Nozomi Project

I am so unbelievably excited to be sharing with you all today.  I mentioned the Nozomi Project briefly back in November after I returned from a mission trip and I promised to make an announcement once the project was up and fully running so that's what I'm here to do today!

The Nozomi {nozomi means hope in Japanese} Project was created in response to the devastation left behind after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.  It is a social enterprise bringing sustainable income, community, dignity and hope to the women in Ishinomaki, Japan by training women to craft unique jewelry products.  One third of these women are single mothers and grandmothers; most of these women and their family members lost their livelihood when the tsunami crashed through half of their city in 2011.​  These women are creating one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry featuring broken pieces of pottery left in the wake of the tsunami (called the Shards of Hope product line), as well as other beautiful products such as kimono accessories and note cards  Each of our product lines has been named by a Nozomi woman in honor of a loved one in her life. 

I had the honor of working with some of these ladies back in July and then on our trip in November  we got a sneak peak into some the lines that had been created.  If you look back at my two blog posts, you will see that the concept and designs have changed a great deal and will most likely continue to do so as the project evolves but each piece is truly beautiful in it's own way. 

Today, I want to share some of this beauty with one of you while also spreading the word about the project!  I am going to give away this GORGEOUS necklace from the Kukiko line {this is really, really hard for me to do because once it arrived in the mail, I fell in love with this and badly want to keep it for myself!}

I am a decent photographer but these photos really don't do the piece justice.  It is absolutely stunning in person!

My main goal here is to bring awareness to the project, not my blog so you don't even have to be a follower to enter to win this necklace.  You MUST complete number 1 or all other entries will be invalid.  For each task you complete, leave a separate comment on this post so that I am sure to give you the appropriate number of entries.  Also, be sure to leave your email in the comments so I know how to reach you if you win!

1. Go to their website, click on "gifts" and leave me a comment here telling me which piece is your favorite {line name and number}.

2. Like their Facebook page.

3. Tweet "I want to win a #Nozomi necklace from @bleudressnjapan #tsunami #relief #Ishinomaki #Japan http://tinyurl.com/ahmk99s". 

4. Blog about this giveaway & the Nozomi project.

BONUS.  If you purchase a piece from their website and email me a copy of your receipt {the receipt does not contain payment info but PLEASE feel free to block out your last name/address if you'd like} I will give you 5 extra entries!

Deadline for all entries is January 25th, 2013 at 10pm EST.  

Please tell all of your friends & family about this great project and the chance to win this beautiful necklace!