Saturday Spotlight: Jeanette from Creating A Life

Hello! Every Saturday Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) and I each spotlight a blogger where they tell us a little bit more about themselves so we can get to know the person behind the blog.

Today I'm so pleased to spotlight Jeanette from Creating A Life!  Not only is Jeanette beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, too! On her blog you will see her fun decorating style, and you'll also be inspired by her positive, uplifting attitude!

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Jeanette better!

I've really been enjoying this series with Susan and Kris, and I'm so happy I was invited to participate! 

I thought I'd share a little of my background and bring you along on a bit of my journey to Creating a Life. 

I really am a born "junker". I grew up in southern California, and from the time I was very young I can remember picking up castoffs and picking through things in my dad's garage, collecting "junk" and thinking, "what can I turn this into...?"

 

I have a distinct memory of going into a second hand shop with my grandmother and thinking that I couldn't imagine anything more fun than having my own "junk shop" when I grew up!  : )

In my late teens, I began taking more of an interest in decorating and design. I took a couple of design classes at the community college while working my way into a manager position at a fast food restaurant. 

In my early twenties I spent about four years working in customer service at an office supply company and then at the ill-fated "Fashion Channel". Anyone here old enough to remember that? Sort of like QVC, but all fashion, all the time. If you ordered something and never received it, you likely spoke to me : )




I wish I had some photos of the first apartment my best friend and I shared! Picture lots of mauve and black lacquered furniture and plenty of Nagel-style prints on the walls. Hey, it was the 80's! 

My design taste has changed just a bit since then. 

The Fashion Channel went under, and I found myself working in a gorgeous retail furniture store that specialized in romantic country antique reproductions. Beautiful furniture, beautiful fabrics...sigh. 

What a dream place to work at that time. I still have a few of the furniture pieces I purchased while working there!

  

In a few years I had worked my way to being the store manager, but by this time I had had my first baby. I desperately wanted to be at home with her, but I was blessed to have my aunt (my mom's twin sister) care for her while I worked. 

 

 When my aunt was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I knew it was the time to leave my job. I was privileged to be her caretaker in her last year and to finally be home with my little girl. 

After my aunt's death we left southern California and moved to Colorado for work opportunities for my husband.

Fast forward to 2009. I was now the homeschooling (since 2000), stay at home mother of four children ranging in age from 1-17. 

In January my husband left us and the ensuing separation and divorce was the most devastating time I've ever experienced. 

I knew that God wanted me home with my children, but how could that be possible now?

Along the way when things have looked hopeless, I have literally stood on God's promise to provide and care for me and my children, and He has been so faithful! As I would step out in faith, another "stepping stone of grace" would appear.

Late summer of 2012, during a particularly down time, I felt I was being led to explore blogging, opening an online shop and selling through other venues.



My, then 15-year-old, daughter helped me set up the blog (humbling) and I shared my first public post at the end of October. Scary!
I opened The Penny and the Pearl on Etsy soon after.

I couldn't have imagined then what blogging would mean to me, but what I've found is that the encouragement and creativity of the blogging community has really been medicine to my soul.

The Lord has given me a gift of looking at things with an eye for possibilities my entire life.  

He has used a very painful time in our family to guide me into healing, and a new life of using that gift to connect with you all through my blog and shop. 

He's just so amazing like that.

I'm excited to see where this year takes us in our pursuit of Creating a Life!

Thanks so much for having me over, Susan! I appreciate you letting me share a bit of my story today!

Jeanette, thank you so much for sharing with us!  I really enjoyed your honesty in telling your story, and seeing your beautiful family!
Please visit Jeanette at Creating A Life, then head over to Kris's blog to read about Rosemary from Villabarnes! :)