Jewelry & Jackets: The Resurrection Collection

Some days, most days, I struggle with calling myself a Christian. The list of reasons is long. But I stay committed and curious because of the Christian belief in resurrection, although I probably understand it in a much less literal way than I'm supposed to. Still, I stay committed and curious to the concept because I do believe that in every moment and in every way all things and all people are being made new.

I will leave my spiritual reflections at that for now. But this belief in resurrection is behind another personal commitment--giving things that have "lost their life" or luster a renewed purpose and beauty. I do this in my home by restoring and painting old pieces of furniture, for example. My mom does this for others by making memory quilts out of old t-shirts and clothing. My grandmother did this by creatively remaking leftovers into new delicious dishes and meals, never wasting a morsel or bite. These small acts of restoration are evidence of our belief and participation in resurrection.

This is why I've called this new collection of jewelry and jackets, "The Resurrection Collection." Old things were made new. Mom thrifted seven denim jackets in a variety of styles and sizes, jackets that needed a second life, and we strategically applied patches of West African mud cloth to update them. Each of these seven jackets is $75 and one-of-a-kind, but if you have a denim jacket you'd like us to make over we can do that for you for $45. (You can reply to this email to get that process started.)

In addition to the jackets, we have partnered with the Adera Foundation out of Ethiopia to bring you a selection of jewelry made of paper and artillery beads. In Ethiopia, as farmers till the land, they find artillery shell casings and sell them to bead makers for jewelry. Spent ammunitions are still found in large numbers due to the many wars that have been fought over the past hundred years. The Ethiopian women who work for the Adera Foundation learn to generate income and build sustainable lives for their families. Bullets to beads. Hope in resurrection. Similarly, they recycle paper and cut it into thin strips that are turned into beads, lightweight and versatile. All of this becomes wearable and unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants.

You might think this is a stretch. This whole resurrection thing. You're permitted that opinion, certainly. But I promise that if you start looking for resurrection, newness in all its forms, you will find it. There is always hope. There is always resurrection.

xoxo

Christen