Yes, it pushes you. It shapes you. It makes you work harder, prove more, exceed expectations. But more importantly, it stays with you. And because of that, we’ve made a commitment: no one should ever feel like they need to shrink themselves to be accepted. No one should feel like they are less than, undeserving of respect, or unworthy of basic decency—because they’re not. Everyone deserves that. It’s a basic human right.
🤝 Showing up looks different—but it still matters
Most of us aren’t large corporations with HR teams. We’re small business owners, creators, entrepreneurs—people building something from the ground up. But that doesn’t exclude us from showing up; it just means it looks different.
Showing up can mean attending Pride events, supporting local organizations, volunteering your time, or simply creating spaces—no matter how small—where people feel seen and can be safe. And that kind of support matters more than people realize.
Sometimes it’s not about making a big statement. Sometimes it’s about a quiet moment where someone realizes, “Okay… I’m not alone here.”
🔊 Why this moment matters
We’re in a time where support isn’t just being questioned—it’s actively being pulled back. Programs that protect and uplift people are being stripped away. Rights, identities, and even basic existence are still being debated, legislated, and controlled.
And beyond policy—there are still people in this community being harassed, assaulted, and in some cases, killed simply for being who they are.
That’s the reality. And it’s unacceptable.
Because of that, this moment matters more than people may want to admit. Silence has never created belonging—visibility does. Support does. Showing up does.
And showing up doesn’t mean being loud for attention. It means being intentional enough to say, clearly and without hesitation: you are welcome here, you are safe here, and you matter.
📍 What we’re bringing to Leander & Cedar Park Pride Celebration
When we show up to Leander & Cedar Park Pride, we’re not just setting up a booth—we’re creating something meaningful.
We’ll have a “You Matter Because…” wall, a space where anyone can leave a note, take a note, or simply pause and read something they didn’t realize they needed. Because sometimes, one sentence is enough to remind someone they are not alone—that they are valued, loved, and that they matter.
Because right now, more than ever, not being silent matters.
📅 Why Pride doesn’t always happen in June
While many major cities celebrate Pride in June—often tied to the Stonewall uprising—other cities, especially here in the South, celebrate earlier in the year. And the reason is simple: the heat. Pride is meant to be experienced, not endured in 100-degree weather.
Here locally:
📍 Leander & Cedar Park Pride Fest 2026📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026🕑 2:00 PM CDT📍 1510 Alexis Dr, Cedar Park, TX
This marks the start of our local Pride season, bringing together community, connection, and celebration.
💬 The part that matters most
Whether you are an Ally, or if you fully identify within the LGBTQ+ community, are still figuring it out, don’t feel like you fit into a specific group, or just needed this reminder today—you are valued, you are loved, and you matter exactly as you are.
✨ The bottom line
Pride isn’t about asking for attention.
It’s about making sure no one feels like they have to disappear.
🤍 If you’re asking, “What can I do?” — start here
If this resonates with you, and you’re wondering how to show up, learn more, or support in a meaningful way—these are incredible places to start:
🌈 https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Crisis support + suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth
24/7 mental health support (call or text 988)
Resources for families, allies, and communities
📚 https://www.hrc.org/resources
Education, advocacy, and ways to get involved
These organizations are doing real, life-changing work every single day—and even taking a few minutes to explore them can open your eyes to just how much impact is possible.
🫶 For us - This doesn’t end here
At Leander & Cedar Park Pride—and beyond—we’ll be carrying this forward with #youmatterATX. This is bigger than one event or one moment. It’s about how we show up every day—in our business, in our community, and in the way we treat people.
We care deeply about mental health, suicide prevention, and making sure people feel seen before they ever reach a breaking point. Because the truth is, you never really know what someone is carrying—and sometimes, the smallest reminder can make the biggest difference.
💬 So if you take nothing else from this… take this
You matter.
Not someday.
Not when things are figured out.
Not when it’s easier.
Right now.
And if you’re in a place where it doesn’t feel that way—please don’t sit in that alone.
There are people.
There are resources.
There is support.
And there is space for you here.
Until next time…
This is the Goods – ciao.
Thoroughly enjoyed this newsletter. Love the beautiful ribbons. Love you both!!
Another beautiful editorial masterpiece! I enjoyed the entire publication! I am extremely excited for the next read.