Maria Keffler's Blog, page 5

How to Catch a Woman

A friend of a friend on Facebook posted about his frustration with dating apps, and he wondered, “Where are all the nice ladies?” He went on to explain that all he wants is someone who’s a housewife type who will keep him company and watch sports with him.On the one hand, I have to tip my hat to his honesty and bald-faced self-awareness.However, I replied that I don’t know many women who want to be wanted for being good housewives.In fact, let’s turn that around and see how it sounds from the other direction: “I just want a man who’s a doctor/musician/Marine who will bring me flowers and be my date at family weddings.”There are women who want nothing more in life than to be wives and mothers. That’s as noble an aspiration as being a surgeon, violinist, or soldier. But those women don’t want to be pursued because they’ll do your laundry, cook your meals, and raise your kids, any more than a man wants to be valued for his job title or for the paycheck he brings in.Everyone wants to be loved for who they are, not for how they’ll make you happier.In this swipe-right/left society, we’re bombarded with messages about how to improve our own lives. Marketing is all about getting us to think about ourselves—even jewelry ads target men’s egos with the tag line “Make her fall in love with you all over again.” The sweeping majority of modern love songs focus exclusively on how the singer’s object of fascination makes him or her feel.But what do you really want from a significant other? Isn’t it to be admired and appreciated for who you are? Don’t we want our beloveds to find us fascinating and interesting and irresistible? And to support us emotionally, socially, and psychologically when we need it?That goes both ways, guys.So, if you want a good woman (as opposed to a hookup—if that’s all you’re looking for then close this page now because you’re a shallow jerk and the pointers below will help you be a shallow jerk to even more women than you already have), here’s how to start being a desirable man:1. Focus on who she is more than on what you want from her.“Do you like monster truck rallies?” is a fair enough question, and it lets her know what you enjoy. But instead, how about starting with, “What do you like to do on the weekends?” The former question is more about you than it is her. The latter is open-ended, and shows an interest in who she is, rather than on what you want her to be.2. Listen more than you talk. Men—and sometimes women, too—have a tendency to fill every second with chatter about themselves. It’s not always bragging, but sometimes just a result of nerves, habit, or a lack of competence in the give-and-take of a real conversation. If you do this, stop it. Silences are not your enemy, and in fact can lead to unexpected topics, enjoyable nonverbals, and/or intriguing eye play. This two-minute tutorial on how to break into a man’s over-talking jag is meant for women, but reveals a lot about women’s frequent experiences with dating. It also offers one possible explanation why that woman you thought was so into you deleted your number from her phone after your first date:

3. Be real.Full disclosure, not every woman wants a man to be honest about who he really is. But if you’re looking for a long-term, solid relationship, this is important. Be honest not only about your successes and selling points, but also about your failures and flaws. I started to fall for my husband not when he told me about what a hero he’d been at work that day, but the next day when he emailed me to say, “Everything that went great yesterday I blew today.” As he vented the ways he’d screwed up—which I never would’ve known about otherwise—I realized that here was a man I could trust to always be honest with me. That’s gold.If I could leave my Facebook friend with just one piece of advice, it would be this: Ask yourself not how a woman could improve your life, but how you might improve hers. Most women today don’t need men to support them financially, nor do they need a man’s last name to lend them credibility as fully-arrived adults. What women really want is a partner who will add value to their own lives.Egocentric boys looking for Mommy replacements need not apply.
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2017 Christmas Gift Buying Guide: GIRLS

Baby Girls
Glad Worship CD from Ben Doggett ($10)

What better way to send Baby Doll off to dreamland than with a selection of peaceful worship music? Listen to a sampling of Ben’s tracks here, then email him directly for this special price on this special collection. Get both Glad and Deep to Deep for the combo price of only $15.




French Terry Baby Blanket from Brightly Twisted ($28)

In a variety of colors and patterns to match the growing personality of any little one, this soft terry blanket is sure to please the fussiest baby right down into naptime.




Bamboo Baby Socks from Brightly Twisted ($12)

Oh, the cuteness. Also in a variety of colors, these little socks will keep your Brightly Twisted baby’s toes safe and warm.








Onesiefrom Brightly Twisted ($28)

These dyed-by-hand onesies are as carefully crafted and unique as your special little person.
Details:
Lap shouldered neck opening for easy dressing.Double needle rib binding at the neck, sleeve and leg openings for a classier more finished look than just underwearFabric: bamboo cotton
Also comes in a short-sleeve model.

Girls, ages 4-7
Fun Soap from Heart Expressions, LLC ($5)

   
Make bath time a play party with Fish-in-a-Bag or Sea Glass Soap. With nothing but glycerin, colorant, and fragrance, these soaps are as pure as that sweet little girl in the tub.

PersianPuppets from Trades of Hope ($38)

A set of 2, these whimsical, soft puppets are made of cotton and upcycled fabrics. This means every king and queen's dress will vary.

Approx. Measurements: 14" x 8.5"
Material: Recycled cotton and polyester
Color: Multi colors
*Colors vary 
Artisan Information:
In a developing society like India it can be unimaginably difficult to secure a living especially for the disadvantaged. This artisan group is determined to help the widowed, the abused, the poor, and the handicapped. Providing much more than merely sustainable income to give regular meals for their families, they are providing education, job training, and are actively fighting for women’s rights. The community established through this group has provided a haven in which all women, despite their past, have a welcoming community where they are supported while also gaining self confidence through becoming self-sufficient.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 

Sophie Books by Stephen Davies (prices vary)

'Watch out! The locusts are coming!' A terrifying army of locusts is making its way along the edge of the Sahara desert, devastating the crops in one village after another. Gidaado's village is next. When the locusts arrive Gidaado will need all his wits about him in order to survive. He will also need his friend Sophie, his three-stringed guitar and an albino camel as fast as the Saharan wind.
Check out Stephen Davies’ series of Sophie books.


Meet Denali the Cat! Denali is on the adventure of a lifetime as she travels the United States meeting new friends and learning fun new facts. Where will she go next?





Girls, ages 8-12
Jeweled Necklace from Trades of Hope ($24)

Wear this gorgeous necklace long or doubled. Made out of iron wire, glass beads, and nickel-free plating.

Approx. Measurements: 50''
Material: Iron wire, glass beads, & nickel free plating
Color: Multi-colored & silver

Artisan Information:
The poverty cycle in India continues primarily because of the lack of proper education. Most schools are not free in India and many cannot afford to send their children to school. Girls' educations are often neglected as they are considered burdens on their families. Therefore, many children never learn to read or write and grow up to very limited opportunities. However, through this artisan group, futures are being transformed. Women are being empowered and their children are provided with a free education. An impact to be felt for generations to come.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India.

World Changer Coin Bank from Trades of Hope ($38)

Save up for your next adventure with this handmade terra cotta coin bank.

Approx. Measurements: 20" Circumference, 6" tall/wide, coin slot 1.5" by .25"
Materials: Clay & chalk powder
Colors: Terracotta & white 
Artisan Information:
"Caste mentality” strongly exists among Bengali people. Many women are discriminated against and looked down upon by society for being poor. This artisan group empowers the disadvantaged; especially women, people with, disabilities and indigenous people of the society. This group strives to empower rural women through handicraft production. Working with women regardless of caste, creed, or race. These women are provided job training, job creation skills, and leadership training. Thank you for giving these woman a new opportunity in life!

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Bangladesh. 


Leggingsfrom Brightly Twisted ($86)
Because don’t we all wish we could still wear these like this?
Slim fitElastic waistbandSpandex provides firm holdCotton keeps garment breathableModel is 5"9 . Wearing size MDye Specifics:Muddled variances of mossy, army greenFabric Content:   87% organic cotton    13% spandex








Juniper Headband Set from Trades of Hope ($32)
 

This set of two headbands is covered in sequins and beads, hand-sewn into intricate designs.

Approx. Measurements: 20" stretchy band
Materials: Beads, elastic & velvet
Colors: 1- Grey, silver, black, feather-like pattern/diagonal lines that meet at center
2- Gold, crystal, black, Circular designs

Artisan Information:
The poverty cycle in India continues primarily because of the lack of proper education. Most schools are not free in India and many cannot afford to send their children to school. Girls' educations are often neglected as they are considered burdens on their families. Therefore, many children never learn to read or write and grow up to very limited opportunities. However, through this artisan group, futures are being transformed. Women are being empowered and their children are provided with a free education. An impact to be felt for generations to come.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India.

Girls, ages 13-18
Bamboo Cotton Socks from Brightly Twisted ($33)

In more color combinations than you can shake a foot at, these socks are the best friends her feet will ever have! Eco-friendly bamboo cotton makes these socks super soft and cozy. Truly our most universal item available, they’re a one-foot-fits-all sensation, and a wonderfully sneaky way to add some brightlytwisted to anyone's wardrobe.
Fabric: bamboo cotton




Chelsea Necklace from Trades of Hope ($32)
 
    This curved bar necklace features gold and rose gold tones. Hanging from a gold colored chain, this piece was named after one of our co-founders because of her golden and modern style, along with her passion for using sustainable business to end poverty. 
Approx. Measurements: 18"-20"
Material: Mixed metal
Color: Gold and rose gold

Artisan Information:
Creating these exquisite products goes beyond helping women escape poverty by providing job training so they can become self-reliant and independent. In addition to the sustainable business that comes from crafting products, these artisans are receiving welfare programs, financial management classes, education and healthcare. These artisans are now able to provide for their families a healthy and promising future.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India.

Drawn by Maria Keffler ($4.99 ebook; $13.89 paperback)

This coming-of-age speculative fiction story will take your teen on a heart-throbbing journey back to the 1980’s.
Artistic prodigy Juliet Brynn just wants to survive 1982 with as little social torture as possible. But then her sketches start to come true and Damon Sheppard, a boy with a troubled past, shows her worlds she never knew existed and a power at work in the universe that forges paths into places most people choose never to go. When Juliet begins to shape the future by drawing it, she must discover the source of her newfound Power of Artistic Prophecy and the key to making it work."I started to pray for help to come, for God to save us. Then I stopped. I swallowed another mouthful of my own blood. If God even existed, he obviously didn’t give a crap about me."When unthinkable trauma strikes, will Damon—and Juliet’s prophetic gift—prove as catastrophic as some predict, or can they impart her the power to make everything right again?
Give her the complete Drawn series with Books II & III:
         
Thankful for You (Because My Other Friends Kind of Suck) Card Set from A Bit Peculiar Cards & Art ($9.50)
 
  
“So Thankful For You... because most of my other friends kind of suck.” (Blank Inside)

Set of six thank-you cards she’ll love sending.

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Continue Shopping:
Kids:               Babies           Boys (ages 4-7)                                                Boys (ages 8-12)                                                Boys (ages 13-18)Women:        20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+
Men:              20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+

2017 Christmas Gift Buying Guide: MEN

Men, 20’s-30’s
Lip Balm from Heart Expressions, LLC ($3/$3.50)

Keep his lips kissably soft. This exotic, sweet balm has a creamy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin. Blended with coconut oil, mango butter, jojoba oil, castor oil and beeswax, this upgrade on plain old drugstore lip-balm sticks is yummy without being too feminine for a manly man.



Journey Laptop Sleeve from Trades of Hope ($58)

The hardworking men in your life will appreciate this Journey Laptop Sleeve made by Indian artisans that have been rescued out of sweatshops and now earn a fair and living wage. Approx. Measurements: 14" x 11"  Material: Felt, cotton, partial leather, and mixed metal  Color: Brown and Grey Artisan Information:
Artisan group creates these beautiful handmade products which has empowered them to become self reliant and economically independent. These artisans were once working in the mainstream market and experienced unfair wages and exploitation, but through this group they are now paid a fair wage which is changing their lives. Through their work they can now pay for food, education and other expenses to make a better life for themselves and for their families. It is our hope that through the production of these products these Artisans will break free from poverty and continue to gain confidence and dignity by being a part of this group.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 
Inkblot Pillows from Brightly Twisted ($138)

Brighten up his home life with some colorful inkblot pillows. Soft and plump, as well as chic and stylish, these throw pillows are eye catching and easy to pair with other pillows, blankets, or simply add some color to a room on their own!Velvet pillow measures 20"x20".

A 10-Card Get-You-Through-the-Year Gift Set from A Bit Peculiar Cards & Art ($50)
 Make sure he’s never caught empty-handed on special occasions.A Year's Worth of Cards, Ready to Go. Four (4) Birthday Cards, one (1) Get-Well Card, one (1) Congratulations Card, one (1) Anniversary Card, one (1) Sympathy/Encouragement Card, one (1) Valentine's Card, and one (1) Christmas Card.

Colors and patterns may vary, as each card is individually crafted by hand.

Men, 40’s-60’s
Alden Messenger Bag from Trades of Hope ($145)

Work in Fair Trade style with our gorgeous Alden Messenger Bag.  Our Indian artisan partners have sewn this with exquisite detail!
Approx. Measurements: 15" W x 11" L 25" longest drop length Materials: Goat Leather Colors: Brown leather (Shades may vary)
Artisan Information:
The poverty cycle in India continues primarily because of the lack of proper education. Most schools are not free in India and many cannot afford to send their children to school. Girls' educations are often neglected as they are considered burdens on their families. Therefore, many children never learn to read or write and grow up to very limited opportunities. However, through this artisan group, futures are being transformed. Women are being empowered and their children are provided with a free education. An impact to be felt for generations to come.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India.
Deep to Deep Worship CD from Ben Doggett ($7)
 This collection of Gospel worship music from Ben Doggett will turn his commute into an extended quiet time of praise and meditation. Order direct via email for this special price.





Craftsmen Leather Bracelet Set from Trades of Hope ($26)
Made by Empowered Artisans in India, this set includes two masculine leather bracelets. One adjusts on leather cords, the other buckles with a rustic lobster clasp. 
Approx. Measurements: Braided Bracelet- 3" to 3.5" adjustable diameter
Material: Leather, Cotton wax cord, & Alloy metal
Color: Brown Artisan Information:
In India today, 4% of children never start school, 58% don't complete primary school and 90% don't even graduate. This is the result of the extreme poverty in this country. Many parents have to choose between providing an education for their children or feeding their families. This Artisan group has helped by providing books, uniforms, and school fees for many needy children. They are now currently working on building a school which will bring an education to 300 students who otherwise would not have received one.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 
A Subscription to Make Magazine ($24.99-39.99/year)  This bimonthly magazine (print and/or digital) makes a fabulous gift for the guy who likes to tinker. Filled with projects, it inspires the techie or craftsman to get creative throughout the year.


Men, 70’s+ Voyager Leather Journal from Trades of Hope ($38) Whether traveling the world or retiring at home, record your thoughts in this handmade Voyager Leather Journal.  ($38)  It is created by women who have come out of sweatshops and can now work from home to be near their families.
Approx. Measurements: 9" x 5"
Materials: Leather (goat)
Colors: Reddish brown (shades may vary)
Artisan Information:
Sweatshops in India work employees 12-14 hours a day. Through this artisan group, they are given the ability to work from home, allowing them to spend time with their families and make fair wages. They are being trained to own their own business so that they can provide for their family!

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 

Indigo Bamboo Blanket & Pillow Set from Brightly Twisted ($298)

Add a unique and uncommonly pretty touch to your home with our incredibly soft and hand-dyed homewares! The quality and color you know and love from our clothing is now available for you to cozy up with!!This colorway is available on both pillows and blankets as well as a set of the two! The bamboo blankets are cut to order - literally made just for you!Bamboo Blanket measures 50"x 60"Velvet Pillow measures 20"x 20"     -INSERT INCLUDED-
Leather Traveler Wallet from Trades of Hope ($35)

Soft, rugged leather features nine card slots, two bill compartments, and a ID window.

Approx. Measurements:
When folded 3.5" W x 4.38" L
Unfolded length is 8.75"
Materials: Leather, black polyester lining, cotton thread, & plastic ID holders Artisan Information:
The Indian artisans who make this wallet focus on providing education for the neediest children in their community. They have worked hard to raise enough funds to establish a school so that parents in their poor community won't have to choose between working to provide basic needs for their families or sending their children to school. This group has given work to a multitude of women without sacrificing their desire for their children to have a bright and promising future.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 
The God of Mists & Shrouds by Maria Keffler ($4.99 ebook; $11.89 paperback)

Gift the history buff some light reading. An orphaned Hebrew princess disguises herself as an exiled peasant. A Babylonian slave chooses between the courage that could save her and despair over the love she has lost. A sorceress discovers the truth behind the origins of her dark power. The consequences of the masters they choose will reverberate through generations. As King Amel-Marduk reigns over Babylonia during the Israelites' exile there from 586-516 BC, three women choose their own paths along a history marked with tragedy, betrayal and injustice. Ziona hides from her past and fears that the God of her countrymen has abandoned her to a future as repugnant to her as it is coveted by her enemies. Gatha looks for the courage to speak the truth, and to choose either a foreign faith that promises an impossible hope, or a consuming despair over circumstances she can't change. Parva discovers the reality of her helplessness against the dark forces of a spirit world she gravely underestimated.
Return to Welcome to Shopping PageContinue Shopping:
Kids:               Babies           Girls (ages 4-7)      Boys (ages 4-7)                                                Girls(ages 8-12)    Boys (ages 8-12)                                                Girls(ages 13-18)  Boys (ages 13-18)Women:        20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+

2017 Christmas Gift Buying Guide: BOYS

Baby Boys
Glad Worship CD from Ben Doggett ($10)
  
What better way to send Baby Buster off to dreamland than with a selection of peaceful worship music? Listen to a sampling of Ben’s tracks here, then email him directly for this special price on this special collection. Get both Glad and Deep to Deep for the combo price of only $15.




French Terry Baby Blanket from Brightly Twisted ($28)

In a variety of colors and patterns to match the growing personality of any little one, this soft terry blanket is sure to please the fussiest baby right down into naptime.








Bamboo Baby Socks from Brightly Twisted ($12)

Oh, the cuteness. Also in a variety of colors, these little socks will keep your Brightly Twisted baby’s toes safe and warm.








Onesiefrom Brightly Twisted ($28)

These dyed-by-hand onesies are as carefully crafted and unique as your special little person.
Details:
Lap shouldered neck opening for easy dressing.Double needle rib binding at the neck, sleeve and leg openings for a classier, finished lookFabric: bamboo cotton
Also comes in a short-sleeve model.

Boys, ages 4-7
Fun Soap from Heart Expressions, LLC ($5)
 
 
Make bath time a play party with Fish-in-a-Bag or Lego Soap. With nothing but glycerin, colorant, and fragrance, these soaps are as pure as that sweet little guy in the tub.
Turtle Backpack from Trades of Hope ($26)
 
    
Handcrafted from traditional fabrics featuring adjustable straps and a zipper. Each one is unique.

Approx. Measurements: 13" from nose-to-tail
Materials: Recycled skirts for the patches, Stuffing is made out of recycled wool, & Cotton lining
Colors: Colors vary 
Artisan Information:
The women of Guatemala have struggled through abuse, poverty, and heartache. Many of them do not know their worth and value. But through a fair trade group, these women are learning how to weave a new future for themselves. They are creating beautiful products that help them earn a living while bringing meaning to their lives. They are able to take care of their families in every way! These women are business owners, working together with fellow artisans. They share ideas and creative concepts while growing in appreciation of each one's unique skills. This group knows that to help it requires more than providing money, they are committed to empower their community through sustainable jobs. These women have gained respect and dignity from the products that they make!

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Guatemala. 


All Aboard for the Bobo Road by Stephen Davies ($14.26 hardcover, $6.99 paperback, $9.99 Kindle)

All aboard for the Bobo Road! Fatima and Galo load the luggage while their dad Big Ali drives the bus. Help count on bikes, sacks of rice, melons and even goats and chickens as the bus travels past Gurunsi houses, the hippo lake, waterfalls and jungle, all the way to Bobo. With the authentic setting in Burkina Faso drawn from the author's own experience, this is a wonderfully fun introduction for small children to an amazing culture.


Meet Denali the Cat! Denali is on the adventure of a lifetime as she travels with her family, meeting new friends and learning fun facts about the United States.






Boys, ages 8-12
World Changer Coin Bank from Trades of Hope ($38)

Save up for your next adventure with this handmade terra cotta coin bank.

Approx. Measurements: 20" Circumference, 6" tall/wide, coin slot 1.5" by .25"
Materials: Clay & chalk powder
Colors: Terracotta & white 
Artisan Information:
"Caste mentality” strongly exists among Bengali people. Many women are discriminated against and looked down upon by society for being poor. This artisan group empowers the disadvantaged; especially women, people with, disabilities and indigenous people of the society. This group strives to empower rural women through handicraft production. Working with women regardless of caste, creed, or race. These women are provided job training, job creation skills, and leadership training. Thank you for giving these woman a new opportunity in life!

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Bangladesh. 

Hacking Timbuktu by Stephen Davies ($8.80 hardcover, $11.99 Kindle)

Long ago in the ancient city of Timbuktu a student pulled off the most daring heist in African history — the theft of 100 million pounds worth of gold. The stolen treasure has remained hidden until now, when teenage hacker Danny Temple discovers a cryptic Arabic manuscript. It’s a good thing Danny is a keen traceur (free runner) because it seems that everyone in London now wants a piece of him. Danny has to run across rooftops and leap from buildings to stay one step ahead of his pursuers. His adrenalin-charged quest leads him to sub-Saharan Africa, and the mysterious cliffs of Bandiagara.

Mancala Game  ($10.19)
The ancient strategy game comes to life in a beautifully designed birch wood board played with colorful glass stones! contents: 1 game board, 48 game pieces and instructions.






Leather Traveler Wallet from Trades of Hope ($35)

Soft, rugged leather features nine card slots, two bill compartments, and a ID window.

Approx. Measurements:
When folded 3.5" W x 4.38" L
Unfolded length is 8.75"
Materials: Leather, black polyester lining, cotton thread, & plastic ID holders Artisan Information:
The Indian artisans who make this wallet focus on providing education for the neediest children in their community. They have worked hard to raise enough funds to establish a school so that parents in their poor community won't have to choose between working to provide basic needs for their families or sending their children to school. This group has given work to a multitude of women without sacrificing their desire for their children to have a bright and promising future.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 

Boys, ages 13-18
Bamboo Cotton Socks from Brightly Twisted ($33)

In more color combinations than you can shake a foot at, these socks are the best friends his feet have ever had! Eco-friendly bamboo cotton makes these socks super soft and cozy. Truly our most universal item available, they’re a one-foot-fits-all sensation, and a wonderfully sneaky way to add some brightlytwisted to anyone's wardrobe.
Fabric: bamboo cottonDimensions: one size fits most


Adventure Plaid Scarf from Trades of Hope ($26)


This sumptuous scarf features a blue and red plaid pattern with thin fringes at the ends. 
Approx. Measurements: 72" x 20"
Materials: Viscose
Colors: Red, white & blue 
Artisan Information:
The poverty cycle in India continues primarily because of the lack of proper education. Most schools are not free in India and many cannot afford to send their children to school. Girls' educations are often neglected as they are considered burdens on their families. Therefore, many children never learn to read or write and grow up to very limited opportunities. However, through this artisan group, futures are being transformed. Women are being empowered and their children are provided with a free education. An impact to be felt for generations to come.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India.

Deep to Deep Worship CD from Ben Doggett ($7)
This awesome collection of praise music from Worship Leader and former Youth Director Ben Doggett is just the thing to help a young man’s faith go deeper. Sample some tracks of Ben’s music here, then email the musician directly for this special price. Get both Deep to Deepand Glad for the combo price of only $15.




Survivor Bracelet from Trades of Hope ($24)

More than just a pretty face, this bracelet is made in Costa Rica and designed as a tool for survival. It holds fishing supplies, paracord, twine, an emergency whistle, and more!

Product available while supplies last
Approx. Measurements: 8.5" 
Artisan Information:
As these Costa Rican women create these products they are learning how to provide for their families in a way that they can be proud of! Before the production of these handmade products the women in this group struggled to survive in this poor,drug and gang infested area of Costa Rica. Many of these Artisans were so poor that it was a daily fight to feed ,clothe and educate their children. But now these women have an alternative and a way out of a lifestyle they have been forced to live! They are excited to be creating the survivor bracelet which is a symbol of their strength and the ability to survive all odds.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Costa Rica. 

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Continue Shopping:
Kids:               Babies           Girls (ages 4-7)                                                      Girls(ages 8-12)                                                    Girls(ages 13-18)  Women:        20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+
Men:              20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+

2017 Christmas Gift Buying Guide: WOMEN

Women, 20’s-30’s
Beautiful Handcrafted Jewelry from Heart Expressions, LLC ($12-$30)
 

These unique and individually hand-stamped and –strung pieces will set her apart from the crowd.

Hope Tapestry from Trades of Hope ($58)

What a gorgeous conversation piece! Decorate her home with our beautiful Hope Tapestry handmade with sustainable materials by women in rural Bangladesh!
Approx. Measurements: 15.75" W x 24" L, 28" cord  Material: Natural jute twine, cotton, and bamboo  Color: White, black, and tan
Artisan Information:
This artisan group was established based on the overwhelming need to provide sustainable jobs for disadvantaged women in poverty stricken rural areas of Bangladesh. This group now supports over 1,500 artisans offering job training, safe working conditions, healthcare, and education for their children. This allows families to stay together in their villages rather than seeking work in big cities. Also, focusing on utilizing natural biodegradable resources has provided them with sustainable materials which have positively impacted their environment.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Bangladesh.


Cold Shoulder Sweater from Brightly Twisted ($194)

Comfy and lovely in soft cotton, this unique shirt is quirky yet classic.








40 Graces for Forgiveness: A Healing Journey by Maria Keffler ($6.99)
 40 Graces for Forgiveness: A Healing Journey chronicles a 40-day meditation on forgiveness as it relates to the character of Christ. Spending ten days each considering gifts of the Holy Spirit, attributes of Christ, personal attributes which are in opposition to Christ, and Christ’s walk to the cross, 40 Graces for Forgiveness: A Healing Journeyfollows the example of Jesus as he lived in holy relationship with others. Through forgiveness like his, we learn to become true disciples of Christ: those who do what he did. If you’ve found forgiveness a struggle too, this study may serve as a helpful launch pad for your own path toward healing. As we strive to walk out the words of the Lord’s Prayer—“forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”—we find freedom to be who God made us to be, and to do all we were created to do.

Women, 40’s-60’s
Bath Bombs from Heart Expressions, LLC ($2-$5)

Heart Expressions’ Bath Bombs come in seven scrumptions colors and scents. Fizzy, fragrant, and fun, these bombs are made with Epsom salts to relax the muscles, cocoa butter to nourish the skin, and delicious fragrances to renew and refresh her senses!







Pearls of Hope Bracelet from Trades of Hope ($36)
Make dressing up her outfit easy with this delicate Pearls of Hope bracelet made by Thai women who no longer have to leave their families to find work in the city.  Matching Pearls of Hope necklace ($64) is also available.  
Artisan Information:
This artisan group’s primary focus is on restoring and empowering the strength of women in Thailand, as artists and designers. This group is proud to work with a beautiful array of diversity, from the Karen Hill tribe, to the Thai people, to the Hmong women in the mountains. One group of people they partner with is a group of women in a small town hours from a nearby city. The only viable job opportunity in the town is typically farming. Farming is hard on the women, and so many women end up moving to the cities to find work and send money home. This, unfortunately, creates a separation of the mother from her children and family. We are so proud that this group is dedicated to helping mothers stay in their hometown and find work, giving them the ability to stay with their families and take care of their children.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in Thailand. 

Cashmere Travel Wrap from Brightly Twisted ($298)

Cashmere. That’s all that needs said.
















Drawn by Maria Keffler ($4.99 ebook; $13.89 paperback)

This coming-of-age speculative fiction story will take your mid-years gal on a memorable journey back to the 1980’s.
Artistic prodigy Juliet Brynn just wants to survive 1982 with as little social torture as possible. But then her sketches start to come true and Damon Sheppard, a boy with a troubled past, shows her worlds she never knew existed and a power at work in the universe that forges paths into places most people choose never to go. When Juliet begins to shape the future by drawing it, she must discover the source of her newfound Power of Artistic Prophecy and the key to making it work."I started to pray for help to come, for God to save us. Then I stopped. I swallowed another mouthful of my own blood. If God even existed, he obviously didn’t give a crap about me."When unthinkable trauma strikes, will Damon—and Juliet’s prophetic gift—prove as catastrophic as some predict, or can they impart her the power to make everything right again?
Give her the complete Drawn series with Books II & III:
  

Women, 70’s+
Bath Scrubs from Heart Expressions, LLC ($8)


The refreshing, crisp smell of apples and sage make these bath scrubs an invigorating experience. Three shades of green bring to mind Granny Smith’s, Sagebrush, and Wintergreen boughs of fir. Her elbows, knees, and feet will thank you!





Grace Earrings from Trades of Hope ($26)

Celebrate the Golden Years with our gorgeous Grace Earrings made by talented artisans in the Philippines.
Approx. Measurements: 1.5"  Material: Local Capiz shell and recycled metal  Color: Gold and white
Artisan Information:
A girl in the Philippines is discriminated against early in life due to culture and customary gender biases. Girls are usually allotted less food than their father and brothers despite their nutritional needs. When money is hard to come by boys are usually the ones who receive an education, while the girls do not attend school. They usually take on the submissive role and are abused. Fair Trade groups are making it possible for these women to develop skills and sell their products.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in the Philippines. 

Perfectly Unique Tie-Dyed Pashmina from Brightly Twisted ($88)

As unique as she is! Brightly Twisted’s signature pashmina is the ultimate all-weather piece. Made of silky soft viscose rayon, it can be worn many vibrant and luxurious ways: draped across the shoulders as a light wrap, bundled up around the neck to combat the cold - or even wrapped around the waist as a beach-friendly sarong! A go-to travel companion and truly versatile everyday accessory, this scarf is a guaranteed wardrobe staple. (In more than 40 styles/colors!)




Eastern Blue Jute Bag from Trades of Hope ($22)

Whether you’re ready for a wonderful day at the mall or the beach, the Eastern Blue Jute Bag is the perfect accessory to bring along! This roomy bag is designed with a contrasting color of a rich blue against a creamy beige. A button closure brings it all together for this grab and go bag.

Product available while supplies last
Approx. Measurements: 11" Straps, 12.5" Tall, & 14.5" Wide
Color: Blue & Beige
Material: Jute
*Interior fabric varies 
Artisan Information:
Even though it is curable, patients with leprosy are often rejected by their families and villages. Because of the visible signs that label them as "lepers", they usually end up as beggars on the street, often with their children at their sides. This group has changed this lonely lifestyle for these women. They have found a place of life, love, and dignity, where they can take pride and gain confidence in their beautiful work.

Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India. 

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Kids:               Babies           Girls (ages 4-7)     Boys (ages 4-7)                                                Girls (ages 8-12)    Boys (ages 8-12)                                                Girls (ages 13-18)  Boys (ages 13-18)Men:              20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+

2017 Christmas Gift Buying Guide: One-Stop Shopping for Everyone On Your List

It’s that time of year again! And this year the Wasting My Education Christmas Gift Guide is focusing on small businesses, entrepreneurs, and world-changers. We’ve got you covered for all your gift needs:
Kids:               Babies           Girls(ages 4-7)       Boys (ages 4-7)                                                Girls (ages 8-12)    Boys (ages 8-12)                                                Girls (ages 13-18)  Boys (ages 13-18)Women:        20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+Men:              20’s-30’s       40’s-60’s       70’s+
Take a look at the fabulous companies and individuals represented in this year’s guide:
Trades of Hope So many women around the world live in poverty, not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. Trades of Hope gives women that opportunity for a better life. Trades of Hope works with artisans and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances. Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have HIV/AIDS or leprosy. These women have never had the chances we've had, yet they are just like us in so many ways. They love their families and hope and dream of a better life for them.By marketing their products through Trades of Hope, these women can put food on their tables, roofs over their heads, and get medical care and education for their children.
Brightly Twisted: Everything & Nothing Like Tie-Dye Dyed by hand and inherently unique, no product has an exact duplicate, no matter how carefully we retrace our steps. That's the Brightly Twisted difference.We invite you to embrace the variance of our collection, and remind you that DIFFERENT IS GOOD! We offer many uncommonly pretty options -- from women's apparel and accessories, to the perfect onesie for your little one, and certainly one of the most unique homewares collections you'll find!
Heart Expressions, LLC A bath and beauty market, Heart Expressions, LLC, adds beauty and pleasure to your daily life. Affordable hand-stamped jewelry and all-natural skin-nourishing soaps and bath yummies are delightfully packaged and make charming gifts.
A Bit Peculiar Cards & Art Beautifully handcrafted cards and artwork, these often wry pieces bring both love and laughter to their recipients.
Authors & Artists Stephen Davies writes picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and educational books. Many of his books are set in West Africa, particularly the Sahel region – the southern 'shore' of the Sahara Desert which includes parts of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Stephen's first book Sophie and the Albino Camel won the Glen Dimplex Prize in 2006 for best debut children's book. His books have been translated into eleven languages and shortlisted for awards.Christian Gospel artist Ben Doggett is the Contemporary Worship Leader at The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA. Check out his work on Soundcloud! Gretchen Schuyler Brenckle is an elementary school counselor in Virginia. The inspiration for her books comes from the students at her school who needed a fun way to learn more about geography. Gretchen lives in Virginia with her family and two cats, Denali and Kenai. Illustrator Kathryn Belcher Frazier is an elementary school teacher in Virginia.Adult and Young Adult Author Maria Keffler lives in Arlington, VA, near (but not in) the cemetery, with her STEM-y husband and three darling cherubs. Her first novel, The God of Mists and Shrouds was heralded as "an impressive work by a debut novelist" and her latest series, Drawn, has been called "a refreshing addition to the .... predictable YA market.”
So hit those links above and get your Christmas shopping done today! Joyeux Noël!

Love, the Magnet (Guest Post at Anna's Joy)

Greetings, Wasting My Education friends!

I had the pleasure of being a guest blogger at Anna's Joy during her Help-Me-Not-Hate-this-Month series. She asked for stories about love and beauty and joy and hope:


Love, the MagnetMy nine-year-old daughter made me cry yesterday.I was prepping dinner when she came into the kitchen with a stack of cards she’d pulled from the new Apples to Apples game our friends gave us.“Mom, here are all the adjectives I found that describe you!” she said, and she began to flip through the words...Click here to hop on over and visit Anna's Joy and find out how my little girl made my little day.

Joy to you and yours today!MK

Motivation Management: How to Get Almost Anyone to Do Almost Anything

First things first. Please save yourself a potential lifetime of pain and conflict, and accept that you have no control over anyone but yourself. Your kids included. This is a fact. Learn it, live it, love it. It’s very difficult to makesomeone do something they don’t want to do.You can, however, engineer the circumstances around another person in your sphere of influence in such a way that you encourage them to want to do what you want them to do. This stems from the theory that people don’t change their behavior until it becomes less painful to change than it is to stay they way they are.So how do you tweak someone’s circumstances in order to make your desires more favorable in their eyes? You harness their motivations.Let me offer an example.When my son was thirteen he discovered that a certain sound gives me the creeps. It’s a sci-fi thing that taps into some visceral fear of mine. And no, I’m not going to tell you what it is. But he took perverse, teenage glee in walking up behind his mother and making that noise.Generally, I recommend feigned indifference in order to extinguish an unwelcome behavior. If the instigator gets no reaction from his target, he’ll usually get bored and quit trying. But this particular noise provoked such gut-level angst in me, I needed to persuade the kid to stop tormenting me immediately. So I told him:“Son, every time I hear you make that noise, I’m going to kiss you in public.”His eyes got big as two golf balls and the corners of his mouth fell. He said, “Oh, please no. Please don’t do that. I’ll never make that noise again.”And he never did.However, my husband also heard the threat I made to our son. Hubs’ eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth stretched toward his ears. “Is that the same for me? Every time I make that noise, you’ll kiss me in public?!?”And right there you find the heart of motivation.Motivation is the reason whywe do what we do. It’s the driving force behind us doing what’s necessary to get what we want. People have different motivations: money, fame, sex, power, control, fear, to be perceived a certain way. One of my teenager’s (and most teenagers’) primary motivations is to be viewed positively by peers. Because I recognized that underlying motivation, I could craft exactly the right consequences which would threaten attainment of my son’s Being-Cool goal: Mother’s kisses are social death.My husband, on the other hand, thinks I’m pretty. He likes the idea of getting kissed by his lady in front of other people. His motivations are radically different from the boy’s, therefore what seemed like a threat to our son (public displays of affection) was perceived by Hubs as an offer.Can you hold on through a wee bit of a psychology class? There’s a story on the other side of it about how I learned to manipulate motivate my husband.Motivation theory is pretty simple. There’s a behavior from the other person that you either want to encourage (reinforce) or discourage (extinguish). You have two methods by which to do this: you can provide something to the other person, or you can withhold/remove something from them.


When you link a specific behavior to either provision of something that person wants or removal of something unwanted, you encourage the person to continue (i.e., you reinforce) that behavior. Conversely, removing something a person wants or providing something they don’t want in connection with a particular behavior will have the effect of discouraging (or extinguishing) that behavior.In the example above, the sci-fi noise was the behavior I wanted extinguished. I threatened to give my son something he did not want (public kisses from Mommy) in order to discourage him from making that noise again.Hubs, on the other hand, wants his wife to give him smoochies, so that consequence would serve to encourage the behavior (making the noise) if I applied it to him. Which I did not.If you can figure out what motivates someone, you can get that person to do just about anything you want.(Please use these powers for good, and not for evil.)Now for that story I promised.My husband frowns upon me drinking coffee during church. One Sunday, through a combination of errors, my coffee cup ended up below the pew in front of us, on the other side of my husband. I could not reach it. I knew he didn’t think I should have it. But I wanted it, so badly.I scribbled on the Sunday bulletin these words, to which I gave little thought, but from which I soon derived so much insight:Honey, you can’t reach my coffee cup, can you?The man bent over, contorted himself like an acrobat, snaked his arm under the pew and around the feet of the person in front of us, and procured for me my java. I wrote:Thank you! But I didn’t really think you’d get it for me.He wrote back:I can’t resist a challenge.Deep inside me rumbled an avalanche of maniacal laughter that roared: I have uncovered the key to EVERYTHING!!!Since that day, when I want my husband to do something he might not prefer to do, I need only phrase it in the form of a challenge: “Honey, you probably can’t (whatever), can you?” Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!Oh, dear. He reads this blog, doesn’t he?Maybe he’ll miss this one…If you’re struggling to get someone—perhaps one of your kids?—to do something that’s important to you, give motivation management a try:1. Pinpoint the behavior you want to extinguish and/or reinforce.I want my kid to stop leaving his dirty clothes on the floor (behavior to extinguish) and start putting them in the hamper (behavior to reinforce).2. Identify what motivation is currently at work. (This may inform step 3.)Re. the dirty clothes, it’s likely nothing but simple laziness coupled with no reason to want to change. 3. Brainstorm some possible ways to reinforce or extinguish the behavior.A. Remove Something Wanted (Extinguish): Charge the kid 25 cents for every item of clothing you have to pick up.B. Remove Something Unwanted (Reinforce): If all clothes make it into the basket for a week, s/he gets to skip a household chore s/he usually has to do.C. Give Something Wanted (Reinforce): If all clothes make it into the basket for a week, s/he gets an extra half hour of media time.D. Give Something Unwanted (Extinguish): For every item of clothing you have to pick up s/he gets five minutes of massaging your feet.4. Pick the one that best fits you, your child, and the situation.The kid is all about money, so A.The kid wants nothing more in the world than to lie on the couch, so B.Given the chance the kid would live inside the computer, so C.My feet hurt like heck, so D.If you’ve made it this far into this lengthy post, you’ve got the motivation and stamina to work the crap out of this strategy.But what motivated you to read all of this, anyway? Are you struggling with someone’s behavior? Are you thinking about a friend who might benefit from this stuff? Was this just a really entertaining piece?I’ll say it again, because it’s simple, profound, and life-changing:If you can figure out what motivates someone, you can get that person to do just about anything you want.And you know what else?You can work this system on yourself, too.
Did you miss the post about Using the Assumptive-Close Sales Technique to Get Your Kids (and Anyone, Really) to Do Stuff Sans Nagging ? 
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Using the Assumptive-Close Sales Technique to Get Your Kids (and Anyone, Really) to Do Stuff Sans Nagging

Pestering the kids to get their work done. We all do it.“Did you finish your homework?”“Don’t forget to take out the trash.”“I’ve told you three times to unpack your lunch sack!”If you’re like me, you swore you’d never nag your kid the way your parents nagged you.Yuh-huh. And here we are.But there’s a better way. A less combative way. A sneakier way. One that will make your kid think you think s/he’s already winning at life, even if that same kid would stroll barefoot into a blizzard if not for you.It’s called the Assumptive Close Technique .Salesmen use it all the time to nudge prospective clients over the hump from “Should I buy this?” to “I’m buying this right now.” Before the customer even commits, the salesman says things like:“Which color do you want?”“How many can I put you down for?”“Do you want that shipped to your home or office?”By assuming the completion of the task you want done, you effectively bring it to the kid’s attention without pushing the kid’s buttons because you’ve brought up his or her failure to perform yet again. You communicate that you have confidence that the thing will get done, at the same time you prompt its completion with a secondary (and where possible a positive/enjoyable) consequence. Here’s how it works:
Instead of Saying: You Might Try: Did you finish your homework? Let me know when you’re finished with your homework so we can make those brownies together. Don’t forget to take out the trash. When you take the trash out can you let the cat back in too? Thanks. How many times do I have to tell you to unpack your lunch? I really appreciate how you’ve taken over packing and unpacking your lunch every day. Let me know if there’s anything special you want me to pick up at the grocery for your lunches. You failed to make your bed again. I’ve had it! Hey, after you make your bed today lay out those pants you want hemmed and I’ll take care of them while you’re at school. When are you going to write that thank-you note to Grandma for the birthday gift she sent? Do me a favor and don’t seal the envelope to Grandma’s thank-you note. I want to stick in one of your school pictures before we mail it.
While the Assumptive Close Technique won’t guarantee that the tasks get done any more than it guarantees sales, it does reliably improve sales numbers, and in your house it will get more done with less resistance and less damage to the already tenuous relationship between you and your kiddos. But even more, it will completely circumvent your understandable tendency to nag, nag, nag until you get what you want: compliance and action.However, if you try this strategy and don’t find any improvement in the number of tasks being completed, it may be time to step it up to the next phase of behavioral direction: Motivation Management.Stay tuned…

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