Designs by Jenean

Etsy Holiday Bootcamp

2010-09-29T03:47:00.002-05:00

In preparation for the holiday season the members of Etsy are going through bootcamp. I am taking the challenge & the pledge.

I, Jenean of Designs by Jenean, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Cherry Blossoms are Blooming

2010-03-30T12:11:00.002-05:00

The Cherry Bloom trees were a gift from Japan in 1912. They signal Washington D. C.’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms.

The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. The date when the Yoshino Cherry Blossoms reach peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Cherry Blossom Festival dates are set based on the average date of blooming (April 4), but nature is not always cooperative. Unseasonably warm and/or cool temperatures have resulted in the Yoshino cherries reaching peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958). http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Most varieties produce light pink to pure white blossoms, but there are also cherry trees with dark pink or slightly yellowish blossoms. The blossom color of some varieties may change while they are in bloom. For example, a blossom may open as a white flower and change color to pink over the course of a few days.

In case of early blooming trees, the fresh leaves usually do not appear until after full bloom, which gives the trees an attractive, homogenous look while they are in full bloom. In case of later blooming trees, the leaves usually appear before the blossoms, giving the trees a more heterogeneous look. Furthermore, the color of the fresh leaves differs between the varieties. In most cases, the fresh leaves are green, coppery brown, or something in between. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_species.html

I was inspired by the season , the beautiful colors and a pendant I purchased on Etsy some time ago. I created the necklace below as tribute to Cherry Blossom Festival.

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

The Dollar Store Challenge

2010-03-24T21:20:00.002-05:00

The Dollar Store Challenge was certainly a challenge. But I was committed to make something and posting it. I chose an Easter theme and made a cross. I used a glass from a picture frame $1, flat glass marbles $1, a napkin holder to hold up the glass $1 and a miniture plaque $1. I didn't have any hot glue sticks so I used doube sided tape I had on hand.I taped the vertcal part of the cross with three 3 in a column and 12 rows. There are 9 in the row for the horizontal part of the cross with 3 in each column. I taped a few accent pieces on each side of the cross and I taped the plaque at the top which reads "Prayer is how I'll make it through Lord, these prayers I give to you."

Accepting this challenge took me out of my comfort zone which is designing jewelry. I will certainly try another challenge again so I can continue to stretch myself. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else came up with.

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

March is Craft Month

2010-03-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

Being someone who loves crafts, I'm excited to take the craft challenge offered by www.livingwithlindsey.com. The challenge is to spend no more than $5 at a dollar store and make a product for the home. This will be my first time entering a challenge. I went to the Dollar Tree today and picked up some items. Next step is putting it all together. Click on the button to the right to learn more about the challenge. You can also enter if you're up for the challenge.

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

An Example of Determination and Inspiration

2010-02-26T21:41:00.002-05:00

Madam C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) was an African-American businesswoman, hair care entrepreneur and philanthropist. She made her fortune by developing and marketing a hugely successful line of beauty and hair products for black women, under the company she founded, Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company

She was born Sarah Breedlove in Delta, Louisiana, the first member of her family to be born free, to parents who had been slaves. At age 14, she married a man named Moses McWilliams and was widowed at age 20. She then moved to St. Louis, Missouri to join her brothers. Sarah worked as a laundress for as little as a dollar and a half a day, but she was able to save enough to educate her daughter. While living in St. Louis, she joined St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church, which helped develop her speaking, interpersonal and organizational skills.

In 1905, she worked as a sales agent for Annie Malone, another black woman entrepreneur who manufactured hair care products. Sarah also consulted with a Denver pharmacist, who analyzed Malone's formula and helped Walker formulate her own products. In addition, she often told reporters that the ingredients for her "Wonderful Hair Grower" had come to her in a dream.

In 1906 she married Charles Joseph Walker, a St. Louis newspaperman[1], and changed her name to "Madam C.J. Walker". She founded the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company to sell hair care products and cosmetics. Madam Walker divorced Walker in 1910 and moved her growing manufacturing operations from St. Louis to a new industrial complex in Indianapolis. By 1917 she had the largest business in the United States owned by an African-American.

Walker saw her personal wealth not as an end in itself, but as a means to promote economic opportunities for others, especially black people. She took great pride in the profitable employment — and alternative to domestic labor — that her company afforded many thousands of black women who worked as commissioned agents. Her agents could earn from $5 to $15 per day in an era when unskilled white laborers were making about $11 per week.[3] Marjorie Joyner, who started work as one of her employees, went on to lead the next generation of African-American beauty entrepreneurs.

Walker was known for her philanthropy, leaving two-thirds of her estate to educational institutions and charities, including the NAACP, the Tuskegee Institute and Bethune-Cookman College. In 1919, her $5,000 pledge to the NAACP's anti-lynching campaign was the largest gift the organization had ever received.

Walker had a mansion called "Villa Lewaro" built in the wealthy New York suburb of Irvington on Hudson, New York, near the estates of John D. Rockefeller and Jay Gould. She spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on furnishings.[4] The Italianate villa was designed by architect Vertner Tandy, the first registered black architect in the state of New York, in 1915. Walker also owned townhouses in Indianapolis and New York.

Madam Walker died on May 25, 1919, at age 51, at her estate Villa Lewaro. She was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

References
^ http://www.madamcjwalker.com/bio_madam_cj_walker.aspx
^ "Twelve Famous Dreams". brilliantdreams.com. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
^ Henry Louis Gates Jr., "Madam's Crusade", Time magazine, December 7, 1998, Canadian edition.
^ "Madam C.J. Walker–Beauty Culturist Dies". Chicago Defender (Robert Abbott). 1919-05-31.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker?wasRedirected=true

Jet Black Engine Earring
God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Failure then Success

2010-01-17T00:21:00.003-05:00

I am really inspired by this video listed below. Everyone should have a dream but others may not believe in you and your dream and they may try to discourage you. Have faith even if no one else does.

Hebrews 11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, [a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (amplified version)
Famous Failures Video

Be inspired, Be believing

God bless

Designs by Jenean

There's strength in number

2009-10-22T04:37:00.003-05:00

It is so wonderful to see so many people and organizations supporting breast cancer research. All those living with the diagnosis, know that you are not alone.

Throughout the month of October do not be surprised to see a lot of pink on the football fields. In an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer the NFL has teamed up with the American Cancer Society and celebrities and have added pink splashes to uniforms, towels and equipment.
NFL Raising Awareness

What could be better than supporting a great cause like breast cancer awareness, than to do so by purchasing products to beautify yourself or loved ones. With Avon having its fantastic annual "Walk for a Cure" that was here and gone at the end of September there are still other ways to support companies that support breast cancer awareness and research through the rest of October.
Avon's Support

Yoplait®'s save lids to save lives. During their annual drive, for every pink lid you send in by December 31, 2009 Yoplait® will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, up to $1.5 million. And they guarantee a donation of at least $500,000. So grab your friends, coworkers, yoga class or neighbors and start getting involved today.
Yoplait's Support

Search the Internet to find more ways you can support breast cancer research.

Designs by Jenean will be donating a portion of sales from all pink items sold in the shop in the month of October.
Breast Cancer Awareness

A wise man once said:
"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas A. Edison

Let's astound ourselves.

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Teamwork, what a great and rewarding concept

2009-10-18T16:38:00.001-05:00

This story is so inspiring. A legally blind young man scored his first touchdown. He didn't do it on his first attempt but with his persistance and help from his teammates, he was able to score a touchdown.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2009-10-15-ohio-brown-blind-touchdown_N.htm

This story shines the light on teamwork and the support you get from it. As a result I'm giving a shout to my teams etsybead
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title_all&search_query=etsybead%20team
and Cast team
http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=handmade&search_query=Castteam&order=date_desc&ship_to=&page=1
I appreciate the support of my team.

Whose on your team or whose team are you on? Give them a shout out.

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

No More Excuses

2009-10-11T18:27:00.005-05:00

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”
—Henry Ford, American entrepreneur

My goal was to make polymer clay beads. The "obstacle", I didn't have all the tools I thought I needed to get started. The frightful thing was fear of failing. Focusing on the goal helped inspire me to take the first step. Once I got the clay in my hands I began to wish I would have started earlier. I made my first set of Polymer Clay Beads

What "obstacles" are you facing. Try focusing on your goals until they become bigger than those frightful things and powerful enough for you to take action.

Inspiration: U of M - Go Blue

God bless,
Designs by Jenean

Circle of Promise

2009-10-04T21:38:00.000-05:00

I joined the Circle of Promise

It's October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness
Month.

Although breast cancer continues to impact people from all backgrounds, there are significant differences within the mortality rates among racial groups. From 2000-2003 African American women had a 36 percent higher death rate than white women, giving them the highest death rate and poorest survival rate of any other racial or ethnic group for breast cancer in the U.S.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has pledged to do our part to ensure that African American women are empowered with the information and tools they need to take charge of their own health and serve as ambassadors in their local communities. Komen for the Cure’s Circle of Promise campaign is designed to engage African American women to help end breast cancer forever by fostering increased awareness, support, empowerment and action.
http://www.circleofpromise.org/index.php

A portion of the sales of pink items in my shop will be donated to the Susan G. Komen - Karmanos Cancer Institute during the month of October.
http://www.komen.org/

I am HOPE

2009-01-23T13:07:00.010-05:00

I am HOPE

I am Hopeful for real change
I am Optimistic for the future
I am Prayerful for peace
I am Envisioning a better day

I am HOPE

Jenean Matthews

Sparkling Baby Blues

2008-02-29T22:07:00.005-05:00

Meet Frankie, the rare blue-eyed baby koala named after Sinatra

What a interesting and cute story. This is unusual, a koala born with blue eyes. He is adorable. The koala lives in Australia. I did a search on Google for animals born with blue eyes. There’s also a tiger and a wolf and more.
Frankie's story

Feeling inspired, I designed a pearl necklace named Sparkling Baby Blues.

I’m Too Blessed to be Stressed

2008-01-31T19:54:00.000-05:00

There's so much talk of lay offs, mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcies and more. This appears to be a stressful period. However, I firmly believe that God is in control and I'm too blessed to be stressed. Just as some are passing on stories of how hard times are, know that there are plenty of triumphant stories as well.

People have gone through times like this in the past and have survived. It is not the end of the world. Don't look out in the future with gloom and doom; instead take life one day at a time. One positive step you can take is to take time to count your blessings. It's not ALL bad. Do you have family and/or friends that love you, do you have your health, can you see, touch, feel, smell and/or hear, do you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food to eat. If you have a number of these things going for you, then you are blessed. Take a deep breath, let it out, relax and instead of stressing count your blessings.

God bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

Designs by Jenean Video

2008-01-28T00:46:00.000-05:00

I finally did it. I finally became a part of the video world. Please feel free to take a look at my Youtube video. Almost 6,000 views in less than 24 hours!

Here's the link to the Youtube page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntdUR-R-LYE

Thanks.

God bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

In Search for Your Purpose

2008-01-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

I was visiting another Etsy member's blogLSKcrochet, and she wrote something on January 9, 2008, that spoke volumes to me. She was sitting with God while crocheting, looking to find her purpose in life. And she believes God finally revealed her purpose, which is her gift and passion for crocheting. You can view LSKcrochet's blog at http://lskcrochet.blogspot.com/.

I am passionate about beading. When I'm beading I'm so relaxed and excited about the project I'm working on. When I'm not beading I'm thinking of new designs. The dictionary defines passion as “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object or concept.” And even more deeply, the suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion. God places passion in each one of us to fulfill His purpose in our life and to bring us joy for ourselves and sharing with others. What is your passion?

God Bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

January Blues

2008-01-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

I belong to an Etsy Team and each week we have an Etsy Theme of the Week (EBTW) for our team to promote. This week's theme is January Blues. January is a hard month to get through here in Michigan. The winters are long but it seems the sun doesn't shine much in the month of January. However, to get past the blues, I try to watch comedies. My favorite, that makes me laught all the time is the Rush Hour series. Wisdom says that "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." Proverbs 17:22. Make sure you have your dose of laughter today and chase the blues away.

God Bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

Technorati Profile

Night Beauty

2008-01-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

Northern lights or Auroras, according to wiki, are natural different colored light displays, which are usually observed in the night sky, particularly in the polar zone. The aurora borealis are beautiful to view. They are very inspirational to me. I like to buy aurora borealis (AB) crystals for my jewelry. However, in this piece I was inspired by a pendant that reminded me of aurora borealis, a night beauty.

God Bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

Song of the Sun

2008-01-13T17:00:00.000-05:00

"Have you ever wondered what the Sun would sound like if you could hear it?
Our Sun lies 93,000,000 miles away, surrounded by the vacuum of space. Sound won't travel through space, of course. But with the right instrument, scientists can "hear" pulsations from the Sun."
http://solar-center.stanford.edu/singing/singing.html

I believe the song of the sun, is a song of God's faithful. We should join in and put a song in our hearts and sing unto the Lord a new song. Let His praises fill His temple. We Christians are the temple of God. 1 Corintihians 3:16. We shouldn't let the sun "out shine us" in singing.

Everyday God's creation shows His faithfulness. The sun declares His faithfulness by rising in the east each morning and setting in the west each night, day after day, night after night, all around the world. God's faithfulness is demonstrated at all times. Great is His faithfulness.

God Bless,

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

FREE Shipping

2007-12-30T18:23:00.000-05:00

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

Free Shipping for the Holidays!

2007-12-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

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

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-21T19:33:00.000-05:00

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

Will the “Real” Survivors Please Stand Up

2007-09-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

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

A Time for Sharing and Caring

2007-09-09T18:36:00.000-05:00

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.

It’s time to share and care.

God Bless Everyone

Jenean
http://www.designsbyjenean.etsy.com

Pearl of Great Price, Giving it All You've Got.

2007-09-02T15:30:00.000-05:00

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

Your Only Handicap is in your mind

2007-06-17T11:21:00.000-05:00

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

God Bless Everyone

Jenean
Designs by Jenean

Pay it forward lives on.

2007-05-27T23:48:00.000-05:00

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 BEARer^TM 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

Are you discouraged or encouraged?

2007-05-12T13:28:00.000-05:00

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

Stay encouraged and be confident!

Jenean
God Bless Everyone

Simple pleasures

2007-04-28T11:48:00.000-05:00

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

God's Interruptions

2007-04-23T00:18:00.000-05:00

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.

God Bless Everyone,

Jenean

Try, Try Again

2007-04-11T00:21:00.000-05:00

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.

God Bless Everyone,

Jenean

No More Excuses!

2007-03-20T01:48:00.000-05:00

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.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5590725

God Bless Everyone,

Jenean

Inspired by March

2007-03-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

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

Butterfly necklace

2007-03-11T00:28:00.000-05:00

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