Ugandan Beads for your Christmas Gifts

Give an unique handcrafted piece of jewelry and Support women in Uganda!

Each bracelet, earring, necklace, and purse is made from hand-rolled paper beads made by the women of the Twembye Women's Group in Uganda, East Africa. This group learned to craft these beads as a way to pay for their children to attend school. Most of these women are the single supporter of their children and many are HIV positive. They meet weekly for craft, fellowship, prayer, and to support one another. Plus, they are really sweet women. 

The proceeds from each piece goes to the Twembye group so that they can continue to provide for their children.

To order, simply email me at travisandamyjohnson@gmail.com with the jewelry type and number you would like. Tally up the amount, add a bit on for shipping, and mail the check (I will email you the address). In good faith, I will mail them to you as soon as you place an order. 

Included are gift bags, tissue paper, and a gift tag that explains who made the beads. I can't make it any easier for you to give, can I?!

We hope you enjoy giving these gifts. We enjoy supporting the Amazing Women of Twembye!

A: long, multicolored single strand $8
B: short, multicolored single strand $5

C: set of medium length, multicolored triple strand with earrings $10

D: short-medium length chunky bead (specify if want single color or multicolored) $10

E: set of short, multicolored single strand with earring and bracelet $8

F: wired multicolored bracelet that wraps 3-4 times around wrist $6

G: zig zag pattern multicolored bracelet $7

H: single multicolor strand bracelet $4
(Pairing this with earrings is a nice set for a simple gift!)

I: clutch (there are 3) $10 or purse (2 with long beaded strap) with black inner material and zipper $15 

J: medium $7 or short single-color, single strand $5  

K: earrings (look at above photos for example), MANY different colors (specify what you want; we probably have it!) $4 per pair

Again, these all come with paper or organza gift bags, tissue paper, and a card. Too easy!

doorbell angel

At 3am this morning the doorbell rang. Alarmed, I woke up and tried to rouse Travis to come and check to see who was at the door at this unusual hour. He muttered, "It's probably nothing. Just the funny electrical wiring that made the doorbell ring." Since we live in a house that is over 100 years old, it was a reasonable thought that wonky electrical wiring would make a doorbell ring randomly. But since the doorbell is one of those grand ones that chimes a long chorus and it was the middle of the night, I was awake. And he was going to be awake with me!
When we opened the door, no one was there. However, I noticed that my car door was opened. Closing it, I wondered if we would have to call the neighbor to jump start my car (since Travis's 27 year old Land Crusier is currently up on blocks). And then I went back to sleep.
This morning, I checked the car. Battery works! Hooray!
I told the story of the middle-of-the-night-doorbell-which-awoke-me-to-close-that-door-so-that-we-can-now-drive-our-car-to-school story to the kids. Lillian, my tender heart, said, "Mom, I believe that an angel rang to doorbell to wake you so our battery would not be dead. Isn't that awesome?!"
"The  heart that serves, and loves, and clings, hears everywhere the rush of angel wings."
I pray that my heart would first jump to conclusions of God working everywhere and anytime.

photos with updates

Maybe my favorite part of the summer: Fresh Key Lime Pie from a farm stand on Edisto Island

Hanging out with the Mancini children

Travis with his best friend from Furman days,  Captain Doctor John Mancini

The conversation went something like this:
Amy: "I always buy lemonade from kids selling at a lemonade stand."
Travis: "Look at that dirt floating in the cup. That is precisely
why I never buy lemonade from kids at a lemonade stand."
Amy: "I never said I was going to drink it."

Fourth of July fun with cousins at the beautiful Edisto Beach

MKs from different continents but the same silliness

After much hard work during "Daddy Sports Camp" Lillian and Patton mastered RipSticks! Aidan loves being pushed during outings, making up for three years of never being in a stroller.

Chemo breakfast: pumpkin pie. In an effort to keep his weight up, I will feed Travis anything that sounds good to eat!

At the CHOA infusion center, waiting for the helpful poisons.

And after the helpful poisons...

As we were driving back from the CT scan and waiting for the results, this beautiful and broken rainbow was a sweet "God wink". He has sent rainbows in some pretty important points in our life. Thankful for this one!

A surprise visit from Kevin B, the founder of Christ School Bundibugyo.  A little reunion of CSB Board of Governors! 

Aidan keeps life light!

Aidan was so glad to finally meet his littlest brother, Abner Benjamin Sol Stevens!

The four Bundi Blondies!

Finch getting Aidan's contact information in his new iPhone

The Johnson Clan gives Highlands NC ice cream a thumbs up!

Bella gave birth to eight healthy puppies!

So cute! 

All in new homes across Uganda...like these two in Jinja with their mother Bella.

The Tuesday Treat Ladies Strike again! This time with Father's Day golf cupcakes.

A visit with the Bundi-Bound Wheeler Family was truly bittersweet!

Aidan and Miles playing trains.
I added this one to document my best attempt at laying train tracks, not quite my specialty, but I tried!

Patton at his belt test for Karate.

With his best buddy, Sam

Reunion with Jacksons and Jacksons

Sweet friends through the years! Now eleven kids strong!

First Day of School: feeling much more comfortable and connected

Tuesday Treat Ladies: this time ice cream cupcakes!

African-sized spider makes my Lilli happy!

Lilli's birthday wish: to have ice cream with a few girlfriends.

Her second birthday wish was to have an archery-soccer party with make-your-own-pizza and a birthday pumpkin pie on camouflage forest plates with zebra print balloons. A birthday party as unique as my 9 year old girl!

A happy family

A girl with a gift for archery

A true sportsman

And our little warrior

Three trunks of books from Nashville folks to the Bundi folks through Books for Bundi!

Lilli keeping up with the boys in soccer practice, the beginning of a new school year.

month in photos

Aidan with his fabulous preschool teachers, Mrs Lisa and Mrs Paulette

Patton shares his kindergarten portfolio with Travis on the last day of school

Patton loved his PCA kindergarten teacher Mrs Braddy!

Celebrating the end of school at Dunkin Donuts!

A visit from Elisa, my good buddy from teaching days

And Eric (with Chad and Travis)

First baseball game ever!

Shucking corn, a summertime rite of passage that we love!

Picnic with nephew Elliot and long time friend Jill, our nutrition friend from Cali

Sweetness: a surprise visit with Mary Rushton

American Girls trip with Lilli's best girlfriends (though she was very confused why dolls need so many clothes!)