I struggle every day. Those of you who know me may not be surprised. Finding a balance between being a mother and the business owner of Beaded Hope is not an easy task. I, of course, want to be the best mother possible for my two boys. But at the same time, I have a passion for my work that can sometimes (more often than I want to admit) interfere with my ability to be a mother. So I struggle to find a sense of balance. Some days I am successful, and other days, well, not so much.

Yesterday, I called South Africa to talk to my business partner who is also a very dear friend. She shared three different stories with me, each one offering a glimpse into the realities of life in South Africa. All three stories were moving but one story in particular impacted me personally.

It seems that the counselors at the Bophelong Hospice (in Mamelodi, South Africa) heard that there was a woman on the outskirts of town who was living in desperate conditions. They decided to visit her and check out the situation. When they arrived, they found that the woman had “messed” herself and was unable to clean herself up. They found soiled clothes in pots in the kitchen, reeking of rot. They found debris everywhere. And, crouching in the corner, they found two small children, witnessing their mother’s suffering.

The counselors took on this woman’s burden and did everything that they possibly could do to help her. They cleaned the entire house, took the children to a safe place and took the woman (who had full-blown AIDS) to the Bophelong Hospice to care for her in her final days.

This story snapped me back into reality. Yes, it is difficult to find a balance between motherhood and business entrepreneurship. Truthfully, I may struggle with accomplishing a sense of balance every single day of my life. And, some days, I may end up falling flat, unsuccessful in one (or another) aspect of my life.

But, really, I need to get over it!

This woman’s story (and many others like it that I’ve heard or witnessed) is exactly why I am so passionate about Beaded Hope. For me, it is not acceptable for a woman (or anyone else) to slowly die in humiliation and disgrace. It is not acceptable for children to sit by, in hunger and desperation, and watch their mother suffer. It is not acceptable for me to think that it is “their” problem and that I can’t possibly help.

So, today I choose to put my own struggle aside and focus on finding ways to help women like the one in this story. I’m sure that tomorrow I will struggle again with my ability (or inability) to find a sense of balance in my life but that’s when I will come back, re-read this story and renew my passion.

with passion,
Jennifer Davis
Beaded Hope founder

I’ve always thought that the beadworking women of Beaded Hope were amazing, but they recently gave me even more reasons to be really excited with our latest shipment of beadwork.

In South Africa, beadwork is a tradition that is handed down from generation to generation. Women sit under an acacia tree or around a camp fire and teach their daughters the art of beadwork. In the Ndebele (pronounced in-da-bey-lee) tribe, learning beadworking skills is part of a young girl’s initiation ritual.

With this training also comes lessons on traditional color combinations. Any study of old, traditional South African beadwork will show that it is typically created using blue, green, red, yellow, black and white. So, when you see a seemingly old piece of beadwork at a market in South Africa, one way to judge its age is by its color.

Not too long ago I received a new shipment of beadwork from South Africa. This is always exciting because I never know exactly what I will be receiving. When I opened the bag, I was simply amazed. The women had not only created pieces of beadwork in beautiful traditional colors but also in amazing contemporary color combinations.

I don’t know how they came up with these ideas. I don’t know if they were influenced by the people that they interact with or if they were simply creative with their color choices. What I do know is that you are the beneficiary of this amazing shipment of beadwork.

And I, once again, am amazed by the beadworking women in South Africa.

Whether you’re into the current fashion trends or not, Beaded Hope is here to help you pick out the perfect accessory for your party outfit this holiday season.

We’ve taken our jewelry and grouped them it into color combinations that will help you find just what you’re looking for. Whether your style is Jackie-O (classic), Gwen Stefani (trendy) or Angelina Jolie (socially aware) we have you covered!

Classic – I call these the “pearls” of Beaded Hope, a classic color combination of black, brown, gold and silver that go with everything just like a good strand of pearls.

Metallic – Have you read your In Style fashion report for 2007? If so, then you already know that metallics (silver, copper, bronze, etc.) are all the rage this fall. Whether it is shoes, bags or jewelry, you’re up on the style trends if you wear just a bit of metallic.

Traditional – There’s just something about putting on a piece of beadwork in traditional South African colors. Somehow it instantly makes you feel just a little more connected to the woman who made your piece of jewelry.

The women of Beaded Hope have created a few amazing pieces in each of these color combinations; get them quick before they’re all gone!

What happens when one high school student gets passionate? Well, it gets a little crazy, that’s what.

Here’s the story…

Jayne has been volunteering her time behind the scenes at Beaded Hope for over a year now. She’s been to South African and what she saw made a huge impact. But, rather than keep it all to herself, she decided to enlist a few friends and…here’s the crazy part…Jayne and SIX of her friends got together one Sunday night and volunteered their time with Beaded Hope!

Maybe this doesn’t seem all that exciting to you …but it should be! Here’s why…a bunch of high school kids got together (because they wanted to!) and decided to serve. And, in helping Beaded Hope, they helped the women in Mamelodi. At the end of the night they even asked when they could come back and help again!

Now THAT gets me excited!

I have two (young) boys, and it’s my hope that they will grow up to be boys (and men) of service. So, to see a group of high school students serving others gives me great hope!

Not only did a bunch of high school students help the beadworking women in Mamelodi, they also helped you!

They packaged every single Christmas ornament into a black organza gift bag. They folded the gift tags that are included in the organza bags. They put it all together just for you!

So, know that when you purchase a Christmas ornament this season not only was the ornament handcrafted by a woman in South Africa but it was also packaged by a high school student with a passion for giving!

How cool is that!

The Cincinnati Enquirer, once again, reported on Beaded Hope in today’s paper; just in time for holiday shopping!

Support it: African Charity
Cincinnati Enquirer
November 13, 2007

Hang a little hope on your holiday tree and give jobs to women in Africa. Beaded Hope ornaments and jewelry provide medicine and food to South Africans impacted by HIV/AIDS. Ornaments $5-$15; jewelry $35-$100. At www.beadedhope.com and Red Tree Gallery, 4409 Brazee St. in Oakley, and Second Chance Upscale Resale, 11729 Springfield Pike in Springdale.

Compiled by Ann Haas, ahaas@enquirer.com or 513-768-8512

Check out the online article here.