Jessica Hlavac is a master chef–serving up everything from tacos, to caprese salad, to homemade Twinkies–in a most unconventional way. Her ingredients of choice? Clay, pastels, and varnish. And Hlavac eschews fine china, plating her dishes atop the tip of a knife, the edge of a chopstick, or the face of a coin.
Hlavac's clay meals are in fact too cute (and too artificial) to eat. The Los Angeles-based micro-sculptor has been creating and posting images of her miniature meals since January, on the adorable blog i'm so tiny. Since then she's produced a calendar of her photos, held an art show in a lingerie shop, and began marketing her photos on Etsy.
"There is something exciting about seeing an everyday object, which is inherently comforting, in a new perspective," Hlavac told Crushable. "It makes them wake up for a second, like a magic trick."
Hlavac's transformation of the normally mundane Twinky is a perfect example of what she's talking about. The photo of the familiar childhood snack has become one of her most popular prints among fans, Hlavac wrote in an email.
Hlavac herself doesn't personally eat Twinkies, or many of the other foods that she creates. The inspiration for a piece usually comes from the method itself, like "realizing a way to create citrus skin, or the cut side of bread, or how to color a cheese rind," Hlavac wrote.
While Hlavac considers herself only an "eager beginner" when it comes to cooking people-sized, edible meals, she'd love to partner up with a restaurant or chef to create miniature versions of their signature dishes.
Whose food would you like to see Hlavac miniaturize? Send suggestions below. Also, be sure to check out the slideshow of Hlavac's images above, the i'm so tiny blog, and her Etsy store.
Images courtesy of Jessica Hlavac
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.