“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ” Eph 2:10
I have friends who find their voices through art and creativity.
They move paint to canvas from a brush. They weave yarn while we talk and they carve wood into beautiful things. It is such worship and an honoring. I don’t think there is any greater praise than using talents to express love in this way.
These ladies do that. They walk in their calling.
So in no particular order, meet Shauna, Sabrina, Shelley, and Stephanie.
~ Georgia girls bringing all that.
(No, I did not plan to just feature ladies whose names started with “S”~ but I’m going with it.)
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I sit with this view in front of me as many Tuesday nights as I can:
Shauna’s husband John is the pastor of Quest Church. Their living room is where our small group talks and questions and remembers and prays. I always feel so welcomed here.
Shauna has an eye for style. I’ve told her many times she reminds me of Edie Wadsworth of life(in)grace. She is not afraid of bright colors.
Her kitchen island is turquoise and she can use orange paint like nobody’s business.
She can see the beauty in any old thing………
Shauna will also do consultation or customize a piece. Just ask.
Shauna listens long and her wisdom whispers deep. She makes her homeschool space a haven. Find her work at Midtown Market off of Central Avenue here in Augusta, or contact her here for a custom piece or consultation. She can be found on Facebook at Shauna’s Furniture Re-Store.
Sabrina creates original art work, hand knit & crocheted pieces, and wood jewelry.
She can paint, draw, woodwork, knit, and sew.
Ohmygoodness.
This coffee sweater is my personal favorite. I mean heaven = writing, a cup of coffee in hand, all wrapped in a sweater so it doesn’t scald me. I asked Santa for this one:
(Seriously, is that the best, non-essential necessity ever?)
Sabrina, The Paisley Tulip’s owner in the Augusta, GA area, so if you are local hippy-chick, message me and I can hook you up in person. She does custom pieces and is just all-around one of the most genuine, smiling-est people around. Her spirit shines. And so does her art. She ships anywhere, so just check her out, would ya?:
The Paisley Tulip on Etsy or Facebook.
~~And because The Paisley Tulip is my friend and now yours, she is giving a coupon for first time customers: 20% off when you make a purchase over $10. At checkout, when prompted, type in NEWTOPAISLEYTULIP **Offer is only good through the holidays, so get shopping
!
My friend Shelley owns The Whimsical Brush.
She does custom-ordered pieces and specializes in contemporary art.
I hosted a paint party with her a couple months back.
What I loved about this evening? We each picked our own scripture or saying and colors and Shelley listened to what WE felt called to paint and then humbly helped us find the right color or font or process.
(A few of my super-amazing friends finding their inner-Monet/Picasso at my place.)
Shelley is gifted at leading people in finding their creativity and SUCH a talented artist. I have a piece she painted hanging upstairs…a gorgeous fall scene. I smile every time I walk by. Contact her here. If you can dream it or quote it or give her an example of what you want, she’ll do it beautifully and ship it to you. But if you’re local, she’ll meet you at Panera and pray with you over coffee, listening close. She’s like that.
Contact Shelley to book a paint party, see her other artwork, and order a custom piece.
Dang I’m in love with this line!
I love how Stephanie, The Dang President says this: “We always say that being a Dang Chick is far more about what’s on the inside than what’s on the outside. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Just be her today.”
Stephanie O’Connor is from Cumming, GA…just down the road a piece. I’ll let her tell you about this company from the Dang Chicks blog~
“In 2009 Stephanie walked into the room that her husband was in and declared that she wanted to start a women’s apparel company. As Tim recalls, the conversation went something like this:
Tim: OK. What do you want to call it?
Steph: I don’t know.
Tim: How about “Dang Chicks”
Steph: That’s stupid.
Tim: (walks out, rejected)
The next morning the conversation resumed.
Steph: Why “Dang Chicks?”
Tim: What do you want your customers to hear when they walk into a room wearing your products?
Steph: “Dang, Chick!”
Tim: Exactly.
Steph: I’m a genius.
And so began her journey down a path which has led her straight to the realization that there are so many women who want to have fun, be encouraged and also reminded that they are beautiful and worthy of pursuit. This group of women is known as the Dang Chicks Nation. They are the core element to the company without whom all of her efforts are meaningless.
A little known fact about Dang Chicks founder, Stephanie O’Connor, is that her oldest son has autism. Another little known fact is how much that young man has taught her and her family about the simple pleasures of life, and how at the end of the day, how little we actually have to complain about.
Dang Chicks was founded around the idea that women can, and should feel confident about themselves despite what others may say. They should have a voice and a strong sense of self, and above all else, trust their instincts.
For Stephanie, this wasn’t always the case when it came to her son as feelings of doubt crept into her head about her abilities as a mom. Every day seemed to bring more questions than answers. Despite a loving husband and a supportive family by her side, there were times when she felt alone in her search for answers. In that struggle, she found other moms like her who shared her perspective. She found a group of moms who exuded an unspoken grace about a life none of them chose. These women clothed themselves with the realization that it was not just about them anymore. Her life’s mission became clear…to give this group a voice. To clothe it in something that they can be proud of. To help them rediscover that little girl inside them. To feel pretty again.”
–Don’t you LOVE her vision? Check out Dang Chicks here… or find a store that carries the line here. Follow on Facebook.
I love that they have REAL chicks sizes, too…honoring that not all of us are a size 00.
Yes, below that’s me, my daughter, and my mom wearing Dang Chicks jeans at our new friend Sherryl’s store in Ellijay, GA. Three generations of “Dang Chicks!” If you’re up that way visit Mountain Treasures.
So DANG cute!
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Some other things you might like here.
