Meet the Makers
Rooted in Michigan. Inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.
Craftsmanship
Every piece begins in our Portage, Michigan studio, where we take pride in quality over quantity. From design to finish, each detail is carefully chosen to reflect the person receiving it. We believe true craftsmanship is about intention as much as precision.
Connection
Our work is about more than engraving; it’s about celebrating relationships. Each gift tells a story of appreciation, love, or new beginnings, and we’re honored to help our clients give something that feels as personal as the moment it marks.
Story
We design with purpose. Every product we create carries a message meant to be felt, not just seen. Whether it’s a closing gift, milestone celebration, or memory piece, we hope it becomes part of someone’s story.
Roots
We’re proud to call Southwest Michigan home. The calm lakes, changing seasons, and tight-knit community here inspire how we work and what we value: kindness, authenticity, and leaving every interaction a little warmer than we found it.
This is us...
Hi there! We’re Tim and Janie, the husband-and-wife team behind True North Expressions. After nearly 29 years of marriage, countless cups of coffee, and a shared love for creating meaningful things, we decided it was time for a new kind of adventure, one that would keep us both inspired and a little busier than “retirement” usually allows.
Janie handles most of the design work and laser engraving (with a little healthy overthinking thrown in for good measure). She’s the one always dreaming up new product ideas or tweaking an existing one until it feels just right. If there’s a creative curveball to throw, she’s the pitcher! Whether that means redesigning a layout or rewriting half a recipe because she “didn’t like the ingredients.”
Tim’s the hands-on problem solver. The guy who can fix just about anything and doesn’t blink when production gets busy. He’s built drum sets from scratch, keeps things running smoothly, and brings a good dose of sarcasm (and music) to the shop. Where Janie dreams up something new, he’s the one figuring out how to make it real. Together, we strike that perfect balance between “let’s try it” and “let’s think it through first.”
We started True North Expressions because we wanted to build something that connects people, not just through the products we make, but through the stories those gifts tell. We both believe that a great piece should feel personal, emotional, and far better than anything you expected to unwrap.
Home for us is Portage, Michigan, nicknamed “Tree City USA.” It’s a beautiful, easy going community surrounded by lakes, trails, and an endless supply of inspiration (especially in the fall and spring). When we’re not in the studio, you’ll probably find us enjoying coffee, music, or time with our family — kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids.
At the end of the day, we’re just two people who love what we do, creating gifts that mean something, laughing at ourselves along the way, and finding joy in the small, genuine moments that connect us all.
