Velma Crawford in “The Ties That Bind”

Velma Crawford, the ETS Graduate and apron extraordinaire, returns triumphantly to our EWI blog with a presentation about her life called “The Ties That Bind” that was held at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum on August 19th.

 

 
 

You may have heard her story before; in fact it’s tucked into every one of Velma’s aprons. With Velma, when you buy an apron you don’t simply receive an apron but the creator’s narrative as well. In “The Ties That Bind” Velma allows us to accompany her on a journey through her learning experiences with her grandmother, the poor daughter of an ex-slave who taught Velma the skills she uses to create her aprons, and her personal illness which was the catalyst to her apron creating.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

While sick, Velma created aprons as therapy that gave “a peace in me”. She discovered that creating aprons allowed her permission to heal and opened up her awareness of sharing. She also learned of the impact women have on each other, how we touch each other’s lives, and how profound that can be. As her therapy turned into an obsession she turned her obsession into a business.

 
 

 
 
 

With Velma her aprons are truly a creation, not simply a garment to use, but a garment that speaks through colors and prints. When you purchase one of Velma’s creations you are purchasing a story that started with a woman born at the turn of the century and by having one you are becoming a living part of that legacy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Velma Crawford – Veez Ties That Bind Slideshow

To learn more about Velma see our blog here and our website here.

Also visit her Facebook page here.

To contact Velma please email her at veeztiesthatbind@gmail.com or vee.crawford@gmail.com.
 
 

Item of the Week: Utility Apron

This beautiful hand sewn red and black floral apron is one size fits all. Wearing this apron will make you want to cook! A wonderful gift for any special woman in your life. Created from black and red floral fabric with a red terry cloth panel layer with two pockets. Makes cleaning up easy as you cook! The two pockets have a red gingham detail. This gorgeous apron is sure to impress!

VELMA CRAWFORD
Velma Crawford is the founder and creator of Veez Ties That Bind. She designs and creates aprons that are not your typical grandmother’s aprons. In the Spring of 2008, Velma founded Veez Ties That Bind, inspired by the love and strength of her grandmother Mattie and her grandmother’s seven daughters, whose bond of family proved unbreakable. Velma’s aprons are uniquely designed and are very functional. Most are reversible and can be designed to fit any occasion. Velma has developed a passion for making these beautiful works of art and confesses that each one speaks to her spirit.

Learn more about Velma.

Visit our Etsy shop today to view or purchase one of Velma’s beautiful aprons!

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Velma Crawford

Each day, between now and July 23rd, we will be introducing you to one of our current Entrepreneur Training for Success students.  These women are artists, artisans and creative entrepreneurs with talent, passion, vision and entrepreneurial drive to start-up their own businesses and lead change in their communities.  Read about the amazing work they are doing and join us on July 23rd as we celebrate their graduation.

First up, Meet Velma Crawford, creator and owner of Veez Ties that Bind, a one-of-a-kind apron company.

Velma with some of her aprons at one EWI's art markets.

A year ago my life seemed hopeless and I thought I’d never get well, I’d never be able to do much of anything worthy with my life, like the starfish I felt washed up.  Since being a part of Empowered Women International (EWI) I have unlearn and relearned many times over.  My sense of self has greatly improved.  The love and genuine care that the staff of EWI shows and gives so freely has made me a lubricant vessel that over flows with creative ideas and burst with enthusiasm to give from any resource I have available without hesitation.

In the four months of being a part of EWI, I have grown in so many ways, I’ve met so many interesting, warm and wonderful people that I would never have met had I not been a part of this organization.  EWI has been a healing balm to my mind, body, soul and spirit.  EWI has been a beacon of light when I could not see during dark moments along the way.  To me Marga, EWI’s Executive Director, has been like the young man in Joel Barker’s story walking along saving as many starfish as possible.  Thank you Marga for picking me up and throwing me pass the breaking waves to a safe place in my “New Normal”.

Velma has started to pass her techinques down to her own granddaughter. (Velma with her graddaughter at EWI's donor reception.)

At a very young age Velma’s grandmother began to teach her the art of quilt making.  As a little girl she sat at the feet of her grandmother learning how to cut out quilting blocks.  Once skilled at the art of cutting blocks she quickly picked up the art of quilting.

Then, four years ago, while attending a Training and Development course as part of her graduate program at The Catholic University of America, Velma found her niche. As part of a course, Velma developed and taught a class on “The Art of Basic Apron Making”.  After the class, she received several orders for aprons from her students, and in the spring of 2008 she launched Veez Ties That Bind, inspired by the love and strength of her grandmother Mattie and her grandmother’s seven daughters, whose bond of family proved unbreakable. Velma’s aprons are “not your typical Grandmother’s aprons”. They are uniquely designed and very functional.  Most are reversible and can be designed to fit any occasion. Velma considers each of her aprons beautiful works of art and confesses that while creating them, each one speaks to her spirit.

THANK YOU + We WON

Originally Posted on May 9th, 2011

Thanks to your generosity and amazing outpouring of support over the past 3 days of Spring2Action Alexandria, EWI raised approximately $13,920. We raised $5,920 and three matching gifts of $1,000.

We also came in first place as the organization with the most number of unique donors 159, which brought us an additional gift of $5,000. Yay!!!

No job or gift was too small in this campaign, and everyone’s actions made a great difference. This was absolutely a powerful grassroots philanthropy effort, and one that gave voice to everyone who made a gift of $10 or more. Each gift regardless of its size led to an extraordinary outcome.

Big things seldom come along. But collectively small acts can add up to great things.

It was very inspiring to team up with all of you and lead this campaign, and to engage with each of you in raising funds to empower and transform women’s lives.

Heartfelt thanks to all our ACTion heroes: each of you who donated and encouraged me throughout the campaign, the Board and Advisory Board, our beneficiaries, my amazing colleague Shannon Lynberg for working long hours to keep our members engaged, the extraordinary team of ACTion Alexandria: John Porter, Brandi Yee, Tracy Viselli and many others for working tirelessly to mobilize the Alexandria community and raise funds for great organizations.

Their efforts resulted in 937 participants, $76,323 + matching grants, which translate in more than $100K funds raised over the 3-day campaign.

Way to go Alexandria and keep on believing in the power of good and the potential we all have to act as heroes for our communities.

PLUS Our WINNER for the Mother’s Day Spring2Action Raffle is Barbara Williamson. Congratulations, Barbara!

She will be receiving our gorgeous hand sewn pink floral apron created by our artist entrepreneur, Velma Crawford. Velma is currently in our Entrepreneur Training for Success and she is receiving mentoring and coaching from great designer and entrepreneur supporters of EWI.

Because of your overwhelmingly positive feedback on Velma’s aprons, we’ve added more aprons to our online gift shop. Check them out and find the one you love! Send us your feedback. We also take custom orders, just email us.

A Gift that will Make Mom Proud

Originally Posted on May 3rd, 2011

Help us raise $5,000 in three days!!

Empowered Women International (EWI) has received $2,000 in matching grants of $1,000 each, one from Mason Hirst Foundation Fund, and another one, anonymously.

The grants are for Spring2ACTion, an innovative online community-wide fundraising event on May 5th, 6th and 7th.

When you make a donation to Empowered Women International of any size on May 5th, 6th, and 7th, your donation will be doubled up to $2,000, and will help us increase our chances of winning even more money and prizes! The nonprofit with the most unique donors will win an additional $5,000.

We need you in order to make this campaign a success! Our goal is to raise $5,000 on May 5th, 6th and 7th to support entrepreneurship, job creation and leadership development for 15 immigrant, refugee and low-income women who will be attending our Entrepreneur Training for Success program this fall in Alexandria, VA.

Anyone who contributes to Empowered Women International between May 5th and May 7th will be entered into a raffle. One winner will be picked on May 8th to win this gorgeous hand sewn pink floral apron by our artist entrepreneur, Velma Crawford.

The apron will be shipped at no cost to you to the special woman in your life. Along with the apron we will include Velma’s story about her passion to create aprons inspired by the love and strength of her grandmother, Mattie.

Don’t miss the opportunity to support Empowered Women International with a tax-deductible gift, win this gorgeous apron, and open doors to possibilities for women.

Meet the Artist, Apron Designer, Velma Crawford

Originally Posted on March 22nd, 2011

Velma Crawford, one of our newest Entrepreneur Training for Success students, is the founder and creator of Veez Ties That Bind. She designs and creates aprons that are not your typical grandmother’s aprons.

Velma’s love for quilting and sewing begin at a very young age when her own grandmother Mattie began teaching her the art of quilting. Four years ago, while attending a Training and Development course as part of her graduate program at Catholic University Velma found her niche. It was there that she developed and taught a popular class on “The Art of Basic Apron Making.” Her students loved her aprons so much that they started placing orders.

In the Spring of 2008, Velma founded Veez Ties That Bind, inspired by the love and strength of her grandmother Mattie and her grandmother’s seven daughters, whose bond of family proved unbreakable. Velma’s aprons are uniquely designed and are very functional.  Most are reversible and can be designed to fit any occasion. Velma has developed a passion for making these beautiful works of art and confesses that each one speaks to her spirit. Over the years Velma has worked as a professional consultant and designer for various clients in the DC metro area. For several years, she owned a home-based boutique. She has written many short stories, and serves as the family Storyteller.

Velma retired from the federal government after thirty years, and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for twenty-four years. Velma resides in Forestville, MD, and is the mother of two sons, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. Velma can be contacted via email at either vee.crawford@gmail.com or at veeztiesthatbind@gmail.com, and by phone at 240-455-7904.