Beth's Christmas Custom Necklace!

Elizabeth Galik, New Life Centers General Director, saw a necklace at Ann Taylor she loved. But, the idea that the BLING team could easily make the simple, but elegant piece entered her mind. She showed Emily, the new facilitator, the idea. So, with three BLING youth the necklace was completed the next day. Javion especially liked this project!

A new season for BLING

Scroll down and look at the picture for a second. All of those earrings were made by 2nd-5th graders. I'm so proud of them! Nikki was telling me (Emily) a couple weeks ago how it seems like BLING changes in a new direction each year, and this year it looks like the elementary students at the Centers are going to be a big part of our program.

It's pretty funny watching their confused faces when I teach about profit, quality, and being good stewards with our money. Lately we've been talking about how God gives us talents for a reason, and we can use our jewelry making abilities to please and glorify God and use the money we get from it to help others. 

After having this discussion, one girl said, "I was going to keep these earrings for myself but I think I'll give them to my teacher to show her I'm thankful." Gotta love how honest kids are.

So be praying for these fun, loud, energetic and eager to learn young girls and our one awesome, faithfully devoted 2nd grade boy. We have a great group and I can already see growth in each of them since we started in September. The Lord is working in the lives of children here in Humboldt Park.                                                                                                                                         

Because it matters...

Handstamped by Tiawanda

It looks simple. H-O-P-E. Four letters on a disk, but the process for a teenager is time-consuming and tedious.

1) Having to pick the letters and place them correctly (making sure that it's not upside down...or that the p, wasn't a b or a d).

2) Using the mallet and hitting it hard enough, so it makes the imprint.

3) Coloring it in so that the letters can be seen.

4) Removing the excess ink soon enough and meticulously, so the marks can't be seen on the disc.

5) Washing the disk off, so it doesn't smell like the remover.

"All of this for one little tiny charm? I don't like it...why even spend all this time on this?" stated Girl 1.

"Because it matters," replied Girl 2.

One Year Ago This Month

One year ago this month, Esme wrote a journal entry about an act of violence she witnessed. In her own words, she describes her feelings at witnessing this event.

                                                                     ***

So, my last week prayer request was for  the violence in our street to stop. 

So what happened to me last week was I was going to this new ice cream shop. They barely opened, so me and my cousin and brothers were walking like at 10.30 at night and all the sudden what we saw was some gangbangers beating on a teenager. 

What I experienced was bad. I felt like they were treating and beating on the guy like if he was a dog or garbage. I realize that that some people don’t realize what’s happening in our environment outside. I never realized myself until I saw it. It was some kind of bad experienced i will never forget. Someone needs to step up and be brave.

*** 

We were writing this, then Yaneth says, "Nobody stands up to them, because they are scared."

"I would," said Helen.

 "You would? But, then they would take a gun to prove themselves that they are tough." 
                     
                                                                             Esme, 2012-2013 BLING APPRENTICE 

Fall or Winter Wedding? Accessorize with BLING

BLING loves designing  for weddings! For Kelly's wedding, three strands of  pearls graced the wrists of bridesmaids. A strand of 10 mm chocolate brown Swarovski pearls, a strand of 8 mm of bride-chosen color Swarovski pearls, and a strand of 6mm freshwater pearls. 

Classic. Beautiful. Personalized.

For Randi's country wedding in Skull Valley, Arizona, three stranded bracelets with freshwater pearls, gold yellow Swarovski crystal beads, and individualized antique pewter for each bridesmaid made each friend feel special and loved. 

Simple. Individualized. Elegant.

Goodbye Summer!

Another BLING Summer! This picture reunited BLING girls of the past (relocated to other parts of Chicago) and BLING girls of the present (live in our blocks surrounding New Life).

BLING girls stepping up as leaders serving ice cream cones to community members and participants in the summer program!

Some BLING girls out in the Chi w/Ms. Hayley!

Lissette Visits Us!

Lissette, August 2013 at New Life Centers-Humboldt Park

Lissette came back to visit this summer with her sister Yazmin. They moved to the South Side. With 40% of our neighborhood population moving every year, we said our sad goodbyes. But, Lis and Yaz came back for a visit and the next week showed up for the BLING photo shoot.

Lissette was absolutely key to the success of BLING in it's founding years. She was small, timid, yet fiery and determined. She was a shrewd business woman making jewelry with care and perfection. Her joyful spirit was an encouragement to us all.

Ashley, Lissette, and Ms. Nikki at a conference we were invited to in Tennessee in November 2010.

Exploring our Neighborhood

An ice cream shop started by two sisters wanting to provide a family-friendly spot for a community that doesn’t have a lot of sit-down spots.

A harp factory in the middle in an unmarked building just two minutes away that houses these precious instruments that take skill to make and skill to play.

These two treasures are amidst the blocks that make up our neighborhood and could easily be passed up, but their stories and significance were experienced and discussed with our BLING girls!

Congratulations Helen and Esme!

Helen completed 2 years in the BLING Teen Apprentice Program! Just last week, we received the news we have been waiting to hear! Helen got a job! After many applications and a couple of interviews, God has opened a door for Helen and I am so excited to see her succeed in this work!

Esme has completed 1 year of the BLING Teen Apprentice Program. She has been involved with BLING for four years. She is a humble leader and amazing young woman! She is redesigning our BLING room with one of our volunteers--and, it is looking awesome! God is doing amazing things with the life of this young lady.

Display at Steward's Market
Esme and Helen did a beautiful job setting up a display at Steward's Market the last week of May. We forgot about posting the pictures and updating the blog, but WE ARE BACK...and ready to catch ya'all up...

Helen's Set up! Blue, Red, Gold!

Green, Yellow, White! Esme's Display!

The Whole Thing!

Partnering with King Lizzy!

King Lizzy is a social enterprise out of Steward's Market located on 2540 W. Division (Humboldt Park neighborhood). They are starting a new movement call "Soulution" which seeks to equip artistic entrepreneurs with skills and training so that they would be entrepreneurs and co-owners of the business. Go to http://www.stewardsmarket.com/ and watch the video for "Soulution". They are allowing us to partner with them once again in their shop to sell BLING.

What a great opportunity God has given us once again! We are so thankful. Helen and Esme went to Steward's Market and started matching our product to their aesthetic. They also did a lit bit of market design and product research! So excited to see them developing as entrepreneurs. And, it was so cool to see them interact with God's story of forgiveness, redemption, and grace as Rowan, the founder, told us about the hardships in their ministry--including their recording studio just being robbed.

We had a wonderful time and hope to get a display out at the Steward's Market next week!

SPRING Break CAMP!

The Middle Schoolers had a great time at the Spring Break Camp this year. We had more kids than ever! A lot of them were our regular BLING participants! We did a revolving schedule where all of the different age groups went from class to class...Ms. Jessica's room was the spot!

I walked in every day and it was always something different from lava lamps to flying models off of a high point in the classroom. However, Friday Fun Day (Pajama and Pancake Day) topped it off! I walked into Ms. Jessica's room--which had different activities set out from board games to play-dough. And, yes, almost all the kids were at the play-dough table or playing with legos! It was hilarious. I love my kids! 

It just proves: you can NEVER be to old OR cool for play-dough or legos!

                                                                                                                                        -Ms. Nikki

Introducing...the "RE" Earring

REimagined

REfashioned

REinspired

REal Fabulous!

The Lissette

The Flora

Mz. Tweed

The Della

Some of the first of our "RE" series! More to come!

Real Thoughts, Real Voices from BLING Teen Apprentices

Monday was the first official day of the Spring BLING Apprentice Program!

Despite late arrivals, frustrating days, and unfamiliarity, BLING apprentices did well. Learning how to balance school, home life, and apprentice program can sometimes be difficult, but it is a necessary skill to learn!

-Ms. Nikki

My name is Tiawanda. I work for Bling. I had to be here at 4:00 by I got here at 4:05. I walk in Ms. Nikki told me I was late, but she was happy I showed up. I smile and ask what we had to do. She told me. Then a girl name Helen came in we both took a seat and started to work. We was call to go down the stair and help with some stuff to bring up. I really didn’t like it but it was part of my job. I smiled and acted like everything was ok.It was a good day.

                                                                                             Tiawanda, Grade 10

Ughhhhhh Today Has Been A Long Day I Had A ROUGH Day At School; Then I Had To Come To The Church At 4:00 Even Though I Am Tired. I Am Glad We Only Got 7 Minutes Left Because I Am finna Go Home And Eat Ant Go To Sleep. I Am Also Glad This Day Is Almost Over With Because Today Has Been A Long Stressful Day. And I Got To Work With 2 New People They Is Very Cool.       

                                                             Helen, Grade 9

Esme's excerpt was accidentally delete; however, look forward to her optimistic, passionate voice next week!

Custom BLING!

Initials of loved ones on a personalized necklace! Perfect gift for Valentine's Day!

Nicknames of Ms. Nikki's nieces and nephew for a gift for her sister! 

What I think about New Life...

I was okay my first day, but I felt scared because I was new. Now, I feel alright and comfortable, because I know everybody. My favorite things so far are to help the little kids and going on the computer.

-J, 7th grade
(1st week at New Life Bling)