Local artisan hand-painting kindness gems during crisis

LEAMINGTON — Since early April, artisan Patti ‘Rainbow’ Wheeler has been busily handpainting glass kindness gems, stones and crafting glass and copper Coronas to give away.

Whether hidden at Leamington Municipal Marina for strangers to find, or gifted to essential workers in both healthcare and retail, her goal is to brighten someone’s day at this otherwise dark time.

So far she has painted more than 200 gems and more than 100 Coronas and is still busy creating more.

Patti and her husband Barry Wheeler moved to Leamington from Erin,

Ontario in 2017 to be closer to family Jan Hall and Susan Wheeler-Hall.

Kindness gems created by Patti Wheeler, right. The local artisan is spreading happiness through her hand painted items.

Photo submitted

Due to Barry’s cancer and permanent disability, he is at very high risk, forcing the couple to take extra precautions during the pandemic. The time in isolation weighed heavily on both Patti and Barry until this idea was born.

They find that bringing joy to others is contagious. Recently, Barry ventured out on his scooter with their dog Minnie at his side, to assist in hiding these gifts all along the waterfront and his outlook brightened through the process of giving.

A tree at the Leamington Marina park is known as “The Wishing Tree’ and they routinely place the kindness gems and Coronas there for any and all to find. Recently, someone set up a miniature tea party in the wishing tree, and painted stones have been spotted throughout the marina area and Seacliff Park.

The ‘Wishing Tree’ at Leamington Municpal Marina. Photo submitted

During pre-Covid 19 times, Patti ‘Rainbow’ Wheeler’s work could be found at the Point Pelee Gift Shop, the Leamington Art Gallery and Merli’s in Kingsville.