Why women like me get a -Bad Rap

Let's jump right to it... Yesterday, I posted a reel that got a lot of traction and I noticed a trend in the comments. The women who had the most to say were other business owners, like myself, who primarily operate and sell through social media.

I know why this is, and I want to talk about it....

When I started Sarahfide Creations, I faced a lot of scrutiny over posting pictures and videos of myself. Not all the scrutiny was verbal. Some friends and family just stopped following me or just plain stopped interacting with anything I posted. What I'm going to say might shock you, but it NEVER occurred to me that I would have to step in front of the camera and become the face of my brand Sarahfide Creations. Truth be told, if someone told me I'd have to be in front of the camera all the time, I never would have started this biz, and that’s a fact! I’m glad I didn’t know because this has changed my life and my health. If you knew me before I started this biz, I was way more likely to post pics of my family.. I’ve never had a problem getting in front of people and publicly speaking (that’s what I did professionally for years) but having my picture taken was an entirely different thing.

BUT!!! The fact is, I'm in this for the long haul.

Sarahfide is part of me and when I say she’s a part of me, I mean she is like a fourth child, a part of my genetic makeup, born from the creative love I have in my heart. Because of Sarahfide and you, I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone, onto a limb, and do what must be done to thrive.

To thrive in business means you must make money. (I’ll add… I love creating beautiful jewelry but if I don’t sell the jewelry I create, I don’t make money, therefore, I can’t buy supplies and I can’t do what I love, which is create beautiful jewelry for beautiful women. (Seriously.. It’s a complete cycle.)

To thrive, I have to model my jewelry and talk about my jewelry. Advertising used to be a picture in a catalog, then it was a picture of jewelry and a link but that doesn't cut it anymore. We want to see people using it and living in it, which means opening my life to the world. Ninety-seven percent >>>(((97%!!!))) of my sales come from social media outlets and I'm sure it's the same for the business owners who commented on my reel yesterday. Friends, it is challenging to own a small business but it is so important that small businesses exist for our economy. (I think I'll do a separate blog about that. LOL). Not only is it difficult to be a small business owner but add Christian and Woman to the title, Yikes! I'm not only navigating the business side, but first and foremost I'm navigating my business with a Christlike mindset. It's hard enough to do business but throw in a spiritual compass...WOW!!!  Words like modesty and testimony and statements like, you represent our church are used. It isn’t a small or easy task. The world's view on business is that “It’s not personal, it’s business and anything goes. ” But for me, I can’t take God out of the equation, He lives in me! This leaves me, as a business owner, swimming against the current of modern sales tactics. (In the fashion industry, “sex sells”… and I do not, will not operate under that mentality!) I’m sure it is the same for other women like me in business, which is why I think it struck a conversation point yesterday. 

If I was a CEO, had a large office downtown, in the tallest building, it would be expected that I would dress for success, make public appearances and show up for social media events. I would be expected to advertise my product. People wouldn’t say, “She just wants attention” “She is trying to attract men” “She is so vain”. (or maybe they would???) But the reality is, why is it as a community -especially Christian community (((yikes)))- where women like me, who operate their business using a social media outlet are scrutinized and given the stank eye… yup, I just went there (and I hate that I have to!).

We have to start having this conversation with our friends. We have to be the woman who says, “Woooooe… I think you're reading that business owner ALL WRONG!” Lets change the conversation. Not only start changing the conversation but lets start interacting, hearting, and sharing content created by CHRISTIAN WOMEN IN BUSINESS!! I need you to like my content, because people with a -sex sells mentality- aren’t going to! I need you to comment. I need you to interact with me. You (and creating jewelry) is why I’m out on this limb. This limb has the best, most beautiful exhilarating view, and I’m here for it!!! BUT, It is going to take an entire community -every-single-one-of-you- to make this small business and other Christian women small owned businesses thrive.

Wear My Heart

You wear my heart.

There are all kinds of creators and designers; amazing people who re-purpose and craft. With imagination and a little gumption, amazing things can be made.

What I do goes beyond that. Creating, for me, starts in my heart and pours out in the form of hand painted and hand stained wood bead jewelry. It is birthed from within me.

I send out pieces of my heart everyday in hopes that the love I pour into each small bead will shine in a big way, embellishing and bringing JOY to the woman who holds and wears it.

When I meet beauties wearing my jewelry, it is like reconnecting with a dear friend from the past. Every creation, every single one holds a special place, in my heart.

A few weeks ago, I met a beautiful stranger wearing Sarahfide, it meant more than I can articulate in words.

I was in a store about 30 minutes away from my home. John and I were purchasing some shoes for our middle child. I heard my name, “Sarah?”. I turned to see a beautiful and loving face with a most welcoming and sincere smile. As I looked at her, she looked at me. I didn’t know her. As her eyes went down to her raising wrists, I realized she was showing me her Sarahfide Bracelets. I’d like to say I responded like Grace Kelly but I think I was more like Kathrine Hepburn. I broke code, with her permission, and hugged her. We stood in the isle talking, about jewelry of course, and her beautiful southern name, Ella Jean. I am horrible with names, but I think it will be a name I remember forever.

We had to take pictures, of course. She was a kind and gracious woman. (The bracelets she was wearing had been custom ordered for her, by her daughter. So special.)

Ella Jean

A picture of her creations before they left my studio.

The third bracelet was on the other hand, I was so excited, I didn’t get it in the picture.

If you are thinking about purchasing jewelry to keep or to gift, I would be honored if you would consider purchasing and wearing Sarahfide. I can’t speak for major retails and hobble jewelers, but I can without a doubt tell you that your comments, likes, shares, purchases, and ultimately wearing Sarahfide literally makes my heart smile. Let me share a piece of my heart with you. Visit my Season’s Greetings Jewelry to see all of the NEW, Hand Stained, beaded jewelry I’ve added to the site, just for you. CLICK HERE

Painting Broken Flowers

Before eighteen months ago, I had never picked up a small paint brush. I’ve painted walls but slapping paint on a wall in a house is a lot different than detailed painting on a small bead. I’ve Never. Ever. considered myself an artist. Creative, yes. Artistic, no.

When I launched Sarahfide.com, I had no intention of painting anything, but as I started building my earring collection, I needed specific colored beads. I looked into purchasing (painted) beads but since many of the earrings were one-of-a-kind, it wasn’t economical for me to spend money on strands of beads when I only needed two or four beads of a certain color. That is when I started painting my own beads. My first paint colors were teal and mustard. These are an updated earring of my original earring designs, now available on my site.

Teal Zeal Dangles All Day Fun Dangles

As Sarahfide grew, I started to receive requests for more intricate jewelry creations. It seemed every month I receive a request that challenge my skills. The thing that scared me the most were flowers. In truth, I have a gift with colors, blending and obviously making a beautiful, wearable piece of jewelry but flowers!!! that takes skill. Artistic skill!!

A few weeks ago, I received a special request for a Mother’s Day gift. I was asked to recreate a china pattern onto a bracelet. Back Story- My client’s Mother-In-Law had one dish from her mother’s china and it had been broken. The pieces were collected and It was being displayed in a shadow box.

This was the picture that was provided to me.

Requests like this are so exciting!! I love being challenged with new creations and I love being a part of something so special!! This was sure to be a beautiful and meaningful gift. BUT…. the china pattern was… FLOWERS!!….

In first grade, Miss. Dubois, my first grade teacher, with gentile patience, would place a small wooden train on my desk and read the book, “The Little Engine That Could”, every time I would say, “I can’t.” Almost forty years later, when faced with something that seems impossible, I still think of Miss. Dubois and the little wooden train.

Truth, I didn’t succeed the first time or the second time, but I didn’t give up.

Friend, I don’t know what painting broken flowers looks like to you. Maybe it is making a huge life choice that terrifies you, or making a commitment that is going to force you to sacrifice a comfort. We all have moments when we are looking at something daunting. Try. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Try, Try again!!

Click the video to see the details up close.

I feel honored that you continue to believe in me!! It was a joy and honor to create so many amazing pieces this Mother’s Day!! Thank you for inviting Sarahfide into your lives and wearing it so proudly!!

The Waters Edge

I was sitting by the waters edge thinking about my life, a pretty serious notion. I had just come from yet another doctors appointment and had just scheduled a small surgery for next week. It will be my first surgery, since starting Sarahfide, a little over a year ago.

Many that know my story, know, poor heath has become a part of my life. Four years ago, a medical accident happened. I went into surgery to have an ovary removed. In error, they removed a portion of my urinary tract. It was horrible. It was painful. It was a nightmare. It was life changing. By the way, I want to share that part of my story, deeply, but not today.

Today, I want to talk about several ah-ha moments.

The first was a verse I was reading, in my morning devotion. It said, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25 For me, this verse said, “Sarah, your heart is heavy and it makes you sad, why don’t you talk about your struggles and share how God continues to give you strength to press forward. It will bring Joy and happiness to talk about it.

Then, I had a phone call. It was my niece. She wanted to tell me how proud she was of me. She said my jewelry was amazing and I was crushing it. I cried, literally. I told her that I had just come from the doctor and her call was absolutely perfect timing. Her call made me think. Wouldn’t it be better for my niece to see all of the amazing things I’m doing at Sarahfide, while also seeing the daily struggles, and how hard I’m working, EVERY DAY, despite my illness??

It’s time. It is time to see me as I am.

You may ask me, “Why have you been hiding this?”. I’ll tell you… here it is….. I’m scared. I’m scared you will not purchase my jewelry, if you think I’m sick. That’s it. I think that if I post about having a kidney infection, you are going to skip over my White Wash dangles and purchase from someone else, because you’re worried your purchase will be to stressful for me.

BUT!! I’m going to call it what it is. It’s a lie. AND, I’ve proven for the past year, that I CAN run a business, meet every single deadline, fill thousands of orders AND do it all while also being sick.

Because, that is just what I am. I’m sick. A doctor accidentally removed the wrong body part and it resulted in me living with constant infections, constant pain, a life time of antibiotics, possible kidney failure and the medical history of an 87 year old. <A doctor said that to me once.

So, this is me. I’m Sarah. I’m a sinner saved by Grace. I’m a wife. (Married my high school sweetheart 22 years ago.) I’m a mother to three beautiful young ladies. I’m a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I’m a business owner. AND, I’m sick. I will always be sick, until Heaven.

So, this is me giving you a heads up. I’m making some changes here at Sarahfide. I’m going to be more open on Social Media. I’m ready to show you that even through suffering, You. Can. Still. Find. Joy! Which is why, JOY was my first jewelry collection. I love that it is still the most popular of all my collections. Go check it out…. and be prepared. Sitting at the waters edge today brought me clarity and a new found determination.

Before you move on to the next thing, be sure to check out Sarahfide.com. Mothers Day is right around the corner. I offer Free Shipping and the most adorable Cottage Chic packaging. As always, Happy Shopping

Don't Let Your Love Fern Die

Hopefully, this made some of you laugh!! For those of you who don't know, this is a quote from the movie, How To Loose A Guy In Ten Days. -You gotta love a lighthearted comedy, Right?!?

But seriously, having been married Twenty-Two years, I think it qualifies me to give you some helpful advice.

Here it is…..
Tell them what you want.

They can not read your mind. I know!!! We want them to... but seriously, do we really?

One of the best days of my marriage was when I accepted the fact, He. Can’t. Read. My. Mind.

Occasionally, I try to fall back into some kind of a romantic comedy where I have an expectation for him to show up at the perfect location to save the day, but that's not how it usually plays out in real life.

So, if you want flowers, tell him.
If you want him to take you out, tell him.
If you want him to buy you Sarahfide, tell him. :)

It is so fulfilling when you tell someone what you want <and> they Do IT! And!!!! most likely, all that energy they would have spent trying to figure out what you wanted, now turns into energy they put into getting you what you want and doing it in a big way.

So, take it from me, tell them what you. If they ask you to get specific, get specific.

Also, -and this is for your guys- if she says she doesn’t want anything, let me suggest still doing something. February 13th, she may not want anything, and genuinely mean it, but then, February 15th rolls around. She hears and sees what everyone did for Valentine’s Day and… well, you know how it goes.

You have eleven days, so start talking, start planning, get her some Sarahfide!

Shopping with Sarahfide is easy, I accept all payment methods, I offer Free Shipping with no minimal order and, I have the most amazing packaging. You don’t need to wrap it. It ships to gift.

Below are five elegant options that would be perfect for the occasion.

LOVE ME NECKLACE : You can choose between Gold or Silver. Only $15.00.

Below are the: SHY SINGLE LADIES DANGLE EARRINGS These little earrings go with everything. $15.00

This is the: ART DECO NECK DAZZLE NECKLACE- $30.00

You can choose between four different bead options. The Platinum is my personal FAVE!!!

CUSTOM EXPRESSIONS BRACELET STACK only $25.00. You can choose her initials, your babies initials, maybe a word that inspires her, or something significant to the two of you. This bracelet is a win/win.

Everything located on my site is designed, hand painted, and created by me, Sarah. I’m the sole designer and owner of Sarahfide Creations and the gal that is trying to Help.You.Out!!!

Happy Shopping!!

~s