Life and Work with Jordyn Slappey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordyn Slappey.

Jordyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story goes a little something like this… I was the little girl who loved pearls, fringe, ruffles, and bracelets, and really anything to enhance my outfit! I loved to encourage people, and I also developed a strong love for writing at an early age—journaling became my outlet. How could I do all three of those things at one time!? Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? 🙂

In middle school, I remember getting the bright idea to make bracelets for people at my church. The beads would be the colorful ones that mamas put on their babygirl’s heads, beads with alphabet letters on them, the string would be colorful yarn, and I would sell these bracelets at church for .50! It was just something for fun and it was pretty much short-lived because it was just a hobby at that time.

Let’s fast forward to my sophomore year of college, I began to get the desire to make bracelets again, but this time… the bracelets would be accompanied by a sweet note of encouragement! So, I dismissed the desire/thought anytime it came to mind because it seemed like way too much. Who would buy bracelets from me? Who would support? What if people don’t like my service? All of these different thoughts would cloud my mind, but literally after praying about it, I decided to just do it. I was not sure how I was going to pay for the materials that I needed, I did not know much of anything regarding entrepreneurship, but I knew that if God had given me the desire, He would provide me with the proper resources and strategy.

April 2017, I was enjoying my spring break with some family. One of those days, I jokingly uttered out of my mouth “I need some supplies for my business” and when I said that, my aunt and uncle took me to Hobby Lobby to purchase items to just get started. I was so grateful! I had enough items to start making bracelets.

A week later, I remember going to my 8 am class and I was so tired, like experiencing fatigue. It could have been stressful because of midterms, it could have been my poor diet, it could have been lack of sleep, anything… but I knew I could not wait for class to end so I could go back to my dorm and sleep! As I was heading to that 8 am and the Lord spoke so clearly to me and told me to cancel all activities/meetings/engagements after this class, go to my dorm, and rest. I really did not feel like asking Him why or for seeking any details about it, I actually rejoiced because I was already over the day! God was so specific—that very day after the 8 am class, I had two more classes, and at the time, I was serving as President for an organization on campus and we had a meeting that day. I sent an email to the members of that organization apologizing for the short notice but stating that our meeting for the day would be canceled and that we would resume the following week.

After the 8 am class, I did exactly what the Lord told me to do! I walked into my room and prepared to take a nap. It seemed like as soon as I locked the door to my room, I heard this massive thunder sound, and it began to pour down rain. I was too tired to care about what was going on outside, so I fell asleep.

When I woke up (5 hours later *giggles*), I had so many missed messages and emails, it turns out that the town that I was in had just been through a tornado watch and thunderstorm, classes were canceled, and all extracurricular activities were canceled. As children of God, we have such an advantage in our relationship with the One who knows ALL things! I often wonder how different things would have been or what I would have been caught in. Obedience will save you from getting soaked in rain!

Anyway! After checking those emails and messages, I was feeling inspired to make a few bracelets. This time, it was not with the colorful yarn, colorful beads for, or beads with the alphabets, but this time; I had the proper materials! Thank God for that! I started making bracelets, watching YouTube videos, and tons of research because I did not want to be an illiterate businesswoman or lack business etiquette. I felt like I had to learn so much in so little time, but it was all such an interesting and refreshing experience!

The name Peacez by GraceCase means so much to me. I remember not wanting a name that everybody had, not wanting a name that was average or common, but something that would stand out, something that would be remembered, and something extra unique! We are used to seeing the word “piece”, especially in jewelry making, you have to have the correct pieces of jewelry to create whatever it is you are trying to create. The difference here is that as Believers, we are made whole because of the Prince of Peace, and when life would try and discredit and cause us to downplay our individual walks with the Lord, when it seems like things are in literal shambles, we can be greeted and guarded by the One who gives perfect peace. How awesome is that!? GraceCase is just a word phrase that I hold near to my heart. I believe that I have been called to be a carrier of grace. In my approach, in my delivery, in my speech, and in my interactions, I have a charge of carrying grace, extending it to others and myself. Every time I wear my Peacez by GraceCase bracelets, I am always reminded of how God would sustain and carry me, and how much His grace has followed me. That is the same hope for others when they wear it!

A few months pass by, and things are going exceedingly well for PGC! People are purchasing bracelets, people are supporting me, you know, everything that I was fearful of before starting we’re disappearing. But then, things in my personal life started to shift, my program at school was getting more rigorous, and I was not a master of proper time management, so I began to get very discouraged.

Looking back, I wonder if I was trying to do it all in my own strength sometimes. I was so excited about my vision coming to life, I was excited about people wearing something that I made, and I was excited because this was a fun way to make extra cash!

Because I wanted to settle some things in my personal life and keep school as a priority, I took a break from making bracelets, and it was in that moment where I learned how to give myself grace, not to pressure myself. It was in that moment of me feeling like my life was in shambles in different areas, and I could do nothing in my human strength to put the pieces together. So, what did I do? I went right back to the drawing board, I repented, sought the Lord intently for His standard and His vision… and here we are. Peacez by GraceCase means so much more to me now and I am excited to be starting over!

This is the short version of the story without me crying about the faithfulness of God since the very beginning until now.

Has it been a smooth road?
Like any other journey, there are great days and not so great days! The not so great days developed a level of gratitude that would not have been present if I just experienced the great days.

There were times when I was so consumed with what I had going on that I could not even find the strength to write anything encouraging, there were even times when people would not pay me *gasp*, and there were times I wanted to forget about the whole thing. All of those occurrences taught me something!

The advice that I have for other women would be to seek God’s heart and standard from the very beginning with anything, it could be business-related, relationship related, fiscally related—whatever! Those things are important, and He knows just how to handle it all, and He knows the very best way to be sure that He will get the glory, after all… that’s the ultimate goal!

He’s not scratching His head trying to figure out our next move, but we have such great access to Him that when we are the ones scratching our heads about what the next step should be, that all we have to do is ask and execute it the way He has said to execute it. The One who called and sent us has promised us good success. Doing it God’s way will always have a positive outcome.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Peacez by GraceCase – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in making jewelry— specifically bracelets! Something that I noticed very early on with these bracelets is that no bracelet is the same, each bracelet has a different pattern, color scheme, and overall look. I have also never heard of written personal letters that accompany a bracelet before– so, I think that’s pretty cool!

I would say that I am most proud of the setback that I experienced, it led me to thrive in resilience for where Peacez by GraceCase is now and where it is going! Those moments where I experienced the “not so great days” are not wasted days, I learned so much during that time and to be able to come back and start again is only by God’s grace.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Undoubtedly, my favorite book is the Word of God. It is my standard for life and the foundation for all that I do. I also love books that encourage holistic growth, and I love reading books or articles about strategies, management and assessment, and curriculum-based messages for educators. I am an Early Childhood Education major by the way!

I am just now being introduced to podcasts and blogs, and the one that I have been most interested in is a podcast by one of my friends, Tiffany Ezeokonkwo (ezetiff) and her podcast is titled ExcelExhale and it is the perfect resource for me right now as I am on the ongoing journey, learning to manage and balance ministry, work, school, and life!

Contact Info:

• Email: peacezbygracecase@gmail.com
• Instagram: peacezbygracecase
• Facebook: Peacez by GraceCase

Image Credit:
Whitney Thomas of WhitneyBre Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.