Creations (Re)New - the (back) story

Creations (Re)New ”officially” opened on Etsy, June 1, 2016. But the story started much, MUCH earlier . . .

I was about 10 when my “Mimi” taught me hand-embroidery. Using her Singer sewing machine, my mom coached me through my first “sewn” Christmas gifts - aprons - when I was 12. My other grandma was also a skilled seamstress, but what I learned most from her was the enjoyment and stewardship of creation. I remember and cherish our long walks together, her always picking up trash along the way, and her commitment to recycling (before it was “cool”).

Then life happened - college, marriage, jobs, house, kid. It was fun to think about starting my own little business, but I had NO idea what kind of business that would be.

When I started sewing again as an adult it was for fun. I learned a LOT more about sewing as I made bags, pillows and more from “repurposed” clothing.

By early 2016 the thought of starting my own sewing business entered my mind. And that thought would NOT go away.

So I started praying. I didn’t tell ANYONE as I talked to God about this, and over the course of a week . . .

*A Focus on the Family broadcast about a mom and her home-based craft business played on the radio station I just ‘happened’ to be listening to,

*Random people began complimenting me on my handmade purses,

*my kid, out of the blue, said, “Mom, you should sell your bags!”

So I shared this dream with my family. They were gung-ho and as we began to brainstorm, the business began to take shape.

We agreed that my little business needed to honor God and be an avenue to share our faith in Jesus.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This verse is the inspiration for Creations (Re)New, which reflects the fact that I am a new creation in Christ, using the God-given gifts and talents given me to make new, sewn, creations.

Sharing our faith included giving from the get-go. It seemed fitting to financially support the local Christian radio station that played the inspirational Focus broadcast, so we committed to a set monthly pledge from shop proceeds. To this day there has ALWAYS been enough (sometimes down to the penny!) to fulfill this pledge.

Other “original” business goals included:

*make some money without overcharging

*recycle, upcycle and restore as much as possible

The past three years have been an incredible journey as I’ve learned what it means to walk out my faith as a small-business woman. Being able to pray for the recipients of each item I make, trusting God with business decisions even when it doesn’t “make sense” by the world‘s standards, growing in boldness as I share the Good News in the marketplace, are just a few highlights of what I’ve learned thus far.

So that’s the story of Creations (Re)New to present. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next!