A Vision

I've had this idea spinning around in my head for a few years.

What if we created a place where people could shop and their money was going towards a greater good? An actual tangible place to shop, where you can pick up items, feel them, try them on for size.

I did a small version of this at my house in the Spring.

 I have two friends who were raising money. I have this friend, Allie, and she has three girls. Her oldest daughter is turning 13 this summer. Her wish for her birthday? To go to Africa to visit an orphanage. Allie's family has had a heart for adoption, foster care, children in vunerable situations ever since I have known them. We have witnessed first hand the the way the Lord has used their family to bring hope to the hurting. So it is really no surprise that Parker had this desire for her 13th birthday. Those girls aren't just taught bible verses....they witness the life changing power of the gospel in the way their parents lay their lives down for the sake of the least of these.

So Allie, of course, wanted to make this wish a reality for her oldest girl. Through another friend of ours, their family learned about The Raining Season in Sierra Leone, Africa. And they are planning a trip this summer. In an attempt to raise money and awareness, Allie and Parker started creating things to sell. Parker started making these adorable paper journals and said "I don't care how many I have to make to get to Africa!". Allie makes amazing things all the time. I believe she can literally create anything out of yarn and material. (vendor #1!) Check out these cute burlap placemats she sold...

I have another sweet friend, Ellen. Now. Let me tell you about Ellen. This girl is a visionary when it comes to repurposing things. She literally drives around in the evening because "well that's when most people put their trash out." She can find the most rundown things and create them into the most amazing things.....case in point.....she made this for my little guy's room.....

Found? On the side of the road. Half the facing was coming off, but she knew it had good bones. Ellen has a little shop inside her carport where she stores her treasures until she can get her hands on them. She's got a little sign that reads "The Restored Attic". But hontestly, when Ellen's mind is running....we all can get a little scared. She get's this crazy look in her eyes and we know something fabulous is about to happen. Anyway, Ellen and her 15 year old son are going on a mission trip this summer to Albania. So they are also raising money and awareness about their trip. All I said to Ellen was "hey wanna sell some of your stuff at my house?" Her crazy eyes were in rare form and she spent the next few weeks working like a mad woman. And her stuff was a huge hit. She SOLD OUT. (vendor #2!)

We are raising money for our adoption from Ethiopia (because I don't know if y'all know this but adopting children is a wee bit pricey....but not as much as a new cadillac with heated leather seats I saw advertised on the television the other day...I'm glad to know we have our priorities straight.) Any how...I  make personalized paper goods and also anything else I can come up with. I also had a friend who had recently returned from a trip to Ethiopia. She brought back jewelry that was made by a woman who was rescued out of a life of prostitution. She now makes a living by making handmade jewlery. My friend bought it from her, brought it back, and then I sold it to raise money for our adoption. Truly gifts that give on every level. (vendor #3!)

 

 

After the spring sale was such a success (people came out in the pouring rain!), I really started putting this broader vision together in my head. What if we could provide that one place where shoppers could purchase most of their Christmas presents, where dollars were going to help alleviate a financial burden for an adoptive family, to help fund local ministries that work with new momma's that have experienced crisis pregnancies and have made the brave choice to parent their little babies, to help bring awareness to issues of social justice and provide tangible ways to love the least of these? All while shopping for one of a kind items that have been handmade, repurposed, up cycled in some way. What if we could take all the guess work out of trying to figure out how to purchase with a purpose this holiday season and provided a one stop shop? In my small mind, I can see women (and men!) coming together to SPEAK UP with their presence, awareness, and money.... not being content to fuel the consumer machine any more. I'm so giddy about it. SO much so that I used the word giddy. It is with great excitment and much hope....I present to you 

 

 

 

This blog is the place where I will be posting all information about the sale. As new vendors and details are added, I will keep you all informed. And also, you should be excited. I know some very talented people. Who have no idea they are talented. Which is really the best thing.