A shopping guide filled with unique gifts made by Franciscan alumni.
Autumn 2023 | Jessica Walker
Force of Habit Leather
Are you or your loved one a Lord of the Rings fan? Isabella Wedig ’18 creates Lord of the Rings-inspired leather bracelets, book covers, keychains, and mug sleeves, in addition to faith-inspired designs. Her shop began as a way to pay off her student loans so she could enter religious life. When God called her to another vocation, she continued to live out her passion of working with leather.
Visit her Etsy shop at forceofhabitleather.etsy.com.Catholic Handmade
A family business, Catholic Handmade offers Catholic floral stationary, apparel, and accessories. Jessica (Davanzati ’10) Stanish paints the beautiful designs by hand and transfers them onto practical products for the home.
Visit the Etsy shop at catholichandmade.etsy.com.Salt and Light by Sami
Sami (Schulze ’21) Kremer found regular candles left her with irritated skin and set out on a mission to make clean fragrances. Salt and Light offers non-toxic, organic, American-made candles and perfumes with faith-inspired names.
Visit saltandlightbysami.com.Simply Shining the Light
While on a trip, Katie (Krauser MA ’07) Paukert talked with a lady who had fallen away from the faith. Their conversation inspired Katie to create items that would bring the light of Christ into families’ everyday life. Simply Shining the Light offers wooden saint signs, Catholic kids’ puzzles, prayer space starter kits, and more.
Visit her Etsy shop at simplyshininglight.etsy.com.My Memories in Bloom
Amelia (Gagnon ‘12) and Michael Blankenberger ‘12 help people cherish loved ones and special occasions through their company, My Memories in Bloom, which turns flowers from weddings, funerals, and other events into rosaries and jewelry. The Blankenbergers say the business allows them to pray for families suffering the loss of a loved one or celebrating as newlyweds.
Visit mymemoriesinbloom.com.Little Kings Jewelry
With an online site and small location in Chicago’s Jewelers Row, Little Kings Jewelry makes everything from custom engagement rings to elegant pendants and cufflinks. Ryan Sofio ’12 says he enjoys using designs that feature various crosses such as the Jerusalem, Malta, and Order of St. George.
Visit littlekingsjewelry.com.Meyer Market Designs
Bernadette (Homol ’02 MBA ’03) Meyer created Meyer Market Designs after her own search for unique, meaningful saint gifts. She now creates everything from stationery and wall art to pillows and stuffed dolls featuring cute images of the Blessed Mother and saints that are perfect for children.
Visit meyermarketdesigns.com.Blessed Boards
Established in 2019, Blessed Boards grew from a desire to combine intentional design and faith through the tradition of woodworking. Artisan Patrick Womack ’07 says the company aims to make heirloom-quality products that are simple, practical, and timeless while using natural materials and sustainable construction techniques. Blessed Boards offers wooden Advent wreaths, charcuterie boards, and more.
Visit blessedboards.com.Mary Kate Illustrates
Mary Kate (Monin ’18) Cuccari, manager of media and videography for the Franciscan Center for Evangelization and Renewal, noticed a lack in variety of décor for nurseries. So, she designed sweet saint prints to help inspire discussions about the saints with kids. Her shop includes St. Clare, St. Francis, St. Joseph, and more. She also asks social media followers to vote on which saint they want to see next.
Visit marykateillustrates.com.Refuge Rosaries
The Rosary has always been an important part of Jessica (Harris ’08) Nayden’s spiritual life, bringing her peace and comfort throughout life’s trials. Thanks to the encouragement of her husband and family, she created Refuge Rosaries. The shop’s name reflects Our Lady’s message at Fatima when she said, “My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge.”
Visit her Etsy shop at refugerosaries.etsy.com.Theotokos Kids
Created by Veronica ’21 and Allan Caballero MEd ’21, Theotokos Kids is a Catholic children’s publishing company that helps parents raise little saints. The beautifully illustrated board books feature stories about Mary, St. Thérèse, St. Gianna, and Blessed Carlo Acutis in English and Spanish. The Caballeros created the business to share the beauty of their faith, as well as Latino culture.
Visit theotokoskids.com.Precious Petals Wood Flowers
Flowers are beautiful, but they don’t last forever. That’s why Gina D’Urso ’06 MA ’09 makes wreaths, home décor, bouquets, and centerpieces from sola wood flowers. These flowers do not deteriorate yet are lightweight and porous enough to be dyed any color, resulting in an everlasting memento for any wedding, anniversary, or special occasion.
Visit preciouspetalsflorals.com.Ginny and Saje
Virginia (Joyce ’02) Leinen and her husband, Chip ’02, design and create original Catholic jewelry and home décor from Holy Family hearts magnets and push pins to saint-inspired earrings. Virginia started the business as their family was growing; it continues to allow her to stay at home with their children while using her gifts to evangelize and share the faith.
Visit their Etsy shop at ginnyandsaje.etsy.com.Forever Floral
Maureen O’Neil Harvey (matriculated 1965–1968) has been gathering and preserving wildflowers for years. Now, she uses these flowers and other natural materials to create unique Nativity sets.
Visit Forever Floral on Facebook.Moshi Publishing
An American living in Tanzania, Liz (Danik ’06) Mtunga says daily gratitude changed her outlook on life, and she wanted to help others do the same. So, she designed Christian gratitude journals for both children and adults. Each journal has lined pages to fill with reflections and prayers.
Visit blessingtherains.com/journals.House of Love and Laughter
At House of Love and Laughter, Sophia Lebano ’23 and her mother, Heather, create Catholic jewelry and home goods. They offer tea towels, religious bracelets, and ornaments perfect for Christmas gifts.
Visit the shop at houseofloveandlaughter.com/shop.Covenant Resources Miscarriage Ministry
Chris ’98 and Rebecca Harpring started Covenant Resources to help support other families experiencing miscarriages. As part of their ministry, they offer little souls memorial ornaments to commemorate babies lost to miscarriage. The ornament features Jesus holding a baby on the front and can be inscribed with a name and date.
Visit covenantresources.org/little-souls-memorial-ornaments.Journey2Joy
Joslynn (Scott ’23) Rice loves finding joy in the small and simple things. So, she started creating custom jewelry, embroidery, and stickers to help share that joy with others.
Visit journey2joy247.com.Hazel Valley Studio
Jessica (Dowling ’17) Heaslip has always loved working with clay and making homes beautiful with carefully crafted pieces. Jessica and her husband converted their garage into a pottery studio, and she has been making homemade ceramics and collectibles ever since.
Visit hazelvalleystudio.com.Swaddle Me Sweet
Crocheting was a hobby Stephanie Schissel ’19 picked up as a young girl. Now, she makes custom crocheted baby blankets for little ones.
Visit her Instagram @swaddle.me.sweet.Little Flower Calligraphy and Gifts
Fran Heider, a Franciscan alumni parent, turned her love for all things paper into Little Flower Calligraphy and Gifts. She designs hand-lettered prints, cards, and other gifts—many of which feature Scripture or saint’s quotes—in the hope to bring the beauty of God’s word and wisdom of the saints to life in a way that can uplift and encourage.
Visit her Etsy shop at lilflower.etsy.com.Ivy Doe and Co
Riley (Laffoon ’17) Provost started Ivy Doe and Co eight years ago while finishing her theology degree. Ivy Doe and Co is an online gift shop filled with faith-inspired products such as apparel, baby essentials, home goods, and more.
Visit the shop at ivydoeandco.com.Ertel’s Famous Butt Cream
Mary (Ertel ’03) Farniok’s great grandfather was a pharmacist and created Ertel’s Butt Cream in 1890. The business has since carried on throughout four generations, providing relief for diaper rash and other skin irritations.
Visit ertelsbuttcream.com.Para-Prayers
Connor Edgington ’18 started making paracord rosaries for his Servants of the Savior Household brothers. Now, he continues to make beautiful, durable rosaries that people can pray with anywhere.
Visit the shop at paraprayers.com.Timberlake’s Special Sauce
First lieutenant Bryce Timberlake wanted to bring something different to a military barbecue. In 1992, he whipped up a sauce that was spicy, salty, and sweet. Now, his family, including Paige (Timberlake ’17) Reese, sells Timberlake’s Special Sauce so others can enjoy it at their own cookouts, as a dipping sauce, or even on rice, pasta, and salads.
Visit their shop at timberlakesspecialsauce.com.Humbly Homemade by Alli
Following the birth of her fifth child, Allison Lunsford read Your Blue Flame by Jennifer Fulwiler. She was inspired to find her own “blue flame,” or personal passion and talent, and discovered the art of crafting earrings. Alli now makes handmade earrings from genuine leather, wood, and acrylic.
Visit humblyhandmadebyalli.com or Humbly Handmade By Alli VIP on Facebook.
Little Love Stitches Co
Corinne (Jensen ’18) Wilborn crochets dresses, bonnets, sweaters, and booties for baby girls. She says she hopes to bless the hearts and homes of daughters and mothers by praying for those who will purchase and wear the items.
Visit her Etsy shop at littlelovestitchesco.etsy.com.Nib’s Workbench
Pavel Federoff ’16 started making costumes while at Franciscan. Now, he continues to carry on that passion as a leatherworker, upholsterer, clothier, costumer, and religious artisan.
Visit his shop at nibsworkbench.com.Practical Mama Wellness
While working as a nurse, Nicole (Cardone ’18) DeCarlo became aware of healthcare disparities for women. She returned to graduate school to study holistic nutrition and created Practical Mama Wellness, an online holistic and alternative medicine service. Nicole says her business is inspired by St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and rooted in the foundation she received while studying nursing at Franciscan University.
Visit practicalmamawellness.com.Legacy Rosaries and Gifts
Caroline (Schnurr ’06) Masson’s grandparents made tens of thousands of rosaries for missionaries around the world. Now, Caroline carries on their legacy by making rosaries, jewelry, and religious gifts.
Visit her Etsy shop at legacyrosariesgifts.etsy.com.Chels Marie Collection
Chelsea (Unterbrink ’07) Nye designs beautiful, ethically, and prayerfully made women’s clothing. Inspired by Our Lady of Guadalupe, her collection includes dresses, pants, blouses, skirts, and accessories.
Visit chelsmarieboutique.com/cmc or @chelsmariecollection on Facebook and Instagram.
For the Love of Beauty
Renata Grzan Wieczorek ’97 creates artwork to elevate the everyday through beauty that invites intimacy with Christ. She offers classical and contemporary artworks, icons, cards, jewelry, and more.
Visit fortheloveofbeauty.com.Branch and Vine Co
Tiana (DeLorge ’18) Hawk started making hand-stamped jewelry pieces after purchasing many herself over the years. She hopes her custom, gold-filled necklaces can help others remember all the big or small moments of life and hold those memories close to their hearts.
Visit branchandvinecogoods.etsy.com.Briana Marie Art
Briana (Feiler ’08) Miller has always been inspired by stained glass. At age 37, she took a class through a local community education program. Now, she creates custom stained glass panels and suncatchers.
Visit her Etsy shop at brianamarieart.com.IOSEPHstudio
Candido Mukuni ’19 and family started IOSEPHstudio to share the faith doing what they love to do most—art.
Visit iosephstudio.etsy.com.LZG Beaded Designs
Since 1999, Luann (Zanke ’78) Gilliland had designed and created beaded jewelry and suncatchers.
See her designs at LZG Beaded Designs on Facebook.
