My launch party for Noonday & 1,000 images

 

i had no idea what to expect for my first noonday party.

i wondered will my friends come?

will they like the jewelry?

will the stories of the artisans resonate with them?

will they notice my dirty windows?

you know...all those nervous thoughts.

i had two shows that day, with one in the morning

& then one later that evening to try to accommodate all schedules.

my savannah drove in from athens with some of her sweet friends.

for them to make the road trip, on a school night, meant the world to me.

we met up for a quick piece of pizza before the evening party.

my family was so sweet & encouraging

offering to help in any way possible.

my girls often times wearing my jewelry pieces to school.

 

i even found a note that little bit left on her desk...

a reminder to take her precious teacher one of the look books.

 

i tried to purchase as many pieces as i could 

to give my friends a nice selection to see in person

& play dress up with.

i love decorating so styling for the event was super fun for me.

i took several of my frames , lined the inside with burlap

& then had dan secure various door knobs & such.

i also had several pieces that i don't use in my everyday decor 

but i still love & enjoyed pulling them out & using for display.

since the stories behind the pieces are what i truly love about noonday,

i printed several of the artists pictures & had them, along with their personal stories,

beside the pieces.

 

i also added a few images of jessica, the founder

& her newly adopted son Jack from Rwanda too.

i mentioned earlier that i'm hoping to pick a piece from noonday

each week & share the story behind it.

wearing a piece of jewelry that was handmade, fair trade,

by someone tyring to make a better life for themselves,

in another part of the world

that you & i may never be able to visit

is being an advocate for them.

being a voice for the oppressed is not only biblical

but  is walking out the gospel.

today i want to introduce you to Andinet

"the necklace shown below is handmade by artisans in Ethiopia using recycled metal beads and melted-down war weapons.
This necklace is truly a statement piece.
Genuine silver embellishments are made by a local silversmith. Each of these spectacular beads is a unique piece of artwork. Loop-tie closure.
This piece is handmade in Ethiopia using recycled nickel, copper, and bronze melted down from previous war weapons.
Most of the artisans who created the pieces are HIV positive and receive healthcare and literacy training in addition to job training.
Not only are they are learning a skill, but they are learning that their life matters. "

both the parties were great fun for me
( sorry i don't have actual pictures from the events).

i also want to thank so many of you who have sent

countless emails & words of encouragement.

notes & facebook images of the pieces that you've purchased!

please know that YOU are being a voice for them

for the andinets & jalia's & corals

the faces that represent so so so many...

when you purchase, wear, pray for, give to them.

not that in any way is noonday the only way to do that...

it's just one of so many ways to love others & share the hope of the gospel.

at the risk of sounding cliche or corny

or whatever you might call it

i consider it quite an honor to wear a handcrafted item

by andinet, jalia or coral...
any & all of them,
quite an honor!

{{ps--i am having a load of issues with blogger. for some reason word verification is showing up for ya'll despite the fact that i have it set so anyone, even anonymous can comment. ugh.
also, hearing that my email subscribers are not receiving emails when i post.
i have no idea what's going on....}}

~~

matthew 25.34-40

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

~~~

"The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice"

chris tomlin