We are a women-owned online boutique where life flows gently in celebration of nature's beauty!
The house at the end of Gary Lee Drive is our childhood home, where our love for crafting gifts for our loved ones first began. Now we’re branching out, challenging ourselves, and extending our passion to you. Our grandparents live in that home now, and even still there is something refreshing about receiving a letter stamped with the familiar address of home that evokes a sense of peace, warmth,
and comfort. We’d like to help create that feeling for you, whether it’s decorating your first home away from home or helping you customize the perfect gift for those you love the most. Let’s work together to create something unique, memorable, and lovely!
05/12/2025
I’ll always love a good container garden!
Last year I told myself that I had “graduated” from container gardening and needed to be a “real” gardener and put all of my plants in the ground. 🙄
While I’m loving the garden beds, I missed my container garden on the deck so much! And let’s be real, container gardening is still gardening. You don’t have any less of a garden if you only plant in pots.
Plant what makes you happy in the style it brings you the most joy!
05/08/2025
Lilacs loading!!
These beautiful clusters belong to the Syringa genus, a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). Native to Eastern Europe and Asia, lilacs have long been cherished not only for their sweet, nostalgic fragrance but also for their symbolic meaning: renewal, first love, and the fleeting nature of beauty.
Their buds swell and deepen in color just before blooming, offering a visual reminder of nature’s rhythms and the quiet anticipation of spring’s full arrival.
Fun fact: Lilac flowers are edible and often used in syrups, sugars, and even skincare—but only when grown without pesticides.
Have you ever worked with lilac blooms? Or do you simply stop and inhale when they start to open?
05/03/2025
Spring is in bloom. The first signs of new growth in the garden…and this account too!
Can’t wait to share with you all the goodness I’m dreaming up!
05/07/2024
Less than 2 weeks ago I asked the question, “do you pot up your plants?”
Honestly, I typically don’t. However, this year I tested the theory that potting up your plants helps their growth. And, I have to admit, the plant people are right!
The dahlia on the left was potted up on April 24. The dahlia on the right was potted up today, May 6. The difference is shocking!
It’s definitely a lot more work, but the boost in growth is worth it in my opinion.
What do you think? Is the extra effort worth it?
04/27/2024
Meet the drinks of spring! 🌸
These drinks might be pink, but they’re made with the homemade wild violet syrup I shared about yesterday. If you love seasonal drinks, and ones that don’t require a ton of ingredients, these three recipes are for you.
The Wild Violet Gimlet is a spring twist on a classic cocktail. It’s a strong one, with only three ingredients, gin, simple syrup, and lime juice. You have to give this one a try. It’s simplicity makes it all the more delightful.
I had to craft a seasonal margarita! The Wild Violet Marg brings a floral twist to this favorite drink.
And, I had to create a fun mocktail, Wild Violet Italian Soda! All you need is simple syrup and sparkling water.
Have you made your own Wild Violet Simple Syrup? The link to all the recipes mentioned can be found on the blog. Happy crafting! 💜
04/26/2024
Hey, it’s been a minute! I’m Tani (Tawney) your gardening buddy on the internet.
I started Gary Lee Drive back at the start of 2019. I had just left my job in the financial services industry and started creating calligraphy home decor. Live, laugh, love, you know! 💀 Swipe to see photos from that era! (P.S. the name Gary Lee Drive comes from the street where I grew up.)
I started a very small garden that summer and fell IN LOVE with getting my hands dirty. And the benefits of gardening were overwhelming! Better mental health. Growing my own food, goodbye chemicals! Not to mention having fresh cut bouquets at a moments notice.
That small container garden changed everything! My life hasn’t been the same since, and for the better. All that to say, thanks for being here. I’m so excited for the future and the things I have planned for this little dream of mine this year. Cheers!
04/25/2024
Embrace the taste of spring with the latest post on the blog!
I’m sharing the art of crafting homemade wild violet syrup, a delicate infusion of spring blooms with a touch of sweetness. I’ve got you covered with foraging tips and inspiration all in one place. You’ll find the recipe here: https://garyleedrive.com/blogs/blog/wild-violet-simple-syrup
04/15/2024
Let’s get scrappy!
If you’re throwing away your vegetable scraps while you cook, you’re missing out on the opportunity to stretch your food further and make an easy and delicious kitchen staple: vegetable broth!
Early spring has quickly become one of my favorite times of the year. When the wild violets turn my yard into a sea of purple, it’s hard not to notice and appreciate the beauty of these early bloomers.
Wild violets have heart-shaped leaves with scalloped edges and flowers with five petals, in shades of purple, blue, or white.
Spreading by rhizomes, wild violets often pop up in yards and gardens, creating dense patches over time. While some might consider these herbal flowers a nuisance, they’re rich with benefits!
The fritillaries, a species of butterfly, lay their eggs where there are violets for larvae to feed upon. But the violets also provide us with tasty treats! I’ll be sharing some of my favorite wild violet recipes in the upcoming weeks.
These charming plants are easy to grow and add a touch of whimsy to woodland gardens during the crisp days of early spring.
03/26/2024
Mother Nature is slowly waking up, and so am I.
I took a lesson from the earth and slowed way down this winter season. Dug my roots deep into the depths of my soul and started to explore the places my heart longed to go.
It's an immense privilege to rest so fully. One that I hope will bloom into giving back more to the world in both big ways and small.
Mother nature is waking up. And so am I!
10/10/2023
Hey, friends! I need your help.
A few months ago, I set an intention to live a life of simplicity. I can't even begin to explain how life-giving this short time has been. It's also given me a new perspective on my own small business.
The world is changing. I feel it, and I'm sure you do too! I've noticed that I shop VERY differently than I ever have before. If you have a few moments to share, I'd love to hear your thoughts on a few shopping-related questions. You can answer in the comments or send me a DM.
- What are your top priorities when it comes to shopping online?
- How do price and shipping costs impact your purchasing decision?
- What qualities do you look for in a product?
- How have your shopping habits changed in the last 6-12 months?
- Where do you turn for inspiration?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help!
10/04/2023
Beaded earrings have officially arrived! 🙌
The first pair to make their grand entrance into the world are white and dusty pink. Simple but also a statement piece, these earrings are beaded by hand with glass Checz beads. Each pair takes a few hours to hand stitch. I hope you feel the love infused with each and every bead.
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Hey, there! I’m Tani, the face behind Gary Lee Drive. I’m a Cincinnati, Ohio native but I call Grand Haven, Michigan home. My husband Brandon, and I will be celebrating our first anniversary this May. Yayyy! We enjoy playing music together, bonfires, going on hikes, and browsing antique stores and garage sales. We’re new homeowners and love having a place to call our own.
I opened the Gary Lee Drive Etsy shop full time in January 2019, even though it had been a dream since 2017. My work as a financial advisor had plunged me into severe clinical depression…yikes! I knew I needed a change, but the idea of a 9 to 5 office job working for someone else sounded miserable. So, I took a leap of faith, quit my job in finance, started my art, calligraphy, and home decor business and never looked back!
Gary Lee Drive was born out of my love for calligraphy and inspiring and encouraging others. Our mission is to create unique, excellently crafted pieces you can’t find anywhere else which showcase beautiful freehand calligraphy. Sound like your type of thing? CLICK HERE to visit the shop.
You’re probably wondering why we named our shop Gary Lee Drive. Well, it’s simple. My childhood home sits at the end of the cul-de-sac on Gary Lee Drive. My grandparents live there now and it’s still a place that feels like home. My hope is that Gary Lee Drive can help create that feeling for you too!
