VIDA

So this past week something completely unexpected happened.

I received an email from VIDA. 

 "...VIDA's story is that of the rich, interconnected world we live in -- the story of contemporary life and mindful, global citizenship. We are a global partnership of co-creators, from a designer in Paris, to a producer in Karachi, and a consumer in San Francisco."

 

Simply put, VIDA invites artists from all over the world, to become designers and design completely original scarves and tops inspired from the artists' very own artwork.

Any form of art, from painting, to drawing to photography. Anything that can be digitally transferred, can be used to design these high-quality products. 

They invited me to become a designer, and design my own scarves and tops created from my very own artwork...my photography! 

To be honest, I was hesitant at first. 

So I looked into it. And it's legit! 

I began playing around, and started creating some products with my photos. 

And it was a ton of fun! 

It has taken my visions to a different level, that I would never have thought of myself!

And the best part about VIDA, is that they use part of their proceeds from the sales of the products, to create literacy programs for the makers. 

With these programs, the makers have opportunities to learn basic reading, writing and math skills, that they would otherwise not have access to. 

 

So by purchasing from my VIDA Collection, you not only support my art, but you are also helping makers across the world! 

How incredibly cool is that?! 

Here are a few examples of what I have created so far:

 

 

 I am THRILLED to share my collection with all of you!

Check it out HERE, and enjoy these coupon codes!

 Until the end of the month, there is a Fashion Portfolio Event.

Use the codes below at checkout to save:

$15 off $75 {with code Fashion15}

$150 off $450 {with code Fashion150}

 

Thank you for supporting my art, and the makers all over the world!

And thank you VIDA for introducing me to your incredible company, and it's amazing new platform for artists everywhere! 

 

WE Day Seattle!

I literally stumbled across the finding of an organization called ME to WE at a vendor event this past December. There was a group of teenage girls selling Rafiki bracelets, and I thought the name was cool, and they bracelets were equally as cool looking!

Once I did some research and found out what the bracelets were all about, 

I knew that ME to WE was something that our Girl Scout troop had to take part in! 

Long story short, you choose two causes that you want to help with, do a project, and/or donate money, to help those causes. One local and one global. 

By doing these projects, you EARN tickets to an event called WE Day. 

This year was the fourth year WE Day came to Seattle.

"WE Day is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities....yearlong program that nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformative social change." 

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Now, I had no idea that We Day existed before. So after finding out that our troop had earned enough tickets for all of us to attend, I watched the video below and got goose bumps. I had no doubt that these girls would benefit from going! After all, even the adults get something out of an event this inspirational!

So last Wednesday, April 20th, our twelve Girl Scouts and five {brave!} adults piled into three cars, and caravanned to the Seattle Center KeyArena for a morning filled with amazing, eye-opening, thought-provoking words of wisdom! There were celebrity speakers, well-known bands and singers, local business owners, local celebrities {i.e. news anchors,} and local athletes {Pete Carol and three Seahawks, Seattle Storm players and Seattle Sounders players}!

You might be wondering how much information nine-year-olds really get during a long morning/day, filled with a lot of talking...well, hopefully they got more out of it then we think! I figure that we need to start them young, so that they can be introduced to the fact that they CAN change the world, and make it a better place! If it doesn't click right away, it will eventually! I know it! 

Especially with these girls...they are all so incredibly smart!

They don't even know what kind of potential they have yet! 

I know that it effected Emma a lot more than she even knows!

That night, she saddled up in bed and wrote in her WE Day journal, and started reading the WE Day book that everyone in attendance received for free! And if you ask me, her words are quit profound: 

I hope that WE Day comes back to Seattle next year, because you can bet that we will be there again!

This organization, and it's event, speak so deeply to me.

I believe in everything it is about, and I absolutely love how it is centered around youth!

I am excited to start planning our projects next year, because I know the girls will love seeing how their projects and donations are actually changing things, and helping people! 

AND, they get rewarded by earning tickets to WE Day! 

Talk about a Win-Win! 

"Together WE change the world!"

The Closing of a Chapter

With all of life's busy workings, it gets continually harder for me to keep up with my blog! 

While it will not be going away for good,  if you truly want to keep up and check out whats happening in our little corner of the woods, I invite you to please follow me on Instagram!! 

With that being said, I have decided to officially close a chapter in my life. 

A chapter that I started almost four years ago. 

A chapter that I had never seen myself being part of.

But a chapter that I am so glad I decided to be part of!

Now, almost four years later, this chapter has come to it's end.

I have decided to quit direct selling with Thirty-One Gifts. 

Their company changed so many things for me! 

It helped me to step outside of my comfort zone.

It helped me gain so many relationships that I would have otherwise never have known.

Relationships and knowledge that will forever be indispensable. 

The reason for this was simple:

I just haven't had the best of luck with this particular product, and that's OK!

Not everyone does, and that's OK!

It simply boiled down to whether or not this was a smart financial move for me and my family.

And at this time, it makes more sense for me, personally, to step on the brakes. 

I have officially cancelled my Thirty-One website, but can still place orders for you through my email, until the end of this month {April}. 

I will also be going through my personal inventory and selling what I will no longer need.

At a discounted price, of course! 

So please let me know if you would like to place a final order with me, or if you would like to look at my inventory and purchase in person! 

Please don't think that I will be leaving my customers in the lurch!

I can find a consultant to refer you to, if you need one! 

THANK YOU Thirty-One Gifts for the opportunity of a lifetime!

Your company has opened my eyes, and my mind, 

to direct sales and what they mean to women {and men} everywhere. 

I will be forever Grateful!