The SHINE Project

You may recall me mentioning The Shine Project in a past post. Well, it is time to share with you a little more about that.  First, if you have no idea what The Shine Project is, please check out their website/blog here.  If you just can't bring yourself to follow that link, then I'll just share this video here for you to watch more easily.

I am hoping you took the time to watch the video.  I  first came across Ashley's blog about nine months ago via another blog.  Yes, you are right... I may not be a big TV watcher, but the time I'm not wasting on TV, I make up for in blog stalking reading.  

Anyhow, when I first came across The Shine Project, Ashley's style is what first stood out, and to be honest I didn't dig too deep into her blog space.  Then a few months ago when I wrote this post about feeling called to do a little more with my creative hands... The Shine Project immediately came to mind.  So I found my way back to her blog and decided to dig deeper and look into more of what she does.  I came across the above video... and I cried.  I'll admit that making me cry isn't a hard thing to do... but still, what she has started is amazing.

This is what you find written in the "about" section on The Shine Project's blog...

In the dictionary, Shine is defined as:

1. to give forth or glow with light
2. to be bright with reflected light; glisten; sparkle.
3. to appear with brightness or clearness.
4. to excel

I believe that all of us possess talents, skills, and abilities that can be used to literally change the world.  I believe that stepping out of your comfort zone to do hard things is what gives meaning and happiness to life.

This is what The Shine Project is all about:

Going out of your comfort zone

to bring light to those who need hope.

The Shine Project emulates love, sacrifice, and

CHANGE.

 The Shine Project's purpose is to inspire you to live the highest quality of life obtainable, and to motivate you to join our efforts in making this world a better place. We have many events set up around the country, and would love for you to get involved!

The Shine Scholarship Project is a non-profit that was created by TSP to put our beliefs in action. Its mission is to improve the lives of at-risk teens through service, education, and family involvement. We do service projects with inner city students every other week to teach them the leadership skills that are necessary for them to succeed. The money we raise goes to sending these leaders to college, so they can give back to society.You can read more about how to get involved HERE.

After a few weeks of thinking all of this over, I then spent several days debating if I should contact Ashley.  I've never done anything like this before.   Finally I emailed her to see if she had space for another Shine Partner and if she thought my designs would be a good fit.  Then, if I am honest I'll admit that I spent a few days doubting myself and my creations and feeling a little embarrassed for putting myself out there in the first place.  But, then Ashley contacted me and I was happy to hear that she loved the items and would be happy to have me as a Shine Partner.  So, now you can find Aidie's Hideaway on the list of Shine Partners.  Aidie's Hideaway will be giving 100% from the Shine items that sell to the Shine Scholarship Fund.  You can find these items in my Etsy shop in their own section.

Here are the first pieces I have created for The Shine Project.

 

I am happy with this first batch of items and have had a lot of fun making them and all that was involved with this start up.  We'll see how they do and what new ideas I come up with.  Some have already sold so I am busy making more to add to the group.  Hoping that over time these little items can contribute a little something to the Shine Scholarship Fund.  That would be amazing and make my heart smile.  Thank you Ashley for letting me be a tiny part of this great thing you started!  SHINE ON!