Dreaming B-I-G!

Well, today it is the "Back to School Blues" for me :-(  For those of you who might not know this, I have been a full-time preschool teacher at the same school for 5 years and worked there for 3 years before that as the director of their after-school care program!  2 weeks ago I found out that I was being laid off- No "Back to school" for me this year....I was traumatized! 

Immediately I had 1,000 thoughts running through my mind- "It's the end of August!  Teaching jobs are all gone!", "What am I going to do now?", "I have no way to pay my bills!", "I just spent an entire summer preparing for a new class.", etc. etc. 

I then had to go through taking my classroom apart, puzzle by puzzle, box by box, game by game, etc.  It has been very hard.  Bringing EVERYTHING from almost a decade's worth of teaching back into my tiny 2-bedroom house has turned it into a nightmare to rival the homes from the show "Hoarders". 

I am still in the "What now?"  phase and have been praying that God would really open doors that He wants open and shut the ones He wants shut.  I have been praying for direction and peace to do the right thing...In all of this, one of my hopes is that I will be able to take the opportunity to really "grow" my business, which I couldn't really do before because of time.

I have quite a few great "IDEAS" for "More Than Many Sparrows Boutique" to expand and grow it and am hoping and praying that they will benefit both me and YOU- the customers!

Please check back often for new items, ideas, games, sales, craft shows and MORE!!!  I LOVE participation from my fans and will be asking lots of questions for your input! 

As always, thank you for your support :-)

Living Life {Inspired}

The newest item to join the "More Than Many Sparrows" gang are these "LIFE {INSPIRED} WOOD SIGNS".  I have to admit that I am already in love with them- They really represent my style and personality as well as "clicking" so well with the "mission" of my boutique to inspire and encourage people in their everyday lives.  The one above was my "prototype" and of course shows my "banner" scripture: Matthew 10:31.

 

These signs are hand-crafted in the Shabby Chic style using real wood- They measure 24" long x 6" high.  They have their own featured cross and scripture to go along with the sentiment depicted.  They are hand-painted and include hardware for hanging already attached.

 

Which one is your favorite???

http://www.manysparrowsboutique.blogspot.com/p/products-i-make.html

 

A Little Help from My Friends

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post!  Things have been busy and I have a lot of things going on...Tonight I'm working on some "prototypes" for a possible new product and I can already tell that I am going to be in LOVE with the idea :-D  Suspenseful, huh?

I am needing some help from all of my "Many Sparrows" friends out there!  I am considering making some more changes in my business- the products I offer (adding new ones and possibly getting rid of other ones).

But I want to hear from you!  What is YOUR favorite "Sparrows" item???  Please take a second and log onto your Facebook, go to my fanpage (I KNOW you've liked it already, right?!) and answer the poll question at the top. 

https://www.facebook.com/MoreThanManySparrowsBoutique?hc_location=timeline

I am learning that all things change and since changing my business (name, etc.) and revamping I have discovered that I'm still not "done", lol!  So, help me out- I want to make changes that make my FANS happy :-)

Thanks!  Good things to come!

A Penny (OR FREE GIFT) for your thoughts!

I am hosting a contest over on my facebook page! Go check it out and enter for a chance to win.

It's Easy-Peasy!

 (1) Make sure you've liked my fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/MoreThanManySparrowsBoutique
(2) Submit your favorite quote (or scripture) by commenting on the contest post (Make sure it isn't a quote I've already used before)
(3) Check back on Thursday, July 25!  The winner of the "Favorite Quote" contest will receive a free Quote Hanger with their quote on it!  :-)

Put your thinking caps on!  Don't forget to share the contest on your own pages so your friends have a chance to win too!

Putting the FUN in FUNctional!

The blog is updated with the snapshots of the Products I make available for you to see!  The "Accessories" Page shows off my bird nest necklaces and hair pretties and the "Home Décor" Page shows a gallery of my Block Sets, Quote Hangers, Nail Crosses, Wall Crosses and my newest item that I'm excited to share- Photo Cubes!

 

The Photo Cubes come in various color and designs with either 2 or 3 spaces for snapshots, business cards or notes!  Check them out! Which is your favorite?

Block Sets and Crosses and More- Oh, My!

Good Afternoon!  I have started my "Product Spotlights" on the "Products I Make" tab above.  I blogged about my Stacking wooden block sets the other day and today have added a section about my Beaded Nail Crosses...

Fortuitous timing, considering I am currently doing a GIVEAWAY for a Nail Cross on my Facebook Page!  Because of the "name change" I am redoing my facebook page and "rebranding" myself, means I have gone from 550 fans to 0 (well, I'm already back up to 100 :-) ).  Because of this, I am doing a "giveaway".  If I reach 150 fans by Monday, July 8 THREE lucky fans will get a prize!  One will receive the nail cross of their choice and 2 more will receive Grab Bags (Oooooo, the mystery!).  All you have to do is LIKE and SHARE my facebook page ("More Than Many Sparrows Boutique")

Here is the Link: https://www.facebook.com/MoreThanManySparrowsBoutique?bookmark_t=page

AND... another look some of the pretty nail crosses you could choose from if you are the lucky winner!  Like and Share at will!

What's in a name, after all???

I wanted to write a short little post today as I share the blog with the world about why I chose this boutique name for my "revamp".

"Sparrows" are a personal "symbol" for me and my journey.  To add just a little background to the story.  My husband, Charles and I have no greater desire than to be parents.  All I have ever wanted to be is a mommy.  I can remember playing "mommy" to my baby dolls as early as 2-3 years old- I am a teacher and I love children; but there is something absolutely basic about creating your own family.  We have been trying to have children for 6 years now.  Almost 4 years ago, we got our wish and then 4 short weeks later (at 6.5 weeks) lost the baby.  I was completely devastated.  I lost my faith- my passion- my life...  I was depressed and completely apathetic towards my life and anything/everyone in it. 

Somehow through the pain I found a way to crawl back to reality.  One day I was staring out the window at the little memorial garden we had build for our precious little one and I saw a sparrow fly into one of the birdhouses we had.  I sat and watched the tiny bird chirp, stick his head out the peephole and for the first time I felt myself smiling.  I don't know how long I watched the happy creature, but I started to ask myself "if God cares so much for this tiny little bird, doesn't he care so much more for me?" I made myself face the pain and turn the energy into something else- my little "hobbies" turned them into a business. 

My slogan has always been "Custom Handmade Home Décor and Accessories that prove the 'little things' make life extraordinary".  I feel like anything I make that can give someone a little bit of joy, encouragement or confidence is worth the effort and the time!

This past year my husband and I were overjoyed (and scared) to find ourselves expecting again.  We held out hope for this little miracle, but were again completely devastated to make it all the way to 11 weeks when our loss occurred.  Nothing can ever take this pain away.  This loss was even more overwhelming than the first.  We had waited 3 more years for our second chance only to have it torn away again.  Along with this loss came some health complications that I am still learning to deal with on a daily basis...  My journey has definitely been a painful and "rocky" one- but happily it is a JOURNEY and isn't over yet.  Some days I can't see anything but darkness; but some days I can still see that tiny sparrow in the back of my mind singing.  I know that my two tiny sparrows are in God's hands and I can only pray that one day I will be fully blessed with a child. 

I have felt these past few months while dealing with all of these issues that my business is changing too- I truly desire that in some tiny way my products and custom items give someone out there the hope, strength, faith and confidence to enjoy their own journey through life.  I hope that I can show others through my journey and through my daily life that they are also WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS.

It is difficult to type something like this through the tears in my eyes and put it "out there" in the universe for all to see.  However, I felt like it was an important part of sharing my name and what my goal is in creating special items for others who may need a "sparrow" to remind them of their own journey!  I guess that I blew the "short little post" part of my opening statement!  :-)

"...Do not be afraid; You are worth more than many sparrows"

 

Amber
More Than Many Sparrows Boutique
Matthew 10:31