The inspiration for my business comes from the woman described in Proverbs 31. I wanted to nurture the skill of knitting that my grandmother taught me years ago and bless others. Designing knitwear accessories is a love of mine, though my time is limited because I work full time in communications at a large Christian relief and development organization. In the nonprofit industry, I can emulate, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." With my handmade goods, I am a modern version of the Proverbs 31 woman who "makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes."

I strongly identify with the generations of women (and men) who have labored in love with their artisan skills to beautify the world. Today, when I visit places around the world, from Mexico to Ecuador to Thailand, I feel a sense of connection with indigenous community folk and people living in poverty who knit garments from alpaca yarn or weave together brightly colored accessories to sell at the market.

As I have evolved as a designer and a person, my business has become a means to minister to many people that I do not know and may never meet. I create all my products with love and care, and I am proud to know that what I have made has been worn by brides in their weddings, given as gifts for special occasions, or displayed in people's homes. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to express love to vulnerable children and keep them warm with donated handmade scarves, through BelleAdora's Beloved. This has taught me the true meaning of loving thy neighbor as thyself - particularly those most struggling with sadness, poverty, loneliness and hopelessness.

I hope that as I grow into the person I am meant to be, I also learn these skills of the Proverbs 31 woman, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Rather than "her works bring her praise at the city gate," I pray that my life and spirit leads people to believe "her works bring Him praise at the city gate."