One 2009 pre-dawn morning during, one of me and my husband's
nightly pillow talks, seemingly a bright light bulb came on,
and stayed on in my head! I shared with him that I no longer
deemed it necessary for me to just wait until the autumn season
of the year to wear leather gloves. For some time now, I had
been twirling this creative glove design in my head. As much
as I tried to forget about it, or place it on the backburner,
it was not a fleeting thought. It just wouldn't disappear.
The very next day, I was scheduled to speak at a women's session,
believe it or not, called the "Cackling Hens." Contrary
to its title, it is quite the contrast. Organizer Cynthia Brooks'
[centinyork@yahoo.com]
sole purpose is for women to uplift one another and their life
purposes.
As we briefly rewind from the time I awakened until the time
of my arrival at the women's session, all I could visualize and
imagine was how beautiful a feminine, eloquent pair of year round
gloves would set my put my outfit into motion. Well, long story
short, I ended up not having the gloves for that particular women's
session. But, out of that very women's session, something so
much greater and so much bigger evolved!
From the melancholy expressions on the faces of the fellow
"Cackling Hens", it was apparent they were not necessarily
in the mood for my pre-scripted message. God, through and with
His infinite wisdom ordered me to deviate from my prepared speech,
and just talk to the sisters heart to heart.
When that happened, the women begin opening up, and pouring out
the root of their 'doom and gloom' facial expressions. Several
of the ladies present were no longer employed by the now defunct
sewing factory, of which many made their living. All I remember
saying was "Don't tell your God how big your problem is;
tell your problem how BIG your GOD is." The maxim, "It
takes team work to make the dream work" became ever so poignant
and authentic in my life.
I shared with the ladies, "I have a design of gloves
that I would like to personally have, and if you are as good
as you say you are, then let's pull our resources together, and
make it happen. Unbeknownst would I realize another one of my
dreams was unfolding right before my natural eyes, as was several
of the seamstresses' dreams in York, AL! That very day, Foo Foo
Collection Gloves was predestined, and has been growing ever
since.
The gratification I am experiencing as a result of being able
to put such gifted and humble women back to work ushers my heart
to sing a glad song. Because of my dream, I have been blessed
to create jobs in Alabama's Black Belt. Since I was merely getting
gloves to accent what I considered my personal timeless wardrobe,
never in my wildest did I fathom that so many other women were
awaiting a glove explosion! A glove renaissance; a resurrection;
glove revitalization!
This is such a minuscule tribute to my loving Mother, Zenobia
who not only dressed retro-classic, but taught my sister, Glenda,
and I to do likewise. Ladies, I owe a tremendous debt to her.
Globally, Glenda, Theresa Cameron, Vanessa Rogers Long, Evelyn
Reed, Danita Rose, and Vera Thompson have been staunch sorors,
supporters and purchasers of this God blessed glove undertaking.
Locally, Ruby Lee and Deidre Sims are assisting us resurrect
what was becoming the lost art, sewing. Also I owe Dr. Jacqualine
Myers a grandstand because she shared her contemporary, vintage
glove sample with me, but knew not where I could retrieve a pair.
I tell you. "Necessity is the motherhood of creativity."
Lastly, one other sister friend, Barbara Marshall Coleman who
has nominated the gloves for numerous recognitions, publications
and awards, and also made my first pair of velvet rhinestone
gloves available, I also owe thanks, ultimately to God be the
glory.
Foo
Foo Gloves,
which can be found via www.afayeboykin.com are:
* Affordable to almost every feminine female
* Joint Soothers in twenty-two (22) fabulous colors
* A year round accessory to any wardrobe. Get ready to be the
indelible talk of the affair
* Hand Washable in cold water
* Outlandishly fashionable & sure to stand out
When we can no longer see the hand of God, it is then time
to trust the heart of God. In closing, let us never forget. God
not only supplies our needs, He gives us the desires of our hearts.
To all of my current and future customers, we must keep the
faith. We must keep our eyes on the prize, because I am learning
from one of my fellow author friends, Glinda Bridgforth that
"Our darkest days ultimately lead to our brightest opportunities"
based upon I Peter 5:6-11. Be willing to work while you wait
for your change.
In His Tender Loving Care,
A.
Faye