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Dear Mushka,

We're Hiring!

 

Want to join the Dear Mushka team? We're hiring for another set of "hands" for the business-- mostly making jewelry & fulfilling daily orders. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Able to work 25 hours per week with potential for more, especially during holiday seasons. Ready to start in June.
  • Passionate about the Dear Mushka brand and the heart + hope behind it
  • Reliable transportation to Franklin, TN
  • Can pay close attention to detail with repetitive tasks and follow the work guides set before you
  • Capable of handling small tools and materials; will work with your hands 
  • Eager to learn and grow your skill set
  • Able to work independently or with minimal supervision; introverted a plus
  • Strong interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Comfortable with small children disrupting your work space on occasion (sorry)

    Sound like you? Send brief experience history and why you’d be interested in the job to robert@dearmushka.com. We can't wait to hear from you! 

    *Note: This is not a Summer-only or remote role

     

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    Quiet Time as a Christian Mother with a Newborn

    I’ve previously talked about my quiet time with God and how I memorize scripture but this looks difference when you have a newborn baby, of course.

    I personally thrive with structure and am a very organized person, this is how I normally do things, but a newborn changes it all! You’re exhausted, can’t process what you’re reading, your arms are always full and you’re just extra busy.

    4 things I do during this season with a newborn:

    Grace Grace Grace

    The first thing I do is give myself grace. The first 6-8 weeks with a newborn I expect very little from myself in all areas of life. My routines and life in general looks very different. After that initial 8 weeks the baby gets their days and nights pretty much figured out - usually! My boys usually had a 7pm bedtime by then which changes everything.

    For those first 8 weeks with a newborn just know it’s okay if this time looks very different than how you want it to look or to how it looked before. Give yourself grace!

    I feel like this time helps you establish a dependence of the Lord which is so crucial to motherhood! Even if all you’re saying is help. This quiet time is not the goal - a relationship with God is the goal. Use this season to humble yourself and come to the throne of grace.

    Pray!

    Use this time to pray. It’s a wonderful way to use your time when you can’t do much else. Often I’m just stuck in a chair knowing that if I move Cru will wake up, so there I am just sitting by myself. I use this time to pray.

    My thought wander more than normal because I’m tired but it always deepens my prayer. I’ve talked about prayer a lot in my IG Highlights but one thing that helps me is having a prayer topic for every day of the week.

    You could just take a post-it note and write something quickly: Monday - Children; Tuesday - Spouse; Wednesday - Friends; etc. Whatever the focus in your life is. It does not need to be fancy.  You just need the reminders to help you focus your thoughts for prayer when you’re pacing a room at 2am.

    Stick to your Bible reading plan as best you can

    Again, give yourself grace with this and do the best you can. I’m currently reading through the Bible chronologically and during this season I’ll usually just pull it up on my phone or listen. I’ve also missed many days and just skip them so I don’t feel overwhelmed to catch up.

    I trust that His words are getting rooted in me even when I’m not putting a lot of study behind them. Isaiah 55:11 says God’s words don’t go out void. So growth can happen even when we’re foggy as we read!

    I also enjoy praying John Piper’s IOUS before I read my Bible and praying for God’s help before reading is crucial for me.

    Memorize or Meditate

    I also use this time to memorize scripture or meditate on a passage or chapter or verse. Whatever it looks like for you! It’s a good way to use your quiet time and I’ve memorized on chapter with each of my newborns! I’m currently working on Psalm 34 with baby Cru.

    Focusing my thoughts here is hard, but it’s so beneficial. It may be the only time in the word I get and I need that! You can also choose to get meditate and repeat one verse for your newborn season.

    One verse that has been such a comfort to me during this time is paired with our Servant Necklace and it reflects that idea that I can serve because of Jesus’ example and the power of the Holy Spirit. I wear this necklace daily during this season to serve as a reminder and have the corresponding verse card taped to my bathroom.

    I hope these were helpful reminders and that you know that you are not alone. The newborn season is hard! Remember that this is a short season and that in 8 weeks things will begin looking differently again.

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    Encouragement for Women Walking Through Infertility

    This week I shared a special guest appearance from my dear friend walking through infertility and miscarriage share her story on the Dear Mushka IG stories.

    This is not part of our story but I know that is part of so many of yours! I think it’s so important for both sides to talk about this - for those of you walking the road of infertility or miscarriage to share what it’s like for those of us who aren’t, so we learn how to encourage you and love you well!

    Head over to the “Infertility” Highlights if you want to watch her share her journey or simply read below. I’ve also included some Dear Mushka jewelry pieces for women walking through this season of motherhood.

    Jessi has words for us all to learn and will share both sides of the people groups. Remember that we are made to do life together so I hope you find value in this guest appearance!

    Jessi is a friend from church and I reached out to her a few weeks ago to share her story of walking through a difficult season. Her husband and her have been walking a season of infertility for the past 5 years.

    Trent and Jessi got married 6.5 years ago and about 18 months into their marriage, Jessi started to feel that maybe some things just weren’t quite right with her body. A doctor’s appointment led to two different diagnoses of infertility which has been extremely painful.

    It was very unexpected as someone who was in her early twenties but five years later, she feels like the Lord has used this situation more than any other in her entire life. Now she is very grateful to be in a space to hopefully share some encouragement and help!

    If you yourself are walking through infertility, here are three pieces of encouragement that have come through lots of trial and error and asking for lots of grace:

    Surround yourself with community

    Confessing that you are going through a season of infertility is really uncomfortable and really hard because you are discussing some of the most intimate details of your life but we are simply made to do life with other people. We need people to strengthen us with truth when we can’t.

    Learn to rejoice with those who rejoice

    This is something that I really struggled with during the first years of infertility. It can be difficult to hear other women’s other exciting news when all I wanted was some of that news for myself. However, it is a loving thing to rejoice with others when they are rejoicing and it’s amazing to see how these people also mourn with you as you mourn. Gospel friendship is a beautiful thing.

    Remember that Jesus is our greatest treasure in all of life

    This is by far the most important. Jesus is so kind to give us devoted husbands and Godly friends and good gifts but He is our greatest treasure.

    He came to Earth to be a broken body on a tree so that these broken, infertile bodies of ours could be redeemed someday and not stuck in this situation forever.

    If you are someone NOT walking through infertility or perhaps know of someone who is, here are my tips for providing encouragement and love to those who are:

    Include women who are not mothers in your tribe

    It is such an honor when a mom lets me love her kids and be her friend and just includes me in her family dynamic. I’ve learned so much from the Godly moms in my life that I can’t wait to hopefully use in my own family one day.

    Love doesn’t grow weary

    If you have a friend who is walking through infertility its likely that they are going to hurt intensely month after month - its just the nature of it. Pray for a heart that is long suffering and stay with your friend as they hurt over and over again. This is not a quick pain.

    We don't need to be fixed

    I know there is a temptation to share an article you’ve read or a new treatment or doctor but sometimes what we need most is to be seen and heard and loved. There are certainly situations where sharing is helpful but remember that we are doing our own research as well.

    Jessi also chose to share some Dear Mushka pieces that have helped her while walking through this difficult season. I love that she chose different pieces that I would have - proof that God’s words go far beyond one situation.

    The Encounter Necklace reminds me to not give up on praying and that the Lord doesn’t tire of our prayers.

    The Befitting Earrings are paired with the scripture verse that depicts Him increasing while we decrease with the jewel hanging, going back to what I said before about Jesus being our treasure!

    The Expectant Necklace is one I wear nearly every day (it is actually a Dear Mushka piece made especially for infertility). It mimics an empty cradle and also open hands that reminds me that I am willing to accept that Lord’s good plan and will wait expectantly for whatever He gives.

    Jessie said that you’re welcome to message her if you’d like to!

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    Necklaces for Layering

    We have over 40 short necklaces at different lengths that are perfect for creating that layered look! I’m sharing some pieces today that make a great combo for wearing together for modern and stylish adornment.

    The Ambassador Necklace

    The Ambassador Necklace is our only choker necklace that fits snug around your neck. The Kinship Necklace is another option but it hits slightly lower and isn’t technically a choker as it’s looser than the ambassador.

    The Salt Necklace

    The Salt Necklace is a 16” piece that has a genuine druzy pendant in white. A 16” necklace hits me above my collarbone but this can differ depending on what you’re wearing.

    Some of my other favorites in this length include: The Enduring Necklace and The Aid Necklace.

    The Encounter Necklace

    The Encounter Necklace is one I wear at least once a week, it makes a great prayer piece and hangs at 18”. Our 18” necklaces are the most common length for our Dear Mushka pieces.

    My favorites for layering include the Honey Necklace and the Knot Necklace.

    The Honey Necklace is one of my favorite Dear Mushka pieces with its golden pendant that shines.

    The Twinkle Necklace

    The Twinkle Necklace is my favorite layering necklace because the chain is different - it doesn’t tangle with other pieces! This one makes a great gift, especially if somebody has some of our other jewelry already because it just goes with everything.

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    Mother's Day Gift Guide (for every woman!)

    Mother's Day is our second biggest holiday and as a woman, I truly understand why. On this day, there is little more I want than ways to remember my sweet children + Gospel truths to stand on when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I also know the loss of a mother, the angst of feeling like an imperfect mother, the sorrow as friends walk through miscarriage or infertility and long to be a mother, etc. 

    I hope this post helps you navigate the pieces we offer and allows you to find the perfect thing for your heart or a loved one's heart. xx

    To Celebrate Children:

    · A piece from the No. 139 Birthstone collection here -- add one or multiple birthstones. Grandmothers love this! 

    · The Priority Ring here-- wear one for each of your children, add more as your family grows!

    · The Called Necklace here -- add one initial or multiple and keep your children close to your heart (or a grandmother's heart). Also a precious way to honor the loss of a child. 

    · The Brimming Necklace here-- a great option for someone experiencing motherhood after years of waiting. Rejoice with those who rejoice!

    · The Quiver Necklace here -- add as many arrows as you need and think on Proverbs 127:4

    Adoption:

    The Together Necklace here -- we have a verse card for birthmothers, adoptive mothers, and (new!) adopted daughters as they get older. Can you picture all three matching? Precious! 

    To Help During Hard Seasons:

    · The Aid Necklace here -- created especially for when a loved one or unborn child dies. Miscarriage, loss of child, loss of mother, no relationship with a mother. Let this verse meet you in all of the hard! 

    · The Expectant Necklace here -- created especially for someone walking through infertility. Open your hands to what God has in store for you. 

    · The Keeper Necklace here-- know that you are seen and your tears are kept; add tear drops for each miscarriage or loss.

    · The Portion Necklace here-- because God, not children or health or obedience, is our hope. Amen!

    · The Carried Cuff here -- because you're being held as you mother; this is a shop bestseller, for sure! 

    · The Harvest Necklace here -- available in lots of colors with a wonderful reminder that the work you're doing will one day product fruit; keep planting seeds in your child's life!

    · The Enduring Necklace here-- especially wonderful for mothers parenting a child with special needs 

    For Spiritual Growth as you Mother:

    · A Promise Pack here -- perfect for putting up all around the house to keep your eyes on truth even when you feel too busy to spend a long time in the Bible

    · The Servant Necklace here-- a reminder to serve your children, through the power of Jesus

    · A 2 Cor 12:9 Art Print here -- because God is greatest when are weak and in need of Him for energy, wisdom, and joy. 

    To Gift to Another as a "Thank You" for being the mother they are

    · Here's a blog post I wrote that highlights a lot of pieces you can use to say "thank you". I think you'll find a lot of good options here! 

     

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    Katie's Favorite Dear Mushka Necklaces

    Today Katie shares some of her favorite Dear Mushka Necklaces and their meanings. Watch the video to see her explanations or read below to find your favorite piece. 

    The Net Necklace

    The Net Necklace comes in both gold and silver and is paired with a verse from 1 Peter. It is meant to resemble a net and casting your anxieties overboard, trusting that Jesus will handle them.

    Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

    This piece would be perfect for an anxious season of life.

    The Radiance Necklace

    I wear The Radiance Necklace anytime I need something a little fancy. It comes in four different colors and the peach is my favorite. It’s supposed to resemble an unashamed, radiant face and the verse from Psalm 34.

    The Ladder Necklace

    The Ladder Necklace comes paired with the verse from Romans 5 that has been such a lifeline for me. I’ve also given this piece to friends when they are walking through tough seasons.

    It’s obviously meant to look like a ladder and reflects the imagery of climbing the ladder of sanctification through suffering.

    The Perspective Necklace

    The Perspective Necklace is reflective of Romans 8. This is a very well-known verse.

    And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

    The idea is that up close the necklace looks like ugly holes but from a distant we’re able to see our lives as a redemptive whole.

    It comes in yellow gold, rose gold and silver. What I love about this piece is that just the title (and the necklace itself) offers us perspective that in hard season of suffering we can remember that God is working something out.

    Do you have a favorite Dear Mushka piece that you love wearing or have given as a gift? I love hearing from you and hearing the personal meanings you give to each piece! Send me a DM to share your favorites with the Dear Mushka team❤️

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    Marriage: An 9 Year Interview with Robert & Katie

    We just celebrated our nine year wedding anniversary and did a little interview on Instagram. 

    Here are the Q&As, with a few extra details!

    How do you handle marriage during the newborn season?

    Robert: It's okay to be in survival mode! Don't romanticize it, newborns are hard. Say "I'm sorry I was exhausted and missed you in that moment." Trust that tomorrow will be better and work towards that, over time. 

    Katie: Catch each other in the small moments and say "I see you and I love you!" Also important is to take your thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) instead of dwelling on how x y or z isn't fair. Satan loves to make us think we're alone and justified in our anger and bitterness. Fight against that and praise God for every good and perfect gift instead!

    Also, think on Philippians 2 and the example of servanthood we have in Christ. He suffered far more than we are with a baby, and he still humbly poured himself out for others. We have the same power of the Holy Spirit inside us- pray for that strength and ability!

    How do you handle date nights?

    Robert: Date nights are important- we've done them with varying frequency over nine years (every Saturday was a goal at one point)- but they aren't a silver bullet. If you aren't loving each other well during the week, your one date night isn't going to fix it. 

    Katie: During this lenten season, we stopped watching TV at night. That redeemed time has been so good! We've connected on a deeper level, had conversations we weren't making the time to have otherwise, and have gotten just as much out of that time (or more!) as we would have on a date night. 

    We do have a goal to find a sitter we love and trust, but we also find value in getting takeout and snuggling up for a movie after the boys go to bed.

    Our favorite way to spend a date night is getting errands done (truly, we have fun together) or going out with friends.

    Tell us about working together!

    Robert: We work very well and very poorly together. Ha! Katie is particular about her schedule and to-do list. If I try and go into her office and talk when she's trying to work, she's going to get frustrated. 

    Katie: We were having the same argument over and over again. I'd put the boys down for a nap and be ready to power through some work. Robert would see that the boys were down and naturally use the opportunity to come chat. It wasn't working and we had to communicate our needs and potential solutions. 

    But we do love working from home together! The flexibility is how this family functions so well. And we've also learned that it's best if we have separate roles in this company so we aren't stepping on each other's toes. He handles his things and I handle my things and then we meet in the middle to talk about them/ encourage one another/ offer insight and advice when it's asked for. And only then ;) 

    Do you do Bible Studies together? Spiritual leadership?

    Robert: We don't. We know ourselves- we read at different speeds, need different things out of the word, and could potentially turn it into a competitive sport. Instead, we both read separately and then tell one another about what we've read and learned.

    If you want your husband to have more spiritual conversations with you, be willing to have spiritual conversations with him. Love what you're reading so much that you just have to share it. 

    It's also so important to communicate what you need. If something isn't working or you'd love a family devotion time or whatever, tell him! Kindly, of course, but he can't read your mind. 

    Katie: Being "head of the household" doesn't mean that it's solely Robert's job to begin every discussion. Primarily, I need to be in the word and in prayer. Then at the dinner table or in the car, we can share what we're reading and how God is growing us. 

    It's not my job to be the Holy Spirit in Robert's life. I don't need to nag him to read his Bible- how ineffective is that! Instead, I excitedly share what I'm learning and spur the conversation on. 

    I've also learned to respect the specific giftings he's been given. Instead of trying to make him more like me, I want him to be more like Jesus. So I try to highlight his strengths and come alongside him in his weaknesses. This goes both ways. 

    Robert: A huge thing you can do for your husband is pray for Godly men to speak into his life!

    (Robert meets with a friend every Friday to talk about the book of Hebrews + life. It's been so so good for him!) 

    How has marriage changed in nine years? 

    Katie: I learned how to apologize. I was prideful and defensive when we got married and didn't have a clue how to humble myself enough to apologize. Robert showed me Jesus by initiating reconciliation, even when it wasn't his responsibility. His love offered me opportunities to grow and improve in a safe environment. 

    This is a huge part of how we do marriage and parenting- creating a safe place to become more like Christ. 

    Robert: I learned to assume the best about Katie and give the benefit of the doubt. I'd been creating these worst-case scenarios in my head that involved her trying to make me angry, but the truth is that she was just tired/ unaware/ human.

    An additional note to my single friends:

    Don't look for perfection in a spouse; look for desire. We were not these people when we got married and I hope we are additionally sanctified nine more years down the road. On our wedding day, we were two people committed to following Christ and growing more in our relationship with him. And that is all that matters, ultimately. He'll grow you + take you where he wants to!

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    Gifts for Caregivers and Teachers

    I know how it can be a struggle to find meaningful, personalized gifts for all of the amazing people in our lives so today I’m sharing some gift ideas for caregivers and teachers!

    The Lantern Necklace

    The Lantern Necklace comes with a verse that says “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” I love this one for teachers because they are definitely a light to our children and a lot of teachers and caregivers like to sing “This Little Light of Mine”.

    I think it is so perfect for them! It comes with little copper beads inside and it’s really beautiful.

    The Harvest Necklace

    The Harvest Necklace comes in nine different colors so you’re able to pick their favorite color or even the school color. It is paired with Galatians 6:9 and the necklace provides the imagery of pieces of fruit being strung together to create something beautiful.

    This is even a great gifts for mothers because raising children is really hard work and sometimes it can feel so tiring and we so often just long to see the fruit of our hard work. It serves as a reminder that if we keep at it, God promises that some kind of fruit will come.

    I love adding this note:

    Thank you for working steadfastly to grow fruit in these children, even on the hard days. I am so grateful!

    The Gentleness Necklace

    The Gentleness Necklace is great for a younger teacher or caregiver. The tassel is such a gentle, sweet pendant for a reminder of the verse it is paired with. It’s a calling to be gentle and humble. 

    Some Other Pieces: 

    A Promise Pack -- truth for them to put on their desks and in their cars

    The Precious Tee -- because they absolutely believe these lyrics

    The Goodness Necklace -- because raising children is a good work

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    Welcome Cru! + Adoption Tips

    Our third son, Cru, was born last week and we are thrilled to have him in our arms.

    You can read about our past adoption experiences in these blog posts. For this third adoption, we used Faithful Adoption Consultants again. I highly recommend them or a similar route if speed is a priority to you. We went active around Valentines Day, were matched five weeks later, and held our son two weeks after that!  

    You can also follow my personal IG account along here

    Many of you have asked for adoption tips beyond choosing an agency so here are a few things this three-time-adoptive-mother would recommend as you prepare to bring your little one home. 

    1. Rent an Airbnb as you wait out ICPC. A hotel gets old fast. If you can find a place with a kitchen, living room, and bedroom you'll be able to spread out, avoid eating out so much, and feel more like you're at home while you await the clear to head back to your home state. Ours was just $10 more a night... very worth it.  

    2. Pack those little things babies need when they come home from the hospital. A baby thermometer, vaseline for post-circumcision, a nail file perhaps? Of course, a Target or Wal-Mart is probably close by, but if you don't have to buy a duplicate, why do it? 

    3. While you're at it, pack a variety of clothing sizes for your little one.  Because my other two boys wore them for multiple weeks, I only brought newborn clothes and as it turns out.. baby number came out too big for them! I had plenty of the next size up at home and kicked myself for not bringing a few of them. Lesson learned! 

    4. Bring comfortable, realistic clothes for yourself. This is not the time to look fancy and dolled-up. You might not have delivered a baby, but your emotions have gone through the ringer. Lay low, enjoy being cozy (and make-up free!) while you're away from the company of your friends and family. 

    5. Take advantage of the time you have in a different city. Travel all around the state you're in-- for our second son we visited the Red Rocks in Arizona and for number three we planned to go to Waco (hello, Joanna) until we got the clear to come home earlier than expected. 

    6. Likewise, enjoy parenting with just your spouse and new child. Did you leave other children at home? Soak up being a parent to just one newborn-- what a unique bonding experience! Go out to eat with your husband before your child gets too old to do so, snuggle up on the bed and watch a movie in between feedings, go for walks, do a little reading!

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    Miscellaneous Dear Mushka Pieces You Didn’t Know About

    Today I’m sharing a few Dear Mushka products that you may not know we have. Watch the video to see the pieces or read through them below!

    The first are some add-on’s that you can add to basically any necklace you already have. These are perfect for necklaces with little hanging pendants to make them extra customizable.

    The No. 139 Collection

    We currently offering birthstone pendants as part of our No. 139 collection as bracelets, earrings and a necklace. They are little glass stones for each of the months of the year.

    You have the option to add a birthstone pendant to almost any piece for a pop of color. They look especially good on long necklaces like the Plume Necklace.

    Other Additions

    Other great options include initial pendants, hearts, arrows, rings, pearls and Keeper tear drops to any purchased piece - you can find them here.

    Our Trio Necklace comes with three rings but I love the idea of adding as many rings as you need to represent children, friends, etc.

    I love adding a pearly on basically anything for a little extra feminine touch.

    For these extra add ons you simple add your necklace and add on to your cart with a note to seller on the view cart page that tells use what to add to which piece for you💕

    Replacement Chains

    You’ll probably need us to fix a broken chain, if this happens simply pop us an email or purchase a replacement chain.

    We also have chain extenders available if you’d like to add an extra 2-3” to your necklaces. It’s super simple to add! Just attach to the back and put your necklace back on. You’ll soon be able to add a clasp to a long necklace, too. This is also helpful for layering necklaces.

    I’ll be showing you all some more of the custom designs you all create as they go out on IG stories because you are all so creative and create the most beautiful pieces that are so meaningful. I know these jewelry pieces are extensions of your hearts❤️

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