Zuza's birthday at Joylery felt like stepping into a whimsical fairytale. While James and Zuzanna were off picking up her guests, Mila, Josephine, and I transformed the factory. We swept, decorated, and set an enchanting table with lace curtains, wildflowers, and crystal glasses we’d uncovered in hidden corners of the space. When Zuza walked in, her face lit up—it was pure magic.

As the chilly May evening settled in, we got a bonfire roaring in an old bathtub, casting a cozy, flickering glow over the factory. A few locals wandered over to join us, including our neighbor, Kristal Kiessel, an incredible potter and artist who blended right in with the group. As she looked around, she said, “You two buying this factory is the best thing that could have happened to it.”

To top it all off, Zuza met someone that night who turned out to be quite special. It was more than just a birthday—it was one of those rare Joylery evenings, filled with laughter, warmth, and a kind of magic that only seems to find its way here.