Crafts and Stuff

Why I Started Caffeinated Beads

2011-05-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

In 2008, I quit my job to follow something I knew I was called to do. On January 3, 2009 I left on an 11 month mission trip to what was only supposed to be 11 countries (one a month) but it soon turned into 15 countries. During my time, I had the privilege to love people around the world by doing different ministries from manual labor to holding an orphan to teaching English to holding someone's hand as I watched them slowly die of AIDS. It definitely was a life changing experience and left me wanting to do something more.

That March, we started the South East Asia "tour" (I did the trip with an organization called Adventures in Missions; this particular trip is called The World Race). From the moment we left the Bangkok airport to our first destination, I knew I would soon fall in love with Thailand but had no clue that I would fall in love with all the countries we would visit in South East Asia.

We started our SE Asia "tour" in Siem Reap, Cambodia; where we taught English and computer classes and where my love for Asia and its people began. The following month, we found ourselves back in Thailand but this time we were in Chiang Mai.

On our second night in Chiang Mai, we walked through the Red Light district. I listened as men shouted things that would make any woman feel like a piece of meat, watching their hands wander a woman's body making her forget that her body is a treasure and that she has value. All this made me feel sick and I couldn't stop hurting for these women; knowing that this was not the life they chose for themselves but that someone chose for them. These women had become slaves. I also hurt for these men who were enslaved themselves by lust.

Most of the women on my team spent their nights in the bars getting to know the women; hearing their stories. They often would take the women bowling; giving them a safe place to be, away from the bars and hotels, away from the unwanted gestures and unwanted words.

I ended up doing another ministry that month but would hear the stories of these women from my teammates. Most of these women were sold by their families when they were just little girls; their parents tricked into thinking that their child will be taken in, put in a new loving home and learning a new trade and be able to come back to provide for them. Not knowing that the "new trade" they will learn will be selling their bodies daily. Other women were hired on as bartenders and waitresses not knowing the intention of the bar owner.

Though I only got a small glimpse that month, I knew I was meant to do more. I knew I was called to stand in the gap and help fight against the injustice of human/sex trafficking.

In November 2009, I returned to the US, more determined to do something to impact this world. I started checking out organization's websites to see how I could become a part of their team. All of them require that people have a degree in Social Work. So, I planned on going back to school, except there was one little glitch. I owed on school loans (I didn't know they were there because my Mom was paying for them when I was in school but she passed away in 2005 and I left school in 2004). So, I have been trying to find employment so I can pay back my school loans and give a portion of my earnings to an organization that fights the injustice of human/sex trafficking (until I can finally work alongside them).

Here I am, almost 2 years later. Still unemployed, still owing on those school loans. But I still wanted to do more. So, I decided to start making these necklaces to create awareness and to financially support an organization I believe in.

Anna Coffey

http://www.etsy.com/shop/arcoffey

They're Up!

2011-04-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

I just finished two necklaces and posted them on Etsy! Check out my store here!

Update...

2011-04-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

So, there were a few things I didn't take into consideration when starting this project. It is just a whole lot harder because I am doing it alone and having to cut pieces of paper using scissors is just an inconvenience.

In Bolivia, we spent about the first week outlining, cutting and rolling paper to make the beads. Which after a while kind of becomes monotonous but still it was fun because while we were making beads, we would talk and get to know each other a little better. We also had one of those nifty and extremely convenient paper cutters.

But, the only company I have are my 2 nieces whom I love but they can't really help me. And I am stuck using scissors to cut every dotted line. I also thought that I had a ruler in my scrapbooking supplies but I have checked once, twice, three times even and haven't found a ruler anywhere in my room. I kind of destroyed my room in the process. It looks like a tornado came through my room.

Please, don't assume that I am complaining because I am still enjoying myself and still plan on making at least a few necklaces. If business flops, at least I got to make a few fun necklaces but if I am able to sell enough, I plan on using the first few bucks on buying some of the supplies I need to get this thing moving a little more quickly,

I am getting really excited just thinking about the final product and how business will turn out. But for now, I am making beads! Once I have a good amount to make at least a couple necklaces, I will. And I will keep y'all updated!

The Beginning of Something Beautiful

2011-04-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still broke and unable to afford the supplies needed start making jewelry BUT this weekend I was able to acquire a couple things... and for FREE! We had a yard sale and was able to rummage through the things that were not sold (the yard sale was my brother's, his wife's and her sister's belongings and a couple of my things). I got some fun craft things.

Well, today I made just a few beads. They still need some lacquer (varnish) and I still need a lot of other supplies. But, I am excited that this is the beginning!

Auction

2011-04-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

I am auctioning off a few items in hopes of raising some money.

My Wayne Gretzky autographed photo is here.

And I have a couple of purses here and here.

Take a Chance On Me

2011-04-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

So, I tried to set up a Kickstarter account and was rejected. I skimmed through their rules again and I didn't read the fine print correctly the first time, I guess. But I refuse to let this idea die.

I know it may seem tacky to ask for money to start up this project but this economy has turned me down over and over again. And I reject the idea of staying in this rut and I plan on doing something about it.

I have applied to thousands of jobs (I doubt that this is a stretch because it sure has felt like thousands since being home from the race). I applied so much so that just saying the word "application" gives me a headache these days. I have been reading all the articles on how to better your chance of getting a job, what employers are looking for, how to vamp up your resume, etc. And from what I have read, no one wants to hire someone who has been unemployed more than six months. In other words, no one wants to hire ME!

So, I have been at home thinking up creative ways to get my feet back on the ground. I could write a book, make cards, sell canvases with my photography, make jewelry, etc. All of these ideas are fine and dandy and I would love to do them all. But the matter of the fact, you need money to make money. I need money to start any of these ideas up. I would need money just to but the scrapbooking stuff needed to make cards, I would need to save up money just to buy a good enough camera to make my photos pop more, I would need the stuff to make beads and the other material to make the necklaces, etc.

The truth of the matter, I am poor. I have $8 to my name. I am blessed to have family who have taken me in to make sure I am clothed, fed and have a roof over my head. But I would love to contribute back into society. I would love to bless my family as much as they have blessed me. I would love to pay rent, buy myself toiletries, have a cell phone. The little things that most of us take for granted everyday, I want to be part of again.

THIS might be my chance. This can turn into a fun little business or it may flop. I don't know yet. But will you take a chance on me?

Here is your chance.

The Plan

2011-04-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

I have always been an artsy person. When I was little, I wanted badly to become a fashion designer. In fact, I had my whole future planned out for myself. I was going to go to FiDM and major in Fashion Design. I was well on my way (in my head). I practiced by not playing with my Barbie's so much as I accessorized them. I did their hair and would make them clothes out of the fabric I would find in my Mom's sewing kit (yes, her sewing kit had fabrics in it and mine still does today).

As I got older my dreams shifted. I decided I would become a math teacher, then I changed my mind and decided I would become a music producer, eventually changing my mind again I decided I'd combine both dreams and become a music teacher. But I still clung to the arts nonetheless.

I have made many cards for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas and other occasions. And I can truly say I love it. I have also made a couple outfits for one of my nieces. Things of that nature just make me happy (including photography and poetry... just had to throw that out there).

A card I made for Valentine's Day a few years back.

Another V-Day card (sorry the photos aren't great)

My niece wearing a headband I made her.

"Modeling" the dress I made her. Love this kid.

Summer 2010, I led a AIM Real Life trip to Bolivia. While there, one of the things we did was make jewelry. Palabra de Vida makes necklaces to help fund their organization. While there, they taught my team how to make these necklaces. It was so much fun to create different designs and at the same time help an organization. I thought about how fun it would be to make these when I got home. Basically, start my own business but at the same time get some extra joy by donating a portion of whatever earnings I make to organizations that I want so dearly to support.

Making my first necklace.

My first masterpiece.

Here are three I made.

Another one made by yours truly.

I have been wanting to do this since then but just haven't had the funds to start it up; seeing that I'm still unemployed. Please, would you stand behind me and pray for this project?