Sunshine Handmade Nicaragua

Here are some samples of the canvas and leather creations that will be coming home with me from Nicaragua when I visit the first week of August.  Each one is unique and some are one of a kind.

Leslie purchases remnant fabrics by the pound and hires a local leather worker to add finishing touches. Some fabrics are also purchased by friends in the states and sent to Nicaragua via teams.These artistic, practical, and durable creations will be fun to show and sell.  

This project enables several families to earn a living by producing quality products using available materials.

If you are interested in reserving a one of kind creation call or text Kim soon.  847-691-8005.
Proceeds support the project AND Kim's travels.       Thanks for you support!

                 

Leslie selling at a local market

1  2
Soft Canvas-Leather Bottom Bags $35
Matching Wallets sold separately $18

3   4
#4 is sold but style can be ordered with available fabrics

5  6

7  8

 9            Canvas Cosmetic Sets or Pencil Cases with coin purse $20            10


11                                                                     12

13        Leather Bottom Cosmetic Bags $16.50        14

15        Leather Bottom Cosmetic Bags $16.50        16

17        Leather Bottom Cosmetic Bags $16.50        18

Wallets $18

Diaper Bag set $45

Diaper Bag set $45

Diaper Bag set $45

SOLD

More Colors and styles will be available after August.

The Workshop and the Artisans

             

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart

as working for the Lord, not for man.

Colossians 3:23

Batik Scarf Making Process

I love to learn how things are made.  It was fun to take these photos myself when I visited the workshop in Jinja, Uganda.

Designs are first cut out of recycled x-ray films and placed on the fabric.

Hot wax is then applied with a brush. 

                        

When the wax is cool the material is placed in a tub of dye, rinsed and hung to dry.

Wax is boiled away after the fabric is dry then the fabric is thoroughly washed and rinsed.                                                                                            

                              

         The areas where wax was applied remains white.

The fabric is now ready to be sewn into scarves and headbands.
                  
                                                  Thanks, Diana for all your hard work directing this project.

                

                Existing designs can be purchased for $20
                          by calling Kim 847-691-8005.

Enjoyed a visit from my friend Diana from Jinja, Uganda

Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party
Feb. 2016

Diana and Kim selling Fair Trade Gifts at the event. 

Thank you, Kim Harper, for organizing the event!

Kim and Diana cutting jean material. 

The patterns will be sent to Jinja to make shoes that will be given to children after jigger removal.

My girls enjoyed teaching Diana how to make chocolate chip cookies.

She LOVED them! 

Fresh Water

    Remembering my visit to the well at Light and Life Free Methodist Church in Jinja, Uganda. 

     Always love to see the kids running to fill their jugs and get their pictures taken. 

www.compelling-creations.com/kimbrannon

     Purchase a well charm as a reminder to pray for fresh water initiatives and 

a portion of your purchase will be donated to operation blessing. 

     Visit the website above, or call Kim to order. 847-691-8005

6th Annual Gifts With Purpose sale

    Thanks to all who came to shop at my 6th Annual Holiday Shop. I am honored to support widows, orphans, and global missions through sales of Fair Trade crafts. 

     Pray for the artisans and orphans this Christmas as they celebrate Jesus birthday in their homeland. In some countries, Christians are more at risk of persecution at this time of year. 

     May Jesus name be lifted up around the world. He is the reason for the season! 

   

TRAGEDY AT FARAJA WIDOW’S PROJECT IN KIBERA (Nairobi, Kenya)

I received this sad message first thing Monday morning on Nov. 3, 2014.  I visited these ladies at their workshop in Feb. 2014. I've been selling their bone jewelry and aprons since 2010.
Scroll down to previous post to view photos from my Feb. 2014 trip. 

On behalf of the St. Martha's Ministry, and Faraja widows in Kibera, I would like to request all of you to stand with us in prayer. A great tragedy happened at our project in Kibera at 1.00am today and by 3.00am this morning (11-3-14) the attached pictures is what was left.

We have lost everything; all our sewing machines, already made orders for Christmas, materials, documents etc.

It is indeed a very trying moment for us.

May the Lord bless you all for standing with us during this difficult moment in the history of St. Martha's Ministry and Faraja Widow's project.

     Eunice

Before

After

Praising God for supplying the needed funds to rebuild within 1 month of the fire.
Below are pictures of their new workshop taken on Dec. 5, 2015.

Many thanks to all who supported this project!

    

                                                                

                                                                          

Feb. 2014 Visit to Faraja Widow's Project in Kibera slums (Nairobi,Kenya)

I am thankful to Eunice Otieno for taking me to visit the women who make the bone jewelry and aprons that I have been selling. This picture was taken at their workshop in Kibera slums in

Feb. 2014

Eunice and Caleb, project coordinators at St. Martha's Ministry. 

The mission strives to improve the quality of life of widows

and orphaned children by HIV/AIDS through economic and spiritual empowerment.

The widow project is named 'FARAJA', the Swahili word for 'comfort'.

Here are some of their beautiful creations.

They make jewelry out of bone, glass beads, or wire.

Bone bracelets

They modeled their handmade aprons for me.

The sewing room.

A sweet message from the women:

The money you have been giving us through buying jewelry and purses has been very helpful to us and the widows and their children. Through selling jewelry and purses, we are buying the school uniforms, pull overs and shoes. Both widows and their children are very happy and grateful to you.