Stuff to Love | Noonday Collection

Jewelry But So Much More!

So this is the second post in the Stuff to Love category. It’s something to love. It may be a good book, a great product, an experience you may be able to go out and experience too, who knows. But any time we stumble over something good, we”ll share it! Today I’m sharing Noonday Collection

So how many ladies reading this attended an IF: Gathering last month? How many of you stopped at the Noonday Collection jewelry tables during a break over the two days of the conference? And please feel free to leave your answers in the comments below; I really would love to know! If you’re not familiar with the IF: Gathering, click on the link to launch on over to their website and see what you can look forward to next year!

Not My Style

It’s funny, I walked by those jewelry tables a couple of times not really knowing why they were there. I gave the jewelry a quick glance and thought, “not really my style” and “there’s not really anything I like cause I’m pretty simple”.  But then during the conference at some point, I heard the story behind the jewelry. Here’s a description of Noonday Collection‘s purpose from their website “About” page:

“To make a difference in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, we partner with Artisan Businesses that share our passion for building a flourishing world. We develop these businesses through fair trade, empowering them to grow sustainably and to create dignified jobs for people who need them.”

Well That Got My Attention

The “create dignified jobs for people who need them” is what made me pay closer attention and what made me understand that this is so much more than just jewelry and fashion accessories. Suddenly all that jewelry sitting out on the tables in our church lobby had a meaning. A significant meaning and I wanted to go back to those tables and take a closer look. And you know what, I found more than several pieces of jewelry (and one Rustic Leather Tote) that I loved and really wanted!

And anyone who knows me knows that I have a tough time buying stuff for myself, I really do. But I found myself wanting to buy several lovely pieces for myself! Funny how our perceptions can be moved by just a little more education, thought, and desire to help in some small way. And it isn’t that I just want to check the box that I’ve helped a good cause. No, it goes further than that. For me it was a lesson learned. It opened my eyes to something much bigger.

What’s Next

I am at a stage in my life where I am waiting for God to divulge His plan for me on what’s next. I’ve offered myself up to Him to have me do what He wants me to do. If you’ve read my posts on Why FaithSpun or Yours No More, you already know that I am ready to be “still” for a period of time while listening for God’s gentle nudge or all out shove! And I have resolved myself to the fact that whatever He has in store for me is probably going to be something way out of my comfort zone. So how does this all play into jewelry?

Something More to Think About

How many times have you walked past a need or a cause and quickly looked away because it was something that was not comfortable? I know I have! It wasn’t my “style” or anything I could ever see myself doing or getting involved in because I just wasn’t equipped with the right gifts or qualified. But what if I were more open to being educated, more thoughtful, or desirous to get involved regardless of my comfort level? What if being pushed out of my comfort zone was something not so scary because I knew I could place all of my faith in God to get me through? To be willing to allow God to hold me by the hand and guide me through a new endeavor because we were in it together. To be so focused on God that I was no longer focused on myself and how the experience would impact me personally? How amazing would that be? I’ll let you know if and when this happens but I will also let you know if the opportunity arises and I don’t walk the talk!

It may be a bit of a stretch between the two (jewelry and taking on something more) but for me, it just all kind of clicked. I have no idea how long I will be “still” and I don’t need to know. But I do believe that God is prepping me to open my mind and my heart to whatever it is that He has in store. I do know that I am going to continue to work hard to open my eyes to more going on around me, while keeping my focus firmly set on God.

Makin’ Me Smile

So yeah, I bought some bracelets at the end of Day 2 (these cute Constant Cuffs) and every time I put them on, I think about the Peruvian hands that made them and how their life has been enriched by the art they’ve created. And it makes me smile; not because it makes me feel good about something that I’ve done, but because I love the fact that someone was given an opportunity and I just happened to be the beneficiary of their fine work.

More on Noonday Collection

Read more about how Noonday Collection came to be on their website “Our Story” page and check out their “Impact” page to gain a full understanding of the impact that this organization is truly making. Prepare to be inspired; I know I have been. I think there is definitely a killer bag from India in my future but I am also planning to host a Noonday Collection trunk show, hopefully next month. I’m hoping to host an Adoption Trunk Show whereby 10% of all sales will go to an adoptive family. If you are interested in hosting your own trunk show, reach out through “Host a Show” so you can be connected to a local Noonday Collection Ambassador. If you’re interested in selling the collection by becoming an Ambassador yourself; go to the “Become an Ambassador” page on their website. Maybe your own opportunity awaits! Of course, you can always shop directly through the Noonday Collection website but wouldn’t getting together with a group of friends and/or loved ones be so much more fun?

Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Stuff to Love; you can always subscribe to this category over to the left of this page and get an email anytime we’ve posted something new to love! And don’t forget to leave a comment! Thanks for reading!

In His Grip,
{Shelley}