CATASAUQUA, Pa. — With Lenten season upon us, a local jewelry designer hopes to spread the word about her faith — one ear at a time.
Jennifer Parker, owner of Crafting with Agape, specializes in handmade earrings adorned with crosses and sayings such as "He is Risen,” “Hope" and "Created."
"I wanted to incorporate my faith into the business and agape in the Bible means unconditional love. That is what [Jesus Christ] has for us," Parker said.
Each set of earrings comes with a prayer card, which is Parker's version of a business card/blessing.
"Usually it's a scripture or motivational verbiage," she said. 'The purpose is to spread God's love for everyone, and to let his message go through by just putting a little seed in everyone that does order through me."
Sometimes the messages are handpicked for the customer.
"If it's a card for a teacher, I may say something more personalized like, 'You're the life for these kids,' or, 'Your teaching doesn't go unnoticed,'" Parker said.
School pride
Parker's business model is not only for the faithful.
She recently became a stay-at-home mom after working at Jefferson Elementary School for 11 years.
"I always wanted to have my own business, but you know, I have kids, so being a parent comes first. My oldest daughter is in college and since I always loved to make wreaths, arrangements and different kinds of arts and crafts, I started to make the earrings."Jennifer Parker
"I always wanted to have my own business, but I have kids, so being a parent comes first," she said. "My oldest daughter is in college.
"And since I always loved to make wreaths, arrangements and different kinds of arts and crafts, I started to make the earrings."
At first, she said, she made the pieces for her inner circle.
Then, fellow teachers, team coaches and parents in the community took notice.
Soon enough, Parker had a competitive edge that matched the intensity of the rivalry of the Konkrete Kids of Northampton Area High School and the Catasauqua Area High School Rough Riders.
"One of my first clients was a volleyball coach from Northampton High School who asked me to make earrings for the team," she said.
"It was funny because she ended up working at Emmaus, so I also made sets for them."
She's also made designs for members of Pen Argyl Area High School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Lehigh Parkway School, Whitehall High School, Catasauqua Area High School and Penn State.
For this year's Super Bowl, she created versions for fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Around the world
For those who prefer a different type of fútbol, she also makes sets featuring flags from around the world.
"I've made earrings with flags from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and red, white and blue versions for holidays like Fourth of July," she said.
In total, Parker said, she has created more than 150 designs.
"The biggest surprise is when I go somewhere and I see someone actually wearing my earrings."Jennifer Parker
Since the images are first made on a 3D printer, Parker also can customize the pieces.
"I had a client that wanted their dog who had passed away memorialized, so I was able to create something for them that was heartfelt," she said.
After an order is placed, the earrings, which start at $8 per set, are ready for the customer in three to five days.
In recent months, she said, she also has designed glassware and stickers.
Since starting the home-based business, she said she's grateful for the support.
"The biggest surprise is when I go somewhere and I see someone actually wearing my earrings," she said.
"My kids attended Catasauqua High School and I was at a game once and I saw a woman wearing my earrings, and I was so proud. I just thought, 'How cool is this?'"
For information on Crafting with Agape, visit Parker's Facebook page.
