in the studio :: the village store

For any newbies, we work in S. Africa bringing HOPE and HOME to orphans and vulnerable children. In the midst of running feeding programs and building physical homes, we saw a huge need to reach out to the older kids graduating high school. You see, once a child turns 18 or graduates high school, any government programs available to them suddenly stop. It’s as if those kids are orphaned all over again. We purchased University Village to have a campus to train and disciple young people so that they could find HOPE.

Teaching skills to earn a living started happening, but we needed an outlet to sell all the beautiful items that were being produced. Thus, my project…The Village Store. I believe somewhere around the beginning of February, I really started getting it going. The structure was there, but that was it. Inspiration came from Pinterest, my husband, and my brain, and I just went for it. To say that I’m happy with the results would be an understatement. My goal was to make an inviting place but try to re-purpose as much as we could. I think we succeeded! Tin from an old roof is now the ceiling, an old ladder became a bookshelf, wooden lads from the woods adorns the front of the counter.

Even more awesome than the way it looks, I’m super proud to have a store to sell these amazing handmade items. I love encouraging creativity and seeing LIFE coming from creating. I’m hoping in the coming weeks, I can introduce you to our amazing artists but until then, here’s THE VILLAGE STORE!

Please come to S. Africa so you can check it out! 🙂

Now it’s your turn! Remember your “studio” can be anywhere. Let’s celebrate each other’s creativity by linking up and visiting as many as the other studios as you can. Check out the about post for more info and don’t forget to grab the In The Studio button!