Scarlet Threads

BRAND NEW PRODUCTS LAUNCH!!

2016-09-02T09:34:00.002-05:00

We are so, SO excited to announce that our brand new, never-before-seen products launched this week!!!

Hats, new aprons, smocks and jewelry--these new items have been lovingly designed by our incredible, talented artisans Lao Yan, Xie Dong Fang, and Deng Jia. We are thrilled to get to share them with you today!

They are selling now, so get them while they're fresh!

Art Smocks - $20.00

We are thrilled to be offering children’s Art Smocks for both boys and girls! Our boys smock sports a black background with a variety of Chinese symbols in tan and dragons in brown with a deep purple trim. Our girls smock has a deep red back ground with a print of blue, bold and green fans accented with flowers, stars and moons and trimmed in royal blue. A large front pocket is a great place to carry paint brushes and crayons! These aprons open in the back with a tie at the collar. For young artists of all ages, both boys and girls smocks come in large and small. Deng did a fantastic job hand-sewing these! Please check out all of the photos and see how adorable these art smocks are!

Hair Ties - $6.00

Lao Yan, our wire artist, has created these intricate butterfly and flower hair ties. These are not only beautiful and sturdy, but they are one-of -a-kind works of art! Each design comes in either silver or gold. They are tightly secured to a black elastic ponytail holder. 50% reduction in shipping cost will be offered on single stand-alone orders of one hair tie only.

Heart Pendants - $12.00

Lao Yan created stunning wire heart pendants to be worn as necklaces. They are delicately crafted and represent beauty in life and faith through the Chinese symbols. Each pendant comes on a black nylon necklace with a silver clasp. We offer 8 different pendants: 1. Grace 2. Hope 3. Love 4. Joy 5. Family (Home) 6. Blessing 7. Faith 8. Peace (Gate) These numbers coordinate with those in the photo.

Hosanna Apron - $22.00

This bold and lively girls apron is so bright and vivid it’s sure to be a favorite! Vibrant tones of pink, orange and purple accented with black and white – is exciting and colorful and speaks FUN! Trimmed in deep purple and sporting a pocket on the front, this apron is offered in both a girls small and a large size, as well as one to fit an 18” doll! Order both together and save $5.00!

Jane Marie Apron - $22.00

This apron is truly unique! In an array of gold, turquoise, black, pastel pink and red, this color combination is sure to please! The material has a satin feel and is light and airy. Accented with a turquoise collar, waist tie and pocket, this apron also has it’s top and pocket button in the same apron material; it’s darling!

Leila Apron - $22.00

We adore the red Chinese print and black trim that Deng used for this little girls apron! Scattered over the deep red background is a dainty print of lotus flowers in soft pink, gold, green and white. You’ll also find small gold Chinese symbols cross the print. We think that you’re daughter will love it! This apron not only comes in large and small size to accommodate various ages, we also offer a matching apron in a dolls size because we know how much little girls love to dress their dolls to match themselves! Order both girl & doll sizes together and save!

Olivia Apron - $22.00

With this stunning apron, it will be Springtime in your kitchen year round! Beautiful vibrant colors on a white background with royal blue button collar and waist ties as well as a royal blue pocket, it’s sure to brighten every cooking experience! Made of soft cotton material with a matching top button. Beautifully hand-sewn by our seamstress, Deng.

Tiger Hats - $30.00

The tiger, not the lion, is the king of beasts in China, and like so many other creatures, it has great symbolic meaning there. It stands for strength and courage, and has been placed outside tombs and houses to keep evil spirits away. So when Chinese children, and especially males, are born their mothers and grandmothers make them hats in the form of tigers, complete with whiskers and bulgy eyes with bushy eyebrows and big round ears in which, often, perch tiny representations that also have symbolic meanings. Rabbits mean longevity, mice mean industry, melons mean fertility and for children, the tiger can be protective as well as fierce. (Taken from the web) Our Tiger hats are beautifully hand sewn by Xie Dong Fang. They come in a variety of colors and fabrics including blue, black, red, gold, pink, etc. Please indicate if you have a preference. Be sure to look at all the photos!

Artist: Xie Dong Fang Born 1942 in Beijing. When she was young, Xie worked in a clothing factory as a seamstress. She is now married and has 3 daughters and lives a “happy life”. She loves sewing Chinese Traditional Art products such as tier hats, shoes, clothes, shoe pads and shoe pillows. She also enjoys playing cards with the older ladies in her community. She has a warm heart and enjoys cooking for her neighbors.

Wire Buddy Adornments - $10.00

Lao Yan created these adorable Wire Buddy Adornments. They are so fun and will adorn so many things such as your key chains, review mirror, bag strap...the possibilities are endless! These are sold in sets of two as pictured (a boy and a girl). We have a variety of colors, please indicate if you have a preference...or let us surprise you!

Clearance Sale Now Open - Items Priced Below Wholesale!

2016-08-17T13:23:00.000-05:00

We are having a blowout clearance sale, with items priced below wholesale prices!! We've recently received new stock, and so we are celebrating by hosting our best sale of the year!

Check out these awesome clearance prices here--With fall and winter holidays and seasonal cooking just around the corner, these prices won't last long, so you'll want to get these beautiful aprons before they're gone!!

Some of our most beloved aprons and products are currently priced lower than ever, such as:

The Jennie Mae Apron -- Now $13.00

The Audrey Apron -- Now $12.00

The Harper Apron -- Now $10.00

The Evelyn Apron -- Now $9.00

The Ellie Apron -- Now $9.00

The Jennessah Apron -- Now $9.00

The Suzy Apron -- Now $9.00

Tote Bag -- Now $5.00

As always, proceeds from the sale support our wonderful seamstress, Deng, and her family, and a purchase from Scarlet Threads helps support our amazing artisans.

50% Off ALL Aprons--First Day of Summer Sale Starts Today!!

2016-06-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

We're kicking summer off right with our huge First Day of Summer Sale with 50% off ALL of our aprons! June 20-27, use code: SUMMER16 to get half-off any of our aprons!!

Check out our full aprons (like our bestselling Audrey Apron and Evelyn Apron), half aprons like the Hannah Jane, and our adorable aprons for kids!

Sales of these beautiful, one-of-a-kind aprons help support our wonderful seamstress and artisan Deng Jia and her family in China. So we want to make these aprons disappear, and we want to make sure you grab one (or two, or more!) before they're gone!!!

"First Day of Summer" Sale Starts June 20! 50% off ALL Aprons!

2016-06-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

Ahhh, summer--it's finally time for cookouts with friends, long days and warm nights, and making yummy, summery treats in the kitchen. And what better way to kick off summer than with a First Day of Summer Sale??

For one week starting June 20th, ALL of our aprons will be 50% off!! That's right! All of them will be half off, including our full aprons (like our bestselling Audrey Apron and Evelyn Apron), half aprons like the Hannah Jane, and our adorable aprons for kids!

We want to make these aprons disappear!! Sales of these beautiful, one-of-a-kind aprons help support our wonderful seamstress and artisan Deng Jia and her family in China. So kick off summer in style, and mark your calendars for our 50% off summer sale June 20-27 (code: SUMMER16) so you can grab them before they're gone!

Guest Blog: Faith Is a Muscle - Part II

2016-05-05T11:28:00.000-05:00

We are so excited and honored to welcome the Evans family back to our blog for Part II of their powerful fostering and adoption story, "Faith Is a Muscle" (read Part I if you haven't already!). This Mother's Day, we are not just celebrating moms or moms-to-be (although obviously moms are awesome!) but all families, everywhere, that come in every shape and size. We are so moved by the Evans' story, and want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for sharing it with us.

The following summer, God began to remind Sara and myself of the adoption calling He had placed in us long ago. As painful as it sounded to re-enter this arena, we knew God had confirmed it again to us through His word. My wife was given “Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.” (Isaiah 43:5 ESV) This time, we were led to inquire about adopting from China!

"International adoption... that's insane, Lord!?!? Do you have any idea how much that will cost?!?" These were my most holy of prayers at the beginning. I had never traveled outside of the United States, we had no passports, no significant savings or assets to sell.

But something an old pastor said kept ringing in my ears, "God doesn't call the equipped, but He equips the called." All of that faith-stretching we had been through with our lives and foster care increased our faith just enough to say, "Yes, Lord. Your will, not ours," so we could start this adventure.

My wife inquired with Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI) about the "Waiting Child Program." These are kids that have special needs. Many need surgeries, therapies, long-term care. They are typically considered outcasts. Most of them have been abandoned and left at the orphanage; but this gives them a chance to be adopted.

They directed us to fill out a medical checklist of conditions and issues we would be willing to accept in a new child. That may sound like a simple task, but I can assure you that a third of the list was unpronounceable to me, and we spent what seemed like a month googling some of the terms to decide if we could manage to care for a little one with these issues. We finally turned it in along with some basic family information.

In the fall of 2014, we received an email from CCAI with a potential child match. His name was Guo Hao Tian, 18 months old, diagnosed with poor brain development and delayed development and an abnormal CT scan. Then we opened the picture file:

They gave us two or three days to decide whether to move forward. We sent his medical file to our pediatrician and asked him to tell us what he thought we would be facing, medically-speaking. We enlisted a few faithful friends to pray for us and with us. If we said, "Yes," we would have to start an official application and send it in with the first program fee. The fee was more money than we had in checking and savings combined. If this was of the Lord, He would have to provide.

Ultimately, we decided to proceed. In the following couple of weeks, we prayerfully completed our application.

Then I received an unexpected email from work. The CFO explained that under the terms of my employment agreement, I was supposed to get a raise after the first 90 days, which had never happened, and I had been completely unaware. They decided to pay me everything in one lump sum on my next paycheck. It was enough to cover the first program fee! Praise God!

We were convinced and determined to continue walking this path...God was going to see this through.

Along the way, so many people (family, friends, and even strangers) came alongside us in this journey. Several of them banded together to pull off the most incredible art auction / coffeehouse-style fundraiser, which drew the attention and support of the vast majority of our church body.

There have been numerous uncertain moments with paperwork, qualifications, timing of funds coming through, but God has stretched our faith at every turn. He has shown His faithfulness.

We finally made it to China and back last month...with our new son!

There are many more stories to be shared from our adventures there, but the fact is, God is finishing what He started. We are humbled to be used.

We named our son Isaiah.

Guest Blog: Faith Is a Muscle - Part I

2016-04-28T14:17:00.000-05:00

As we've mentioned previously, we love hearing personal stories from the Scarlet Threads community. Today we're very excited to share Part I of a guest post from Paul Evans and the Evans family, "Faith Is a Muscle," in which they share their fostering and adoption stories with us. With Mother's Day coming up, we're not only celebrating mothers (moms rock!), but all families, everywhere, that come in every shape and size. Check back next week for Part II of the Evans' story!

***

When a person lifts weights, the muscle is torn and broken down during the exercise. Then, during the rest that follows overnight, the body repairs these muscles and they grow in size and strength. This seems to be a fitting example of how our faith in God grows. The Lord offers us opportunities to exercise our faith. If we step out and trust Him, we find ourselves in circumstances that break us down... we end up on our knees more than ever, and God comes through. There are deep truths that can only be revealed when we are most vulnerable.

Adoption was elusive. My wife, Sara, and I felt the tug on our hearts pulling us in 16 years ago. Being a young married couple with one little girl, living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we thought to ourselves, "This raising kids stuff isn't too bad." We knew there were countless babies & children that needed families, so why not us? We really had no clue what kind of faith journey this would be.

Private and international adoption seemed totally out of reach financially, so we turned our attention to the kids in our own 'Jerusalem,’ and thus began our dance with the Children Youth and Families Department of New Mexico. They required us to become licensed foster parents so that potentially adoptable children could be placed in our home. This was our first exposure to the training process, and it was eye-opening to learn what abandoned, abused, and neglected children do to cope. It's heart wrenching.

After completing the training, we came near the end of our home study process and discovered my wife was pregnant with our son! Our caseworker recommended we stop the process during pregnancy and revisit this after he was born. Well, life threw us a curve ball, and we decided to relocate to Colorado Springs. It would be nine more years before we would have our first foster care placement.

Since then, we persevered through foster care in two different states, having numerous little ones come and go in our family. We fostered infants, several toddlers, a couple of elementary aged kids, and even one pregnant teenager. Some were only with us for a day or two, some stayed for nearly a year with our family.

These were truly some of the most grueling seasons of our lives—but these were also some of the largest growth periods of our faith.

One of the most wonderful and difficult earmarks of our foster experience was bonding with these precious children (sometimes instantly), and sending them back into a broken family situation with great uncertainty, knowing we may never see them again in this life. Without an opportunity to develop a relationship with the birth parents, it is impossible to expect any kind of relationship to continue with foster kids when they leave our home, but they will always be in our prayers.

Our family moved to Nebraska in 2013, and our foster care days came to an end. At this point, we had four biological children, plenty of memories, and even a few scars. We decided not to become foster parents again, and we were quite busy and happy as a family of six. Little did we know that God had been growing our faith for a bigger reason: adopting.

Check back next Thursday, May 5th, for Part II of the Evans family's adoption story!

Your stories mean the world to us, and to families around the world

2016-04-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

Each item we promote through Scarlet Threads begins and ends with a story--stories of families working for economic empowerment, working to stay together so that no child becomes orphaned due to poverty; stories of men, women, and children working to become families through adoption, adoption awareness, and adoption fundraising; and finally, stories from all of you, our wonderful community who purchase Deng's beautiful aprons from China, or Denge Doti's Borana Michira bracelets from Ethiopia, or any of the handcrafted items from the amazing artisans we support.

Today, we're honored to share the story from one of our customers, Kim, who graciously emailed us about her ST experience. We are so touched by her words!! Scarlet Threads Community, we love hearing from you; never hesitate to share your personal story with us. Thank you, Kim, for sharing your story, and for supporting artisans like Deng and their families!

We were immediately attracted to [Scarlet Threads] because we have not seen anything this beautiful or well-made in stores. Mass production items simply do not have the unique, handcrafted quality evident in ST merchandise!

We were also blessed knowing that we support individual artisans and their children with each purchase. While we have become much more conscientious of the sources and fair trade practices of our food, we have also learned to consider similar criteria with our household and gift purchases. We have come to appreciate the quality and beauty of hand-crafted textiles, and found ST to be the perfect vendor for us. Our questions were given prompt, personal attention, and the delivery was fast and accurate.

We were also delighted to see the aprons and hot pads are even more gorgeous and colorful in person. We immediately made a second order and instantly and happily completed our Christmas shopping! Each person who received these ST gifts commented on the quality and unique character of the hot pads and aprons, and were very eager to learn more about ST.

I especially enjoyed purchasing the "Evelyn" apron, one for my sister, and one for myself. Although I do not get to see my sister very often, I enjoy knowing we are in our respective kitchens wearing our ST aprons! I am grateful that ST provides personal, unique items that are specially made. It is gratifying purchasing these beautiful items from ST rather than purchasing generic, random, mass-produced goods from big-box corporate giants.

Thank you, ST, I look forward to shopping with you again soon! --Kim

Threading Together at the Created For Care Conference

2016-03-10T12:55:00.001-06:00

I recently returned from the Created For Care Conference as a vendor for Scarlet Threads, and we are so excited by what we learned there! I am so thankful that Carrie was willing to give me some advice regarding what to expect and some ways to prepare. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. We certainly learned a lot—starting with what to do when you get the date of the conference wrong.

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I mistakenly wrote down the wrong date for the conference in my date book. Not only that, I told my friend and table helper, Karen M, the wrong date too, despite the fact that the correct date was all over my paperwork! For months, I’ve been certain that the conference was on the weekend of February 26^th—and on January 26^th, I realized that it was actually February 5^th.

Scarlet Threads booth at Created For Care Conference!

Once I realized my mistake, I went into shock mode, and then I kicked into ultra high gear!

By God’s grace, I was able to get my ideas together, gather all of my display materials (ie making several runs to Michael’s) and test the set-up on a table at our church to make sure it all worked out.

Thankfully, Karen M and I were able to leave a day early; we stayed in Jasper and then drove an hour to the conference the next morning. It was the calm before the (amazing!) storm!

Lake Lanier, where the conference took place, is stunning, truly breathtaking. After registration, getting our table set up, and settling into our rooms, the best part of the weekend began--getting to meet all the moms!

I was so touched that many of the women were willing to open up about their joys and sorrows, their miracles and their struggles, their happiest times and their really, very difficult times. Before arriving at the conference, I wasn’t sure how I would relate to other moms there, since I haven’t adopted before. But God had a plan. He helped me to meet and get to know women who diverse stories about their motherhood stories and to open up my heart toward and my understanding of all the various ways that bring us to the word “mother."

Lake Lanier

We worked very hard that weekend. We made many contacts and new friends. I learned about some wonderful ministries doing the hard work of providing clean water where there isn’t any, getting sponsors for very needy families, loving women who leave the hospital with empty arms, providing employment for artisans all over the globe, and much more.

I was excited and exhausted when we got back to Nashville on Sunday afternoon…so exhausted that, though the television was on, I don’t think I watched five minutes of the Super Bowl!

If you aren’t familiar with Created for Care, please check them out. They are doing great work in encouraging not only adoptive and foster moms, but also all types of moms.

Watch for an upcoming post linking the organizations that were represented at the conference. We were so grateful for the opportunity to attend!

--Karen

Happy Valentine's Day - Small changes lead to big impacts

2016-02-14T15:13:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! My name is Dani. I'm a guest blogger from www.sunflowersandacacia.com

Here are a few things about me just to introduce myself.

I recently married the cutest man in the world. This is our first Valentines Day in person together - because last year he was in his home country of Ethiopia.
I love God and people SO much; it's what I live for.
I try to be a simplistic writer and connect with others through words. I am so thankful that blogging is a great platform to do this!

I am so excited to be here today to share something that I am passionate about: LOVE. I know it's the season of love and some people are head over heels and others are just so ready for this season to be over. I'm hoping this post will shift some perspectives and change some hearts.

I've gone over this post over and over again. I keep trying to find ways not to make it sound cheesy. Then I remember: "wait it's Valentines Day, it's a super cheesy holiday!"

I must admit, ever since I can remember, I never understood the concept of Valentines Day. I just couldn't wrap my mind around running out buying chocolates, flowers, and a stuffed animal only once a year for the person you supposedly love most. I didn't quite get it until this year. This is what I've come to understand: Valentines Day should just be a by-product of the love you have for a special someone. This is not the only day to do something drastic for them. It's just another day to extend love in a special way to someone who is special to you. It seems small, but it's actually huge to the person on the receiving side.

Small changes lead to big impacts.

This seems so simplistic, but many of us don't get it. It's easy to run and hide away from making small impacts simply because we don't feel like we are doing much. When we buy from Scarlet Threads or donate twenty bucks to a missionary, we don't truly understand the difference we are making. Our minds can't comprehend how buying an apron or how twenty dollars can quite literally change a person's life.

As I've scrolled through various social media platforms this weekend, I've noticed all the people, places, & objects that have been converted into "Valentines." One such example was found on an animal dog rescue website. It read "no need to be lonely on Valentines Day, there are many valentines waiting for you in our animal shelter, come adopt one!" This really got me thinking about those who do really struggle with this holiday. I remember the years before I got married were I struggled with loneliness.

I want to propose this question: What if your valentine is not someone you're head over heels for?

What if it's the man in China hand crafting ornaments for your Christmas tree?

What if it's the woman in a remote village sewing aprons for women in a country she will never visit?

What if it's a child living in a third-world country who would light up at a letter from you?

Could we possibly shift our mindsets and push past all the ideologies that make up this holiday?

Could we start a movement of love that extends far beyond February 14th? Could we tell ourselves that our purchases and contributions do make a difference? Can we choose small impacts that create lasting change?

This Valentines Day, I challenge you to change some perspectives and shift some ideas in your heart. I wonder what JOY and LOVE you may feel by simply extending joy and love to another who could use a little recognition and love.

I have seen the faces of children and women who receive a simple letter or a simple gift. It means more to them than could ever be put in words.

So, this Valentines Day, I invite you to be a part of this movement of love. I invite you to support Scarlet Threads, a friend in need, or a stranger.

Extend love and then sit back and watch the impacts it creates.

Happy Valentines Day, We love you and are so grateful for the small impacts you are making.

"...in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." -Philippians 2:3-4

Please feel free to visit our guest bloggers personal blog at www.sunflowersandacacia.com

Happy Chinese New Year!

2016-02-05T13:04:00.000-06:00

Chinese New Year starts Monday, February 8th, and until a few years ago, I never really thought about the holiday. Like many celebrations in other countries, it was “off my radar.” Then, in 2013, my son, his wife and our four grandblessings moved to China and began working at New Day Foster Home outside of Beijing. Suddenly, China was on my radar.

Because many of our artisans live with their families in China, I wanted to learn more about the holiday and how it was celebrated, so I interviewed our Scarlet Threads liaison, Leeann.

She was gracious enough to share her experience with us. Here’s what she had to say:

"We usually celebrate the New Year starting on January 23rd. We call this ‘Lunar Day.’ We start cleaning all of the house, doing the washing, and shopping. We kill a pig, chicken or sheep, fry churros, fry meatballs, meat, etc. On New Years Eve, we hang red couplets on our gates and doors.

“Also on the eve of the New Year, all the family gets together to have dinner. After 20:00, we will watch TV-watching the new year celebration programs, and at 24:00, we all eat dumplings together and then set off fireworks! Most of the young men stay up the whole night, and we leave the lights on all night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvvB62q9IC4

“On the first day of the New Year, we will have a dumpling breakfast together, and then we go to the homes of all our friends and relatives and say, ‘Happy New Year!’ They will give the kids money or candy!

“Before the 10^th day of the first lunar month on the calendar, we mainly play cards together, visit with friends and eat together. This is relationship building time, it is the main holiday when people will return to their hometown to be with friends and family and spend time together. We will go back to work after the 10th.

“For us, the New Year means that everything is new….we welcome the new day and look forward to peace and hope; a chance to forget all the old things and start the new!”

Speaking of "new," Leeann just gave birth to a beautiful new baby daughter, named SunYue. Congratulations, Leeann! Happy New Year, indeed.

Some Musings From The Shopkeeper

2016-01-27T12:56:00.002-06:00

Good morning! It’s been a while…

There’ve been some wonderful and insightful things going on and I want to fill you in!

Since coming on board with Scarlet Threads last April, I have been learning the ins and outs of shopkeeping. Previously, I have spent a career as a Mom and Wife, and as a Physical Therapist Assistant in the realm of Home Health Care/Geriatrics. So, shopkeeping is a whole new ball game for me.

My husband, Gene, and I have become pretty proficient in sorting and organizing our merchandise, filling orders, communicating with our customers, and ordering new stuff. Well, maybe not proficient, but we’re getting better at these things as each month passes. We’re also making connections with people who travel to China and Ethiopia so that we can get the handmade products from our beloved artisans back to the U.S. and into our customer’s hands and homes.

That’s one of the most challenging aspects of our endeavor. We have learned to reach out to people who we don’t know to ask them to kindly fill a suitcase with aprons and potholders. We’ve sometimes even had to annoy the socks off of some friends to help us find people in China who may be interested in helping. It’s been a gratifying nine months, filled with growth!

Our friend Laura & her girls – Laura’s been a great help to us!

Our friends, the Browns, visited China and brought home a suitcase full of aprons! Their girls are enjoying their aprons!

We started out with a long and ambitious list of things that we wanted to learn and do to grow and expand Scarlet Threads. Actually, the list was a bit overly ambitious! So we’ve had to back up a bit and learn to be more realistic, taking things one-step-at-a-time.

Recently, our daughter moved home after spending five months in Ethiopia assisting her fiancé with the paperwork he needed while learning his culture and getting to know his family. They arrived back here, together, in October and were married in December.

The wedding planning, as well as some other things that came up in our family, pulled me away from the business for several months, and I am now getting revved back up again!

So I want to share with you some things that I see in the future for Scarlet Threads. This is my heart; our heart. Going back to how we got connected with ST in the first place, and how God has expanded those beginnings since.

Deepening our relationships with orphan care organizations like Hand of Hope and New Day Foster Home and increasing our ability to support them financially through our sales
Exploring how we can partner with orphan prevention and family preservations organizations like HEAL Ministries
Expanding our reach to include more artisans and countries and therefore a greater variety of product while keeping the high quality standard
Growing our ability to support adoptive families in their fundraising efforts
Resurrecting our Scarlet Threads Blog

There’s more stirring in our hearts, but I’m learning not to get too far ahead of myself and stay with the “one-step-at-a-time” motto!

Keep an eye on this blog…we have wonderful posts coming your way.

Lastly, please keep an eye out for us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Also…we have a new store on ETSY! Please check us out, like us, love us, re-tweet, re-pin, and share!

See you soon—very soon!

--Karen

How Adoption Fundraising Kits Can Help Fuel Your Family's Journey

2015-08-06T15:35:00.001-05:00

We had the sweetest message from a customer who is currently working her way through the adoption process, and we just had to share this story!

As many of you know, our goals at Scarlet Threads aren’t just orphan prevention and economic empowerment; we also provide adoption fundraising kits to families who are looking to adopt.

Basically, here’s how it works: when you purchase a kit, you receive an assortment of beautiful aprons (all in varying styles!) with a total MSRP value of around $200. You pay 50% of the MSRP ($100) plus a $20 handling fee and a Paypal fee, then you can sell the aprons for full retail price (or higher!). You can help support an international artisan, and keep the profit to fund your adoption costs.

If at the end of six weeks you find you have aprons you can’t sell, you can return the unused/unwashed products for a refund. Pretty cool, huh?

We’ve sold dozens of kits successfully, but last month, Valerie’s story really stood out. She recently purchased her FIFTH adoption kit from us—wow! Valerie and her husband are currently working to become the forever family of an eleven-year-old boy from China. While purchasing her most recent adoption kit, Valerie wrote,

Valerie and her family

“Our family couldn’t be more pleased…I found Scarlet Threads through searching online for adoption fundraisers. I knew I wanted to work with them after I read about the beginnings of the ministry—originating in China. We are pursuing the adoption of an 11-year-old son from China. So it worked!

“I did call it a ‘ministry’ because I know this is how Gene & Karen view it. They have never said those words to me, but I can tell by the way they conduct themselves & correspond with me. I emailed with Gene initially, but I have emailed with Karen many times since. I feel like she cares about us & our adoption. I feel like we’d be fast friends if we lived nearby.

“The quality of the aprons we have received from Scarlet Threads is really remarkable. The material is nice & sturdy, & very pretty. The patterns are clever. There is a variety to choose from, too! We have now placed [several] orders for adoption fundraiser kits.

“We are grateful for this ministry, in helping us bring our son home. And we are thrilled to be able to help women bring dignity to their lives through their amazing talents & work.”

You can read more about their story here, including the latest breaking news (their paperwork has been logged, and is awaiting approval! Yay!) and how they hosted their most recent fundraiser with Scarlet Threads aprons!

Shout out to Valerie—thank you for supporting Scarlet Threads, and congratulations on the amazing strides you’ve made so far in your adoption journey!

Good Things Are Coming--But First, Let's Introduce Ourselves

2015-06-04T10:35:00.000-05:00

It’s a pleasure to meet you! Karen here, and I just want you to know that we are absolutely thrilled to be working with Scarlet Threads in this exciting new chapter of growth. We first met Carrie in March of 2014 at New Day Foster Home in Beijing, while visiting our son, Guy, a long-term New Day volunteer. We reconnected with her in the fall while purchasing beautiful wire ornaments through Scarlet Threads; we learned all about the incredible work Carrie, Eileen, and the rest of the team were doing, and we were so impressed by their energy, ingenuity, and creativity.

Gene and I on the Great Wall.

We’ve always been passionate about social justice and ministry, and in the past year we’ve felt God turning our hearts specifically towards orphan prevention and economic empowerment for families who are struggling to stay together and stay afloat.

Last July, we had the opportunity to participate in an outreach in the communities of Yavello and Mega, Ethiopia, working with the local children throughHand of Hope Ministries, which intensified our desire to do everything we can to help bring economic sustainability and justice to orphans, single parents, and impoverished families. When we returned to New Day to visit Guy, our daughter-in-law EunJeong and our four grandblessings this past March, we learned about this exciting new opportunity with Scarlet Threads, and after much prayerful consideration, we were eager to step in and help this wonderful organization continue to grow.

We are so thankful for Carrie and all of the incredible work and time she has poured into Scarlet Threads during the six years since it’s inception. She and Eileen have been so amazing (and patient!) in helping us transition into this leadership role. They have touched so many lives and helped many families while creating this business, and we are amazed and grateful to be able to take part.

Our family, now joining the Scarlet Threads family.

In the next year, our goal is to continue the vision and further the mission of Scarlet Threads by promoting families through the sale of handcrafted goods, promoting adoption awareness, and fundraising for adoption and orphan care. In addition, we are planning to expand globally, aiming to partner with women and families around the world to empower them become self-sustaining.

You’ll be seeing some exciting developments and introduced to amazing new artisans (and new products!) very soon! Plus, we’ll be launching a fantastic start-of-summer sale June 21 - don’t miss it!

Thank you for continuing with us as we enter this exciting new time at Scarlet Threads. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!

Seasons Change: What's New for Scarlet Threads

2015-05-29T07:14:00.000-05:00

Some of our very first products.

The aprons were super cute, but I think our photography has gotten a lot better!!

We started Scarlet Threads on a little whim… mostly because I went to a fabric market and saw bolts and bolts of fabric; a kaleidoscope of color and possibility. And around that time, I met Deng – a gifted seamstress who salvaged a pair of brand new shorts that I’d bought and promptly cut a hole in while attempting to cut out a tag. I recognized talent when I saw it, and I immediately wanted to create new things with her.

So we made a few aprons and pre-sold them to friends and family in the USA and never really looked back. I never expected Scarlet Threads to grow and be something beyond that. Yet here we are 6 years later with a little company that continues to fill a niche and grow and connect Chinese artisans with a global market.

But a lot has changed in those 6 years. We moved back from China. I became a stay-at-home mama. Then we adopted and Motherhood 2.0 rocked my world. My business partner and sister-in-law, Eileen, has experienced lots of major life changes of her own, and it has become increasingly clear over the last couple of years that the two of us aren’t really able to give Scarlet Threads the energy and time it needs to truly thrive.

About six months ago we began seriously looking for someone who might want to take over this little operation, and thankfully we found them! Karen and Gene Pierce. You’ll hear more from them soon, but as we’ve worked together on the transition these last few weeks, I’ve grown to love their hearts and vision for what Scarlet Threads can be. We share so many of the core motives and beliefs about why the work of Scarlet Threads is important, and I think they are the perfect family to help Scarlet Threads grow and be all it can be.

I’ve heard it said that good leaders know when it is time to step down. I’m not sure that I can claim to be a good leader, but I do know that if Scarlet Threads is going to flourish, it needs someone at the helm who has the energy, time, and dreams to make it grow. I think Karen and Gene can do just that, and I’m eager to see where they take this little business.

But I won’t be totally gone!! I’m still going to be around, helping in the background and offering my advice and thoughts as needed to help ensure a seamless transition for our artisan partners and customers. Thank you for taking Scarlet Threads from my "little whim" to the organization it is today… and please continue to support it now that Karen and Gene are at the helm. Nothing about the heart of the organization will be changing and I’m quite certain only good things are in the future for all of us!

$10 or Less! Make 'em disappear!

2014-12-26T21:46:00.000-06:00

It's not quite time to put away those Christmas decorations (thank goodness). I love Christmas-time, don't you? Everyone seems a little nicer. Everyone seems to care a little bit more about the big things. Everyone seems to think a little less of themselves. That's what I like about the season.

We were absolutely blessed to be a part of so many families' traditions this year. We loved seeing the pictures on facebook of your ornaments on your trees and your friends and family opening and wearing adorable aprons! Thank you for sharing your moments with us.

As you know, we are a very honest company. So, we are going to let you in on a little secret. We still have several sets of ornaments that we do NOT want to pack away and store for the Christmas rush next year. We want YOU to pack them away with your Christmas decorations for next year. And, we are willing to part with them at just a hair over cost plus our charity donations!

Noelle Ornaments - $8.50

Merry & Bright Ornaments - $8.50

Classic Ornament Set - $12.75 <-- Sorry! Can't go lower!

We also have a couple of stragglers. You know, single digit inventory items! When we get below 10 of any product, we just can't wait to see that number get to zero sot that we can create something new. That said, these are selling for lower than our costs to make them. But, don't worry! We have already paid Deng Jia in full so this does not impact her income or any other artisans in the least. It is just a little reward to our faithful customers for returning after Christmas!

Annie Jane (7 left) - $7.00

Poppy - $1.50

Ling Ling (3 left) - $9.99

Su Lin (3 left) - $9.99

Dragon Apron (3 left) - $9.99

Again, thank you for such a successful Scarlet Threads year! We loved filling the almost countless orders that we received over the past several months. We are on track to close out a successful 2014!

Thrifty Thursday: The Noelle Collection

2014-12-04T16:33:00.001-06:00

This is the week of sales upon sales!! So perfect for you…hope you are getting all your Christmas shopping done early!! We are back with a great Thrifty Thursday for you today!

Our Noelle Collection is on sale for just $9.00! These ornaments are handmade in Beijing, and help support Lao Yan and his beautiful family! They are selling fast...make sure you get your order in before the sale ends tonight! If you've purchased a set of Scarlet Threads ornaments already...share a picture of them gracing your tree in the comments! We'd love to see it! Merry Christmas and happy decorating!!

Cyber Monday! Target: Sell Out!

2014-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

We've had a great week of sales. We really have! But, I think this coming week is going to be even better. Cyber Monday has always been boon for our little business and a great boon for our customers, too. At the end of the year, like other businesses do, we look at our inventory and we look at our prices and we think about the reason we are in business.

We are in business for a specific reason: to empower artisans through employment. That employment comes by introducing their products to new markets. We have steadily sought to extend the Scarlet Threads community, to connect you to Lao Yen, Deng Jia, and our Chin Women Next Door. We have brought in new cooking blog partners who believe in our products and our mission behind them. We have partnered with new stores, most notably The Cupboard in Fort Collins, CO.

So, the only way that we get to make new products with Lao Yen and Deng Jia and Dawt and Du is to sell EVERYTHING in our shop. That is the mission. How do we accomplish it? We make prices irresistible. It's as simple as that.

Cyber Monday is YOUR day. It's like customer appreciation day! How can you help?

If you are in the market for one of our Aprons, Bags, Dresses, or Ornaments - place an order! The prices can't (and won't) get any better than this.
Share our posts on Social Media - Tweet, Share on FB, Instagram, Pinterest - it all helps!

Now, down to business... the IRRESISTIBLE prices!

Ornament Bundle - $28 (Seriously.)

Poppy & Summer Joy - $2.50

Poppy - 12 months, 2T, 3T

Summer Joy - Only 3T and 4T Left!

Xiao Apron Collection!

Xiao Betsy - 1 Left In Stock - $12.50

Xiao Su Lin - 5 Left In Stock - $13

There are tons more deals, including some sale prices for our BRAND NEW APRONS! So, click here to make your purchase!

Small Business Saturday!

2014-11-29T11:29:00.005-06:00

Do you get tired of seeing big name stores no matter where you go? It seems that everywhere we look there's another Walmart, another Target, or even another Gap. One of my favorite things to do, in every new city I visit, is to scope out the local scene. Find the little quaint shops and businesses that give it the charm. Go explore the cute downtown streets with the eclectic little boutiques on every corner!

If you got worn out this weekend, shopping all the big name brands, take some time this weekend to celebrate the small businesses around you! Scarlet Threads is so thankful for all of you who continually support our small and growing business! Take a minute to check out our website today…we have great deals for you!, While shopping, scroll through the #smallbusinesssaturday hashtag on Instagram and Facebook! You have no idea what treasures you might just stumble upon! Happy shopping!

Black Friday Sale!!

2014-11-28T10:39:00.001-06:00

Happy happy happy Thanksgiving! Oh, how much we have to be thankful for! We are so blessed, and all of us here at Scarlet Threads are so thankful for YOU…how you have partnered with us, supported us, and encouraged us in the future of Scarlet Threads! We have SO many fun things for you on SUPER SALE this weekend…especially today! Apron bundles…wired Christmas ornaments…and "Fierce Tees" galore!

Go peek around the website today…our products are on incredible sale, up to 60% off!! We are so ready to start decorating for Christmas with the wired art ornament s we have in stock! Aren't they beautiful? They are handmade in China, by the incredible Lao Yan, and are ready to grace your Christmas tree with their beautiful message of hope. We are so thankful for your continued support of Scarlet Threads, and are looking forward celebrating this Christmas season with you all!

Apron Naming Giveaway: Round Three!!

2014-11-18T09:00:00.000-06:00

Remember just a few weeks ago when you all had the chance to name a couple of the beautiful new aprons in the Scarlet Threads' Fall Line? Well, those aprons now have the perfect names to go along with their beautiful colors and styles…the "Evelyn" and the "Jennie Mae"!

In case you missed your chance to enter, or didn't submit the winning name, how about another round? Our friend and affiliate Andrea, over at Mitchael Journey, is hosting a naming giveaway for another one of our new aprons! This one is the perfect size for the little girl in your life, and is full of bright colors and ruffles to match. Will you help us find the perfect name for this cute little apron? Can't wait to see what you come up with…

Head on over to Andrea's post and comment with your favorite name, and you could win this apron for yourself! I mean...for your sweet little one, of course! What do you think?? Is she a classic name? A spunky name? Give it a go! Let's see what she'll be!

A Brave Heart

2014-11-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

“Why heart defects? Why orphans?”

Friends and family asked me these questions over and over again as I advocated for children with broken hearts, and tried to raise funds for their surgeries. Even more incredulously, they asked, when I moved from Iraq to China and everywhere in between to help provide heart surgeries for critically ill children. Over and over again I answered:

Because. Of. Brooke.

I met Cai Wei, or “Brooke” (her given English name), while interning for a special-needs orphanage in China. She was 18 months old, and, on my first day of work, I was assigned to work one-on-one with her.

Immediately, I fell head-over-heels in love.

She, however, was not so quick to love—distrustful and guarded due to emotional trauma in her past. Born with only half a heart—along with four other complicated defects—Brooke arrived at this orphanage, an incredible place called New Day Foster Home, when she was only 10 months old. She was very blue and very sick, desperately needing a surgery to survive. Soon after, she received her first open heart surgery, and this truly saved her life.

People that I will never meet this side of heaven donated funds to give my Brooke a chance to live. They gave her a priceless gift that can never be repaid. She was given a future full of beautiful hope.

As the summer wore on, she gradually began to trust me, and we eventually became the best of friends. However, I still worried every day about her physical heart, knowing how much she needed another surgery. I left China and “my” Brooke Cai Wei at the end of the summer with my own heart broken, and returned home resolved to find her a family.

Only God could orchestrate the events that followed in the months after returning home, but 8 months after saying goodbye to Brooke in China, my family was on a plane headed back to bring her home- forever to be ours. Brooke and I were waiting for them to arrive in China...and the moment I placed my baby sister is my mother's arms for the first time is a moment that will never, ever be forgotten.

Life was a whirlwind with our new little one, but 7 weeks later, we placed Brooke Cai Wei into the arms of her capable surgeon, as she went in for yet another lifesaving open-heart surgery. While Brooke’s heart can never be “fixed”, this surgery gave her incredible hope. It gave her a chance for a future.

Because of Brooke, I see hope for children all around the world with heart defects, waiting for their chance at life.

I remember too vividly the despair that is felt, knowing the child I loved needed a miracle to survive. While in Iraq, I hurt with each family, as they bravely handed their precious children over for surgery, not knowing the outcome. When I hear that a child's repair has been successful, I can almost feel the beat of Brooke’s newly repaired heart under my hand. I know in my soul the relief that is felt when these families see that their children have been given a hope for life.

YOU can join me. You can bring hope to another little one, desperately needing a chance

This precious one is another sweet boy, needing heart surgery, just as my Brooke waited for hers. This little one's name is Eli, and he lives at New Day Foster Home, outside of Beijing, the same organization that cared for my Brooke and quite literally saved her life. Eli has incredibly complex heart defects, and needs his second open heart surgery that will cost $15,000. Expensive? Yes, incredibly. But his life? Friends, his life is priceless.

For me, heart defects are no longer just a statistic, just another medical condition. Brooke Cai Wei has given them a face, and her heart-story has rewritten my own.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to Eli's surgery by following this link. He is worth it, friends. Please help us make his broken heart whole.

Every child, like Brooke, deserves the gift of hope.

Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Because of Brooke, I am here. Because of Brooke, I will fight for every child with a CHD to have access to hope. Join me in praying for Eli and help us heal his heart!

Apron Giveaway - Name Announcement

2014-11-10T08:30:00.000-06:00

The names are in for two of our new aprons. And, contests for the three remaining are soon to begin! Scarlet Threads has become a community socent (social enterprise) and we really enjoy sharing our successes with you. Thanks for taking part in our naming contests, for sharing our button, for buying our products, for commenting on facebook, and everything else. This isn't just a two-person project, this is our mission together.

First off, we are thrilled to announce the name of our gorgeous adult Ruffled Apron - selected by our partner Mommy's Kitchen. Girls grow up, but they don't have to grow out of ruffles.

Meet Jennie Mae!

Based on our popular Priscilla pattern, this ruffled apron for adults is sure to bring some sunshine into your kitchen. The bodice is made from a delicately embroidered floral fabric in a swirl of colors on a bright pink fabric, while the accent fabrics in a small ocean-blue check fabric and a bold floral print that repeats some of the same patterns and colors as the embroidered fabric make the apron pop. One of our most beautiful creations yet, this cheerful and elegant apron has fully adjustable waist and neck ties. Handmade by Deng Jie. - $36

Next up are the results of our own naming contest. Thank you to everyone who participated! We received so many beautiful names, and it was quite a task to narrow it down to please our 3-person selection committee. But in the end, we settled on a classic and elegant name...

Meet Evelyn!

A modern fabric perfect for autumn in shades of brown, tan, gold, and orange... all the beauty of Fall in an apron. With orange accents and fabric-covered buttons at the neck and pocket, this apron is ready for you to make the season's first pumpkin pie. Handmade by Deng Jie. - $25

Again, a thank you to everyone who supports us! If you are currently sharing our blog button, consider becoming an affiliate and directing traffic to our apron shop instead. We would love to share our success with you with a 5% commission. :)

Thrifty Thursday: The Vivian Apron!

2014-11-06T20:13:00.000-06:00

Starting your Christmas shopping early? We have another beautiful apron on sale for you this week! The Vivian apron is 50% off, down to just $16.00! It has beautiful grey and blue floral fabrics, paired with a gold ikat patterned fabric. It definitely makes a statement, and has two pockets…absolutely perfect for your busy baking days!

Isn't it just lovely? Get your order in today before they're gone! The sale will run until Wednesday at midnight! And don't forget to stop by and check out the orphan care fundraiser we are holding this month! Would you help us raise the funds to heal Eli's heart? We already have a great start! If you would like to donate, all funds will be going directly towards his surgery and are 100% tax-deductible. Read here for more of his story…and share with your friends! Let's bring hope this holiday season!

Eli's Brave Heart

2014-11-03T17:31:00.002-06:00

It's officially November, and we are so excited to kick off our National Adoption Month focus with the story of this precious little boy! As I mentioned in our "Five for Friday" post last week, Scarlet Threads has a huge heart for the orphan, and has made it a priority to include orphan care and adoption ministry as a very real part of our daily mission and vision.

This month, we want put our vision into tangible action, and help raise the funds for a precious little boy to have the heart surgery he so desperately needs.

Meet sweet Eli. He's just seven months old, and was born with a severe congenital heart defect. He is cared for at New Day Foster Home, and is just the sweetest, most tiny thing. His perfect, though broken, little heart has sustained him for the first seven months of his life, but New Day is preparing him for the surgery he will receive that will give him a chance at HOPE! It's his very first intervention, and he is very complex, so it will not be an easy case, but we are praying for surgeon's wisdom and for Eli's little body to be strong and fight over hard through the weeks and months to come!

Photo from New Day Foster Home

Will you help be a part of Eli's miracle? The heart surgery he needs is close to $15,000, and he is so absolutely worth it. Your donation is tax-deductible, and will be designated directly to Eli's surgery fund….won't you join us?

Photo from New Day Foster Home

Go HERE to donate to Eli's surgery…your donation goes to Legacy Charities, New Day's parent 501c3, and will be completely tax-deductible. If you aren't in a position to give, maybe consider telling your friends…sharing with your family. His life is full of so much hope. What a beautiful thing!

We have an amazing retail partner - Seven Hopes United - who has offered a gift certificate for use in their shop to each donor. Hint - they sell Scarlet Threads Aprons! Email info@ScarletThreads.org for the code!

Five for Friday Series: The Scarlet Threads Story

2014-10-31T13:30:00.002-05:00

As we were working and preparing for the upcoming busy season here at Scarlet Threads, we began to discuss the purpose of the work…reasons why Scarlet Threads exists as well as the reasons it should continue to. We narrowed our conversation down to five purposes…five succinct statements that embody who we are and why we do what we do. We wanted to share the heart behind Scarlet Threads with you all, so we have put together a "Five for Friday" series, which will continue each Friday over the next several weeks. Our first installment was from Carrie, taking you back to the beginning of Scarlet Threads, and our first purpose of empowering artisans through employment! Meredith is sharing today about the our heart for orphan care and the ways Scarlet Threads works towards that, especially this month. Check back next Friday for our third "Five for Friday" post!

Purpose #2: Orphan Care

It seems so natural to me, so fitting, that orphan care is included in Scarlet Threads' mission. Knowing the history of Scarlet Threads, the hearts of women behind it, and the close connection with a special needs foster home very near and dear to all of us, the choice to include orphan care in Scarlet Threads' vision just made sense. We will talk more about our commitment to adoption, through our apron fundraising kits, in the weeks to come, but as November is National Adoption Month, we wanted to highlight this special part of our mission.

Our founder, Carrie McKean, and her husband Jacob lived and worked at New Day Foster Home, a special needs foster home outside of Beijing, for four years. Scarlet Threads was started in that same village during the time they were there. I was an intern at New Day several years back, and after completing my internship, my family ended up adopting a sweet little girl with a severe congenital heart defect, who was cared for and loved by New Day. As is more than apparent, we have very close ties with New Day, and are committed to working with them as much as we are able to help them in their mission to bring hope to the hopeless and the fatherless home. Many of their children have severe medical needs, and New Day is committed to providing surgeries, medications, and therapies needed. We have partnered with them for the last several years to help raise funds for surgeries or medications. Last year, you all helped us raise $7,580.00 to cover the cost of anti-rejection medications for 2 children for several months. The year before that, our little community was able to raise $5,000.00. We have plans to do the same and MORE this year!

http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/

The story comes full circle. Last year, two children needing anti-rejection medications were very very sick. This year, they are doing incredibly well, both are matched with forever families of their own, and will be joining them soon. We want to be a part of continuing this circle of hope. Joining the orphan care movement does truly make a difference. Lives are impacted and hope rises.

This month, we will be featuring guest bloggers discussing all sorts of topics within the orphan care/adoption realm…from special needs adoptions, to mission trips, to orphan prevention programs. We would love if you would follow along with us this month and discuss with us some of the prevalent issues surrounding orphan care! If you have a topic or idea you would like to bring up or see discussed, please email meredith@scarletthreads.org and we will fit it in!

We will also be hosting a fundraiser for New Day Foster Home this month! This year, we want to raise the funds needed so a sweet little boy named Eli can get the heart surgery he needs! He is oh so precious and oh so blue…and we would just LOVE to see those little lips and toes turn bright pink! We will be launching that on Monday, so stay tuned for details!

Photo from New Day Foster Home

Orphan care is so important, and it is truly at the forefront of Scarlet Threads' mission and business. We want to be wise in the way we approach and discuss it, and want you all to join us in the mission. Will you? Let's fight to make a difference together.