Hello and thank you for your interest in Hopeville Emporium! My name is Hope.
The concept for this store began in 2023 when a friend gave me about 40 pounds of beads. At the time I was in RICA classes to become Catholic after being a cradle Episcopal. As soon as she gave me the beads I said, "Maybe I can make rosaries with these".
I am a very grateful person in general because of my faith in God and specifically, Christianity. My faith is intrinsic in my life. I believe that all of the good that I have has been a blessing from God. Those people and experiences are reflected in the headings of the products in my store.
ADONAI DESIGNS: All of the Rosaries, Chaplets and Jewelry fall under the general category "Adonai Designs". Adonai is a very old word that has many meanings relating to the Glory of God. The one God. The Triune God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If you look up the word Adonai you will find many variations in the meaning. I think that this truly reflects our feeble human understanding of God perfectly. The reason I decided to call the product line this is because everything in my life that is beautiful is a direct reflection of the care and love that God has so lavishly given to me. This does not mean that I live lavishly but that I appreciate the gifts that he has given me. I'm trying to make and provide goods that in a small way reflect the beauty of God.
OUTWARD AND VISIBLE: Outward and visible is the way that I like to live out my faith. I am not shy about my love for God. I am overt. I often wear clothing and items that declare my faith. I do this so that others can see that you don't have to hide it and when I'm going about my daily interactions that I am reminded to be the face of Jesus in all of my actions. I do not succeed everyday, but these "outward and visible" things are a reminder to me to be mindful of how I interact in this world. Right now, these are Key chains and Stickers. I'm hoping to expand the product line in the future.
MT 19:14 - LET THE CHILDREN COME: "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder the, for such belongs the kingdom of Heaven"'. This product line contains items that are for children. I have five children myself and have been further blessed with 7 grandchildren! They are not all of my birth but those that are not called my "bonuses". They are the ones that God sent to me another way, but they are no less "mine" than any of the others. Children are our best examples. We are supposed to approach God with childlike faith and belief. This section will start simply (like a child) and will grow in time.
A PEARL OF GREAT VALUE: This is what the Kingdom of Heaven is. Something so valuable that you would trade everything for it. All of the items in this section are defined by containing Pearls. These are not natural pearls but cultured freshwater pearls or glass pearls. These could go under Adonai designs as well, but they are a reminder to seek the Kingdom of God and that it is worth all that we have to obtain it.
BY WATER AND SPIRIT: In John 3:5 Jesus explains to Nicodemus a believing Pharisees that we must be "reborn by Water and Spirit". This product line is all about Holy Water. Blessed water is where we are reborn and it is good to remind ourselves often of our baptism and bless ourselves with the water containing God's Holy Spirit, our advocate, for graces and protection. I have created gift sets and special cards that explain Holy Water, it's uses and disposal instructions.
PRODIGAL RETURN: Aren't we all? We are but I believe that many come through extraordinary trials. One such trial is addiction. Recovery from addiction is a gift from God wherein that person becomes who God intended them to be. I have never been addicted to anything myself, but it does not mean that I may not have been, but for the grace of God. As most have in this world, we each have likely been affected by a family member, friend or acquaintance that have been afflicted by addiction. In my case, I have lost family members to this, some for a time and others by passing. I am also a heart transplant recipient. My beautiful donor is a young woman who passed from an overdose. As her mom said in her obituary, she "fell through the cracks" like so many others. I keep her picture on my dresser and pray for her regularly. Even in her addiction her heart was so kind that she thought of others and became the donor who saved my life. I live today because of her kindness. She had begun the road into recovery. She began to blossom and bloom into the person whom God intended her to be. This page is dedicated to her.
