Noonday Ambassador |

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.

-Henry Ward Beecher

I am still reeling from the annual Noonday Ambassador Conference that I recently attended in Austin.

We had many amazing speakers including Glennon Doyle Melton of Momastery fame, Jen Hatmaker, Melissa Russell of International Justice Mission, and John Ruhlin.

noonday ambassador conference

In my opinion the real stars of the weekend were the women who traveled from Uganda, Guatemala and Ethiopia to speak to us about the artisans they employ. Artisans who make beautiful, handcrafted goods that Noonday Collection purchases from them.

hollyandjalia

{This is Jalia- she is the founder of African Style and creates all of the incredible jewelry made using paper beads in Uganda. Seconds before my friend snapped this photo, she said blessings over my baby and kissed my bump!}

I heard first hand how women have been rescued from the pit of prostitution, abusive marriages, and hopeless poverty. All because they now earn a dignified income.

These aren’t just stories, they are lives. And these lives are forever changed thanks to Noonday Collection and our fearless founder desiring to make a difference in the world. We’ve created a marketplace for them in the United States that they would otherwise not have access to.

Many of these women are moms who now are able to keep the children they were considering giving up for adoption because they now have money to buy food to feed them.

So if you ever wonder if your Noonday purchases really make a difference, let me reassure you- they do. Every single order, no matter how small, means a new order for our artisan partners. The ripple effect is huge. And I felt it last weekend.

I am thrilled to announce my partnership as an Ambassador with Noonday Collection, a line of distinctive, handmade jewelry and accessories that provide a pathway out of poverty for men and women around the world.

If you haven’t yet heard of Noonday Collection, its mission is to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable. Noonday partners with artisans in the developing world, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses.

By creating a marketplace for their goods, they create dignified jobs at living wages, allowing artisans to earn more in order to support their families. They also make advance payments on orders and offer no interest loans- shouldering the costs of materials and building a lasting relationship based on trust.

Additionally, the company offers scholarship programs, emergency assistance and donates a portion of sales to place orphans in forever families.

The fact that the jewelry and accessories Noonday Collection sells are AMAZING is icing on the cake.

I have been in the fashion industry for almost 20 years, and this collaboration is a perfect fit. I have supported sustainability and fair trade for as long as I can remember, and these items take those ideals to a new level.

For instance, most of the Ethiopian jewelry is made from bullets that are found on farmers’ fields, melted down and turned into beads. Something that was meant for evil is turned into something beautiful.

And there is a sparkly handbag that is woven with upcycled VHS and cassette tapes by people in India with special needs.

Lives are changed through purchases of these gorgeous handmade items. Recently, some of my fellow ambassadors visited Dolores who lives in Guatemala. She has 7 children and is widowed. Because of the orders of the Galaxy Wrap bracelet and the La Noche bracelet, she is able to put food on the table, send her children to school and receive medical care.

Every piece has a story. Every necklace, bracelet, scarf or bag is hand made by an artisan in a resource poor country and is being paid a living wage.

I love this collection and am honored to provide a market place for people who would otherwise have none.

So I invite you to go to my website, http://hollyshore.noondaycollection.com and make a purchase that has power. Power to lift people out of poverty, power to save women and their children from sex trafficking, and power to restore dignity to entire communities. Many of the artisan’s individual stories can be seen here.

Be prepared to fall in love! This collection is unique, eye-catching, and there is something for everyone (even gift cards!). There is a great sale going on right now as we prepare for the Fall 2014 collection which comes out on August 7th. So be sure to check back then, too. I will have a giveaway for a gift card to spend on the new collection.

Here are some of my favorites this season: