"I have made many “Protectors” over the years. I love making them. Their origin goes back to the days I first discovered I was HIV+. I was so young, and so unable to deal with what I was told at that time would be fatal within a year. For 10 years I believed I had less that a year to live. A very surreal existentialist way to view life. In many ways, it defined who I am today. I created my first Protector from a dream I had. It was that an aunt whom I loved very much who had died was watching over me…protecting me. I always hope each Protector I make will do the same for anyone who owns one…..protecting them in their life." –Tim Tate, 2025