God Bless,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Sunday, December 30, 2007
FREE Shipping
Free shipping for U.S residents will be continued until further notice. I have added a new category called Rings, and I have added four new rings.
God Bless,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
God Bless,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Free Shipping for the Holidays!
Holiday Announcement:
Free shipping on all items sold on Designs by Jenean's Esty shop during the holiday season. Come visit and find the perfect gift for the holiday.
Thanks
Jenean
Free shipping on all items sold on Designs by Jenean's Esty shop during the holiday season. Come visit and find the perfect gift for the holiday.
Thanks
Jenean
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Designs by Jenean recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Please take some time to pray for those fighting this fight and find a way to make a difference. A portion of all the sales made in the month of October from Designs by Jenean will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Will the “Real” Survivors Please Stand Up
I watched a program which showed how there are refugees from Africa that are in need of help. I began to reflect on the turmoil the people from Africa have suffered over the years. I began to wonder are the people surviving. Yet, I read information on the internet which shows the total population of Africa is estimated to be at 888 million people. The population is growing rapidly and some project it to grow to 1 Billion by 2015.
Over the years, many in the population have survived famine, droughts, wars, Aids and corrupt governments. Yet, the people on that continent continue to grow.
I began to wonder whether I could overcome such obstacles and continue to grow in my life. Sometimes, the things that I face in my everyday life weary me. However, when I think about how I overcome life’s challenges, I remember that I don’t go through trials and tribulations by myself. When I face obstacles, I remind myself of Romans 8:31-37,
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
I can overcome all things reminding myself that I am more than a conqueror. I am a survivor.
Remain overcomers by trusting in God.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Sunday, September 9, 2007
A Time for Sharing and Caring
A Time for Sharing and Caring
Time seems to get away from us because we are so busy. When we wake up in the morning we have a list a mile long of things that need to be accomplished that day. We can stay so busy with the things on the list that we may not take time to consider what’s going on with others outside of the things on the list.
I received a little tap on the shoulder the other day while surfing on Etsy forums. Etsy has teamed up with Rape Response Services, http://www.raperesponseservices.org, to raise awareness and money for an important cause. Here are a few facts from the website.
* Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence. Age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and size do not matter. Victims come from all different backgrounds.
* Most often, sexual violence happens between people who know each other. The perpetrator may be a friend, family member, spouse, or dating partner.
* Both men and women can be raped. No one ever asks for or deserves to be raped.
* Rape is not an act of overwhelming love or passion; it is an act of VIOLENCE. Rape is a crime that is punishable by law.
* A large number of sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol or other drugs.
* Incest is the most common form of sexual violence.
* Alcohol, drugs, manipulation, and/or coercion are used more often than physical force in order to get a victim to comply.
* You have the right to work and/or go to school in an environment free from sexual harassment. Your employer or school can be held liable for failing to take appropriate steps to ensure this.
* Victims are not chosen because of their age, the way they look, or what they wear. They are chosen because of their perceived vulnerability or the perpetrator’s opportunity.
* Rape is the most under-reported violent crime in the United States.
Visit the site for more information.
Designs by Jenean is donating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of two watches to a great cause through Hope and Healing. To find all the listings from other members on Etsy, search for the term/tag hopeandhealing.
Time seems to get away from us because we are so busy. When we wake up in the morning we have a list a mile long of things that need to be accomplished that day. We can stay so busy with the things on the list that we may not take time to consider what’s going on with others outside of the things on the list.
I received a little tap on the shoulder the other day while surfing on Etsy forums. Etsy has teamed up with Rape Response Services, http://www.raperesponseservices.org, to raise awareness and money for an important cause. Here are a few facts from the website.
* Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence. Age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and size do not matter. Victims come from all different backgrounds.
* Most often, sexual violence happens between people who know each other. The perpetrator may be a friend, family member, spouse, or dating partner.
* Both men and women can be raped. No one ever asks for or deserves to be raped.
* Rape is not an act of overwhelming love or passion; it is an act of VIOLENCE. Rape is a crime that is punishable by law.
* A large number of sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol or other drugs.
* Incest is the most common form of sexual violence.
* Alcohol, drugs, manipulation, and/or coercion are used more often than physical force in order to get a victim to comply.
* You have the right to work and/or go to school in an environment free from sexual harassment. Your employer or school can be held liable for failing to take appropriate steps to ensure this.
* Victims are not chosen because of their age, the way they look, or what they wear. They are chosen because of their perceived vulnerability or the perpetrator’s opportunity.
* Rape is the most under-reported violent crime in the United States.
Visit the site for more information.
Designs by Jenean is donating a portion of the proceeds of the sale of two watches to a great cause through Hope and Healing. To find all the listings from other members on Etsy, search for the term/tag hopeandhealing.
God Bless Everyone
Jenean
http://www.designsbyjenean.etsy.com
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Pearl of Great Price, Giving it All You've Got.
Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
What have you been putting the most value on? Have you place the most value on material things, such as your house, car, clothes, etc. or have you placed the most value on your family, friends and health? If you hav to choose one and give up the others in exchange, I have a feeling that the things that money the things that initially cost you a lot of money would not be the things chosen. What’s more valuable in the world are the things that didn’t cost you anything to obtain.
I have been dealing with a health challenge for the past few months and the support I have received from family and friends has been invaluable. All of my material possessions pale in comparison to the love and support I have received from family and friends.
Are you giving attention to what you value the most? Take time to appreciate what you value the most.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
http://designsbyjenean.etsy.com
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Your Only Handicap is in your mind
When you hear or see the word "handicap" what do you think in your mind. Do you think of a disability, a physical or mental limitation? Or maybe when you hear the word "handicap" you think of it as a way to get an advantage. Such as when a race or a sporting event is handicapped, someone will get an advantage, an opportunity to win.
There are many people with certain physical limitations but not mental limitations. They find a way to overcome obstacles. A young man with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, tried out for the show, So You Think You Can Dance. He was excellent in his craft, despite his physical handicap. When watching him dance, I could see in his face that he didn't see himself with a limitation, he knew he could dance. Although he wasn't invited to continue on to Las Vegas, he so impressed the judges, one in particular and was offered an opportunity to try out for a spot in a movie. His physical body may have placed certain limitations on him, but he didn't hold that same limiting image in his mind. I think we will be seeing more of this young man in the future.
In contrast, in sporting events, there's a different type of handicap. In horseracing, a jockey, on the most favored horse to win, may be given a physical handicap. The jockey is weighed down with weights to equalize the playing field. Life has a way of doing this sometimes. You may know someone or meet someone and be given a certain amount of favor with that person. As a result of your association with this person, your designs may be placed in a busy store or you may receive a certain amount of advertising.
Either way you want to think about it, use a handicap to your advantage. One of the best ways to change to a more positive point of view is to read motivation, spiritual and inspirational books. I encourage everyone to find a book and start encouraging yourself.
Bookmarks
There are many people with certain physical limitations but not mental limitations. They find a way to overcome obstacles. A young man with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, tried out for the show, So You Think You Can Dance. He was excellent in his craft, despite his physical handicap. When watching him dance, I could see in his face that he didn't see himself with a limitation, he knew he could dance. Although he wasn't invited to continue on to Las Vegas, he so impressed the judges, one in particular and was offered an opportunity to try out for a spot in a movie. His physical body may have placed certain limitations on him, but he didn't hold that same limiting image in his mind. I think we will be seeing more of this young man in the future.
In contrast, in sporting events, there's a different type of handicap. In horseracing, a jockey, on the most favored horse to win, may be given a physical handicap. The jockey is weighed down with weights to equalize the playing field. Life has a way of doing this sometimes. You may know someone or meet someone and be given a certain amount of favor with that person. As a result of your association with this person, your designs may be placed in a busy store or you may receive a certain amount of advertising.
Either way you want to think about it, use a handicap to your advantage. One of the best ways to change to a more positive point of view is to read motivation, spiritual and inspirational books. I encourage everyone to find a book and start encouraging yourself.
Bookmarks
God Bless Everyone
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Pay it forward lives on.
The pay it forward movement is still going on strong. The latest sign that the movement continues is a commercial I have been seeing where someone has something good done for them and they in turn do something good for someone else.
Of course more information about what pay it forward can be found on Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward. I remember when the movie first came out and at that time I hadn't seen it, someone paid for my lunch at a Wendys drive thru and the cashier told me the person ahead of me had paid it forward. I didn't know what that really meant at that time. It was a while before I saw the movie but when I saw it I was really moved by it and could see how someone would pay it forward. Later, I joined www.etsy.com to sell my jewelry designs and deciding factor for my joining the site was the pay it forward movement that was going on at the time. People would like an item and give it away for free. Whoever accepted the item would be asked to pay it forward by either giving away an item or doing something nice for someone else. There were 171 items currently listed as "pay it forward" in a recent search I performed on Etsy. I participated a few times and will probably do it again.
It is a good feeling to give. My newest project is Bead BEARerTM bears. They are cute little miniture bears that bring gifts of the beauty of beads. Once they arrive in your home, they can either sit or stand anywhere you put them and keep you company, bearing your bead for you. They are tiny in size but big in heart.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Of course more information about what pay it forward can be found on Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward. I remember when the movie first came out and at that time I hadn't seen it, someone paid for my lunch at a Wendys drive thru and the cashier told me the person ahead of me had paid it forward. I didn't know what that really meant at that time. It was a while before I saw the movie but when I saw it I was really moved by it and could see how someone would pay it forward. Later, I joined www.etsy.com to sell my jewelry designs and deciding factor for my joining the site was the pay it forward movement that was going on at the time. People would like an item and give it away for free. Whoever accepted the item would be asked to pay it forward by either giving away an item or doing something nice for someone else. There were 171 items currently listed as "pay it forward" in a recent search I performed on Etsy. I participated a few times and will probably do it again.
It is a good feeling to give. My newest project is Bead BEARerTM bears. They are cute little miniture bears that bring gifts of the beauty of beads. Once they arrive in your home, they can either sit or stand anywhere you put them and keep you company, bearing your bead for you. They are tiny in size but big in heart.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Are you discouraged or encouraged?
I've been reading a few threads on a forum where some jewelry designers are appearing to feel discouraged because there is a lot of jewelry being sold on the site. I think a person has to keep a positive outlook in every situation or discouragement will set in.
Discourage
To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit
Encourage
To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence. To give support to; foster and to stimulate.
The common word in each definition is the word confidence. In one definition it’s a lack of confidence and in the other there’s no lack of confidence. The key is to develop and maintain confidence.
There's always going to be competition in all areas of sales. I shop in an area that has a Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart and a Meijer in the same area. They pretty much sell the same things. You don't see Target making statements about closing up shop or becoming discouraged because the other stores are selling what they sell and there's too much competition. Instead, they all attempt to develop a better marketing strategy than the competition. They have created a brand name for themselves. If you see a big letter "K" you know its Kmart. My son knew the word Kmart before he could read. If you see a red bull’s eye, it's Target. Each store tries to distinguish itself from the other by marketing techniques such as branding. That's what each jewelry designer has to do on their site. Create a slogan or phrase. Develop a specialty. Offer quality products.
Always extend excellent customer service. That's how Nordstrom became popular after changing the type of products it was selling. Someone returned some automobile tires to Nordstrom and they took the tires and refunded the person's money. What’s unique about this? They didn’t sell tires. Offering exceptional customer service created a media blitz that cemented Nordstrom’s customer service policy.
My slogan for Designs by Jenean is Handmade Beaded Jewelry That Accentuates Your style. If you were wearing an outfit today, that you bought off the rack, you know many others living in the same area that you live in may be wearing the same thing you have on. With a Design by Jenean, you can separate yourself from the rest of the crowd by adding a beaded necklace. This way you are not looking exactly the same as someone else, you accentuate your style.
Before - A top right out of the store. After - the top with a Design by Jenean
Discourage
To deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit
Encourage
To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence. To give support to; foster and to stimulate.
The common word in each definition is the word confidence. In one definition it’s a lack of confidence and in the other there’s no lack of confidence. The key is to develop and maintain confidence.
There's always going to be competition in all areas of sales. I shop in an area that has a Target, Wal-Mart, Kmart and a Meijer in the same area. They pretty much sell the same things. You don't see Target making statements about closing up shop or becoming discouraged because the other stores are selling what they sell and there's too much competition. Instead, they all attempt to develop a better marketing strategy than the competition. They have created a brand name for themselves. If you see a big letter "K" you know its Kmart. My son knew the word Kmart before he could read. If you see a red bull’s eye, it's Target. Each store tries to distinguish itself from the other by marketing techniques such as branding. That's what each jewelry designer has to do on their site. Create a slogan or phrase. Develop a specialty. Offer quality products.
Always extend excellent customer service. That's how Nordstrom became popular after changing the type of products it was selling. Someone returned some automobile tires to Nordstrom and they took the tires and refunded the person's money. What’s unique about this? They didn’t sell tires. Offering exceptional customer service created a media blitz that cemented Nordstrom’s customer service policy.
My slogan for Designs by Jenean is Handmade Beaded Jewelry That Accentuates Your style. If you were wearing an outfit today, that you bought off the rack, you know many others living in the same area that you live in may be wearing the same thing you have on. With a Design by Jenean, you can separate yourself from the rest of the crowd by adding a beaded necklace. This way you are not looking exactly the same as someone else, you accentuate your style.
Before - A top right out of the store. After - the top with a Design by Jenean
Stay encouraged and be confident!
Jenean
God Bless Everyone
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Simple pleasures
Sometimes in life you have to find the simple pleasures to keep you going. My simple pleasure is chai latte tea. I love to come home from a hard day of work and make a cup of chai latte tea. I love the smell and taste of the tea and it calms me. Being inspired by this tea, I have designed a necklace and earring set called Chai Delight with a Donut.
What is your simple pleasure? Go and enjoy it.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Designs by Jenean
Monday, April 23, 2007
God's Interruptions
I just found out I'm going to be laid off from work soon. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the reality of what is going to happen in a couple of months. However, I began to pray and understand that this is all in God's hands. Everything is going to work out. I don't know how, but I do know WHO. I believe God is interrupting the direction I have been heading in and sending me down a different path. I'm certainly not the first person God has interrupted in life. Abraham was minding his own business, when God interrupted him in a burning bush. He ended up leading the children of Israel out of captivity. David was tending his sheep when God interrupted him and he ended up fighting Goliath then becoming the King of Israel. Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married when God interrupted them. Mary ended up giving birth to the Son of God. The Apostle Paul was on his way to persecute more Christians when God interrupted him. He ended up penning the most books in the New Testament.
You may have a plan for your life but when God interrupts you with His plan, you have to shift gears and begin to work His plan. Jeremiah said that God’s plans for you are for good and not for evil, to give you an expected end. Based on the Word, I know the outcome is going to be good. The hard part of all of this is that God doesn't reveal the whole picture of His plan all at once. His plans are given step by step. As you complete one step, the other step is revealed. His plans are ongoing leading you to good things. It takes faith to follow through with His plans. The writer of Hebrews says, without faith, it is impossible to please Him. You must believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Therefore, I have made up my mind that I will seek Him first and I will look at Him and not at the problem. I am making the decision to believe that I am alright and I am good to go.
Today, I’m demonstrating my faith with two crosses I have made. Wearing a cross is not meant to be a fashion statement; it is an outward demonstration of a person’s faith in their Savoir.
You may have a plan for your life but when God interrupts you with His plan, you have to shift gears and begin to work His plan. Jeremiah said that God’s plans for you are for good and not for evil, to give you an expected end. Based on the Word, I know the outcome is going to be good. The hard part of all of this is that God doesn't reveal the whole picture of His plan all at once. His plans are given step by step. As you complete one step, the other step is revealed. His plans are ongoing leading you to good things. It takes faith to follow through with His plans. The writer of Hebrews says, without faith, it is impossible to please Him. You must believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Therefore, I have made up my mind that I will seek Him first and I will look at Him and not at the problem. I am making the decision to believe that I am alright and I am good to go.
Today, I’m demonstrating my faith with two crosses I have made. Wearing a cross is not meant to be a fashion statement; it is an outward demonstration of a person’s faith in their Savoir.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Try, Try Again
I took a class to learn how to bead crochet. It felt so awkward using this new technique. I was sitting in front of the finished products and I wanted mine to look like the ones that were hanging there. Realistically I knew that wasn't going to happen right away. But for some reason, it made me feel a little frustrated when I began the crochet beading technique.
Later, I began to think back on when I was raising my son. I remember when he learned how to walk. Boy was that awkward. He would fall but he would get back up and try again. The next thing I knew he was running all around the house.
I remember when he learned to ride a bike, it was again, awkward, he fell at times but he kept getting back up and trying again and again until he got it right.
I remembered when he learned how to write and how awkward it was for him. His letters were huge and some were even backwards. None of the words ever came out on a straight line. Nevertheless, he kept trying until it became easy and more developed.
Remembering all of these events and the struggle it took to master them, I know that this new technique that I'm learning will take that same try, try again attitude. My instructor suggested taking a little time each day to practice and I'm going to take her up on her advice. To put a little pressure on myself, I’m posting a picture of my first attempt to bead crochet. I will post a finished product at a later date.
Later, I began to think back on when I was raising my son. I remember when he learned how to walk. Boy was that awkward. He would fall but he would get back up and try again. The next thing I knew he was running all around the house.
I remember when he learned to ride a bike, it was again, awkward, he fell at times but he kept getting back up and trying again and again until he got it right.
I remembered when he learned how to write and how awkward it was for him. His letters were huge and some were even backwards. None of the words ever came out on a straight line. Nevertheless, he kept trying until it became easy and more developed.
Remembering all of these events and the struggle it took to master them, I know that this new technique that I'm learning will take that same try, try again attitude. My instructor suggested taking a little time each day to practice and I'm going to take her up on her advice. To put a little pressure on myself, I’m posting a picture of my first attempt to bead crochet. I will post a finished product at a later date.
God Bless Everyone,
Jenean
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
No More Excuses!
I was watching Fox & Friends and I saw a young man who had cerebral palsy. He did not let that hinder him in realizing one of his dreams, to play on the basketball team at his school. This young man is an excellent free throw shooter. I use the word excellent because of the root word, excel. He has developed enough discipline, dedication and a powerful mindset that allows him to make a very large percentage of his free throw attempts despite his "handicap". In order to get to the point where he is at in life, I imagine he has risen to a level of self expectation where he gives himself no room for excuses.
I have been inspired today by this young man and I'm committed to developing a life without any more excuses. No matter how difficult the task may be, with dedication, disciple and the proper mindset, I can develop excellence in whatever goal I set for myself.
This lesson comes just at the right time. This weekend I had every intention of making a lot of earrings for my web site. However events began to occur and I pushed back my earring designing goal for the weekend and I found myself using excuse after excuse for why I could not make time to make the earrings. Reflecting back on the weekend and the inspiration I received this morning, I realize nothing is accomplished with excuses. Excuses are goal extinguishers.
My new mindset is to know that life will always try to get in the way of accomplishing goals, that’s a given, but a person has the potential to be strong enough to overcome the daily obstacles by being committed to a dream. Through this commitment success will come.
Having said this, I have completed one of many earrings to come.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Inspired by March
I'm inspired by everyone's excitement over the color green this month, so I made another green necklace. This piece is being sold on my http://designsbyjenean.etsy.com shop. I've learned some interesting things about St. Patrick on wikipedia. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick Wikipedia also says the following about the four leaf clover, "According to legend, each leaflet represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck." Enjoy the rest of the month everyone.
God bless everyone,
Jenean
Jenean
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Butterfly necklace
Today is the first day of my blogging experience. I was inspired to start a blog by my fellow beaders at Etsy.com. We are joining together to share ideas and support each other. I sell my designs on my own web site at http://www.designsbyjenean.com and on Esty at http://designsbyjenean.etsy.com. I love the community at Etsy but I also like the freedom to create and market with my own web site.
I have been thinking a lot about spring lately. The weather is warming here in Michigan and I'm noticing a lot of spring colors cropping up in the fashion industry. In response to the inspiration I'm receiving, I created my first spring piece.
http://www.designsbyjenean.com/ngreenbutterfly.html
God bless everyone,
Jenean
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