Abby's Arts & Photography

02/22/2026

Who’s ready for a dumpster fire?? Take your pick of a coaster set (4 flame coasters) or stuffy - $25 each!

01/07/2026

What is a Handbag for Hope?

The short answer that we give during the minute people look at them in the booth at a festival is “They are small handbags, fully lined, and half the cost goes to Blazing Hope, which is a residential treatment program for survivors of Human Trafficking.”

If you want to know “the rest of the story,” keep reading!

Human Trafficking is more than just a bad experience… something happens to a person when a dollar amount is assigned to their body. This isn’t the same as negotiating a salary, it shifts your entire worldview, experience, and view of self. It’s dehumanizing and should never happen. But it does. Over and over again. And it changes everything. Blazing Hope is designed for women who have experiences and history so intense and prolonged that they need an extended time to heal. Women who are often discarded or dismissed by society, unable to access many programs after passing the age of 30. Blazing Hope provides a home and safe place to support healing for 2 years. That includes medical care, mental health care, substance abuse recovery, legal aid, budgeting assistance, life skills, vocational rehabilitation, GED and other educational and training programs, mentorship, and so much more. There are many tears and struggles during this extended process. Before they graduate, the women have a steady source of income, reliable transportation, safe housing, and have met their individual treatment goals.

The Handbags for Hope (what this post was originally about!) are created out of yarn that most creators would discard. Scrap yarn. Leftovers or problematic strands that would typically be thrown out. The yarn is combined for beautiful patterns and designs. The handbags are then stitched with a thermal teardrop stitch. An extravagant or wasteful stitch to be sure, that along with the way the yarn is chosen, ensures that there is no possibility of ever making a repeat. Each bag is completely unique. The creation is then attached to a stable and sturdy canvas lining with a coordinating zipper. Finally, a pretty zipper pull is added, just to enhance the entirely new creation. There are reflections of the process of healing in every step of creation. Then you buy them and support this healing in a small way. Perhaps you keep it for yourself and remember the need or pray for the women involved each time you use it. Perhaps you give it away along with the Blazing Hope brochure and continue to spread awareness and support.

Here’s the new restock!!

01/02/2026

What is a Handbag for Hope?

The short answer that we give during the minute people look at them in the booth at a festival is “They are small handbags, fully lined, and half the cost goes to Blazing Hope, which is a residential treatment program for survivors of Human Trafficking.”

If you want to know “the rest of the story,” keep reading!

Human Trafficking is more than just a bad experience… something happens to a person when a dollar amount is assigned to their body. This isn’t the same as negotiating a salary, it shifts your entire worldview, experience, and view of self. It’s dehumanizing and should never happen. But it does. Over and over again. And it changes everything. Blazing Hope is designed for women who have experiences and history so intense and prolonged that they need an extended time to heal. Women who are often discarded or dismissed by society, unable to access many programs after passing the age of 30. Blazing Hope provides a home and safe place to support healing for 2 years. That includes medical care, mental health care, substance abuse recovery, legal aid, budgeting assistance, life skills, vocational rehabilitation, GED and other educational and training programs, mentorship, and so much more. There are many tears and struggles during this extended process. Before they graduate, the women have a steady source of income, reliable transportation, safe housing, and have met their individual treatment goals.

The Handbags for Hope (what this post was originally about!) are created out of yarn that most creators would discard. Scrap yarn. Leftovers or problematic strands that would typically be thrown out. The yarn is combined for beautiful patterns and designs. The handbags are then stitched with a thermal teardrop stitch. An extravagant or wasteful stitch to be sure, that along with the way the yarn is chosen, ensures that there is no possibility of ever making a repeat. Each bag is completely unique. The creation is then attached to a stable and sturdy canvas lining with a coordinating zipper. Finally, a pretty zipper pull is added, just to enhance the entirely new creation. There are reflections of the process of healing in every step of creation. Then you buy them and support this healing in a small way. Perhaps you keep it for yourself and remember the need or pray for the women involved each time you use it. Perhaps you give it away along with the Blazing Hope brochure and continue to spread awareness and support.

I’m working on a complete restock now (After almost selling out again) and will post a picture of updated availability soon!

11/20/2025

Added a new Market for this Saturday! Come see us & shop!!

11/14/2025

Come see us & shop tomorrow!!

🎄 ✨ Get Ready for the Holly Jolly Market! ✨🎄

Mark your calendars! November 15th is going to be merry and bright! 🎅🎁 Join us for our annual Holly Jolly Market, where holiday cheer fills the air and local vendors bring the magic of the season to life.

🛍️ Shop unique handmade gifts
🎶 Enjoy festive tunes
🎨 Fun for the whole family with kids' crafts and face painting

Kick off your holiday season with community, creativity, and Christmas spirit! 🎄❤️

📅 When: Saturday, November 15th
📍 Where: 7514 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
🕒 Time: 9:30 - 4:00

Come jingle and mingle, it’s the most wonderful market of the year! ✨

10/18/2025

St Alban’s/Holy Cross Fall Festival Today!! Here until 12:30!

09/26/2025

Come see us tomorrow!!

09/11/2025

Come see us Saturday!

08/14/2025

08/08/2025

Come see us tomorrow and claim this life-size stuffed taco! Or any of the other fun or useful items!! Red Bank Second Saturday 10-1!

07/31/2025

Niagara! (US Side)

07/20/2025

With the cancellation of one of our biggest annual events this spring, we weren’t able to make it to sponsoring a full nest this year, but we did sponsor a hatchling! (Half the cost of a nest sponsorship)