Gigglesandgumballs: Noonday...handcrafted jewelry and accessories

I was asked by a local friend to post an interview that she took part in. She is part of an exciting new business called Noonday! Read on to find out more details about her adventure! If you are local to Lincoln, you can come to her first trunk show this Friday, August 30th!!

Q: What is Noonday?

A. Noonday Collection is a company that partners with artisans from around the world to create ethically-made jewelry and accessories. Each piece is handcrafted from around the world using resources found in each region. Most of our paper beads come from Uganda, from Ethiopia come pieces made from up-cycled artillery and found war weapons, Knit items come from Peru and Tagua seeds are found on the rainforest floors of Ecuador. Every artisan has a heart-breaking story, yet through Noonday they are finding hope and the ability to survive, thrive and support their families. Together with the Noonday Ambassadors across the country, we offer you the opportunity to use your purchasing power to create change in the world (while looking really good along the way). Your fashion sense can now restore dignity to abandoned women in Ethiopia, empower communities in Ecuador, and create business opportunities for Ugandans.

Q: How did you hear about Noonday?

A. Noonday Collection began 2 years ago in my hometown of Austin, Tx. I've been a Nebraskan for over 8 years now, but my connection to Austin is strong! My Aunt is an Ambassador for Noonday and when I read her blog and began diving into the stories of the artisans I was left heart broken and desperate to help. I was a missionary in many parts of the world in High School and College and have seen extreme poverty. Now, I have four kiddos (ages 7, 6, 3 and 2) and can't join long-term mission work as my heart often aches to do. Noonday became a way for me to be a voice for the oppressed, to be able to daily think about worldwide poverty, human trafficking and genocide and use the jewelry as a reminder to pray for them.

Q: How has Noonday helped?

A. There is no specific percentage of piece that goes back to the artisans. Instead, Noonday pays for the jewelry up front. This not only provides the artisans with a sense of trust, but gives them the ability to afford the resources and pay each artisan a DAILY living and fair wage. At Noonday Collection, the artisans aren't just at the heart of our company, they ARE the company. The artisans we purchase our collection from know their craft. For them to get paid a fair and competitive wage for the skilled work of their hands is a unique and life-altering opportunity for most of them. Because we practice Fair Trade guidelines, your purchases enable them to earn more than what they would be earning in another job. This extra income enables them to put their children in school, buy chickens, or even expand their own business so they can employ their local community.

Noonday Collection only partners with companies and ministries who assure that their artisans are growing, learning, and benefiting from their craft. All of our suppliers use fair trade principles. Basic fair trade principles state that artisans receive a fair, living wage, a good working condition, and a reasonable path out of poverty. We want to go beyond fair trade. In many instances, the artisans are part owners in the companies! Read more about the stories behind your purchases.

Q: What can I do to help?

A. Each purchase you make through Noonday Collection provides hope, opportunity and change for the artisans and their families. The new fall line launches TODAY and you can check it out here:

http://www.meganockander.noondaycollection.com/

Hosting a Trunk Show in your home is how Noonday creates its biggest impact, and you can contact me in Lincoln, or I can help set you up with your local Ambassador if this interests you. If you are in the Lincoln area, I am hosting a Fall Launch party this Friday, August 30th at Pioneers Park! You can check out the event details on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/646314815381504/) or email me directly atMOckander@yahoo.com

You can also follow me on InstaGram at: MOckander

If you are interested in the cause but unable to attend Friday's Launch Party, please check out the Facebook event details about how to make your online purchase count towards winning a paper bead bracelet! I will be adding names to the raffle for each purchase you make!

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Q: Where can I learn more?

A. From my webpage, you can read more about the purpose of Noonday, how Noonday helps adoptive families raise funds to bring children into their homes, as well as watch videos of the artisans and from the founder herself. It is a wealth of information! You can also contact me if you have any questions, want to host a trunk show, or want more specific information about Noonday.