Live In Color Blog

Celebrating Beauty In Every Moment

Beauty / Style Finds: Uplifting God through Jewelry, Sienna of Joy In The Gems 

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
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I discovered Sienna’s beautiful faith-inspired jewelry line, Joy In The Gems, through her uplifting Instagram page, and had to drag myself away that afternoon! The scriptures she highlights in these pieces resonate with my spirit, and I am sure you’ll be moved as well, lovelies.

Don’t miss her coupon code (20% off) to get your shop on at Joy In The Gems towards the end of this post!

Sienna Hermary, owner of Joy In The Gems


Your work is not only deeply inspiring,  but visually stunning. What materials do you use? What is the price range? 

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

All of my pendants are made with lead and nickel free zinc alloy (metal), and my designs are printed on card stock before being sealed with glass domes. My larger 1.5 inch pendants cost $16-$17 USD, and my smaller 1 inch designs are $13-$14 USD. You can also find my metal bookmarks for around $7-$10 USD!

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary


What lead you to start your business?

A while ago, my oldest sister turned to atheism. She’s extremely intelligent, which made it hard to defend my faith against her.

I ended up looking and digging in the bible so much that I decided to create my @godquotesforgirls Instagram page, and eventually got into necklaces as another way to wear encouragement around our necks! 🙂

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary
Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

What is your business philosophy / mission?  

My mission is to help anchor the faith of anyone who is doubtful, facing hard times, or who just needs a reminder that God is with them!

Also, I hope that my products reflect the Lord’s commandments to remind us of His amazing love and grace!

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

What inspires you to keep creating?

I have a lovely family and parents who are SO supportive of what I’m doing! Also, I am continually encouraged by the sweet comments from my followers, inspiring photos from other creators, and the never-ending need our world has for a Saviour!

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary
Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

Share 3 random fun facts about you!  

1. I’m an animal lover (and dog whisperer)!
2. I drink tea – morning, night, and every time in between!
3. I currently live in Alberta, Canada, but have always loved Seattle, WA!

If you could choose one quote or verse of scripture that summarizes your biz, what would it be? Why?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

I see each and every person around me as a little temple of God, and by serving them, I know that I am serving Him. My shop isn’t just a job for me, but a whole-hearted ministry meant to bring glory to my Creator!

Photo Credit: Sienna Hermary

 

Discount Code for Live In Color Blog readers: 

GODBLESS – 20% off everything in Joy In The Gems!

Shop & Stay Connected:

Joy In The Gems 

Follow along on Instagram, @joyinthegems

Eco-Friendly, Vegan & Small Shop Style Finds: From Queens Knits to Global Jewelry 

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
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Christine Gibson, founder of Queens Knits.   All images courtesy of Christine Gibson.

 

Featured Small Shop ▶️ Queens Knits 

Creating and running a business while raising kids is challenging, but certainly possible. And I admire my fellow creative Mamas, who juggle so much and remain committed.

I met Christine Gibson, founder of Queens Knits, on Instagram and was immediately drawn to not only the beauty of her handmade knitted pieces – cowls in vibrant colors, coffee cozies (check out the adorable Mom one I linked to), scarves, turban style earwarmers, and hats – but her warmth and down-to-earth personality.

Like many mompreneurs, Christine began her business for a simple and quite practical reason:  “I was seeing adorable kids accessories on blogs and online that I couldn’t afford so I made them myself !” Her business continues to grow, and now you can outfit your whole family in Queens Knits from hats to cowls and stylish hair accessories.

Alongside merchandise, you will find photos of her fresh-faced kiddos and happy customers rounding out this creator’s  IG feed, and immediately it feels like you’re in Queens, baby!

The lovely hair clips below are made of felt and ribbon, and attached to a metal clip. The cost for these is $3 each, or two for $5.
Keep up with all Queens Knits is doing on IG and Twitter, and of course visit her shop.

Ten Thousand Villages

I discovered Ten Thousand Villages in my early 20s in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point, and was later thrilled to learn their stores are all over the country.

You can find everything from products for your skin to jewelry, home decor, clothing, home decor and skincare. The artisans, who come from all over the  world (Nepal, India, Kenya, etc.), are paid fairly and customers can learn about who created what they wear on product tags. There is also  an opportunity to go in depth by visiting their blog .

The pieces below are my new favorites:

 

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Find these heart inspired earrings here (handmade in Kenya).

 

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages
Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Find this stunning jewelry set here (handmade in Guatemala).

Photo Credit: Ten Thousand Villages

Step out in style with this ornate evening bag. Find it here (handmade in India).

Have an amazing weekend, lovelies!

p.s.

Don’t be shy! Tell me what stylish clothing or jewelry (eco-friendly, vegan, or small shops) you’re wearing these days. Know of a small shop or product  I should feature? Feel free to leave the info.

Eco-Friendly / Vegan Beauty & Style Finds: From Tutus & Cosmetics to Soap

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
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Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

Graphic by Emelda De Coteau, Live In Color Blog
Graphic by Emelda De Coteau, Live In Color Blog

This is the beginning of a new blog series – Beauty / Style Finds  – where I’ll highlight awesome brands (every other Friday) which are eco-friendly / vegan, along with small shops created by Mompreneurs. I am meeting so many wonderful Mama entrepreneurs on Instagram, and sharing their lovely products fills my heart with delight. What better way to spend a Friday, right?

Featured Shop – Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique

Michelle Dowell Photo courtesy of Michelle Dowell
Michelle Dowell
Photo courtesy of Michelle Dowell

Our first featured shop is Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique, run by Michelle Stephanie Dowell. Founded in 2011, this is a cruelty-free boutique – no lead, animal parts of any kind (leather, fur, etc.)  If you follow my blog here, or on Instagram, you know she’s my bestie / sis.

This multi-talented lady creates lovely handmade tutus and hair accessories for toddlers, tweens, fellow Mamas and everyone in between! The many mom-affordable items also include dresses, tutus, rompers, hairbows, headbands, room decor and more. Sizes range from newborns to women’s plus size!

Her shop just re-opened, and there is currently a spring / Easter giveaway (ends Wed., March 10), and sale so head on over to her blog for details.

Follow Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest for the most up-to-date news on all the latest creations!

Flyer courtesy of Ruffles Ribbons N' Bows Boutique
Flyer courtesy of Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique

 

Photo courtesy of Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique
Photo courtesy of Ruffles Ribbons N’ Bows Boutique

 

Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – Shea Moisture

Photo via Hype Hair
Photo via Hype Hair

 

A few years ago I discovered Shea Moisture when looking for organic baby and hair products. Last fall while shopping in Target I found their cosmetics, and have been a huge fan ever since. From an array of foundations for women of color to lipsticks / gloss, concealer, blush, eyeshadow and more they have us covered, ladies. This family-owned company is built on their Grandmother Sofi’s legacy of hard work and dedication to her community in West Africa.

Dr. Bronner’s     

Photo via VitaSun Blog
Photo via VitaSun Blog

 

Dr. Bronner’s became a staple in my home while searching for an organic product to mop our floors. Our beagle girl Foxy would sometimes pee in the hallway, and we needed something strong but not off putting to eliminate the scent.

Fast forward to today and we use a variety of Dr. Bronner’s soaps for a number of purposes – washing dishes, bathing (the lavender scented soap helps our little Nai sleep) and cleaning numerous household surfaces.

They also sell other cleaning  supplies, too, plus body care, tooth paste, lotions, and baby / sensitive skin products. It’s affordable, and best of all, a little goes a long way!