One of the reasons I still love the internet, even after all the “ick” it contains, are the amazing people you can find. I have made some of my favorite friends through Twitter & Instagram, and I’m excited to start a new spin-off of Friday Favorites: Features.
Every once in awhile I’ll introduce you to a company I love – and give you the chance to win one of their items. Instead of a list of random favorites, you’ll get to hear the stories & hearts of some incredible people & find out how you can support their businesses.
First up, my friend Kacie, owner of Persimmon Prints:
Kacie, share with us who you are and the heart behind your company:
Our little family business is such a gift from the Lord. To my husband Patrick and me, it’s much more than just a part of our lives; Persimmon’s very existence is our daily reminder of God’s amazing faithfulness.
A little over two years ago, God made me brave enough to leave my teaching career and find His deeper purpose in my work. I began living out that simple obedience in my daily life, filling my days with prayer, bits of drawing & designing, and lots of waiting on His plans. A few months later, Persimmon’s website’s doors opened with just a few paper products, and soon, many more opened-doors followed.
It felt right to actively support mission work through Persimmon’s sales. We’ve been blessed to partner with international efforts, such as the A21 Campaign and Christian Aid Mission. We’ve also supported local work, such as Informed Choices and Gridlock Ministries, both located in the Chicago area.
Through Persimmon, God has revealed His purpose behind these artistic skills I’ve carried since childhood, and He has connected me with lifelong friends from across the globe.
Our God is truly amazing.
Persimmon has expanded these past two years! We now carry purposeful women + children’s designs, and are traveling across the country to share our new women’s fall collection with you!
Tell us more about your vision for “purchase with purpose”:
I love the word purpose.
And I love what our God has to say about it, too. Colossians 1:16 says, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
He wants every part of us to be purpose-driven, including our purchases.
God has grown within me a deep desire to purchase with purpose, and I’d love to share my heart on this topic with you! I encourage you to try one (or more!) of these practical steps in your journey toward purchasing with purpose…
1. Shop handmade {and be willing to pay that handmade price}.
When you purchase an item that is handmade, you are blessing the hands of that maker. You are valuing an artist, and sometimes empowering the maker to rise above his or her current circumstances. Sometimes you can’t directly purchase a handmade item from the maker, and that’s ok. Great companies such as No. 41 and Greenola Style introduce you to their honored makers + share their biographies online, so you can ‘meet’ + learn more about them. And as you collect + use these handmade items, I encourage you to pray for the hands that made them.
2. Research {how + where goods are made}.
While shopping in a boutique, or even a department store, ask those tough questions, like “Where did this come from? Who’s the supplier? How was this item made?” And be willing to dig deeper, using those vast resources available at your fingertips. Learn more about organizations such as B-Corporations and WRAP, which exist to ensure high standards & quality working conditions during manufacturing. Knowledge is definitely ‘good company’ while shopping.
3. Use your voice {to educate others}.
The more you see how you can uphold dignity + respect for every human involved in the making of your purchases, the more you will want to bring this news to others. I am so grateful for friends who’ve shared their hearts on this topic with me; they have changed my view toward consumerism forever. On a larger scale, collective voices have contributed to the success of movements such as the Fashion Revolution and the growing popularity of the ‘True Cost’ movie. Never doubt that you have power in your words.
4. Give back {through a company that gives back}.
There’s ever-increasing popularity in small (and large!) business that embed a ‘giving back’ component into their business plans, and this makes my heart sing! Businesses like these aren’t just looking at a profit bottom-line, but are intentionally considering how they can make a positive impact on our world. Companies such as Purpose Jewelry and Feed Projects give a portion of sales back to those in need. Currently, Persimmon is proud to financially support Gridlock Ministries’ Micro-Enterprise Program, which assists survivors of human trafficking while pursuing their dreams of launching their own businesses. Your purchase from businesses like these is the very key to their ability to give back.
I know, we can’t analyze every purchase we make, but we can choose to practice good stewardship regularly. Consider today how YOU can make purchases with a God-honoring purpose.
***
Is there anything new/exciting you want to share that you have coming up?
As you know, I have a heart for helping people find purpose behind their everyday purchases, and with the Christmas season nearing, I’d like to help consumers approach their Christmas shopping in a God-honoring way. I’m currently drafting a shopping guide called “Purchase With Purpose: A Shopper’s Guide to Gifting Joy”.
In all honesty, I’m not 100% what God has in store for this project, but so far, it’s been an great experience seeking His heart on this topic. Only He knows what’s in store, and that makes ‘following His lead’ all-the-more-fun! Stay tuned on the development of this project by subscribing to Persimmon’s newsletter!
***
Now for the giveaway! Kacie’s new fall line of women’s clothing is phenomenal. The “shine” shirt happens to be my go-to, incredibly comfortable, beautifully designed pullover. I’ll show it off & share more about why I love it today at noon EST on Periscope (follow me -> @crystalstine) but right now? You can win one of your very own! Just follow the giveaway requirements in the widget below (email subscribers, y’all will need to click through) and we’ll pick a winner next Thursday (9/17). Good luck!
I love the shine pullover or the kids oh how loves us sweatshirt foe one of my littles. So adorable!
Oh my goodness! What a cute line! I would love to win this pullover!
Wow…I can’t decide! I love it all…and I’m pretty sure I’ll be buying the Shine pullover no matter what! SO cute. 🙂
I love the Choose Joy Raglan!
I love the cozy wrap too with dignity. I am going to ask for it for Christmas from my husband. 😉
I just love the dignity wrap! Beautiful items, which makes it difficult to choose just one:)
I love EVERYTHING but the Love God and Serve tank/t-shirt is my favorite!!!!!
ohh, i love the wraps! beautiful!
Loving the shine pullover and the “choose joy” raglan!
Love to hear that you left the ‘securities’ of teaching to pursue your deeper work. I am so grateful for your going before me…similar boat…
I am adding the Choose Joy shirt to my birthday wish list.
Beautiful products! Love.
I love the Free Indeed Raglan!
Hard to choose, but I think the Shine pullover is my favorite! The Hope pony tee is a super close second!
I love the “Free Indeed” shirt and the “You are Beautiful” notebook.
Beautiful! Beautiful purpose, beautiful products!
I love this Shine pullover! But after watching your periscope and seeing them in the persimmon print store, I want a handful of the “you are beautiful” mirror stickers to put up all around my house for my girls and I to see and believe daily!
The strength and dignity wrap is gorgeous. I would add that on my wish list. I could imagine taking it out on those hard days and wrapping myself with encouragement.
I love purchasing with a purpose! Beautiful items in her shop!
Love the dignity wrap!
Lovely products. The Shine pullover has my vote!
I’m pretty sure I could live in the navy Dignity wrap all autumn long 🙂 I love these!
Love the BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS SWEATSHIRT for my 3 year old boy!
I love the free indeed Raglan. That’s what I’d add to my wish list!
Absolutely gorgeous!! I don’t know how I can ever pick a favorite!!
I love her story and she has such beautiful Items. I love the Shine Pullover too!
So many cute things! I love the Strength and Dignity wrap, but those sweatshirts are so cute too! Love Kacie and her heart~
I am so glad I now know about this site! I love the items! All of them! But, the one I have at the top of my wish list is the Strength & Dignity Cozy Wrap! Some days, I need that extra physical/visual reminder to wrap myself around (or put on armor) of strength & dignity to face the day’s needs. I also love the Love God Serve Others top!
I really like the “Love God & Serve Others” top.
This business is a jewel used by God in every day and in the communities you give to. I favored the pink tank top with Love God Serve Others. It was a tough choice!
Beautiful! Such a wonderful eye for design.
Gorgeous! I love the Choose Joy sweatshirt… but that Shine pullover is super cute too!
So much beauty, such inspiring purpose. I esp love the hope pony tee, but do I have to pick just one? Thanks for introducing me to persimmon prints, Crystal (and you look absolutely darling in that shine pullover).
love the hope pony tee
I would definitely add the strength and dignity wrap to my wishlist. Simple, elegant, and cozy. And I love inspirational things that look classy.
The “Choose Joy” raglan is number one on my wish list!
I am in LOVE with that shirt. Yes PLEASE!
Love the Be Brave & Courageous kids shirt! And of course, the Shine.
I love that shine pullover!
The new wraps are gorgeous!!!
I love this line! I’ve had my eye on the You Are Beautiful Notebook for a long time and now it’s on my wishlist! Thanks for highlighting them!
Beautiful items and beautiful heart! Yes, please on the win!!!
Definitely loving the Shine pullover. But let’s also talk about the Be Fearless kids tee… I would buy that in a second!
Wow–such cool items! I’m glad I found this site!
The Shine pullover is definitely looking comfy and inspiring!
I have to say the Shine pullover is my favorite, next would be the Love God Serve Others top!!
I love the Dignity wrap!
Beautiful items! The Shine pullover looks so cozy but I also love the dignity wrap! Can’t choose just one : )
Oh wow! I love that line. The cream dignity wrap is beautiful….but the free indeed sweatshirts are so on my wishlist now! What a great Friday Favorites!