Today I have a treat. I’ve partnered up with Miriam Designs to bring you some inspiration. Gracie Moakler came up with the idea for Miriam Designs after a chance encounter in a grocery store:

“In May 2012, I met a woman named Ronza at the grocery store, and left incredibly inspired by her story that began with drugs and addiction and now exudes restoration and redemption. I went home, bought copper discs and a hammering kit, and stamped the word “hope” on a necklace to give to her. This was the beginning of a passion that hadn’t quite found its purpose yet.

As the year went on, I met other amazing women in Nashville who, like Ronza, survived lives of prostitution, trafficking, and addiction, and wanted to learn to make jewelry. So, I started teaching them. Little did I know how much I would learn from working alongside them… like how to laugh until it hurts, to allow hope to conquer my fear, and to experience the healing that comes through a community that loves unconditionally.”

I love storys that encompase not only creative passion, but that do so for the betterment of the community at large. Sometimes I think we’re so ingrained to help those far away, that we forget what a difference a little creative attitude can do to those in our own communities. I know I can sure use Gracie’s example as inspiration for my own life! I’ve been researching volunteer work at a local pet shelter. Who knows what creative mischief I could get into there! Anyways…

Today, I and Gracie invite you to check out Miriam Designs for yourself. You can support the cause by purchasing some jewelry, but you also have a chance to win an item of your choosing. I’m using Rafflecopter for the giveaway, so please click through if you’re in a reader. Follow along below to get started, and best of luck! Be sure to share your inspiring stories with a comment — I think that might be the most important thing here. We can never have enough stories of people helping other people out when they are in need, right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway