silverchicks

Hand Stamped Mommy Love Necklace ~ Personalized

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:08:00 +0000

Hand stamped and hammered sterling silver, copper and gold-filled disks that hang on a 16 inch sterling silver beaded chain and are accented with a dainty sterling silver puff heart.

We personalize this pendant with the name(s)of your choice. For inquiries regarding personalization contact valissa@silverchicks.com. Please allow 7-10 days for your personalized item to be delivered.

All SilverChicks jewelry arrives in gift packaging.

Girl's Clear Swarovski Crystal Round Pendant Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:47:00 +0000

This Swarovski Pendant is finished with a quality sterling bail and hangs on a 14 inch .925 sterling silver chain. The pendant is a 1/2 inch in diameter.

Perfect for every day wear for a little princess. We add our favorite charms to dangle with this pendant to create a fun and fashionable look.

This necklace would be fabulous with an holiday themed charm!

Pendant is has an Aurora Borealis Swarovski crystal finish.

All SilverChicks jewelry arrives in gift packaging.

One of our absolute Favorite things to make!

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:42:00 +0000

The bracelet features antique beads from the African trade that originated in Venice, Bali .925 and shiny sterling silver components. Accented with stunning Swarovski crystals and finished with a .925 sterling silver toggle clasp, this bracelet is a piece of art and your chance to wear a piece of history. It is truly one of a kind.

This bracelet consists of eleven gorgeous antique Venetian trade beads, all found and hand-picked during our last trip to East Africa.

The SilverChicks are on Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Look for our group and join, to get updates on products and sales!

Proud Sponsors of the Jr. Majestics Soccer Team

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:30:00 +0000

You can learn all about the team and their accomplishments by visiting the following LINK.

More classics - bracelets available on SilverChicks

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Bringing back the classics... Bracelets for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Who are the SilverChicks?

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:35:00 +0000

SilverChicks is owned and operated by Mom-preneurs, Valissa McGuffee and Catie Dupont. They quickly turned their creative juices into a profitable business while maintaining their dream to support the community, both locally and internationally.

What started as a little eBay business bloomed each month into something a little more exciting and interesting. Valissa and Catie never thought they would sell their jewelry when they created SilverChicks is 2002, it was a way to sell, and justify purchasing, the quality Sterling Silver findings and crystals they were buying to make jewelry with for fun – now look what happened.

It started small with some boutiques in Texas carrying SilverChicks and then a temporary move for Catie to Africa, which opened the door to antique trade beads and Kazuri ceramic beads from Kenya. Catie spent the year sending Valissa cryptic messages and small samplings of what she was finding while Valissa kept the creative juices flowing working on the SilverChicks ridiculously fun baby line of jewelry.

In 2004 when Catie returned to the U.S. with her African finds she and Valissa made an agreement to “Go for it!” and they haven’t looked back since! SilverChicks launched new lines using the fabulous vintage, antique and free trade finds from Africa and succeeded in placing their products on Amazon. At the same time Valissa and Catie invited a select group of Artisans to sell their wares on SilverChicks, with the hope of creating a supportive and inspiring community.

Catie returned from Africa with the idea of doing whatever she could to help the people of Ethiopia, and with little convincing Valissa jumped on board and since then they have used SilverChicks as a base of support for a number of non-profits working to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate in East Africa, to include EthiopiaReads.org, Hope for Children and Trees for Ethiopia.

Residing in two different geographic areas of the U.S. and juggling the lifestyles of busy moms has added tremendously to the depth of what SilverChicks has to offer.

Additionally, they continue to travel back and forth to East Africa bringing home interesting jewelry components and pieces of history with them with which to create.

Both Valissa and Catie are inspired and encouraged by the people they meet in their daily activities and learn so much from their life experiences that they then bring to their creative designs.

Valissa and Catie feel blessed to be able to work in a way that gives them pleasure and satisfaction and hope that you enjoy SilverChicks as much as they do!

Website: http://www.silverchicks.com

Cocktails for Reading at Touchstone Gallery - an Ethiopia Reads event

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:27:00 +0000

Bernos.org, in collaboration with Ethiopia Reads and Tsehai Publishers, is proud to host 'Cocktails for Reading' – an event that is in between a cocktail party and networking event among authors, publishers, readers and organizations involved with reading in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian diaspora community.

Our keynote speakers will be Yohannes Gebregeorgis, co-founder of Ethiopia Reads and recent CNN Hero, and Elias Wondimu, founder of Tsehai Publishers and Ambassador for Peace.

The Event will be held on:

October 11, 2008 beginning at 5:30 PM

Touchstone Gallery

406 7th Street NW – 2nd Floor

Washington, DC 20004

For more information, please contact Tsilat Petros with Ethiopia Reads at tsilat@ethiopiareads.org.

Kaua‘i doctor lights love of reading in children

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:15:00 +0000

Kaua‘i doctor lights love of reading in children

by The Garden Island
Local child psychologist Dr. Laura Anderson is working on a children’s book to raise funds for Ethiopia Reads, a grassroots, non-profit organization that is working to cultivate a love of reading in children.

The Kilauea resident works in the public schools as a licensed clinical psychologist and when not working, travels the world. Anderson hitched her love of travel to a literary dream for girls in Ethiopia when she joined forces with a childhood friend to publish “Smile at a Girl, Ethiopia,” a children’s book that celebrates girlhood through verse and images.

“Smile at a Girl, Ethiopia” offers a poetic reminder of how important it is to encourage girls to live, move, dream and accept themselves with boldness and joy, Anderson’s press release states.

All proceeds from sales of the book will go to support programs run by Ethiopia Reads and will put books into the hands of young boys and girls who’ve never before had access to libraries or written stories.

The book was born of a commitment to honoring girls in Ethiopia and offering them opportunities to read about their own experiences.

This slim volume showcases girls engaging in a variety of enriching activities — from laughing with friends to playing drums; from dancing and traveling to dreaming and reading.

The text reminds readers of the power of a positive word or gesture: “Whisper encouragement to a girl / ‘Just do the best you can do’ / Burst with pride and hug her / When she dares to try something new.”

The text was inspired by Anderson’s travels across 38 countries where she observed the challenges and opportunities that await girls in every corner of the globe.

“I have been lucky to see young girls at play and at work in cultures all over the world,” the press release states.

After traversing Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Africa, Anderson developed a special appreciation for Ethiopia when visiting her childhood friend Catie Dupont who lived there with her family. An active volunteer in Washington, D.C., Dupont currently leads efforts to support the publication of “Smile at a Girl, Ethiopia.” So far the project has received financial support from the Hanalei Hawaiian Civic Canoe Club, the Kapa‘a Rotary Club and individual donors. Dupont aspires to raise $10,000 for the project.

Anderson’s text is accompanied by photographs taken by Matthew Andrea, a District of Columbia-based volunteer who spent time in Ethiopia in 2007. The book will be sold in the United States as a fundraiser for Ethiopia Reads and also distributed throughout the organization’s growing network of free libraries for children in Ethiopia.

In keeping with Ethiopia Reads’ commitment to providing culturally relevant materials for children, “Smile at a Girl, Ethiopia” will feature text in the Ethiopian language of Amharic.

Ethiopia Reads is based in Denver, Colo., and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is a grassroots, volunteer-led nonprofit organization that works to create a reading culture in Ethiopia. Ethiopia Reads publishes books in English as well as local languages and trains teachers and library workers to cultivate a love of reading in children. Co-founder Yohannes Gebregeorgis was recently named a “hero” by CNN News. Visit ethiopiareads.org for more information.

“Smile at a Girl” will go to print when funds have been raised for a 5,000-book printing.

Hope for Children Event - Washington, DC

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Please Join Us For
"A Night in Ethiopia"
To Support Hope for Children's
Youth Learning Center

Friday, September 26, 7 PM
The Ethiopian Embassy, 3506 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC

Hosted by Carol Rhees, Bonnie Harkness, Freda and Gary Temple,
Ruthann Bates, Catie Dupont

Please bring your friends and family!

RSVP carhees@aol.com / 301.229.9591
For more information, go to www.hopeforchildrenus.org

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We hope that you can join us on September 26 for a fun-filled and informative evening. If you are unable to attend but wish to make a tax-deductible contribution, checks should be made payable to Hope for Children US and should be mailed to 5801 Searl Terrace, Bethesda, MD 20816. You can also donate on-line at our website, www.hopeforchildrenus.org.

Parking: Parking in the evening is available in any of the reserved Embassy spots along International Drive. There is also a parking garage on Van Ness where you turn onto International Drive.

We hope to see you on the 26th!

Basket of Books Program by Ethiopia Reads

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Basket of Books Program

As a grass-roots organization we have been overwhelmed with the numbers of people who have reached out to us asking “How can I help?”

The Basket of Books program is an initiative launched by Ethiopia Reads that allows those of us who aren’t able to plant an entire library or publish a book share the joy of reading and make a lasting impact.

You can touch the lives of children who rarely or never get to hold books.

What is the Basket of Books Program?
A simple two-step program! 1) You donate $200 to sponsor a Basket of Books. Each book will have a nameplate placed on the inside cover recognizing the basket’s sponsor: your organization, family, or perhaps a reader or supporter of the world’s children that you want to honor with a gift. 2) Ethiopia Reads will place the basket with a worthy organization that serves children in Ethiopia. (If you like, we will work with you on placing a basket with an organization you might already have a relationship with.)

Each basket of books will contain an assortment of books like those shown in the pictures above – to include Early Readers, picture books, middle grade novels and local language books.

Selam Negussie publishes "Fire on the Mountain" in Ethiopia

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:44:00 +0000

Selam Negussie found the book "Fire on the Mountain" in the library where she works and read it. She liked it, specially because it was an Ethiopian folk tale, though it was retold in English by an American writer, Jane Kurtz. She believed that if this story were written in Amharic, Ethiopian children would enjoy it. That was why she translated it.

"Fire on the Mountain", as Selam herself admitted, is an old folk tale. But writing and presenting it for reading has a fresh appeal to what used to be told only orally, she says. Moreover, documenting an oral story preserves its content though not in its originality.

Folk tales are passed down generations orally as fathers and mothers tell their children and grandchildren. In the process, the stories are added to or reduced from and modified in different ways. In some cases, characters and settings undergo minor changes to give them local flavor as the same story is retold in another country.

Selam has read "Fire on the Mountain" written by two other foreigners besides Jane Krutz. The stories were basically the same, but featured different styles. [The late Wolf Leslaw had written "Fire on the Mountain and Other Ethiopian Folk stories" in the 1940s.]

"If children in other countries can read our stories why not our own children in whose country the stories originated?" asked Selam. This presentation in Amharic does not only entertain children, but also helps them develop taste for reading.

"Fire on the Mountain" tells the story of Alemayehu, an opphan boy who is hired by a wealthy, arrogant country man. When the man declares that he has once spent a night on the freezing top of the mountain all by himself and says no one else can perform such feat, Alemayehu, dares to take the challenge. The man bets a sum of money and cows that Alemayehu will not make it. But Alemayehu returns from the mount alive early the following morning. How did he not freeze to death? the rich man asks. Alemayehu says he has seen fire flickering on top of a distant mountain. "So I imagined myself sitting by the fire and enjoying its warmth", he answered. "That was how I survived".

Looking at fire is as good as lighting one, the man argues, and refuses to give Alemayehu the reward he has promised. The rest of the book tells how Alemayehu's wise sister traps the rich man by the same cunning tactic in which the man will be forced to admit his fault and give the boy his just reward.

Selam had not planned to have the translation of "Fire on the Mountain" printed. There was recently a "Book Week" at the Children's Library during which all children were encouraged to read and listen to stories. Since most of the books in the library were in English, Selam had to sit in the midst of the children and translate the stories for them to Amharic orally. She had read for the children "The Emperor's New Clothes", "The Hen and the Woman", and "The Ugly Duckling" and two other stories by Christian Anderson when she stumbled upon "Fire on the Mountain" by Jane Krutz.

The children enjoyed hearing the Anderson stories but even more "Fire on the Mountain" because it was about Ethiopian boys and girls with whom they could identify.

The illustrated book was printed bilingual by the permission of the English edition's publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and donations from the people of Tippery, Ireland, coordinated by Piers Elrington who also did the designing.

Over 40 percent of the 5,000 copies of the book will be distributed to children in rural areas around Addis Ababa for free. It has been a week since the book was published and Selam says the free distribution has already started in Dukem and Sululta.

Girls on the Run - NOVA

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:38:00 +0000

Our Mission:
To educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of
self-respect and healthy living.

What is Girls on the Run?
Girls on the Run® is a life-changing learning program for girls in grades 3 - 8.
The program combines training for a 3.1 mile running event with healthy living education. Our programs instill self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships and physical training - all of which are accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff and the community.

Please follow this LINK to find out information about the 2008 programs.

Girls Gotta Run - Ethiopian Non Profit - Event in Bethesda, Maryland

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:34:00 +0000

February 26 - April 5, 2008
Invitational Gallery
The Mansion at Strathmore
10701 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852
Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7 - 9 p.m.

Profits from the sale of this artwork go to buy running shoes for girls in Ethiopia. By training as athletes, these girls can delay traditional arranged marriages which can occur as early as 12 years of age.

To purchase any of the works on display
Contact Pat Ortman
(202) 244-6354 or pat@girlsgottarun.org

For more information and to see some
of the art that will be on exhibit, visit
www.girlsgottarun.org

New Gorgeous Blue Kazuri Bead Earrings!

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:31:00 +0000

Gorgeous Blue swirl design Kazuri bead earrings featuring a topaz Swarovski crystal and finished with quality .925 Sterling Silver findings.

The earrings hang approximately 1 1/2 inches.

All SilverChicks designed earrings arrive packaged in a cotton filled gift box.

These earrings are hand made in the U.S.using Kazuri beads we import from Kenya. Kazuri beads are handmade, handpainted ceramic beads that are made by a women's cooperative - located just outside of Nairobi.

To order these earrings, click HERE to be taken to the SilverChicks website.

Author Jane Kurtz to Speak at Busboys and Poets in Arlington on Behalf of Ethiopia Reads

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:28:00 +0000

Meet children’s author Jane Kurtz!
Support Ethiopia Reads!

Come hear Jane tell her story of growing up in Ethiopia, how it influenced her writing and the development of the NGO Ethiopia Reads.

Monday, March 3, 2008 ~~ 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
~~ Busboys and Poets ~~ 4251 South Campbell Ave ~~ Arlington

Come hear Jane tell her story of growing up in Ethiopia, how it influenced her writing and how Ethiopia Reads has developed and she will share the
dreams for Ethiopia Reads’ future.
There will be a slide show presentation.
Light refreshments will be served.
Busboys and Poets have a supply of Jane’s books available for your convenience.

For additional information, please contact Catie Dupont

Catie@EthiopiaReads.org

Author Jane Kurtz to Speak in Maryland on Behalf of Ethiopia Reads

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Meet children’s author Jane Kurtz!
Support Ethiopia Reads!

Come hear Jane tell her story of growing up in Ethiopia, how it influenced her writing and the development of the NGO Ethiopia Reads. Jane’s books -- Only A Pigeon, the Lion’s Tail (Amharic/English version) and Saba will be available for purchase. Dual language Amharic/English books -- The Beekeeper of Lalibela, Fafi’s Sheep and Silly Mammo will also be available.

Sunday, March 2, 2008 ~~ 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Highland Origin Cafe
8200 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, Maryland
For additional information, please contact Catie@EthiopiaReads.org

The kitchen at Highland Origin Café will be open for your convenience.

Author Jane Kurtz to Speak in Washington DC on behalf of Ethiopia Reads

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Meet children’s author Jane Kurtz
and support Ethiopia Reads

Come hear Jane tell her story of growing up in Ethiopia, how it influenced her writing and the development of the NGO Ethiopia Reads. Jane’s books - Only A Pigeon, the Lion’s Tail (Amharic/English version) and Saba will be available for purchase. Dual language Amharic/English books - The Beekeeper of Lalibela, Fafi’s Sheep and Silly Mammo will also be available. The kitchen at Sidamo will be open for your convenience.

Saturday, March 1, 2008 -- 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Sidamo Coffee and Tea
417 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
For further information, please contact Catie Dupont.
Catie@EthiopiaReads.org or call 571-243-1411.

Ongoing Campaign for Ethiopia Reads - Take ONE Book!

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:20:00 +0000

Take One Book Literacy Campaign for Ethiopia

One book can change a life. That is what Ethiopia Reads founder Yohannes Gebregiorgis discovered at 19 years of age when he held his first book. Now you have the opportunity to change a life through Ethiopia Reads’ “TAKE ONE BOOK” campaign.

Ethiopia Reads, founded in 2003, works to improve literacy and create a culture of reading in Ethiopia. We do this by planting libraries and publishing books in local languages as well as offering continuing education programs to help educators in Ethiopia nurture a love of reading.

Since Ethiopia Reads opened Ethiopia’s first free children’s library in 2003, thousands of children have experienced the joy of reading. The library received 60,000 visits to the library in 2006. Ethiopia Reads sees first hand the difference that one library, ONE BOOK, and one story can make in the life of a child.

If you or someone you know is traveling to Ethiopia, Ethiopia Reads challenges you to TAKE ONE BOOK with you, because we believe that education is hope and books can change lives. Books can be dropped off at the Shola Children’s Library in Addis Ababa. Shola is located in Beklo-Bet, behind the Dashen Bank off of Debre Zeit road.

If you are not traveling this year but want to make a difference in Ethiopia, we are collecting books in Washington, DC to send over with other travellers.

For more information on the TAKE ONE BOOK campaign, please contact Catie Dupont at catie@ethiopiareads.org or Katie Douglas at katie@ethiopiareads.org.

WILL YOU TAKE ONE BOOK?

Where our kids play and practice soccer in the DC area - we highly recommend Max Touch Soccer Academy!

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Please click HERE to visit their website.

We love this Company - www.whoopiepies.com

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:28:00 +0000

From the Labadies Bakery Site:

Our fresh baked Chocolate Whoopie Pies are the best in the state of Maine. We at Labadie's Bakery started baking whoopies pies back in 1925 and haven't stopped since. Everyday we bake thousand's of them and then they are shipped all over Maine and the USA. Now they are available to you, delivered right to your door.

We, the SilverChicks, love WhoopiePies.com for a number of reason - excellent customer service and wonderful products that arrive individually packaged for easy freezing if you can't munch through the whole box! We have been sending boxes of whoopie pies to friends near and dear for years and the LOVE getting them!

The Bakery is Veteran owned and they are wonderfully supportive of deployed troops! We know for a fact that their products make it safe and sound to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq - and we can assure you that the troops LOVE to receive boxes of Labadies/WhoopiePies.com goodies.

Visit their site: WhoopiePies.com

Authors Jane Kurtz and Chris Kurtz to speak at Naval Academy Primary School

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:18:00 +0000

You are cordially invited to spend the evening with children’s authors Jane Kurtz and Christopher Kurtz.

Date- Saturday, 17 November 2007
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Naval Academy Primary School,
74 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis, MD 21402

Light refreshments will be served.

Jane Kurtz, renowned children’s book author and Board president of Ethiopia Reads, a non-profit organization that was established for the purpose of promoting children's book publishing, reading, literacy and the development of education in Ethiopia will present a slide show and speak about Ethiopia, literacy, and her life experiences. Her presentation will be complemented by her brother, Chris Kurtz, also an author, board member of Ethiopia Reads, and accomplished speaker telling his story and doing a reading. Jane and Chris grew up in Ethiopia, children of missionaries, and have fascinating stories to share.

For more information about Ethiopia Reads, please visit their website at www.ethiopiareads.org. The organization was featured in the October issue of Good Housekeeping magazine: you can download the very informative article, written by Melissa Fay Greene, about their projects from their website.

For more information about Jane Kurtz, please visit www.JaneKurtz.com.

Books will be available for purchase – all proceeds will benefit EthiopiaReads.org and its projects.

An RSVP is not required, but would be appreciated to EthiopiaReads@aol.com – or leave a voice mail for Catie Dupont at 571-243-1411.

Let's Read About Africa at the National Museum of African Art

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:24:00 +0000

Let's Read about Africa
at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C.
Ages: 5--10
Introduces young audiences to current and classical children's literature about Africa. Each reading is followed by an art activity. Suitable for ages 5 to 10.

The Best Beekeeper in Lalibela
Sat., Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m.
By Cristine Kessler, illus. by Leonard Jenkins, 2006

The Best Beekeeper in Lalibela tells the story of a determined young girl who defies tradition and becomes the first girl beekeeper. Read by Yohannes Gebregeorgis, an Ethiopian children's author and Director of Ethiopian operations of the non-profit EthiopiaReads.org.

(You can purchase copies of The BeeKeeper of Lalibela by visiting www.silverchicks.com or contact Catie Dupont at catie@ethiopiareads.org. For more information about titles published by Ethiopia Reads in Amharic and English, please visit www.ethiopiareads.org.)

Lil Beastees - Our Kids Love THEM!

noreply@blogger.com (SilverChicks) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:38:00 +0000

If you haven't yet treated your little one to a Lil' Beastees tee shirt - we want to encourage you to do so. The cotton tee shirts are super soft, the colors great and the animals precious. Our kids reach for their Lil' Beastees tee shirts over and over again.

Plus, you'll be supporting another Mom in Business, artist and creator of Lil' Beastees, Alison Seda Ellis.

We are so fond of her, her entrepreneurial spirit and her giving heart.

Visit SilverChicks.com to see pictures of children in Ethiopia, at Shola Children's Library, wearing shirts that she donated and visit Sedaink.com to see the wonderful colored shirts she has added to her clothing line.