I have had the true privilege of connecting with Amanda of Snow and Company on Etsy. Not only will her story move you, her heart shows in her work. Because of the following email from her, we’ve decided to launch a “guest designer” series. Our guest designers will be featured on the back of MBC prints and we’ll be featuring their story on the blog. This MBC community is full of truly brave + inspiring people and we can't wait to share their goodness.

From Amanda: “I ordered from MBC right after my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. In the cup, there was some artwork that said "One can make a day of any size." It gave us a whole lot of hope!”

So… the prints you see here have a story behind them and to me, the background story to a product means a whole lot. Keep reading - you’ll be glad you did!

My husband (Matt) is KILLING IT. God has blown us away with Matt's healing and done a number on our hearts as well. He is working, happy and healthy. He was able to stop chemo in September and has had clear scans ever since. His next one is on Feb. 10. The doctors say that this cancer is one that could come back two years from now, fifteen years from now, anywhere in between or maybe never. But we know in our hearts that God has healed him! Prayers are always coveted.

The Story Behind the Prints:

Ever Grateful: Especially during this time with Matt and cancer, we are often so aware of what God has done and is doing for us. As we continue on in health, we don't ever want to forget what He has brought us out of. And we look forward to the future. To moving forward in to what he has already prepared and planned for us.

The Darkest Nights: Don't they though? All the times in life that we thought were just the worst, always bring out the most beautiful, rare qualities that each of us possess. We become capable, emboldened and fierce. We become who we are in the darkest nights.

If you receive one of Amanda's designs, feel free to give her an IG hug (aka shout out). Etsy shop: SnowandCompany.

Please don't be afraid to share your story, Friends, because you never know who might be encouraged and inspired. If you'd like to be considered as a guest designer, please reach out to me directly- bobbi@themasonbarcompany.com.

All My Best, 

Bobbi 

This is the fun and thankful part.  : )

Thanks for putting up with my honesty session in Part 1 of the recap. Today we'll be looking into the future of 2016 and getting pumped up for so many GOOD things! But! First things first for this round of "saying goodbye". I'd like to start by thanking you, our MBC customer. You treat us so well and we are truly, truly thankful for all of your support this past year. Seriously- our customers are the BEST! Secondly I would like to thank my Landlord and his team of wonderful people. Without their insanely gracious and awesome love this year we would not be where we are... literally. I mean literally. We've been very blessed with the opportunity to be in our beautiful 3500 square foot warehouse because of their efforts. The MBC Girls and I have felt like goddess's this past year... well taken care of and I cannot find a word that ultimately describes our gratitude. Thank you Brian, Jason, Hilary, Cody and Gina. We LOVE YOU and are forever grateful! By the way, if anyone is looking for warehouse space- come check out the Micro 7 Community! We'd love to be your neighbor!! Call Gina Wertz, Realtor in Sonora. 

Aren't collaborations the funnest? Don't you just love when you see two brands come together to produce something special? I definitely do. This year we are teaming up with our friends at Farm To Kids! "FTK" is a one-for-one almond company. For every pound of almonds they sell, a pound is given to a needy child in the U.S. We are lucky enough to reside close to their headquarters and also call them friends. We will be partnering with Farm To Kids and sponsoring classrooms all across our great nation! Farm To Kids provides "clean fuel" in the form of raw almonds and The Mason Bar Company provides tumblers for clean, free, filtered water to students. To help us on our journey to providing better heath to our youth you can purchase our collaborative boxes that include the highest quality, natural California almond and an MBC 24 ounce Tumbler- both of these are nicely packaged in a pretty box for $24.95. For every box sold, a child will be sponsored. Launching January 5th!

Etsy! I know I have some die-hards reading this post... Etsy is the mecca of all things awesome, correct? It's established itself as the epicenter of possibility and greatness to all who crave an entrepreneurial lifestyle by means of creating, selling, crafting and making. Etsy is where I got my start and I've always said that I will forever be grateful to the Marketplace for its genius because it changed my life. I've decided to go back to my "homeland" and re-invent our MBC Etsy Shop. Here's the new write up on our Etsy "About" page- it will explain the new look and purpose...

This is My Story

It's been heavy on my heart to take a leap of faith into something bigger than myself and I believe this is it. This is new territory for MBC and it's a bit scary but I don't want to look back on my life and wonder if I could have done more. Since MBC has been such a beautiful part of my life- how can I keep it to myself? I can't. The Etsy shop will be structured in such a way that is honest and fair to our wholesale customers and will have guidelines for buyers. I'm really excited about this new venture - it's going to be explosive!

Lastly, we are working with a new source (disclosure coming soon) for our leather that will allow us to manufacture outside of our warehouse. This is a really big deal for us... Annie has physically cut and snapped every single cuff that has ever been produced! Due to the increase of sales it's necessary that we mass produce and believe me- we'll be supporting wonderful people all across the globe as well as here in the U.S. to bring you the same high quality and ethically made MBC cuffs. It's going to be awesome!!!

Our Friends at The Global Belief Project are always on the forefront of our minds and hearts so you can expect to see some campaigns this year that will directly support and give to their clean water projects in Northern Uganda. I also hope to be able to have the opportunity to visit them again this year in Jinja... fingers crossed for a miracle!

Well I feel like I've written a novel so thanks to everyone who actually made it this far ; ) Just so you know, there will be several other collaborations that launch this year, new MBC merchandise and of course new lid colors! I want to say thanks again for being here with us and supporting our small, hard working company. We will forever be dreaming big and hope that you will too. Cheers to a prosperous and exciting year!

All My Best,

Bobbi 

Oh my... 2015. You kicked my butt.

I know I don't blog very often but when I do it's because I really feel compelled to share "heart stuff". You guys know how I love to do the year in review, a recap of MBC happenings and feelings so I am writing to you now to do that plus a little more. I am going to also chat about some upcoming collaborations and shop news (Part 2!) that I believe will define the year ahead as one of greatness!

Many of you have been on this journey with me for so long that I feel it's important to share honestly... This fourth year of owning The Mason Bar Company was the hardest. Growing pains were paining me so bad that I found myself unable to think straight and function at times. Growing is great but the pain is excruciating. I screwed up in many area's of the business- I over bought inventory of one kind and not enough in another... several times. I've been so insecure about crunching numbers that simple math literally turns my stomach and um, well, that's not ok. The MBC team is so hard working (and special) that I feel like I fail them on a regular basis. They deserve better office chairs and better desks and better everything! I have felt so inadequate this past year. Most of the time I can't figure out what my problem is and then for brief moments, the fog dissipates and clarity returns. The wheels start working and all is well again. When the growing pains return, I'm back to feeling like a complete moron. (Insert the pathetic crying face emoji.)

That's my sob story in a nut shell. You're like, "Oh my gosh, what is her problem?!" I know. Right?!! Believe me, I'm with ya. But in all seriousness I share those things to say this: 2015 has taught me that lack of knowledge doesn't mean I'm a failure- It means that I will be learning and growing in new areas which will make me a stronger person and leader. My lack of focus forces me to use self control which is what I preach to my kids all day long... I can do it too! Focus. Focus. Focus. And my anxieties don't have to be so paralyzing. By attacking problems head on and proper time management -anxiety is minimal.

Can you relate to these kinds of feelings? I'm usually not such a downer and I'm never the one to have a pity party or negative attitude, BUT... again, just sharing my honest year with you. I'm learning that it's about perspective, forgiveness in ourselves and continuing on the path of passion with a mighty hustle! Right? Right.

I believe Entrepreneur's live very beautiful and adventurous lives but within the beauty and adventure lies fear like no other. It's setting sail in a ship all your own.. it's "glorious madness". Ask any Entrepreneur and they'll probably tell you there's nowhere else they'd rather be than in their boat, in the middle of the raging sea. Yep. That's how crazy this journey is and oh- what a privilege! Nowhere else I'd rather be! I am so thankful for the freedom to go, to do, and to conquer.  

Part 2 Tomorrow.    xo!

-Bobbi

2560 x 1440 // 1680 x 1050 // 1440 x 900 // 1280 x 800 // phone

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Dear Friends,

It’s been on my heart to share a bit deeper about my MBC journey. If you’re going to read this, it probably means that you are a customer. Well, if you are I’d like you to know how grateful I am to have you a part of my life. I would have never dreamt that I would be writing these words today- four years from the start of it all. My heart is full. The tears are flowing as I write this- thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ok, here we go. I’ll do my best not to sound like a total moron and screw this up (that’s my “I didn’t go to college” insecurity kicking it.) Alright, alright, no more disclaimers. I’m ready now  : )

Four years ago I distinctly remember sitting on the warm sand at Twain Harte Lake next to my closest friends, brainstorming the name of my first Etsy shop. I had decided to quit my waitressing job to make rings from vintage fabric. Seriously? What was I thinking. Oh! I know what I was thinking… I was desperate to find a way out of a job that was sucking the life from my soul. After 8 months of food service I realized that if I continued on the path I was on, I would regret my life. It was my darkest hour, folks. I was lost, bitter and sad. I found it difficult to even get out of bed in the morning. It was a place I had never been before and refuse to go back to. It wasn’t that long ago so if you chat with me in person about my journey, this is why I usually get choked up and emotional. This is why when I say that I am grateful… it’s because I cannot find a word that truly, deeply describes just how grateful I am. I really mean it.

So back to the Etsy shop… it was a blast to dive into! I instantly fell in love with the online sales platform and spent every waking moment researching and perfecting my shop. I was in love. Not only was I in love with this new world of e-commerce but I was working from home with my baby boy next to me, a very happy camper. Broke… but happy. During this time, there was a bible verse that I said out loud every time fear set in… which was multiple times a day because of the fear of failure, fear of finances, the list goes on. The verse was Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”. I held on tight to these words. It always reminded me of the beauty of our God, our Creator and his abundant love for me. I would not have survived without it… without Him.

Side note: for those who know I adore all things vintage it’s because at this time in life, I could not afford to buy things at normal retail cost and therefore began consigning and thrifting my clothing. I would also take my handmade tumbler lids and jewelry to the local consignment shop to sell so that I could use the money to buy second hand. Through the experience I discovered my own unique style. I’ve always been a bit confused as to what kind of style I was or liked until I my pockets were empty. Shopping with very little made me dig deep and really consider the options. I wouldn’t trade that knowledge for anything- it set me free! 

Back to the story! I truly believe that if not for that leap of faith into (Poppy & Pearl co.), I would not have had the gumption to try and sell a product that did not yet exist. It was one month into my Etsy experience that the mason jar tumbler idea was born and then included into the shop. Someone I dearly love said to me, “Who in the world is going to pay money for this?!” Believe me friends, there was plenty of opposition during this time… plenty of doubt to go around. But! My very first sale was to a woman who lived in a high rise in Manhattan (pretty sure I shipped her tumbler in a TOMS shoe box because I didn’t know what I was doing!) and her response to the product was this: “It reminds me of home in Canada”. That did it for me. I loved that it was more than a drinking vessel- it was emotional. Three months later was Christmas and I sold 800 handmade metal tumbler tops via Poppy & Pearl co. I nixed the jewelry gig and decided to go full speed ahead with my new found niche. I realized during that holiday season that I had found my “something” and I was waking up with LIFE flowing through my veins!! I was waking up each morning with a spark inside, ready and eager for what the day might bring.

Photo below of Kuper in our dinning room (my first office space) very proud to help with some of our first orders.

MBC is now a team of eight lovely souls who kick butt in the warehouse and are the coolest group of people to work with!! The team ships retail and wholesale all over the globe. Be on the lookout for some pretty awesome collaborations soon as well as MBC goods coming to major department stores. Due to the momentum of the company, our team has been prepping for big changes and we’re excited for what the near future holds. 

It’s this business that has shown me Gods undeniable grace and favor that comes only from Him. It’s this four year journey that has taught me over and over again to put my faith in Him, to move forward in life without fear, knowing the plan that He has for me is good. We have a great and mighty, loving God that wants nothing more than to have our hearts. I am so thankful that He rescued me four years ago and showed me a path that led to understanding His love for me. 

Thank you for reading - I hope there was something here that encouraged you today, my friend. Again, thank you for being part of this journey with me and the MBC team. We are so grateful for all of our customers and supporters. Cheers to life! Onward!

xo

-Bobbi

#MBCturns4

Song lyrics by Hillsong United.

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”.

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Join us for a morning of inspiration and education!

Learn the in depth how-to’s of being an Etsy Seller. This workshop is dedicated to the ins and outs of what it means to have a successful shop and the tools that will be helpful to continue to grow your business.

The workshop will be held on Friday, March 27th, from 9:00am-11:00am

We will be providing refreshments and some yummy treats + lattes for all! Swag bags are also included- hip hip hooray!! Who doesn’t love a little swag? Our contributors are all truly amazing Etsy Makers and will be announced very soon.

Be sure to bring a notepad, iPad, or laptop and all of your questions!

#portworkshops

Click on the “register” link to sign up!