Project: Habesha Momma Art

11.4.2013 ...Today, I got a message from one of my friends ...

...We have started a business called Habesha Momma Art, US and international artists selling their art to help women in apprenticeship programs become self sufficient. The project we are working on now is for a group of women in Ethiopia who will be trained to make pottery. 

I'm writing you to see if you would be interesting in working with me on a design. My partner in Habesha Momma recently visited these women and the most prevalent theme she continued to feel with them was shame. I would like to create a piece of jewelry symbolizing no more shame. We hope to give these women hope and help them restore their dignity. I would love to see what you could create with this subject in mind.  

                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was truly touched and honored to be asked to work on this project, so I happily and immediately said YES! My brother and his wife adopted from Ethiopia as have some of my friends. Our parish priest is originally from Tanzania, and we've met many of his friends and family over the years. They have all become part of our family. Even though I've never been there, I feel like part of my heart is in Africa. I was thrilled to be asked to do something!

So, that's my assignment is for now. I can't wait to get started.  

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11.8.2013 ... A look into my design process ...

Yes, that's right. Many times, my process starts with a post-it. I scribble different ideas down, and then, I think about it, mull it over, and work it out in my head. The ideas usually come very quickly, a strong image in my head. Then I get it on metal ASAP. It's almost like I can't focus on anything else until I get it out of my head.

My friend said that shame is the most prevalent theme among the women in the village, so I have been focusing on that word and the feelings associated with it. I would like to create a piece of jewelry symbolizing the end of shame. I want to focus on a positive message of hope, helping these women to restore their dignity. I started playing around with ideas and words, until I hit on something. I want to focus on a person's sense of worth, that she is loved, and knowing that she is enough. I think you can see that in my scribbled note on the left side of my picture.

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I AM WORTHY

I AM LOVED 

I AM ENOUGH

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That's exactly the message I want to convey. Now to work up a design

Yep, you got it, more post-it notes. I'm so high tech around here. ;)  I really liked the idea of lining the words up in some way from top to bottom, so I started playing. Sometimes, it takes a while to get the design just right. However, I was itching to get this into metal, so I didn't actually finalize it before I started stamping. I can be quite impatient at times. *lol*

I decided to go with a mixed metal layered piece, brass for the bottom and copper on the top. I quickly stamped one up, snapped a picture, and sent the image to my friend. Here it is ...

I sent it to her just like this, didn't even bother turning the photo around. And then I waited, really worried about what she was going to think. The word shame wasn't anywhere to be found on the piece, and I was concerned about going in a different direction. However, I felt led to design the piece the way I did, and I really loved the end result. I was hoping it would be what they wanted. Of course, facebook messenger lets you know when someone reads your message, so I knew when she saw it. I didn't get a response back for a little bit, so I started to worry ...

When she responded, this is what she wrote ...

             "Wow! so close it has me in tears! worthy loved enough...
           all SO fitting. I also love the mixed metals. This is 
           beautiful!"

Her note, of course, made me burst out in tears too (I'm a big softie like that). I'm so blessed to be able to do something I love so much. I enjoy taking someone's idea and making it into something they'll cherish. Their response is the best part of my job. I also love that this design will be helping some precious women on the other side of the world. It will have a positive impact on their lives. I'm so touched and honored that my friend had the faith in me to work on this project and toward Habesha Momma Arts' cause. 

Habesha Momma Art is targeting November 15th as their website launch date, so I'll be writing more as that deadline approaches. 

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11.19.2013 ... Found this image in my email today:

It brought me to tears. Yes, I know I'm a baby, but I just love this image. The beautiful women that are pictured around the design are the women that the sale of this pendant will help. Such a small act on my part could make such a difference in someone else's life. Seeing this just made it that much more real to me. I love what I do, and I'm so blessed to be able to do it. <3

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11.20.2013 ... My design is now in our Etsy shop. It's very exciting! Check it out here ... 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169676318/mixed-metal-hand-stamped-necklace-with?ref=shop_home_active

A portion of the sale of this pendant goes directly to the women pictured above. 

How cool is that? 

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11.25.2013 ... The Habesha Momma Art Website Launched! I loved seeing their status this morning: 

"Introducing our website! Please take time to read Habesha Momma Art's story, see how you can get involved, and check out our beautiful art! Join us in buying for yourself or the precious women of your life a Simple 66 Stuff necklace that speaks to the world we are...Worthy Loved Enough!!!!"

Check out their website here:

http://www.habeshamomma.com/

I'm so excited for them!
These women have big dreams and huge hearts.
I'm so blessed to be a small part of their vision. 

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Make a Difference.

Be the Change. 

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New designs hitting our etsy store!

Just wanted to show you some of the designs I've been working on. They should be hitting the etsy store sometime this week!

UPDATE

Most of these items never even made it into the store. They ended up being sold  before I had a chance to list them. 

Lesson to learn? 

If you like something that I posted and don't find it listed in the store, just ask me. I'd be glad to make another one, and if you'd like me to modify it in any way, just let me know. I aim to please. 

Journey home to family ...

I’m grateful my brother and his wife heeded the gentle whispers they heard and the subtle nudges they felt. Not all are called to be adoptive parents, but they knew they were being led to help the fatherless. Even though Bill and Gretchen already had three children of their own, they felt God etching this desire in their hearts. By answering His call, they have shown how obedience, hope, and love can change a life. They were able to bring their infant daughter home from Ethiopia in 2010. Since then, she has blessed each of  our lives abundantly with her sweet laughter and loving nature. Here is a recent picture of my beautiful four year old niece:

 

 
This girl's struggle began as soon as she was born. When she was found, she was severely dehydrated and malnourished. Her circumstances were dire. By the grace of God, she fought her way back from the brink of death. She embodies the meaning of courage, strength, and tenacity. Since Bill and Gretchen have brough her home, we have watched this sweet little girl bloom and grow. We've seen her thrive. She has taught us that, even in the darkest circumstances, there is light and hope.
 
Today, her life is filled with people that love and cherish her. Recently, she was posed this question: What would you ask God if you were given the chance? She replied that she didn’t have a question for Him, but she'd like to thank Him for her family. We are fortunate to have this tender heart gracing our lives.
 

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There is another precious girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo, waiting to come home to her family.
 
 

 
Unlike my niece, I don't know what circumstances this beautiful girl has faced, but there IS one thing I know ...

 

She has parents who are anxiously awaiting the day they can be united with her.

 

 

 
Nick and Tracy began their adoption journey at the beginning of 2011. Finally in late 2012, they were matched with this adorable, brown eyed girl. Yet, one obstacle stands in the way of holding her in their arms, the funding to bring her home.
 
Here's more from their fundraising page ...
 
We are in the process of adopting our daughter from The Democratic Republic of Congo. After over a year of waiting to bring our sweet girl home, we are at the last step now. Recently, we have had a few setbacks in the process. The first came a couple months ago when we learned of some changes to how adoptions are processed in DRC. For three years, we have expected to be in country 7-10 days. Due to the changes, we are told to expect to be in country 3-5 WEEKS. That alone will increase the cost of our trip dramatically (food and lodging for 3-5 times as long). We also learned of a recommended change in lodging due to safety issues. The new, safer hotel is about twice as expensive per night as the original place we were going to stay. Both of these things mean our travel expenses will be A LOT more than we have expected.

All money raised here is going towards our travel expenses. Every donation helps and is MUCH appreciated. Thank you for helping us bring our daughter home!                                      ~Nick and Tracy Pigg

 
 
Knowing what a difference adoption has made in my niece's life, I was glad to see that the Piggs were answering their call to the fatherless too. I've been following their progress from afar, but recently, I started thinking about something I could do to help them with their efforts. A couple of designs started dancing around in my head, and this is the one I finally settled on:
  

 
I'll be putting this tag in the etsy shop. When one of them sells, I'll be donating to their adoption fund. If you're local, just send me a message, and I'll be happy to make one for you. I'll continue pounding out tags until the Piggs are able to bring their beautful daughter home.
 
Adoption is a complete leap of faith. It takes courage, hope, and love. Who knows what life has in store for this girl? However, I do know that her life will be better because of this journey that Nick and Tracy have begun. Please consider helping them. Take a leap of faith too! Make a difference in someone else's life today. Here's a link to the item in our etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/listing/169946483/hand-stamped-brass-necklace-africa-hope?ref=shop_home_active
 
If a necklace isn't your thing, but you still want to help, check out their fundraising page here:
 
http://www.gofundme.com/4owjqc
 
Any way you can help will be greatly appreciated!
 
 
 
Remember, whatever you do in this life, be the change ...
 
Joyce