Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Llewellyn.
Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For quite some time, I dreamed of opening an Etsy shop. I didn’t exactly know what kind of shop I wanted or what kinds of items to include in my shop, but I knew I wanted one. I’ve always had a love for the more artsy things in life—photography, poetry, crafting, creating documents on my computer to use in the classroom and so on—and maybe opening an Etsy shop would spark that love in a different way.
In 2019, I sat on the floor in the middle of my home office and jotted down some ideas and started planning. As I was planning, I wanted to pick a name for my shop that was just right. I wanted my shop to be a place of hope and inspiration; a light. I was in the middle of a texting conversation with a really good friend when she asked me, “What is your favorite scripture or one that encompasses your vision/mission for this shop and the products you hope to provide?” This was a tough question because I have so many favorite Bible verses. I immediately opened up my Bible and started looking up verses about light. As I searched, I came across 2 Samuel 22:29 and it says, “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.” It was at that moment that I decided I was going to open a Christian-based Etsy shop and I was going to use this verse as inspiration. After texting shop name ideas back and forth with my friend, I finally decided on the name Aster Light Co. Aster is a type of flower (I love flowers) and it is also the September birth month flower (my birth month). The Aster flower symbolizes love and patience, and in some places, it is said that it also symbolizes loyalty, wisdom, good thoughts and light. I added “light” to the last part of my shop name, well, because my hope was for it to be a light. Aster Light Co. officially opened in August of 2019.
Almost a year after opening my shop, my husband and I began our journey with infertility. Little did I know that my Etsy shop would end up being a place of hope and inspiration for myself. 2 Samuel 22:29 became a Bible verse that I clung to closely during this time. The following year was spent doing a lot of testing, getting anointed and prayed over and going to a fertility specialist. In January of 2022, we started fertility treatments. We did our first round of IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and two weeks later we were faced with a negative pregnancy test. Over the next few months we did two more IUI’s that also ended with negative pregnancy tests. Over this time, I created a special infertility bundle for my Etsy shop to help me through the grieving process in hopes that this could give myself and others hope. I also created a t-shirt for friends and family to support us during our journey. In August of 2022, I had a minor surgery in hopes that it would reveal why we were struggling with infertility and they ended up finding endometriosis. Fast forward to Spring of 2023. We did one more round of IUI and decided that if this round did not work, we would turn to IVF later that year. After four failed IUI’s, we started researching IVF clinics. We found out about a fertility center in the Cayman Islands and we did a consultation via Zoom and began treatments that summer. In the midst of our failed IUI treatments and starting IVF, I started creating new sticker and keychain designs for my Etsy shop with phrases that helped me get through this difficult time. Phrases like, “Be kind to yourself,” “Joy comes in the morning,” and “It’s gonna be ok.” In August of 2023 we jumped on a plane and spent 12 days in the Cayman Islands for egg retrieval. During our time there, we had multiple appointments leading up to egg retrieval. Being there for an extended amount of time allowed us to get to know the staff at the fertility center and explore the island. Egg retrieval was quick and easy, and so was recovery (thank God). Out of the 28 eggs that were retrieved, 20 fertilized. That number dwindled over the next few days and eight embryos were sent to genetic testing; only three came back normal. Fast forward a few months and a whole bunch of shots later. In October of 2023, we went back to the Cayman Islands for our frozen embryo transfer. Transfer day was a success and two weeks after transfer, we (finally) got a positive pregnancy test! In January of 2024 we announced our pregnancy from the hotel we stayed at during our embryo transfer in the Cayman Islands and in July of 2024, our sweet baby boy was born.
Our years of infertility were some of our darkest, yet most beautiful years. My husband and I drew closer to God, closer to each other, it showed us how a community can come together and it’s given us a story to tell—a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Having an Etsy shop during this season of my life was truly a blessing. It inspired me to create beautiful things, even in a season of waiting & grieving, to bring light, hope, and encouragement to others who were also going through infertility. Even now, in this new chapter of motherhood & healing, I hope to continue to grow my shop and keep creating a space that inspires and brings light to others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As far as the infertility part of my story, I may have already answered this question above ☺️ As far as my Etsy shop goes, one of the biggest struggles I’ve faced (and continue to face) is being consistent with social media posts and promoting my shop to get more traffic. In this season of motherhood, I find it even more difficult to stay on top of those things. Even though I may be a little more quiet on social media these days, I’m still around! Drop by and say hi!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now I’m currently a stay-at-home mom. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was an elementary school teacher for 11 years. I taught kindergarten and first grade, I taught small reading groups for kindergarten through third grade, I was a first grade assistant and I was a first grade long term substitute teacher.
Throughout my years of teaching, one of the things I am most proud of is being open to new opportunities. Change can be difficult for me and I often struggle to get out of my comfort zone. Having multiple roles in my teaching experience has helped me overcome my fear of change and has encouraged me to become more comfortable in trying new things.
When I think of what sets me apart as a (former) educator, there are a few things that come to mind. I’m a strong communicator with my team and families, I’m organized and pay attention to detail, I’m self motivated, I provide students with research-based best practices to support their individual learning needs and above all, I incorporate Jesus into everything I do.
Teaching brought me a lot of joy and I was blessed to work with many incredible students, families and teachers. Being around the teaching community is definitely something that I miss and will hopefully go back to down the road.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
To those struggling with infertility, I see you, I hear you, I feel you. My heart is holding onto hope for you and with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/asterlightco
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asterlightco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asterlightco
Image Credits
Andi Mans
Passio Photography
