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"Oprah
Winfrey, I Want to Thank You"
Stay At
Home Mom Goes To Work
by Jude Lassow
 Who
is Janet Bernasconi?... and why does she want to thank Oprah
Winfrey?
"Pinch me, am I dreaming?" "Is the Home Reporter
Newspaper really going to run a story about me and my pillows?" "I
must be dreaming."
These words resonated from Janet Bernasconi, a
loving wife, stay-at-home mom, a former brown belt karate trainee,
student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Sunday School
teacher, and Secretary, who now has a heart full of new dreams and
hope, thanks to Oprah Winfrey.
While teaching religious instruction at the Most
Precious Blood in NYC, Bernasconi’s students excelled in arts and
crafts. All the children participated and designed a
beautiful mural that was displayed. Her artistic spirit is
leading her to fill her life long dream of 'making a difference in
the world' and 'giving back' by nurturing and embracing God's
creative gifts. Janet has been blessed with many innovative
talents, which she inherited from her artistically endowed
parents.
Often on her lunch breaks, Bernasconi would
stroll along Fifth Avenue looking at the beautifully created store
windows. The ingenious holiday showcases displayed imagination,
brilliant colors, hues and awe-inspiring themes. She used to
envision selling her artwork to big companies and seeing her
creations everywhere.
Bernasconi loves making people
happy. Her dreams are filled with a determination to create
and put a smile on someone’s face. While she was still working,
Bernasconi drew caricatures of her co-workers and friends. Her
desire to create is the essence of her being. Bernasconi always
believed the Lord would lead the way to her creative destination.
She believes with faith all things are possible.
In 1990 Janet and Steve Bernasconi, an aspiring novelist, the
Prince Charming of her dreams, were married. Janet and her mom
designed all the wedding decorations, bouquets and pillows for
this auspicious occasion. The Bernasconi's planned a wonderful
life together, which now includes two adorable children,
eight-year-old Laura and four-year-old Michael. Steve's writing
ambitions have taken a back seat for now, due to his hectic
schedule. Mr. Bernasconi oversees Janet’s web site
www.janetscreativepillows.com
But Janet Bernasconi’s life is changing...
 While
watching the Oprah Winfrey show, Bernasconi was inspired by one of
the segments about ordinary stay-at-home moms who started
successful businesses from home. Bernasconi's innovative ideas
were racing through her mind. Two days later, as she was cleaning
out a closet, she found Laura’s first dress; a pretty pink and
white polka dot outfit. As Bernasconi's held the dress
recalling memories about her sister, an overwhelming sadness
enveloped her. Silvia Cousin, was Bernasconi’s older sister, who
at age 42 passed away from stomach cancer. Silvia’s words of
wisdom, ‘Life is too short. We should enjoy every day like it's
our last!' have been a guiding light for Bernasconi. As she
rebounded from this emotional rush, she was holding the little
dress and remembered how adorable Laura looked in it.
Flashbacks of Laura's joyful giggles, and how her precocious
little daughter began reading when she was three years old, filled
her heart. Bernasconi could almost hear Laura say, 'Mommy I want
to be a doctor when I get bigger'. Bernasconi wanted to preserve
and display this precious little dress that was overflowing with
special memories.
 As
Bernasconi pondered about the sentimental emotions that this
little pink dress evoked, she began to wonder if other moms had
similar feelings about their children’s unique things. An angel of
inspiration planted a creative seed into Janet's heart. By turning
a cherished memento such as a Christening dress, baby or wedding
announcement into a keep sake pillow, it could last forever.
Laura’s first dress has been created into a stylish little girl’s
pillow with green bows and embellishments. It sits on her bed,
surrounded by other pillows which Bernasconi has created. Some of
these decorative pillows are hand painted, artistically unique
originals.
Ebay....
Bernasconi began advertising her hand crafted
specially made children's pillows on Ebay. She started getting
personalized orders along with new creative suggestions for
designing pillows. Bernasconi was inspired to choose a name for
her pillow collection. Carol G. Kelly created a beautiful web site
www.janetscreativepillows.com
which shows Bernasconi's artistic catalog of beautifully hand
crafted one-of-a-kind pillows.
 To
date, The Pea Pod is the biggest selling pillow. The fruits and
veggie pillows are a vegetarian’s delight.
Dream Wish List....
Janet's Creative Pillows are at homes in
Australia, England, and throughout the USA. Bernasconi's creative
dream of becoming a twenty-first century pillow maker is reality.
On her dream wish list, she'd like to make a
special "Thank You Collage" pillow dedicated to Oprah Winfrey for
the inspiring TV show about ordinary-stay-at-home-moms starting a
business. Right now, Bernasconi is looking for the 'right' mailing
address for Miss Winfrey. Bernasconi dreams that Oprah will
actually see this "Thank You" pillow.
There are other special pillows in the making
which include :
A PILLOW OF HOPE for Roy Horn, from Siegfried
and Roy. He is truly an inspiration of determination and faith.
He’s sitting up now, and holding one of Bernasconi’s POH would be
another dream come true.
A KATRINA fund-raising pillow to help the
starving pets in New Orleans, Alabama and Louisiana.
The aftermath has been devastating. The
surviving pets are starving and need a lot of food. Soon this
pillow will be posted on
www.janetscreativepillows.com,
Ebay and
www.muffins.org
For the Cancer Society: In Memory of Silvia
Cousin $1.00 will be donated from each Pillow of Hope that is
bought.
St. Jude's Hospital: Children's Pillows of HOPE
with encouraging and spiritual messages painted on them.
Bernasconi will post her fund-raising ideas on
her web site.
Janet Bernasconi is a pillow maker with a big
heart. Her dreams and hope continue on her journey 'to make a
difference.'
Media Inquiry or Press
Releases:
If you are seeking information
regarding Janet's Creative Pillows, please contact Janet Bernasconi by
e-mail
at
janetspillows@yahoo.com
or by phone (561-687-9135).
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